APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF DROPLETS FROM A LIQUID

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of droplets from a liquid is provided, comprising a feeding means (1), a distributing means (2) which is rotating about an axis (4) at a first angular velocity ( omega 1), and a slinger means (3) which is rotating about the axis (4) at a second angular velocity different from the first angular velocity. The slinger means (3) is at least partially located radially outside the distributing means (2) and has peripheral droplet-forming cusps on at least two axial levels. The feeding means (1) transfers the liquid to the distributing means (2), which by its rotation in the circumferential direction distributes the liquid received from the feeding means (1) on the slinger means (3) on said levels. The slinger means (3) transfers by its rotation the liquid received from the distributing means (2) to the peripheral droplet-forming cusps, from which the liquid is slung in the form of droplets. The apparatus is characterised in that the feeding means (1) comprises a feeding rotor (7) which is rotating about the axis (4) at a third angular velocity different from the first angular velocity and which is at least partially located radially inside the distributing means (2), so as to uniformly distribute the liquid supplied to the feeding means (1) on the distributing means (2), thereby allowing a uniform division of the liquid among the levels of the slinger means (3).

Description: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF DROPLETS FROM A LIQUID Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the formation of droplets from a liquid. The apparatus is of the type comprising a feeding means, a distributing means which is rotating about an axis at a first angular velocity, and a slinger means which is rotating about the axis at a second angular velocity different from the first angular velocity and which is at least partially located radially outside the distributing means and has peripheral droplet-forming cusps on at least two axial levels, the feeding means transferring the liquid to the distributing means, which by its rotation in the circumferential direction distributes the liquid received from the feeding means on the slinger means on said levels, said slinger means transferring by its rotation the liquid received from the distributing means to the peripheral droplet-forming cusps, from which the liquid is slung in the form of droplets. Such an apparatus is known from SE 8701274-6 and WO 88/07414. An apparatus of the above-mentioned type is based on the method of rotating both the distributing means and the slinger means at an absolute angular velocity each, which differ from each other in order to provide a rela- tive rotation between the two of them. The absolute rotation of the distributing means results in the liquid being slung from the same towards the slinger means. The absolute rotation of the slinger means results in each liquid-receiving point of the slinger means continuously taking all positions in the circumferential direction. The relative rotation between the respective means results in each liquid-receiving point of the slinger means receiving liquid from the entire periphery of the dis- tributing means. Thus, the liquid from the distributing means is distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction on the slinger means, whereby droplets of equal size can be formed at the droplet-forming cusps of the slinger means. Background of the Invention The above-mentioned prior art apparatuses are used to form substantially spherical droplets from a liquid or a melt. Droplets are slung from the peripheral cusps in a tangential forward direction in relation to the direction of rotation of the slinger means, when the centrifugal force acting on the liquid exceeds the force of adhesion at each cusp. Seen in the direction of the axis of rota- tion, the droplets will follow diverging paths in a chamber surrounding the apparatus . As the paths are divergent , the droplets are prevented from colliding with each other. The chamber can be heated so that the droplets will dry and form solid particles. If the liquid consists of a melt, the chamber is preferably cooled, whereby the droplets solidify and form solid particles. In the above-mentioned SE 8701274-6, an apparatus of this type is disclosed. In this case, the distributing means consists of a hollow cylinder. The wall of the cylinder has a plurality of radial side openings which are uniformly distributed in the axial and the circumferential direction. The cylinder rotates in such manner that the liquid transferred thereto forms a film on the inner wall of the cylinder and is subsequently pressed out of the side openings to be slung on the slinger means. The slinger means comprises a plurality of axially distributed slinger rotors, the number of which corresponds to the number of axially arranged side openings and which rotate in unison at an angular velocity different from the angular velocity of the distributing means. As a result, a uniform