Method and apparatus for the production of high purity spherical metallic powders from a molten feedstock

An apparatus for producing metallic powders from feedstock, the feedstock including one of a molten feedstock and a solid feedstock, comprising:

• a delivery system to feed the feedstock;
• and
• a plasma source adapted to deliver a plasma stream;
• the plasma stream being adapted to be accelerated to a supersonic velocity and being then adapted to impact the feedstock for producing metallic powders,
• wherein the plasma source includes an annular plasma torch, and wherein the solid feedstock or the liquid feedstock is adapted to be fed respectively via a feed guide or a crucible through the annular plasma torch.

An apparatus for producing metallic powders from molten feedstock, comprising:

• a heating source for melting a solid feedstock into a molten feed;
• a crucible for containing the molten feed;
• a delivery system to feed the molten feed as a molten stream;
• and
• a plasma source adapted to deliver a plasma stream;
• the plasma stream being adapted to be accelerated to a supersonic velocity and being then adapted to impact the molten stream for producing metallic powders,
• wherein supersonic jets of the plasma stream are aimed with an angle such as to push downstream the molten stream.