Abstract: A process for the continuous production of alkaline earth metal hydroxide by continuously providing an aqueous alkaline earth metal halide solution to the anode compartment and an aqueous alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution or water to the cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell in which an anode and a cathode are maintained in separate anode and cathode compartments, respectively, by a stable, hydrated, cation selective, hydraulically impermeable, electrically conductive membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode; electrolyzing the alkaline earth metal halide solution; and continuously removing alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution and hydrogen from the cathode compartment and halogen from the anode compartment. The membrane is a film of a fluorinated polymer with pendant side chains containing sulfonyl groups present as ion exchange sites and attached to carbon atoms which have at least one fluorine atom attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for forming a silica coating on at least a portion of the surface of alkaline earth metal carbonate particulates in aqueous suspension and the silica-coated alkaline earth metal carbonate so produced are claimed. The claimed method consists of allowing soluble silicate ions in the aqueous phase to slowly react with the alkaline earth metal carbonate surface to form silica micro-particulates on the surface. This silica coating confers upon the composition unique properties among which are pronounced thixotropic behavior when incorporated into an aqueous suspension and increased oil absorption when dry. The pigment produced by this method is especially suited for use as a filler in paper.

Abstract: A granular product for use as a raw material for glass manufacture is composed of at least one alkaline earth metal silicate intimately admixed with at least one alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide. Glass containing fewer gas bubble inclusions and undissolved-particle defects can be produced more readily.

Abstract: A novel alkaline earth metal carbonate product for use as a raw material in the glass manufacturing process is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate becomes a part of the liquid phase in the glass furnace more readily and at a lower temperature; it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas more rapidly so that all of the gas can escape from the molten glass more easily. Using these alkaline earth metal carbonate compositions, the production capacity of a glass furnace is increased.

Abstract: A process is provided to react anhydrous carbonate with a particle size between 300 and 74 micrometers and hydrogen peroxide containing a hydroxyalkylidene diphosphonic acid to produce sodium carbonate perhydrate containing 13% to 141/2% active oxygen. The process differs from the prior art in that reaction mixture is substantially dry at all times. The product is stable even without added stabilizers.

Abstract: A method of converting fine particle size alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, into a free-flowing granular form with relatively high bulk density, without sintering, grinding, or briquetting, is disclosed. It involves the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resultant suspension at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C., which causes it to shrink, thereby increasing its bulk density by at least about 5%, preferably at least 10 or 20 percent.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing process using a granular, free-flowing form of alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate has a relatively high bulk density and is made without sintering, grinding, or briquetting. The carbonate is prepared from a fine particle size material by the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resulting suspension, at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example, by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A strontium or barium carbonate product that is better suited for use as a glass ingredient is obtained by sintering the powdered carbonate in a kiln lined with fused amorphous silica. The carbonate picks up fewer harmful contaminants from the amorphous silica lining than it does from, say, a refractory silica-alumina brick lining or a kiln having a metallic inner surface.