Patent ID: 6398989
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B01J

Abstract:
A drop forming apparatus for forming a flowable chemical into particles, comprising:a screen mounted for movement, the screen forming an internal chamber kept at substantially atmospheric pressure and adapted to contain a flowable chemical, the screen being of a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 0.4 mm and having openings formed therethrough for discharging the flowable chemical from the chamber, each of the openings having a cross-sectional area in the range of 0.01 to 1.1 mm2; a drive member operably connected to the screen for moving the screen; a pressure member disposed within the chamber adjacent a lower portion of an inner surface of the screen for creating a hydrodynamic pressure as the screen moves relative to the pressure member, for pressing the flowable chemical through the openings to form the flowable chemical into drops; a transfer surface disposed beneath the screen for receiving the drops which harden into particles thereon; and a collector for removing and collecting the particles from the transfer surface.