Method and apparatus for atomizing an organic compound
First Claim
1. A method for atomizing an organic compound, said organic compound having a liquid phase, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing the organic compound in its liquid phase;
(b) heating the pressurized liquid organic compound; and
(c) discharging the heated pressurized organic compound into a moving air mass.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for atomizing or vaporizing chloroprofam or any other organic compound that is a solid at ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The method provides an air stream that can be nearly saturated with chloroprofam vapor and free of both combustion products and carrier solvents. In addition, the temperature of the air stream can be maintained at a temperature that is sufficiently low that it will not adversely affect tubers which are bathed in the air stream. The method includes introducing heated liquified chloroprofam under extreme pressure into a moving air mass within an atomization duct. An apparatus by which the method may be practiced includes a fluid delivery tube which transports liquified chloroprofam under pressure, first to a liquid-heating heat exchanger, and second to a discharge nozzle within a vaporization duct. As the liquid chloroprofam passes through the liquid-heating heat exchanger, it is heated just before it is expelled by the discharge nozzle into the vaporization duct. Pressurization of the chloroprofam within the delivery tube prevents it from boiling as it is heated and while it is en route to the discharge nozzle. The heated pressurized chloroprofam is introduced into an air stream flowing through the atomization duct that is propelled by a blower. Before reaching the nozzle, the air stream is heated by an air-heating heat exchanger. Atomization or vaporization may be assisted by spraying the heated chloroprofam onto a heated plate or onto an ultrasonic vibrator element.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for atomizing an organic compound, said organic compound having a liquid phase, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) pressurizing the organic compound in its liquid phase; (b) heating the pressurized liquid organic compound; and (c) discharging the heated pressurized organic compound into a moving air mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for atomizing an organic compound having a liquid phase comprising:
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(a) an atomization duct through which a moving air mass is propelled; (b) a vessel for holding a supply of the organic compound in its liquid phase; (c) a heat exchanger for heating the liquid organic compound, said heat exchanger being fluidly coupled to said vessel; (d) an orifice fluidly coupled to said heat exchanger, said orifice discharging the heated, pressurized liquid organic compound into the atomization duct; (e) a pump for supplying the organic compound to said heat exchanger and to said orifice under pressure. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for treating tubers with an organic compound which suppresses sprouting comprising the steps of:
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(a) pressurizing the organic compound in its liquid phase; (b) heating the pressurized liquid organic compound; (c) discharging the heated pressurized organic compound into a moving air mass in order to atomize the organic compound; and (d) exposing the tubers to the moving air mass containing the atomized organic compound so that the atomized organic compound will coat an outer surface of each tuber so exposed. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification