摘要：

OF THE DISCLOSUREAn apparatus and method for forming solid, substan- tially spherical particles from molten, solidifiable material, the apparatus includes a deep holding tank adapted to maintain a high head of the molten material, level control means to maintain the head at a constant static depth, and a first plurality of orifices in a floor of the holding tank; a shallow forming tray is disposed below the holding tank to receive molten material from the holding tank, and maintains a low static head of the molten material, the tray has a plurality of circular orifices in its floor, and a particle forming tank adapted to maintain a forming medium below the tray orifices, including level control means to maintain the upper surface of the forming medium at a constant distance below the tray orifices, the tray orifices being of smaller cross-sectional area than the tank orifices, and the total cross-sectional area of the tray orifices being greater than that of the tank orifices.

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