The invention is in the field of devices for producing particles, in particular large agglomerate particles.

The invention is in the field of devices for producing particles, in particular large agglomerate particles.

Pulverulent compositions of a complex between an acid and a metal form an at least partially spherical particle. The acid is selected from 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoic acid (HMTBA), methionine, aspartic acid, the alginic acids, the pectinic acids, and the corresponding anions, in particular 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoate, methioninate, aspartate, the alginates and the pectinates. The metal is divalent or trivalent. The particle has an amorphous fraction the mass of which represents at least 50% of the total mass of the particle. The particle is substantially devoid of uncomplexed acid or anion and of uncomplexed metal or metal cation.

Pulverulent compositions of a complex between an acid and a metal form an at least partially spherical particle. The acid is selected from 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoic acid (HMTBA), methionine, aspartic acid, the alginic acids, the pectinic acids, and the corresponding anions, in particular 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoate, methioninate, aspartate, the alginates and the pectinates. The metal is divalent or trivalent. The particle has an amorphous fraction the mass of which represents at least 50% of the total mass of the particle. The particle is substantially devoid of uncomplexed acid or anion and of uncomplexed metal or metal cation.

The invention provides a process for preparing dispersion powders by spray drying of aqueous polymer dispersions of polymers of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group encompassing vinyl esters, methacrylic esters, acrylic esters, olefins, dienes, vinylaromatics, and vinyl halides with a drying gas in a nozzle atomization dryer, characterized in that the aqueous polymer dispersion (feed), before being atomized, is preheated under pressure to a temperature of 100° C. to 200° C. and is atomized at this temperature, the pressure being set such that the aqueous phase of the polymer dispersion does not boil at the temperature selected.

Disclosed are methods and systems for removing submicron particles from a gas stream, in particular from urea prilling off-gas, wherein a Venturi ejector is used. A method comprises contacting a gas stream containing submicron particles in a Venturi ejector with an injected high velocity scrubbing liquid to provide a pumping action, wherein the scrubbing liquid has an initial velocity of at least 25 m/s and wherein the ratio of scrubbing liquid and gas flow is between 0.0005 and 0.0015 (m.sup.3/h)/(m.sup.3/h).

Novel methods for processing fumed metallic oxides into globular metallic oxide agglomerates are provided. The methodology may allow for fumed metallic oxide particles, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina particles, to be processed into a globular morphology to improve handling while retaining a desirable surface area. The processes may include providing fumed metallic oxide particles, combining the particles with a liquid carrier to form a suspension, atomizing the solution of suspended particles, and subjecting the atomized droplets to a temperature range sufficient to remove the liquid carrier from the droplets, to produce metallic oxide-containing agglomerations.

A spray drier system is provided for spray drying a liquid sample such as blood plasma. The spray drier system may include a spray drier device adapted to couple with a spray drier assembly. The assembly may include an enclosure mounted to a frame. The assembly may receive a flow of drying gas which is directed by the enclosure shape towards a spray drying head mounted within the enclosure to the frame. Flows of a liquid sample may be further received by the head, which aerosolizes the liquid sample. Aerosolized liquid sample and drying air may be mixed within a drying chamber of the enclosure to produce dried sample and humid air. The dried sample and humid air may also be separated in a collection chamber of the enclosure, with the humid air exhausted from the enclosure.

A spray drier system is provided for spray drying a liquid sample such as blood plasma. The spray drier system may include a spray drier device adapted to couple with a spray drier assembly. The assembly may include an enclosure mounted to a frame. The assembly may receive a flow of drying gas which is directed by the enclosure shape towards a spray drying head mounted within the enclosure to the frame. Flows of a liquid sample may be further received by the head, which aerosolizes the liquid sample. Aerosolized liquid sample and drying air may be mixed within a drying chamber of the enclosure to produce dried sample and humid air. The dried sample and humid air may also be separated in a collection chamber of the enclosure, with the humid air exhausted from the enclosure.

A technology for protecting a valve seat inside a collection tank from the adherence of frozen particles in a vacuum freeze-drying apparatus and a frozen particle manufacturing method. The inside of a vacuum tank and a collection tank are vacuum evacuated; a raw material liquid is injected into the vacuum tank to produce frozen particles; and the frozen particles are piled up on a surface of a heating/cooling shelf. When the frozen particles on the heating/cooling shelf are transferred into the collection tank through the inside of an auxiliary pipe, the frozen particles do not adhere to a valve seat which surrounds an opening of a main pipe inside the collection tank.