Abstract: An improved apparatus for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a containment vessel having a sidewall and an endwall, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the endwall and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, and release means associated with the sidewall to inhibit deposition of the particulate metal on the sidewall.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for the production of particulate metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall extending to an endwall, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the endwall, the nozzle means including a central bore and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, the sidewall and endwall cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal, a source of atomizing gas flowing through the nozzle means into the vessel, and means for removing depositions in the bore including a source of purging gas directable into the bore.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of atomized metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in a bottom plate through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source external to said vessel enter said vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. An air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from said bottom plate; the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with said nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal; thereby providing an essentially closed vessel, particularly with respect to the area in which the nozzle means are mounted.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a containment vessel having a sidewall and a bottom plate, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the bottom plate and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, and release means associated with the sidewall to inhibit deposition of the particulate metal on the sidewall.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for the production of particulate metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall extending to a bottom plate, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the bottom plate, the nozzle means including a central bore and providing communication between the vesel and the external source of metal, the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal, a source of atomizing gas flowing through the nozzle means into the vessel, and means for removing depositions in the bore including a source of purging gas directable into the bore.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of atomized metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in a bottom plate through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source external to said vessel enter said vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. An air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from said bottom plate; the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with said nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal; thereby providing an essentially closed vessel, particularly with respect to the area in which the nozzle means are mounted.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of particulate metal utilizes a containment vessel having a cylindrical shell and an bottomplate, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the bottomplate and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, gas ingress port spaced from the bottomplate and an exit port, means provided downstream of the vessel for collecting the metal particles swept from the vessel, and aspirating means for drawing collecting gases into the vessel through the ingress port and for carrying the particulate metal from the vessel to the collecting means.