Method and apparatus for atomizing an organic compound

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.