Patent ID: 7827822

Claim:
A process for the production of particulate compositions, said process comprising: providing a nozzle element for producing a super-sonic shockwave, said nozzle element having an inlet, a gas amplifier section adjacent said inlet of the nozzle element, a shockwave generator section downstream of said gas amplifier section, a delivery tube for introducing molten material, and an outlet for discharging particles formed from said molten material, said delivery tube being positioned within said inlet of said nozzle element, a peripheral opening being formed between said inlet of said nozzle element and said delivery tube, said nozzle element further comprising at least one first opening in the gas amplifier section for introducing a first relatively cold gas into said nozzle element, said first opening being positioned below said peripheral opening to create a low-pressure zone in said nozzle element, and said nozzle element further comprising at least one second opening in the shockwave generator section for introducing a second relatively cold gas into said nozzle element at a point adjacent said outlet of said nozzle element, providing a relatively hot gas at said peripheral opening formed between said inlet of said nozzle element and said delivery tube, and introducing a first relatively cold gas into said first opening of said nozzle element to create said low-pressure zone in said nozzle element thereby pulling said relatively hot gas into said nozzle element through said peripheral opening, introducing a stream of molten material through said delivery tube whereby said relatively hot gas flowing through the nozzle severs liquid material from the outlet of the delivery tube forming droplets of molten material, forming a standing cone-shaped shockwave within said nozzle element adjacent the outlet of said nozzle element, introducing a second relatively cold gas into said second opening of said nozzle element thereby creating non-stationary shock waves at ultrasonic frequencies which are transferred through the cone-shaped shockwave to the droplets of molten material thereby breaking up larger droplets, and forming particles by quenching the resultant droplets discharged from the outlet of said nozzle element.