APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR EXPANDING EXPANDABLE POLYMERIC MICROSPHERES

• Main Authors: SVENSSON, Fredrik, GAMBATESA, Darren, BURY, Mark A, MUESSIG, Stefan, SMITH, James Curtis, SIMMONS, Jermaine, PAPONETTI, Richard, ONG, Frank Shaode, NORDIN, Jan
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 05.08.2020
• Subjects: ARTIFICIAL STONE; CEMENTS; CERAMICS; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDINGMATERIALS; CONCRETE; LIME, MAGNESIA; METALLURGY; REFRACTORIES; SLAG; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE

An apparatus including: (a) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material comprises unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (b) a treatment zone in heat transfer communication with a source of heat and in fluid communication with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is directly or indirectly contacted by heat within the treatment zone; and (c) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.