Manufacture of solid particulates containing chemically-, biologically- or pharmaceutically-active materials, employs rotary atomizer directing droplets into fluids causing them to set

摘要

Liquid (28) containing active(s) is sprayed (50). The droplet trajectory (F) passes through a further fluid (note: this is high in the spraying unit and may be gaseous). Droplets are intercepted and carried away by yet a further liquid (82). At the end of the trajectory this liquid moves at an angle alpha with respect to the trajectory (F). Droplet solidification to particles (86) is assisted by the liquid (82). An Independent claim is included for corresponding plant and its variants. Preferred features: The liquid (82) moves as a curtain, which is entered by the sprayed droplets. The sprayer projects droplets radially in several directions. The moving liquid medium surrounds the sprayer. The sprayer is rotated about its longitudinal axis when operational. The liquid (82) moves almost vertically. The angle alpha is 20 deg -60 deg , preferably 75 deg -115 deg . Trajectory length is 2-100 cm, preferably 5-20 cm. The sprayer is heated and the temperature of the liquid (82) is controlled. The liquid is a coolant. Both surrounding fluids are coolants. The fluid (82) is water, or a reagent setting the droplets by chemical reaction. Solidification produces a gel.