WO2005058507A1 - Atomising nozzle - Google Patents

Atomising nozzle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005058507A1
WO2005058507A1 PCT/GB2003/005449 GB0305449W WO2005058507A1 WO 2005058507 A1 WO2005058507 A1 WO 2005058507A1 GB 0305449 W GB0305449 W GB 0305449W WO 2005058507 A1 WO2005058507 A1 WO 2005058507A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
vibrator
liquid
gas
stream
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/005449
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chuanjie Zhou
Original Assignee
Novel Technical Solutions Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Novel Technical Solutions Limited filed Critical Novel Technical Solutions Limited
Priority to PCT/GB2003/005449 priority Critical patent/WO2005058507A1/en
Priority to AU2003295109A priority patent/AU2003295109A1/en
Publication of WO2005058507A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005058507A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
    • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
    • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2/00—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic
    • B01J2/02—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic by dividing the liquid material into drops, e.g. by spraying, and solidifying the drops
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
    • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
    • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
    • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
    • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
    • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
    • B05B17/0692—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by a fluid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
    • B05B7/08—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point
    • B05B7/0807—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point to form intersecting jets
    • B05B7/0861—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point to form intersecting jets with one single jet constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid and several gas jets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B9/00—Making granules
    • B29B9/10—Making granules by moulding the material, i.e. treating it in the molten state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B9/00—Making granules
    • B29B9/12—Making granules characterised by structure or composition
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B9/00—Making granules
    • B29B9/12—Making granules characterised by structure or composition
    • B29B2009/125—Micropellets, microgranules, microparticles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to methods and apparatus for atomising liquid streams, for example, for producing a mist or for making powders.
  • Gas jets are directed at liquid streams to produce a fine mist, fot example in inhalers.
  • the gas jets are sometimes pulsed by means of resonator cavities.
  • Such processes especially in powder production, result in fine droplets of the liquid material, which solidify into fine powder particles, and this can be a preferred manujfec nriag method over grinding a s lid material, resulting in finer particles with a more uniform size.
  • the present invention provides methods and apparatus for atomising liquid streams which yield even finer droplets., and hence, in powder roduc ion finer powders, even more uniformly size , and of a more regudar shape than, hiiherto achieved.
  • the invention comprises a method for atomising a liquid stream comprising passing the stream through a nossjle, directing a gas stream at the liquid stream, to break the liquid stream up into droplets* characterised in that the nozzle is vibrated.
  • the nozzle may be vibrated af a.ftequency between ⁇ QHz and ⁇ OW ⁇ z, and the vibration may be eSected in any convenient way, for example by a mechanical connection between the nozzle and a vibrator j for example, a piezoelectric vibrator or a magnetostrictive vibrator or an electromagnetic vibrator or even a simple mechanical or pneumatic vibrator.
  • me invention comprises a method for making a powder comprising passing a liquid stream of solidifiable material through a nozzle, directing a gas stream gainst the liquid stream to break up Ihe liquid stream into droplets which solidify into powder particles, characterised in that the nozzle is vibrated.
  • the nozzle may be vibrated at a frequency in the range 1,0Hz to 60fcHz.
  • the gas stream may be pulsated, as by a resonant cavity in a gas flow path, and may be pulsated at a frequency in the range 20kHz i» 80kHz.
  • the gas stream may be supersonic.
  • the method is especially useful in the manufacture of polymer powders, such for example, as may be used as toner in xerography.
  • the solidifiable material may comprise a solvent solution of a polymer or a molten thermoplastic polymer.
  • the invention also comprises apparatus for atomising a liquid stream, comprising a delivery nozzle for the Kquid > a gas stream jet directed at a liquid stream exiting the nozzle to break: the liquid steeam up into droplets, characterised by vibrator means for vibrating the nozzle as the hquid is delivered therethrough.
  • the vibrator means may comprise a vibrator such as a piezo-electric, a magnetostrictive or an electromagnetic vibrator, or a simple mechanical vibrator or a pneumatic vibrator mechanically coupled to the liquid nozzle.
  • the vibrator means may, however* be incorporated in the liquid nozzle itself, as by its eing part of a magnetostrictive arrangement operated on by a coil supplied with alternating current.
  • the vibration may be a longitudinal vibration along the length of the nozzle, or it may be a transverse vibration, in which the nozzle behaves like a violin string, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse vibrations, which may be in or out of phase.
  • the nozzle may be a straight nozzle or a mushroom shaped nozzle.
  • the gas stream jet may be directed at an angle to the liquid stream from the delivery nozzle, so as to have a component of motion in the same direction as the liquid stream. More than one gas stream nosssle may be directed at the liquid stream fjpom the gas jet Multiple gas stream jets may be directed at the liquid stream, and may be disposed, symmetrically around the liquid stream nozzle, or asymmetrically, if desired.
  • the gas stream jets, or one or more, or, deeii, all of the gas stream jets may have resonating cavity means adapted to impose an oscillation on to the moving gas flow,
  • the resonant cavity means may comprise ultrasonic resonators, and may, for example, be in the range 20 - 80 kHZ.
  • the apparatus may comprise gas driving means adapted to drive the gas through the gas stream jet or jets at supersonic speeds. Such gas driving means may comprise a source of pressurised gas. TTie source may be pressurised to between 2 and 16 bar.
  • the apparatus may also comprise gas heater means adapted to heat the gas stream or streams to a temperature suitable for the liquid stream, for example to ensure that it does not solidify or render more viscous a molten polymer stream.
  • the apparatus may comprise n enclosure into which the atomised liquid stream is directed, and extractor means for powder collected in the enclosure, said extractor means comprising, for instance, a cyclone extractor.
  • an extruder can be arranged to feed the liquid delivery nozzle.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of apparatas forrnakingpoly er powder
  • Figure 2 is cross section through the nozzle arrangement of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a section through a mushroom-shaped nozzle
  • Figure 4 is a side by side photomicrograph comparison between powder product of the methods and apparatus of the invention and prior art powder.
  • the drawings illustrate methods and apparatus for atomising a liquid stream 11 comprising passing the liquid stream 11 through a nozzle 12 * directing a gas stream 13 at the liquid stream 11 to break the liquid stream 11 up into droplets 14, in which the liquid stream nozzle 12 is vibrated.
  • the nozzle 12 is vibrated by a vibrator 15 comprising a piezo-electric device mechanically connected to the nozzle 12.
  • the piezo-electric device could be replaced by a magnetostrictive ev ce or by an electromagnetic vibrator or by a simple mechanical device such as a cam-driven device, or by a pneumatic arrangement.
  • the vibration is transverse to the flow di ection through the nozzle 12, but longitudinal vibration could be induced in the nozzle 12 by its being fashioned from a magnetostrictive material such as nickel surrounded by a solenoid supplied with alternating current at an appropriate frequency.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the hquid stream delivery nozzle 12 being supplied from an extruder IS for a polymer melt or solution. If the supply is at an elevated temperature, as will usually be the case with a thermoplastic polymer, it is usually desirable to include a gas heater 19 in the supply to the gas stream nozzles.
  • the nozzles 12 and 16 open into an enclosure 21 in which the powder particles collect that have solidified from the liquid droplets into which the liquid stream 11 has been atomised.
  • a cyclone extractor 22 removes powder that accumulates in the funnel 22a at the bottom of the enclosure 21.
  • the liquid stream nozzle may be a simple tube, or may comprise a plurality of side by side tubes delivering a plurality of liquid streams, or it may be a mushroom-shaped nozzle delivering a sheet of liquid, as shown in Figure 3. It is, of course, in the production of polymer powder, important to atomise the whole of the liquid stream, and The gas jets will be arranged to contact all parts of the emerging liquid stream to this end.
  • Figure 4 illustrates the difference between polymer powder produced by the method and apparatus of the invention - powder A - and that produced by prior art methods - powder B. It will be seen that powder A comprises substantially li ⁇ iform, spherical particles, whereas powder B comprises randomly shaped particles.
  • the method and apparatus described is particularly adapted for: use . making polymer powder, but could, with appropriate modifications, be used for making metal powder.
  • the nozzle arrangement could equally well be used to produce fine sprays of liquid droplets for creating mists.

