초록 ▼

Methods and apparatuses are provided for forming fine particles of a desired substance comprising dissolving said substance in a fluid such as water to form a solution and mixing the solution with a second fluid such as supercritical carbon dioxide which becomes a gas upon rapid pressure release, an

Methods and apparatuses are provided for forming fine particles of a desired substance comprising dissolving said substance in a fluid such as water to form a solution and mixing the solution with a second fluid such as supercritical carbon dioxide which becomes a gas upon rapid pressure release, and with which the first fluid is at least partially immiscible, and releasing the pressure to form an air-borne dispersion or aerosol comprising particles having an average diameter between about 0.1 and about 6.5 .mu.m.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for making fine particles of a substance having an average diameter of less than about 6.5 .mu.m comprising:(a) a first pressurized chamber containing a first nongaseous supercritical or near critical fluid;(b) a second chamber containing a solution or suspension

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for making fine particles of a substance having an average diameter of less than about 6.5 .mu.m comprising:(a) a first pressurized chamber containing a first nongaseous supercritical or near critical fluid;(b) a second chamber containing a solution or suspension of a substance in a second nongaseous fluid at least partially immiscible with said first fluid;(c) a mixing chamber for mixing said solution or suspension and first fluid connected to said first and second chambers by conduits;(d) first flow control means connected to the conduit between the first chamber and the mixing chamber for passing said first fluid into said mixing chamber;(e) second flow control means connected to the conduit between the second chamber and the mixing chamber for passing said second fluid into said mixing chamber so as to provide a composition within said mixing chamber comprising an at least partially immiscible mixture of said second fluid and said first fluid;(f) a restrictor for conducting the composition out of the mixing chamber into a rapid expansion region having a pressure below that of the supercritical or near-critical fluid where a dispersion of fine particles of said substance is formed.