Abstract: A proppant for use in fracturing geological formations is made from bauxitic ores and a calcium containing compound. The proppant has a calcium containing crystalline phase.

Abstract: A proppant for use in fracturing geological formations is made from bauxitic ores and a calcium containing compound. The proppant has a calcium containing crystalline phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a population of ceramic particles that includes a plurality of individual, free flowing particles. The plurality has a total weight and particle size distribution. The effective width of the distribution is the difference between the distribution's d95 and d5 particle sizes. The distribution's effective width exceeds 100 microns and includes three abutting and non-overlapping regions that include a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region abuts the second region and the second region abuts the third region. The width of the second region is at least 25% of the effective width. The weight of particles in the second region does not exceed 15% of the plurality of particle's total weight. The weight of particles in the first region and the third region each exceed the weight of particles in the second region. Methods of making the populations of ceramic particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing ceramic particles, such as proppants, that have at least 10 percent total porosity. The process includes forming a particle precursor that includes 5 percent to 30 percent of a first ceramic material and at least 40 percent of a second ceramic material. The sintering temperature of the first ceramic material may be lower than the sintering temperature of a second ceramic material. Heating the precursor to a maximum temperature above the sintering temperature of the first material and below the sintering temperature of the second material. Also disclosed is a ceramic article that has a particular combination of chemistry and alumina crystalline phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing ceramic particles, such as proppants, that have at least 10 percent total porosity. The process includes forming a particle precursor that includes 5 percent to 30 percent of a first ceramic material and at least 40 percent of a second ceramic material. The sintering temperature of the first ceramic material may be lower than the sintering temperature of a second ceramic material. Heating the precursor to a maximum temperature above the sintering temperature of the first material and below the sintering temperature of the second material. