For the technology provider and developer of the Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions (PGSS), Concentrated Powder Form (CPF) and other powder generation processes which have been incorporated in this project, Natex built a Pilot plant to demonstrate the feasibility, scalability and provide products for the end customers.

In the PGSS process, the material to be processed is first melted or suspended in a carrier at a specific temperature within a vessel and injected into a static mixer. Supercritical CO2 is then introduced, dissolving into the melted or suspended substance to form a gas-saturated solution. This solution is subsequently depressurized through a nozzle, causing the CO2 to rapidly expand and vaporize. The intense cooling effect from the CO2 expansion (Joule-Thomson Effect) promotes the formation of microparticles which can be modified based on the conditions of the process.

The CPF process produces powders from liquids that do not solidify during spraying. In this process, liquid and gas are pressurized, mixed, and then expanded into a spray tower. A powdered carrier is simultaneously introduced into the fine droplet spray, resulting in a powder with a liquid content of up to 90 wt.-%.

The plant was designed in a flexible way to make sure it can be adjusted to a variety of products and also processes if required.