circumferential distribution of the liquid on the slinger rotors is ensured in accordance with that stated by way of introduction. If the side openings of the cylinder are of equal size, the liquid passes therethrough at the same pressure drop. As a result, the same amount of liquid passes through each one of the side openings, said liquid thus being uniformly divided among the respective slinger rotors . However, this prior-art apparatus according to SE 8701274-6 suffers from a number of drawbacks. If the liquid tends to form surface coatings, the side openings can be partially clogged. This means that variations may occur in the diameters of the side openings, the distribution accuracy thus being lost. Moreover, an increase or a decrease of the total flow in the apparatus, while the diameters of the side openings remain unchanged, results in an increase or a decrease of the pressure drop, and as a result the total flow, and thus the production volume, can be varied in a narrow range only. For instance, if the total flow should be so small as not to be sufficient to fill the side openings, the pressure drop disappears, and consequently the distribution accuracy is lost. In the apparatus described in above-mentioned WO 88/07414, these problems are solved. This apparatus also has a distributing means in the form of a rotating hollow cylinder but has a conical inner wall whose narrow end faces the feeding means. At this end, a receiving space is defined within the cylinder, the liquid being transferred from the feeding means to said receiving space. A plurality of grooves which are peripherally uniformly distributed extend in and in parallel with the interior cylinder wall in its longitudinal direction, each of said grooves communicating at one end with the receiving space and at the other end with a radial side opening in the cylinder wall. The side openings are uniformly distributed both in the circumferential and the axial direction. The slinger means comprises a plurality of slinger rotors, which are arranged outside and concentrically with the distributing means. The number of slinger rotors corresponds to the number of side openings in the axial direction, said slinger rotors being arranged on the same level as the side openings. The liquid is transferred from the feeding means to the receiving space in the distributing means, which by its rotation transfers the liquid to the respective grooves, which in turn pass the liquid on to a side open- ing each. The liquid passes through the side openings without filling them and is then distributed on the slinger rotors in the above manner. Since the side openings in the cylinder are not filled with liquid, this apparatus is not dependent on a pressure drop to distribute the liquid on the slinger rotors, which makes it possible to use a wider production range. Coatings which may be formed by the liquid in the side openings will not throttle the flow through the side openings, since the latter are not filled with the liq- uid. The negative effects of coatings are thus eliminated. A disadvantage of this apparatus is, however, that the division of the liquid among the different grooves takes place in an uncontrolled manner. By the grooves be- ing uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction, an approximately uniform division is achieved. In spite of this, variations may occur in the division of the liquid, so that some grooves receive a greater amount of liquid than the other grooves. Therefore, some slinger rotors may accidentally receive a greater amount of liquid than other slinger rotors and thus form larger droplets . Thus, it would be desirable to control in a more reliable way the division of liquid among the different axial levels of the slinger means. A disadvantage which is found in both the above apparatuses is that problems arise if the apparatus has too great an axial extent. This happens if too high a production capacity is desired and use is made of a great number of slinger rotors. The problem is due to the fact that the entire slinger means can only be mounted at one end. The reason for this is that the distributing means and the slinger means are normally rotated by means of two drive shafts, one of which is arranged within the other. The outer drive shaft operates the distributing means and the inner drive shaft operates the slinger means. The feeding means is arranged axially above and in direct connection with the distributing means, and the slinger means is arranged round the distributing means. The slinger means can thus be connected to the inner drive shaft only in the area below the distributing means. Therefore, the lower end of the inner drive shaft projects from the outer drive shaft. If the slinger means has too great an axial extent, it may get into a state of disequilibrium during rotation. Such a state of disequilibrium causes vibrations, which may have a serious in- fluence on the quality of the formed droplets. