Abstract: In a spray dryer apparatus (20) wherein a slurry (30) is contacted with a hot drying gas (12), a spray head assembly comprising an annular swirler vane assembly (42) disposed about the gas inlet in the roof of the spray dryer (20), an atomizing spray head housing (44) disposed coaxially within the center of the swirler vane assembly, an elongated guide tube (46) extending upwardly from the spray head housing (44), an atomizing spray head (58) disposed in the spray head housing with its spray tip (60) extending into the spray dryer (20), an elongated seal sleeve (72) extending downwardly from the guide tube into the spray head housing, and a support tube (70) extending upwardly from the spray head (58) into the seal sleeve (72). The support tube (70) is slidably translatable with the seal sleeve (70) and the guide tube (46) so that the spray head (58) attached to the support tube may be withdrawn upwardly through the guide tube for removal for inspection and maintenance.