Abstract: An atomizing nozzle for injecting fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) feed into a cracking riser comprises a spray nozzle for breaking up the feed to form a conical, atomized spray of feed which is confined within an open ended nozzle pipe surrounding the spray nozzle and which extends downstream from the spray nozzle. Atomizing gas, usually steam, passes around the spray nozzle to promote further atomization and vaporization of the feed and the mixture of feed droplets and atomizing gas is passed through an orifice plate at the tip of the spray nozzle pipe to expand the spray across a greater axial distance. The atomizing system provides improved feed atomization and contact with the cracking catalyst with relatively low pressure drops.