Method and apparatus for the formation of particles
US6063138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/54
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides a method for forming particles of a substance, by co-introducing into a particle formation vessel, in which the temperature and pressure are controlled, of a supercritical fluid; a solution or suspension of the substance in a first vehicle; and a second vehicle which is both substantially miscible with the first vehicle and substantially soluble in the supercritical fluid, in such a way that dispersion of the solution or suspension and the second vehicle, and extraction of the vehicles, occur substantially simultaneously and substantially immediately on introduction of the fluids into the vessel, by the action of the supercritical fluid. Preferably the solution/suspension of the substance is introduced separately from the second vehicle, in such a way that contact between the solution/suspension and the second vehicle occurs either substantially simultaneously with, or immediately before, their dispersion by the supercritical fluid and extraction of the vehicles by the supercritical fluid. The method allows a high degree of control over the size, shape, crystalline form and other physico-chemical properties of the particulate product The invention also provid…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.