Apparatus for producing high purity metal powders

摘要

Apparatus is disclosed for producing high purity metal powders of precisely controlled particle size. The apparatus employs a system for atomizing a stream of molten metal by a swirling fluid. After initial system set up, different particle sizes may be produced merely by interchanging atomization fluid inserts. Each replaceable atomization fluid insert includes an inlet for receiving a single gas supply at a fixed pressure. A spiral channel in the insert of decreasing cross-sectional dimension extends from the inlet to an outlet surrounding the streams of molten metal. The channel configuration of each of the replaceable inserts is designed so that a preselected atomization fluid velocity and/or spiral rate is provided for atomizing the molten metal to the desired particle size. Gas jets in a depending cooling tank are used to rapidly cool the particles while keeping them from impinging against the wall of the tank. Upwardly directed gas jets in the tank are employed to keep the particles suspended in the tank until they are cooled to a desired temperature.