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for atomising a liquid stream (11) comprising passing through a nozzle (12), directing a gas stream (13) to break up the liquid stream (11) into droplets, characterised in that the nozzle (12) is vibrated.

Description

I -
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for atomising liquid streams, for example, for producing a mist or for making powders.
Gas jets are directed at liquid streams to produce a fine mist, fot example in inhalers. The gas jets are sometimes pulsed by means of resonator cavities. It is also known to make metallic powders by directing gas jets at a stream of molten metal. Such processes, especially in powder production, result in fine droplets of the liquid material, which solidify into fine powder particles, and this can be a preferred manujfec nriag method over grinding a s lid material, resulting in finer particles with a more uniform size.
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for atomising liquid streams which yield even finer droplets., and hence, in powder roduc ion finer powders, even more uniformly size , and of a more regudar shape than, hiiherto achieved.
The invention comprises a method for atomising a liquid stream comprising passing the stream through a nossjle, directing a gas stream at the liquid stream, to break the liquid stream up into droplets* characterised in that the nozzle is vibrated.
The nozzle may be vibrated af a.ftequency between ΪQHz and δOWϊz, and the vibration may be eSected in any convenient way, for example by a mechanical connection between the nozzle and a vibrator j for example, a piezoelectric vibrator or a magnetostrictive vibrator or an electromagnetic vibrator or even a simple mechanical or pneumatic vibrator.
TThis nozzle vibration may be applied instead of or in addition to providing a resonator cavity-induced pulsation in &e gas stream. Jxi particular, me invention comprises a method for making a powder comprising passing a liquid stream of solidifiable material through a nozzle, directing a gas stream gainst the liquid stream to break up Ihe liquid stream into droplets which solidify into powder particles, characterised in that the nozzle is vibrated.
The nozzle may be vibrated at a frequency in the range 1,0Hz to 60fcHz.
The gas stream may be pulsated, as by a resonant cavity in a gas flow path, and may be pulsated at a frequency in the range 20kHz i» 80kHz. The gas stream may be supersonic.
The method is especially useful in the manufacture of polymer powders, such for example, as may be used as toner in xerography. The solidifiable material may comprise a solvent solution of a polymer or a molten thermoplastic polymer. The invention also comprises apparatus for atomising a liquid stream, comprising a delivery nozzle for the Kquid> a gas stream jet directed at a liquid stream exiting the nozzle to break: the liquid steeam up into droplets, characterised by vibrator means for vibrating the nozzle as the hquid is delivered therethrough. The vibrator means may comprise a vibrator such as a piezo-electric, a magnetostrictive or an electromagnetic vibrator, or a simple mechanical vibrator or a pneumatic vibrator mechanically coupled to the liquid nozzle. The vibrator means may, however* be incorporated in the liquid nozzle itself, as by its eing part of a magnetostrictive arrangement operated on by a coil supplied with alternating current.
The vibration may be a longitudinal vibration along the length of the nozzle, or it may be a transverse vibration, in which the nozzle behaves like a violin string, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse vibrations, which may be in or out of phase. The nozzle may be a straight nozzle or a mushroom shaped nozzle.
The gas stream jet may be directed at an angle to the liquid stream from the delivery nozzle, so as to have a component of motion in the same direction as the liquid stream. More than one gas stream nosssle may be directed at the liquid stream fjpom the gas jet Multiple gas stream jets may be directed at the liquid stream, and may be disposed, symmetrically around the liquid stream nozzle, or asymmetrically, if desired. The gas stream jets, or one or more, or, deeii, all of the gas stream jets, may have resonating cavity means adapted to impose an oscillation on to the moving gas flow, The resonant cavity means may comprise ultrasonic resonators, and may, for example, be in the range 20 - 80 kHZ. The apparatus may comprise gas driving means adapted to drive the gas through the gas stream jet or jets at supersonic speeds. Such gas driving means may comprise a source of pressurised gas. TTie source may be pressurised to between 2 and 16 bar.
