Abstract: Metal in the form of granules is solidified from the molten state by forming a jet of molten metal which is caused to pass through a vibrating orifice in order to divide the jet into individual drops and causing solidification of the drops by cooling so as to form the granules. The drops of the jet are caused to fall from the vibrating orifice under the action of gravity through an inert gas atmosphere which is maintained at a temperature below the solidification temperature of the molten metal. In the case of reactive metals, the jet is formed by withdrawal from a mass of molten metal maintained in contact with a bath which is not miscible with the molten mass and selectively dissolves the derivatives produced in the event of oxidation.

Abstract: The process comprises subjecting a magnetic material dispersed in the fluid to the action of a variable magnetic field. It is thus possible to provide efficient stirring of this fluid and to facilitate reactions taking place, between a constituent of the fluid medium, and particles dispersed in this fluid, including a substance at least partly active at the surface. They may be, in particular, a ferromagnetic solid substance and a compound in solution in the fluid and non-magnetic.