Method and apparatus for producing carbon dioxide pellets

A method for producing carbon dioxide pellets, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a die plate having a plurality of respective die openings formed therethrough, said die plate having upstream and downstream surfaces, each said respective die opening having a respective entrance adjacent said upstream surface;
• (b) providing carbon dioxide in the solid phase adjacent said die plate upstream surface;
• (c) urging said carbon dioxide in the solid phase toward said die plate with force sufficient to cause said carbon dioxide to under go a first phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase and flow within said respective entrances, thereby forcing said carbon dioxide to flow through said respective die openings such that substantially all of said carbon dioxide flowing within a portion of said respective die openings is in the liquid phase;
• and
• (d) flowing said carbon dioxide at a rate such that the flow of said carbon dioxide into said respective entrances and within said portion of said respective die openings is substantially laminar.

A method for producing carbon dioxide pellets, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a die plate having a plurality of respective die openings formed therethrough, said die plate having upstream and downstream surfaces, each said respective die opening having a respective entrances adjacent said upstream surface, said respective die openings having a total wetted perimeter to total open area ratio of at least about 50 per inch;
• (b) providing carbon dioxide in the solid phase adjacent said die plate upstream surface;
• and
• (c) urging said carbon dioxide in the solid phase toward said die plate with force sufficient to cause said carbon dioxide to under go a first phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase and flow within said entrance, thereby forcing said carbon dioxide to flow through said respective die openings such that substantially all of said carbon dioxide flowing within a portion of said respective die openings is in the liquid phase.