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for the formation of droplets, which apparatus and which method ensure, from the distributing means, both a uniform division of the liquid among the different levels of the slinger means and a uniform distribution of the liquid on the slinger means on its respective levels. In other terms, the apparatus and the method should ensure, on the one hand, that the liquid is uniformly divided in the axial direction and, on the other, that the liquid is uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the apparatus should be independent of a pressure drop to provide the axial division of the liquid on the slinger means. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the slinger means can have an optional axial extent without: a state of disequilibrium arising in the same. Summary of the Invention In order to achieve this object, an apparatus is provided having the features stated in claim 1 and a method having the features stated in claim 16. Preferred embodi- ments of the apparatus appear from dependent claims 2-15. Thus, according to the invention an apparatus is provided for the formation of droplets from a liquid, comprising a feeding means, a distributing means which is rotating about an axis at a first angular velocity, and a slinger means which is rotating about the axis at a second angular velocity different from the first angular velocity and which is at least partially located radially outside the distributing means and has peripheral droplet-forming cusps on at least two axial levels, the feed- ing means transferring the liquid to the distributing means, which by its rotation in the circumferential direction distributes the liquid received from the feeding means to the slinger means on said levels, said slinger means transferring by its rotation the liquid received from the distributing means to the peripheral droplet- forming cusps, from which the liquid is slung in the form of droplets, said apparatus being characterised in that the feeding means comprises a feeding rotor which is rotating about the axis at a third angular velocity differ- ent from the first angular velocity and which is at least partially located radially inside the distributing means, so as to uniformly distribute the liquid supplied to the feeding means on the distributing means, thereby allowing a uniform division of the liquid among the levels of the slinger means. The expression "uniform distribution" on a means signifies that a liquid is applied to the means in such manner that the means receives an equal amount of liquid along its entire circumference. Consequently, all the liquid-receiving points of the means will receive the same amount of liquid. The expression "uniform division" among, for instance, levels signifies that a liquid is divided in such manner that the respective levels continuously receive a constant, i.e. uniform, amount of liquid. It is thus pos- sible that an amount of liquid supplied to one level may differ, as to the volume, from an amount of liquid supplied to another level. Normally, the amounts of liquid are, however, equal. The term "liquid" as used above and hereinafter shall be considered to also comprise different types of melts . The liquid droplets slung from the slinger means travel through a preferably heated chamber which surrounds the apparatus in order to dry and thus form solid particles. If the liquid is a melt, the chamber is preferably cooled so that the melt will cool and thus solidify into solid particles. By the absolute rotation of the feeding rotor, the liquid is slung from the feeding rotor to the distribut- ing means. By the absolute rotation of the distributing means it is ensured that each liquid-receiving point of the distributing means continuously takes all the positions in the circumferential direction. By the relative rotation between the feeding rotor and the distributing means, it is ensured that each liquid-receiving point is supplied with liquid from the entire circumference of the feeding rotor. Thus a uniform distribution of the liquid on the distributing means is ensured in the circumferential direction. This uniform distribution allows a uni- form division of the liquid among the levels of the slinger means in the axial direction. By the liquid being uniformly distributed on the distributing means, no pressure drop is needed for the division of the liquid on the levels of the slinger means. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angular velocity of the feeding rotor corresponds to the angular velocity of the slinger means. Owing to this, it is, in particular, possible to connect the slinger means to the feeding rotor by means of a rigid connection, so that the slinger means can be mounted in bearings at both ends, whereby the slinger means can have a greater axial extent . This makes it possible to increase the production capacity of the apparatus . The apparatus can be arranged so that one of the feeding rotor and the slinger means drives by its rota- tion the other of the feeding rotor and the slinger means. Preferably, the slinger means is rigidly connected at one of its ends to a drive shaft and at its other end to the feeding rotor by means of the rigid connection. As a result, the rotation of the feeding means is provided by the rotation of the slinger means with the aid of the drive shaft . According to a further embodiment of the invention, the distributing means comprises a collection groove which surrounds the axis and which is arranged radially outside of and is open towards the feeding rotor to collect the liquid transferred from the feeding rotor to the distributing means. Preferably, the distributing means has radial discharge openings, which are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction in the bottom of the groove. