| abstract |
Hollow microspheres made from dispersed particle film forming compositions comprising dispersed particles of ceramic, glass, metal, metal glass or plastic, a binder, a film stabilizing agent, a dispersing agent and a continuous liquid phase are made by a process which comprises forming a film of a dispersed particle film forming composition across a coaxial blowing nozzle (10b), applying a blowing gas at a positive pressure on the inner surface of the dispersed particle composition film to blow the film and form initially an elongated cylinder shaped film therefrom. Hollow dispersed particle composition microspheres are individually formed as the emerge from the coaxial nozzle. The blown microspheres are substantially hardened hollow green microspheres, which may be subsequently heated and sintered. The microspheres may be used as catalyst supports, ad (ab) sorbents, fillers, proppants, or in selective separation, biotech or controlled release and membrane processes. |