Apparatus for agglomeration
First Claim
1. Apparatus for agglomerating particles of water-soluble particulate materials comprising means having a porous surface for conveying a layer of particulate material, means for directing a laminar flow of heated humid air towards the layer of material on the conveying means, and means for applying a reduced pressure from beneath the porous surface for drawing the heated humid air to the conveyed layer of material for contacting the heated humid air with the layer of particulate material for fusing particles of the material at points of contact between surfaces of the particles while substantially avoiding condensation of moisture in voids between the surfaces of the particles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Agglomeration of particles of a pulverulent water-soluble material is achieved by conveying a layer of the material on a porous surface towards which a laminar flow of heated humid air is directed. A reduced pressure is applied from beneath the porous surface for drawing the heated humid air to contact the conveyed material for a time sufficient for fusing particles of the material at micropores formed at points of contact between the surfaces of the particles.
24 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for agglomerating particles of water-soluble particulate materials comprising means having a porous surface for conveying a layer of particulate material, means for directing a laminar flow of heated humid air towards the layer of material on the conveying means, and means for applying a reduced pressure from beneath the porous surface for drawing the heated humid air to the conveyed layer of material for contacting the heated humid air with the layer of particulate material for fusing particles of the material at points of contact between surfaces of the particles while substantially avoiding condensation of moisture in voids between the surfaces of the particles.
- 8. Apparatus for obtaining agglomerates of water-soluble particulate materials comprising means having a porous surface for conveying a layer of particulate material, means for directing a laminar flow of heated humid air towards the layer of material on the conveying means, means for applying a reduced pressure from beneath the porous surface for drawing the heated humid air to the conveyed layer of material for contacting the heated humid air with the layer of particulate material for fusing particles of the material at points of contact between surfaces of the particles while substantially avoiding condensation of moisture in voids between the surfaces of the particles and means for subdividing fused particles removed from the conveying means into agglomerates.
- 22. Apparatus for agglomerating water-soluble particulate materials comprising means having a porous surface for conveying a layer of particulate material, means for directing a laminar flow of heated humid air towards the layer of material on the conveying means, means for applying a reduced pressure from beneath the porous surface for drawing the heated humid air to the conveyed layer of material for contacting the layer of particulate material with the heated humid air for fusing particles of the material.
Specification