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the distributing means comprises one or more distribution tubes, each having an inlet and an outlet. Preferably, the distributing means comprises collection grooves, discharge openings and distribution tubes, the discharge openings each forming an inlet of a distribution tube. Preferably, each distribution tube extends substantially in parallel with the axis, the outlet of each distribution tube advantageously ending on one of said levels of the slinger means. Preferably, the outlets of the distribution tubes are arranged on the underside of the distributing means. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the slinger means comprises a slinger rotor arranged on each level . According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a plurality of distribution tubes and a plurality of slinger rotors, the outlet of at least one distribution tube being arranged on a level with each level, on which a slinger rotor is arranged. According to yet another particularly preferred embodiment, each slinger rotor comprises a radially inner portion, which extends radially outwards and upwards, and a radially outer portion, which extends substantially radially outwards and along the periphery of which the droplet-forming cusps are arranged. The embodiments of the invention described above can be combined with each other in optional manner. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for the formation of droplets from a liquid, comprising the steps of transferring the liquid from a feeding means to a distributing means which rotates about an axis at a first angular velocity, distributing, by the rotation of the distributing means, the liquid received from the feeding means on a slinger means which rotates about the axis at a second angular velocity different from the first angular velocity and which is at least partially located radially outside the distributing means and has peripheral droplet-forming cusps on at least two axial levels, and transferring, by the rotation of the slinger means, the liquid received from the distributing means to the peripheral droplet-forming cusps, from which the liquid is slung in the form of droplets, said method being characterised by the step of transferring the liquid from the feeding means to the distributing means with the aid of a feeding rotor which rotates about the axis at a third angular velocity different from the first angular velocity and which is at least partially located radially inside the distributing means, whereby the liquid supplied to the feeding means is uniformly distributed on the distributing means and a uniform division of the liquid among the levels of the slinger means is allowed. The method makes it possible, on the one hand, to ensure a uniform distribution of liquid on the slinger means in the circumferential direction and, on the other, to ensure a uniform division of liquid on the slinger means in the axial direction. It goes without saying that this uniform division of liquid does not need to be equal on all levels of the slinger means. It is possible to supply a great amount of liquid to one level and a small amount of liquid to another level. What is important is that this division should be constant, i.e. uniform, over time. The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings . Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Description of Embodiments Figs 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus is composed of a feeding means 1, a distributing means 2 and a slinger means 3. The three means 1, 2 and 3 are concentrically arranged about an axis 4, part of the feeding means 1 being located radially inside the distributing means 2, which in turn is partially located radially inside the slinger means 3. The feeding means 1 comprises a stationary, cylin- drical housing 5, a supply means 6 and a feeding rotor 7. A hollow outer drive shaft 9, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis 4, is externally mounted by means of a bearing 8 in the housing 5. The outer drive shaft 9 is rigidly connected at its upper end to a first belt pulley 10 to be rotated by means of a driving motor (not shown) with the aid of a suitable belt arrangement . The supply means 6 consists of a tube 11, whose one end is connected to the housing 5 and ends in a receiving space 12 defined between the first drive shaft 9 and the housing 5. The outer drive shaft 9 is also externally mounted by means of a bearing 13 in the feeding rotor 7. The feeding rotor 7 is