Provided is an apparatus for producing solid polymeric microparticles, the apparatus comprising a plurality of liquid droplet generators for forming liquid droplets of a first liquid, and a nozzle for forming a jet of a second liquid, wherein the plurality of liquid droplet generators and the nozzle are arranged relative to each other such that, in use, liquid droplets from the plurality of liquid droplet generators pass through a gas into said jet of second liquid. Also provided is a process for producing solid microparticles, the process comprising: providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solvent, the solute comprising a biocompatible polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 10% w/v, ‘w’ being the weight of the polymer and ‘v’ being the volume of the solvent, providing a plurality of liquid droplet generators operable to generate liquid droplets, providing a jet of a second liquid, causing the plurality of liquid droplet generators to form liquid droplets of the first liquid, passing the liquid droplets through a gas to contact the jet of the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid microparticles, the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid, the solvent being substantially miscible with the second liquid.

The present application is directed towards systems and methods for adding components to materials being fluidized in a vibratory mixer by use of atomizers or sprayers. A mechanical system can fluidizes, mix, coat, dry, combine, or segregate materials. The system may comprise a vibratory mixer, mixing vessel containing a first material and a sprayer to introduce a second material. The vibratory mixer may generate a fluidized bed of a first material and the sprayer, coupled to the mixing vessel, may introduce a second material onto the fluidized bed to mix the materials in a uniform and even fashion.

The present application is directed towards systems and methods for adding components to materials being fluidized in a vibratory mixer by use of atomizers or sprayers. A mechanical system can fluidizes, mix, coat, dry, combine, or segregate materials. The system may comprise a vibratory mixer, mixing vessel containing a first material and a sprayer to introduce a second material. The vibratory mixer may generate a fluidized bed of a first material and the sprayer, coupled to the mixing vessel, may introduce a second material onto the fluidized bed to mix the materials in a uniform and even fashion.

A discharge device is provided. The discharge device includes a liquid feed-discharger, and the liquid feed-discharger includes a feed unit configured to feed a liquid and a discharge unit having discharge holes configured to discharge the liquid fed by the feed unit. A ratio (X/Y) of a maximum cross-sectional area X (mm.sup.2) to a minimum cross-sectional area Y (mm.sup.2) of the liquid feed-discharger in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the liquid feed-discharger is from 1 to 5.

A discharge device is provided. The discharge device includes a liquid feed-discharger, and the liquid feed-discharger includes a feed unit configured to feed a liquid and a discharge unit having discharge holes configured to discharge the liquid fed by the feed unit. A ratio (X/Y) of a maximum cross-sectional area X (mm.sup.2) to a minimum cross-sectional area Y (mm.sup.2) of the liquid feed-discharger in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the liquid feed-discharger is from 1 to 5.

The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in a fluidizing-type, solid-phase, neutralization reactor to blend solid-state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste-like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, plant space, and labor and energy costs. All of these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also, the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in a fluidizing-type, solid-phase, neutralization reactor to blend solid-state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste-like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, plant space, and labor and energy costs. All of these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also, the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

A particulate poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) is provided. The particulate PLGA comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), and has an average volume-based particle diameter of 80 nm or less and a relative span factor (R.S.F.) satisfying the following formula (1):

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}0<R.S.F.\le 1.20& \mathrm{Formula}\left(1\right)\end{array}$

where R.S.F, is defined by (D90−D10)/D50, where D90, D50, and D10 respectively represent particle diameters at cumulative rates of 90%, 50%, and 10% by volume based on a cumulative particle size distribution counted from a small-particle side.

A particulate poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) is provided. The particulate PLGA comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), and has an average volume-based particle diameter of 80 nm or less and a relative span factor (R.S.F.) satisfying the following formula (1):

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}0<R.S.F.\le 1.20& \mathrm{Formula}\left(1\right)\end{array}$

where R.S.F, is defined by (D90−D10)/D50, where D90, D50, and D10 respectively represent particle diameters at cumulative rates of 90%, 50%, and 10% by volume based on a cumulative particle size distribution counted from a small-particle side.

Fabrication of functional polymer-based particles by crosslinking UV-curable polymer drops in mid-air and collecting crosslinked particles in a solid container, a liquid suspension, or an air flow. The particles can contain different phases in the form or layered structures that contain one to multiple cores, or structures that are blended with dissolved or emulsified smaller domains. A curing system produces ultraviolet rays that are directed onto the particles in the jet stream from one side. A reflector positioned on other side of the jet stream reflects the ultraviolet rays back onto the particles in the jet stream.