Surface treatment of powders

Abstract

A powder treatment method includes loading powder into a fluidized bed vessel. At least some of the powder is fluidized in the fluidized bed vessel using an inert gas. While fluidized, the powder is heated in the fluidized bed vessel. A surface treatment coating is then applied to the powder.

1 . A powder treatment apparatus comprising:
 a fluidized bed vessel;   a heat source configured to introduce heat into the fluidized bed vessel; and   a surface treatment unit fluidly connected to the fluidized bed vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a storage vessel fluidly connected to the surface treatment unit. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment unit is configured to apply a surface treatment coating to a powder. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidized bed vessel is configured to receive an inert gas. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, boron, and argon.