arranged so that liquid which is supplied to the receiving space 12 through the tube 11 falls down on the feeding rotor. Thanks to the bearings 8, 13, neither the housing 5 nor the feeding rotor 7 will rotate as the first drive shaft 9 rotates. The distributing means 2 comprises a cup-shaped distribution disk 14 having a collection groove 15 and a plurality of axial distribution tubes 16. The distribution disk 14 is rigidly connected to the outer drive shaft 9 and can thus be rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft 9. The groove 15 is on a level with and open towards the feeding rotor 7. The distribution tubes 16 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and extend axially downwards from the distribution disk 14. The distribution tubes 16 are made of U sec- tions, their open sides being directed radially inwards, which clearly appears from Fig. 2. It also appears from Fig. 2 that the collection groove 15 has openings 17, which extend in the radial direction and each form an inlet 18 of a distribution tube 16. Finally, the distribu- tion tubes 16 are so formed that each one of them has a lower outlet 19, which ends on one of a plurality of levels under the distribution disk 14. The slinger means 3 comprises a plurality of axially distributed slinger rotors 20 as well as a bottom plate 21 and a top plate 22. The slinger rotors 20 and the plates 21, 22 are concentric with the axis 4. The bottom plate 21 is connected to a central drive shaft 23, which is concentrically mounted inside the outer drive shaft 9 by means of bearings 24 and rigidly connected at its upper end to a second belt pulley 25, which is via a belt operable by means of a motor (not shown) . The bottom plate 21 supports the slinger rotors 20 and the top plate 22 by means of a plurality of struts 26. The number of slinger rotors 20 corresponds to the number of levels on which the outlets 19 of the distribution tubes 16 end, said slinger rotors being arranged on a level with said levels. The slinger rotors 20 are of a conventional type and they each have a radially inner portion 27, which extends radially outwards-upwards , and a radially outer portion 28, which extends radially outwards. Droplet- forming cusps, some of which are schematically shown at 29, are peripherally arranged on the outer portion 28 of each slinger rotor 20. The droplet-forming cusps 29, which are circumferen- tially equidistant and uniform, can be "saw-toothed" pointed cusps, but also other types of radially project- ing portions. Thus, the term "droplet-forming cusps" must be taken to comprise also (a) radially projecting closely arranged rods or the like, (b) radially projecting non- pointed bulges, for example a wave-shaped peripheral edge of the slinger rotors 20, (c) radially projecting por- tions whose height perpendicular to the plane of the slinger rotor 20 is less than the thickness of the slinger rotor 20, which can be achieved, for example, by mounting two circular disks which have the same diameter and one of which has a periphery provided with cusps, while the other has a smooth periphery, with their main surfaces facing one another and with the cusp-bearing disk uppermost, such that the points of the cusps coincide with the peripheral edge of the lower disk, and (d) other radially projecting portions providing the desired liquid distribution effect. Finally, the apparatus comprises a rigid connection, which connects the top plate 22 to the feeding rotor 7. The connection is formed of a plurality of axial struts 30, which connect the top plate 22 to the feeding rotor 7. In operation, the outer drive shaft 9 rotates at an angular velocity ωl, which is different from the angular velocity ω2 of the central drive shaft 23. As a result, the distributing means 2 will rotate at the angular velocity ωl and both the slinger means 3 and the feeding rotor 7 will rotate at the angular velocity ω2. The angu- lar velocities ωl, ω2 can have the same or an opposite direction of rotation, preferably an opposite direction of rotation. The feeding means 1 is continuously supplied with a liquid from the tube 11. The liquid is thus passed to the receiving space 12 and on to the feeding rotor 7. Due to the rotation ω2 of the feeding rotor 7, the liquid is conducted radially outwards, by centrifugal action, to the periphery of the feeding rotor 7, from where the liquid is slung tangentially forward. The liquid is then collected by the collection groove 15 of the distribution disk 14, either directly or indirectly after having reached the distribution disk 14 and then slid along the same into the collection groove 15. In the collection groove, 15, the liquid will, due to its inertia, flow in a direction opposite to the rotary direction of the distribution disk 14 and be passed into the openings 17. Owing to the absolute angular velocity ωl of the distribution disk 14, each opening 17 of the collection groove 15 will continuously take all the circumferential positions. Thanks to the relative rotation between the feeding rotor 7 and the distribution disk 14, it is ensured that liquid is supplied to each