The apparatus may also comprise gas heater means adapted to heat the gas stream or streams to a temperature suitable for the liquid stream, for example to ensure that it does not solidify or render more viscous a molten polymer stream. The apparatus may comprise n enclosure into which the atomised liquid stream is directed, and extractor means for powder collected in the enclosure, said extractor means comprising, for instance, a cyclone extractor.
For use particularly wiϊh polymer material, an extruder can be arranged to feed the liquid delivery nozzle.
Methods and apparatus for atomising liquid streams according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accoiMpanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of apparatas forrnakingpoly er powder;
Figure 2 is cross section through the nozzle arrangement of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a section through a mushroom-shaped nozzle; and
Figure 4 is a side by side photomicrograph comparison between powder product of the methods and apparatus of the invention and prior art powder.
The drawings illustrate methods and apparatus for atomising a liquid stream 11 comprising passing the liquid stream 11 through a nozzle 12* directing a gas stream 13 at the liquid stream 11 to break the liquid stream 11 up into droplets 14, in which the liquid stream nozzle 12 is vibrated.
The nozzle 12 is vibrated by a vibrator 15 comprising a piezo-electric device mechanically connected to the nozzle 12. The piezo-electric device could be replaced by a magnetostrictive ev ce or by an electromagnetic vibrator or by a simple mechanical device such as a cam-driven device, or by a pneumatic arrangement. As illustrated, the vibration is transverse to the flow di ection through the nozzle 12, but longitudinal vibration could be induced in the nozzle 12 by its being fashioned from a magnetostrictive material such as nickel surrounded by a solenoid supplied with alternating current at an appropriate frequency.
For the production of polymer powder, for example for the production of toner for xerography, frequencies in the range 1 OHz to 60kHz have been found useful The choice of f equency will depend on the polymer used and will probably be best determined by trial and error, so that the vibrator JS may be driven by a variable frequency oscillator. Atomisation per se is effected by the gas stream 13, Two gas stream jets 16 are shown in the drawings, but there could be more than two disposed around the liquid stream noszle 12. These gas stream jets 16 are fed from gas driving means comprising a pressurised gas source 17 and have resonant cavities IS imposing an ultrasonic frequency, for example in the range 20 - 80kHz, on the gas streams.. The pressurised gas source may be at a pressure of from 2 to 16 bar, and the velocity of the gas exiting the gas stream jets 1 may be supersonic.
Figure 1 illustrates the hquid stream delivery nozzle 12 being supplied from an extruder IS for a polymer melt or solution. If the supply is at an elevated temperature, as will usually be the case with a thermoplastic polymer, it is usually desirable to include a gas heater 19 in the supply to the gas stream nozzles.
The nozzles 12 and 16 open into an enclosure 21 in which the powder particles collect that have solidified from the liquid droplets into which the liquid stream 11 has been atomised. A cyclone extractor 22 removes powder that accumulates in the funnel 22a at the bottom of the enclosure 21.
The liquid stream nozzle may be a simple tube, or may comprise a plurality of side by side tubes delivering a plurality of liquid streams, or it may be a mushroom-shaped nozzle delivering a sheet of liquid, as shown in Figure 3. It is, of course, in the production of polymer powder, important to atomise the whole of the liquid stream, and The gas jets will be arranged to contact all parts of the emerging liquid stream to this end.
Figure 4 illustrates the difference between polymer powder produced by the method and apparatus of the invention - powder A - and that produced by prior art methods - powder B. It will be seen that powder A comprises substantially liπiform, spherical particles, whereas powder B comprises randomly shaped particles. The method and apparatus described is particularly adapted for: use . making polymer powder, but could, with appropriate modifications, be used for making metal powder. The nozzle arrangement could equally well be used to produce fine sprays of liquid droplets for creating mists.

