Abstract: A method for producing granulates, particularly for use as thermal insulation for a metal melt may include mixing a powdery mineral with a binder, and the mixture may be granulated in order to produce a semi-finished product. The granulate mixture or the semi-finished product may be heated rapidly to a temperature above the melting temperature or decomposition temperature of the binder, which may be in the form of a salt, so that the binder decomposes, whereby gas is released and the volume increases. The apparent density of the granulate mixture may decrease, and therefore the apparent density of the finished product may decrease with respect to the semi-finished product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing core sand and/or molding sand for casting purposes. A granular mineral mold base material is mixed with at least one inorganic binder and additionally an inorganic expanding additive. Water glass may be used as the binder and expandable graphite may be used as the expandable additive.

Abstract: A method for producing a core sand and/or mold sand for foundry purposes mixes a granular mineral mold base material with an additive and an inorganic binder. An inorganic swelling additive having a swelling index of at least 9, in other words a higher swelling index that that achieved for coal, is used as an additive. Alternatively, it is also possible to work with an inorganic additive, for example with macro-crystalline graphite, whereby the finished mixture of the mold base material, the additive, and the binder is compacted to a density increase of at least 20 g/dm3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method or producing a catalytically active tectosilicate-based mineral consisting in treating the tectosilicate with a metal salt solution and in drying it. The invention is characterized in that the dried tectosilicate is treated in the form of hydrogen with a copper-based metal salt during a solid state ion exchange.

Abstract: A method for producing a core sand and/or molding sand for casting purposes mixes a basic granular mineral molding material such as silica sand with an additive based on an organic or inorganic component, a binding agent being optionally added. The additive is coarsely ground prior to the mixing process, more than 50 percent by weight of the grains having a minimum size of approximately 0.05 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for purifying NOX in the flow of exhaust gas of motor vehicles, and is characterized in that the catalyst contains modified clay minerals selected from the group consisting of bentonites, smectites, hectorites and mixtures thereof, all of which being pillared with aluminium, silicon or titanium (oxides).