opening 17 from the entire periphery of the feeding rotor 7. Thus, the liquid is uniformly distributed in the collection groove 15 and uniformly divided among the openings 17, even if the flow of liquid from the feeding rotor 7 should exhibit differences in intensity in the circumferential direction. The liquid is passed from the openings 17 to the distribution tubes 16 to flow, under the action of grav- ity, downwards in the same. The centrifugal force makes the liquid flow on the radially outer inner walls 31 of the U-shaped distribution tubes 16. As the liquid reaches the outlets 19 of the tubes 16 on the different levels, it will be slung out tangen- tially forward. The liquid will then be collected by the slinger rotors 20 on the various levels. Due to the relative rotation between the rotating slinger rotors 20 and the rotating distribution means 2, the liquid will be uni- formly distributed on the respective slinger rotors 20 as described above with reference to prior-art technique. The liquid, which is uniformly divided among the respective slinger rotors 20 and uniformly distributed on the respective slinger rotors 20, will then be passed ra- dially outwards as a film on each slinger rotor 20 to be slung in the form of droplets from the same at the peripheral droplet-forming cusps 29. If the openings 17 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction in the bottom of the groove 15, as in Figs 1 and 2, the same amount of liquid will be passed into each opening 17. However, if the openings 17 should not be uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction, different amounts of liquid will be passed into them. As a result, it is possible to ensure in a controlled manner that the liquid is uniformly divided, but in different amounts of liquid, among the slinger rotors 20 of the slinger means 3. As a result, droplets having a larger size can be formed on certain levels, which is an advantage if a final product consist- ing of particles of different sizes is desired. If more distribution tubes 16 end on some levels than on others, the same result can be achieved. Owing to the absolute rotation of the feeding rotor 7, the absolute rotation of the distributing means 2 and the relative rotation between them, the liquid is uniformly divided among the openings 17 in the groove 15, whereby the liquid will be uniformly divided among the respective slinger rotors 20. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention ensures that all the slinger rotors 20 are supplied with a uniform amount of liquid. In prior-art manner, the apparatus further ensures that the liquid divided on each slinger rotor 20 is distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction on each slinger rotor 20. Thus, an apparatus is provided for the formation of droplets in a controlled manner in the circumferential and the axial direction. Moreover, the apparatus is not dependent on a pressure drop to perform the required division of the liquid on the levels of the slinger means 3. Consequently, the production volume can be varied within a relatively wide range . In addition, as the feeding rotor 7 rotates at the same angular velocity ω2 as the slinger means 3, it is possible to connect the slinger means 3 by means of a connection, in the shown embodiment in the form of the struts 30, to the feeding rotor 7. As a result, it is possible to mount the upper end of the slinger means 3 in the first drive shaft 9 via the feeding rotor 7. Accordingly, more slinger rotors 20 than otherwise the case can be piled on each other without any problems of a state of disequilibrium arising. It will, however, be appreciated that this connection is not necessary to solve the problem of achieving a uniform division of the liquid to the different slinger rotors 20 of the slinger means 7. However, if the slinger means 3 and the feeding rotor 7 are not connected, a separate arrangement is needed for the operation of the feeding rotor 7. Moreover, it will be appreciated that many combinations and modifications are possible, and therefore the scope of the invention is considered to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for the formation of droplets from a liquid, comprising a feeding means (1) , a distributing means (2) which is rotating about an axis (4) at a first angular velocity (ωl) , and a slinger means (3) which is rotating about the axis (4) at a second angular velocity (ω2) different from the first angular velocity (ωl) and which is at least partially located radially outside the distributing means (2) and has peripheral droplet-forming cusps (29) on at least two axial levels, the feeding means (1) transferring the liquid to the distributing means (2) , which by its rotation in the circumferential direction distributes the liquid received from the feeding means (1) on the slinger means (3) on said levels, said slinger means (3) transferring by its rotation the liquid received from the distributing means (2) to the peripheral droplet-forming cusps (29) , from which the liquid is slung in the form of droplets, c ha ra c t e r i s e d in that the feeding means (1) comprises a feeding rotor (7) which is rotating about the axis (4) at a third angular velocity (ω3) different from the first angular velocity (ωl) and which is at least partially located radially inside the distributing means (2) , so as to uniformly distribute the liquid supplied to the feeding means (1) on the distributing means (2) , thereby allowing a uniform division of the liquid among the levels of the slinger means (3) . 