Abstract: An improved method of imparting colors to fires in home fireplaces is described as well as the preparation of the materials used to provide said color. Metal salts which impart color to flames are granulated using hydrated alkali metal silicate as a binder. When these granules are added to fires, the silicate binder softens on contact with warm or hot combustible material. The silicate then loses water and is transformed to a solid once more so that the material becomes bonded to the combustibles. Upon burning the metal salts are decomposed and the flames are colored. The system is very efficient and proper application requires the use of bulking agents in the granules.

Abstract: The addition of sodium phosphate to a dilute solution of alkali metal silicate, precipitates microfine silica that is readily dispersible.

Abstract: A fluxing process for removing inorganic deposits from equipment used to produce base metals from ores by inclusion of alkali metal silicates, preferably as liquids or hydrates, as at least 10% of the fluxing agent, thereby improving effectiveness of the fluxing process.

Abstract: A composition containing finely divided synthetic, precipitated amorphous metal-silicate and an acid; said composition having a pH of 2 to 5 being suitable for use as a base for defoamers for aqueous systems.

Abstract: Fracture and stress free disks of alkali metal silicate are prepared by casting molten silicate glass in cylindrical molds with a very short vertical dimension and cooling. Said disks constitute dust free products or can be further processed into other dust free products.

Abstract: Dispersible colloidal particles of .alpha. alumina monohydrate are prepared by conditioning aqueous solutions of an aluminum salt with an organic solvent and the precipitating alumina with an aqueous solution of base. The reaction mixture is heated under pressure, filtered, washed and dried to obtain the product.

Abstract: Improved production of alkali metal silicate glass is achieved by vigorous steam bubbling through the molten glass bed during the preparation of glass by fusion. Such practice results in higher production using less fuel and the product glass is easier to dissolve and results in solutions of greater clarity.

Abstract: Products of a generally spherical nature with particulate matter embedded in the walls are prepared by forming a suspension of said particulate matter in a solution of a film-forming substance in a volatile solvent, spray drying said suspension-solution thereby forming the product which may be further dried if necessary to remove solvent and to "set" the walls. Such products can be used to provide pigmenting, reactive and/or fire retardant properties to organic systems to which they are added as fillers. The density of the product can also be controlled by this method for use as fillers in applications in which segregation of such fillers from the plastic matrix is normally a problem.

Abstract: Solutions of soluble alkali metal silicates of exceptional clarity are prepared by dissolving anhydrous alkali metal silicate glass at atmospheric pressure by a novel process comprising the constant classification of alkali metal silicate glass particles according to size and the constant removal of the polymer-like silicate that forms as a semi-solid on the wetted glass surface. The constant classification of the silicate glass particles and removal of this polymeric silicate to yield nascent glass surfaces can be achieved by charging silicate glass particles to aqueous media in a vibrating or vibro energy mill and subjecting said particles to impacts of varying frequency and amplitude or by subjecting the solution and glass particles, during dissolution, to agitation of different intensity and duration in a vertically stacked series of dissolving chambers.

Abstract: Double silicate salts of alkali metals and quaternary nitrogen compounds are prepared by the reaction of (a) an alkylene oxide, (b) an amine, and (c) an alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: Stable aqueous dispersions of alumina are formed at concentrations of above about 25% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 by dispersing alumina dried with a strongly acidic solution. Said stable aqueous dispersions of alumina are stable for at least 2.5 months.

Abstract: Composite crystals of alkali metal silicate, particularly hydrated sodium metasilicates such as sodium metasilicate pentahydrate with sequestering agents, are formed by co-crystallization of liquors that contain both alkali metal silicate and sequestering agents.

Abstract: Stable aqueous dispersions of alumina are formed at concentrations of above about 18% to about 26% on a weight basis by dispersing alumina in a hydrochloric acid solution where the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /HCl parts by weight ratio is maintained between 54 and 65 pbw of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /l pbw of HCl.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the production of alkali metal silicates. More particularly the invention relates to the production of compressed alkali metal silicate granules of desirable density and particle properties.