Method of micro-encapsulating chemicals.

摘要

A process to produce microcapsules that meet the stringent requirements for toxicological studies involves the formation of an emulsion of the test chemical with a solution of a matrix material and spraying the emulsion through a nozzle (30) to form discrete masses of the emulsion. The masses travel through relatively dry, cool air (24 and 26) to partially solidify the matrix to yield individual microcapsules containing micelles (45) of the encapsulated substance distributed throughout the matrix. The microcapsules are received on a supporting surface (34) formed by a conveyor (32) covered with a layer of hydrophobic starch from a supply (40) and maintained separated from each other until the solidification of the matrix material has proceeded to a stage where the microcapsules do not have a tendency to stick together. The microcapsules are then received in a collector (42), separated from the starch and packaged.