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, c ha r a c t e r i s e d in that the angular velocity (ω3) of the feeding rotor (7) corresponds to the angular velocity (ω2) of the slinger means (3) . 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, c har a c t e r i s e d in that the slinger means (3) is connected to the feeding rotor (7) by means of a rigid connection (30) . 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , c ha r a c t e r i s e d in that one of the feeding rotor (7) and the slinger means (3) drives by its rotation the other of the feeding rotor (7) and the slinger means (3) . 5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, cha ra c t e r i s e d in that the slinger means (3) is rigidly connected at one of its ends to a drive shaft (23) and at its other end rigidly connected to the feeding rotor (7) . 6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, c ha ra c t e r i s e d in that the distributing means (2) comprises a collection groove (15) which surrounds the axis (4) and which is arranged radially outside of and is open towards the feeding rotor (7) . 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, c har - ac t e r i s e d in that the distributing means (2) has radial openings (17) , which are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction in the bottom of the collection groove (15) . 8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, c ha ra c t e r i s e d in that the distributing means (2) comprises distribution tubes (16) , each having an inlet (18) and an outlet (19) . 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 when referring back to claim 7, c ha ra c t e r i s e d in that the openings (17) each form an inlet (18) of a distribution tube (16) . 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, cha ra c t e r i s e d in that each distribution tube (16) extends substantially in parallel with the axis (4) . 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8-10, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the outlet (19) of each distribution tube (16) ends on one of said levels of the slinger means (3) . 12. An apparatus as claimed in claims 8-11, charac t e r i s e d in that the outlets (19) of the distribution tubes (16) are arranged on the underside of the distributing means (2) . 13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, cha ra c t e r i s e d in that the slinger means (3) comprises a slinger rotor (20) arranged on each level. 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, when referring back to any one of claims 8-12, c ha ra c t e r i s e d in that the outlet (19) of at least one distribution tube (16) is arranged on a level with each level, on which a slinger rotor (20) is arranged. 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14, cha r a c t e r i s e d in that each slinger rotor (20) comprises a radially inner portion (27) , which extends radially outwards and upwards, and a radially outer por- tion (28) , which extends substantially radially outwards and along the periphery of which the droplet-forming cusps (29) are arranged. 16. A method for the formation of droplets from a liquid, comprising the steps of transferring the liquid from a feeding means to a distributing means (2) which rotates about an axis (4) at a first angular velocity (ωl) , distributing, by the rotation of the distributing means (2) , the liquid received from the feeding means (1) on a slinger means (3) which rotates about the axis (4) at a second angular velocity (α>2) different from the first angular velocity (ωl) and which is at least partially located radially outside the distributing means (2) and has peripheral droplet-forming cusps (29) on at least two axial levels, and transferring, by the rotation of the slinger means, the liquid received from the distributing means (2) to the peripheral droplet-forming cusps (29) , from which the liquid is slung in the form of droplets, c ha rac t e r i s e d by the step of transferring the liquid from the feeding means (1) to the distributing means (2) with the aid of a feeding rotor (7) which rotates about the axis (4) at a third angular velocity (ω3) different from the first angular velocity (ωl) and which is at least partially located radially inside the distributing means (2) , whereby the liquid supplied to the feeding means (1) is uniformly distributed on the distributing means (2) and a uniform division of the liquid among the levels of the slinger means (3) is allowed.

Inventors: ANDERSSON ALF, ANDERSSON, ALF
Applicants: ANDERSSON ALF, SANDVIK AB, ANDERSSON, ALF
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B05B3
IPC codes: B01J2, B05B3