Claims

Claims:
1 A method for atomising a liquid stream comprising passing the liquid stream through a nozzle, directing a gas stream to break up the liquid stream into droplets, characterised in that the nozzle is vibrated.
2 A method according to claim 1, in which the nozzle is vibrated at a frequency between 10Hz and 60kHz. 3 -A method according t claim 1 or claim 2, in which the vibration is effected by mechanical connection between the nozzle and a vibrator.
4 A method according to claim 3, in which the vibrator comprises a piezoelectric vibrator.
5 A method according to claim 3, in which the vibrator comprises a magnetostrictive vibrator.
6 A method according to claim 3, in which the vibrator comprises an electromagnetic vibrator.
7 A method for making a powder, comprising passing a liquid stream of solidifiable material through a nozzle, directing a gas s ream against the liquid stream to brealc up the liquid stream into droplets which solidify into powder particles,, characterised in that the nozzle is vibrated.
S A method according to claim 7, in which the nozzle is vibrated at a 9 A method according to claim 7 or claim S, in which the gas stream is pulsated.
10 A method according to claim 9, in which the gas stream is pulsated by a resonant cavity in a gas flow path.
11 A method according to claim 9 or claim 1 , m which the gas stream is pulsated at a frequency in the range 20 - 80kHz. 12 A method according to any one of claims 7 to H , in which the liquid is a molten thermoplastic polymer.
13 A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, in which the liquid is a solvent solution of a polymer.
14 Apparatus for atomising a liquid stream, comprising a delivery nozzle for the liquid, a gas stream jet directed at a liquid stream exiting the liquid delivery nozzle to break the liquid stream up into droplets, characterised by vibrator means for vibrating the nozzle as the liquid is delivered theremrough.
15 Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the vibrator means comprise a vibrator mechanically coupled to the nozzle, δ Apparatus according to clai 15, in which the vibrator is: a piezo-electric vibrator.
17 Apparatus according to claim ϊ 5, in which the vibrator is a iBagnetosrictive vibrator.- 18 Apparatus acccrdingto claim 15, in which the vibratoris an electromagnetic vibrator,
19 Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the vibrator is a mechanical vibrator.
20 Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the vibrator fø a pneumatic vibrator. 21 Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the liquid delivery nozzle is part of a magnetostrictive arrangement operated on by a coil surrourtdingtfae nozzle.
22 Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 21, in which the liquid, delivery nozzle is a fine jet nozzle.
23 Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 21, in which the liquid delivery nozzle is a mushroom-shaped nozzle.
24 Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 23, in which the gas stream j&t is directed at an angle to the liquid stream nozzle so as to impart to the gas stream a component of motion in the same direction as the liquid stream.
25 Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 24, in which there are multiple gas stream jets.
26 Apparatus according to claim 25, in which the gas stream jets are disposed around the liquid stream nozzle. 27 Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 26, comprising gas driver means for (Mving the gas through the gas stream jet.
28 Apparatus according to claim 27, in which the gas driver means comprise a source of pressurised gas.
29 Apparatus according to claim 28, in which the gas pressure is in the range 2 - 16 bar.
30 Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 29, in which the gas stream jet has resonant cavity means imposing a pulsation to the gas stream.
31 Apparatus according to claim 30, in which the pulsation as in the frequency range 20 - 80 kHz.
32 A powder made by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or by apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 31.
33 A powder according to claim 32, characterised by having substantially uniform, spherical particles.
PCT/GB2003/005449 2003-12-12 2003-12-12 Atomising nozzle WO2005058507A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/GB2003/005449 WO2005058507A1 (en) 2003-12-12 2003-12-12 Atomising nozzle
AU2003295109A AU2003295109A1 (en) 2003-12-12 2003-12-12 Atomising nozzle

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EP1707257A2 (en) * 2005-03-31 2006-10-04 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Particles and manufacturing method thereof, toner and manufacturing method thereof, and developer, toner container, process cartridge, image forming method and image forming apparatus
CN103736620A (en) * 2014-01-20 2014-04-23 佛山市中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所陶瓷研发中心 Preparation method for ultrasonic atomization spraying film
US20180371346A1 (en) * 2017-06-26 2018-12-27 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Pelletization gas guide
DE102017214837A1 (en) * 2017-08-24 2019-02-28 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Process for preparing a thermoplastic for a primary molding process and device for preparing a thermoplastic for a primary molding process

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US4774037A (en) * 1986-09-26 1988-09-27 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Method for producing solid or hollow spherical particles of chosen chemical composition and of uniform size
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US3583635A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-06-08 Jerome H Lemelson Spraying systems
US4623706A (en) * 1984-08-23 1986-11-18 The Dow Chemical Company Process for preparing uniformly sized polymer particles by suspension polymerization of vibratorily excited monomers in a gaseous or liquid stream
EP0235603A2 (en) * 1986-02-06 1987-09-09 Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Process for forming uniform liquid droplets
US4774037A (en) * 1986-09-26 1988-09-27 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Method for producing solid or hollow spherical particles of chosen chemical composition and of uniform size
US5628937A (en) * 1992-12-18 1997-05-13 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Production of particulate materials
JPH06346114A (en) * 1993-06-03 1994-12-20 Mitsubishi Materials Corp Metal powder producing device and its usage
US5687905A (en) * 1995-09-05 1997-11-18 Tsai; Shirley Cheng Ultrasound-modulated two-fluid atomization

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Cited By (8)

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EP1707257A3 (en) * 2005-03-31 2007-08-22 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Particles and manufacturing method thereof, toner and manufacturing method thereof, and developer, toner container, process cartridge, image forming method and image forming apparatus
US7776503B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2010-08-17 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Particles and manufacturing method thereof, toner and manufacturing method thereof, and developer, toner container, process cartridge, image forming method and image forming apparatus
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US11207799B2 (en) * 2017-06-26 2021-12-28 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Pelletization gas guide
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