Spheroidal polymer beads having a uniform size are prepared by polymerizing uniformly sized monomer droplets formed by dispersing a polymerizable monomer phase over double-walled cylindrical cross-flow membrane into an suspension phase. A shear force is provided at a point of egression of the polymerizable monomer phase into the suspension phase, the direction of shear substantially perpendicular to the direction of egression of the monomer phase. The membrane is metallic and includes a superhydrophobic coating.

Spheroidal polymer beads having a uniform size are prepared by polymerizing uniformly sized monomer droplets formed by dispersing a polymerizable monomer phase over double-walled cylindrical cross-flow membrane into an suspension phase. A shear force is provided at a point of egression of the polymerizable monomer phase into the suspension phase, the direction of shear substantially perpendicular to the direction of egression of the monomer phase. The membrane is metallic and includes a superhydrophobic coating.

A process for the production of elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer products is described, comprising the preparation of molten urea; preparing a suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water; mixing the molten urea with suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water wherein the micronized sulphur particles substantially remain in micronized solid state; and spraying the mixture of molten urea and suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water into a granulator, wherein the water in the mixture is flashed off, resulting in the formation of sulphur-urea granules with an even distribution of urea and micronized sulphur particles. An elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer composition obtained by the process is also described.

A process for the production of elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer products is described, comprising the preparation of molten urea; preparing a suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water; mixing the molten urea with suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water wherein the micronized sulphur particles substantially remain in micronized solid state; and spraying the mixture of molten urea and suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water into a granulator, wherein the water in the mixture is flashed off, resulting in the formation of sulphur-urea granules with an even distribution of urea and micronized sulphur particles. An elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer composition obtained by the process is also described.

Cryogranulation systems with improved dispenser assemblies are provided for use in manufacturing frozen pellets of pharmaceutical substances in a fluid medium. Methods of cryogranulating the pharmaceutical substance in the fluid medium are also provided. In particular embodiments, the dispenser assembly is used with suspensions or slurries of pharmaceutical compositions including biodegradable substances, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical substance can be adsorbed to any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier particles suitable for making pharmaceutical powders. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical carrier can be, for example, diketopiperazine-based microparticles. The dispenser assembly improves the physical characteristics of the cryopellets formed and minimizes product loss during processing.

Cryogranulation systems with improved dispenser assemblies are provided for use in manufacturing frozen pellets of pharmaceutical substances in a fluid medium. Methods of cryogranulating the pharmaceutical substance in the fluid medium are also provided. In particular embodiments, the dispenser assembly is used with suspensions or slurries of pharmaceutical compositions including biodegradable substances, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical substance can be adsorbed to any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier particles suitable for making pharmaceutical powders. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical carrier can be, for example, diketopiperazine-based microparticles. The dispenser assembly improves the physical characteristics of the cryopellets formed and minimizes product loss during processing.

A method of manufacturing porous silicon particles includes providing a rotary tube furnace including a tube extending between a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening. The method includes providing a silica precursor, a metal reducing agent, and a thermal moderator as a mixture to an interior cavity of the tube through the first opening. The method includes rotating the tube containing the mixture. The method includes performing a thermal treatment to the mixture in the tube to produce a reaction product that includes the porous silicon particles. The method further includes collecting the reaction product at the second opening, where the steps of providing the mixture, rotating the tube, performing the thermal treatment, and collecting the reaction product are performed concurrently such that the porous silicon particles are produced in a continuous manner.

A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing fluid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing fluid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

A method and a device for producing honeycomb particles capable of absorbing harmful molecular elements are disclosed. A chemical element having a crystal structure is dissolved in water in a certain percentage to form a chemical element solution, and then it is pressurized. The pressurized chemical element solution is sprayed out in mist form toward a forming mirror by a high-pressure nozzle of a spray tube. When the chemical element solution in mist form contacts the heated forming mirror, the moisture quickly bursts and evaporates to form fine particles. The dried fine particles of the chemical element are made to fall by the high frequency vibration and are collected. Accordingly, the chemical element having a crystal structure is formed into fine particles having many air holes, increasing the area for chemical reaction and further increasing the efficiency of absorption of harmful elements such as various toxic elements or bacteria.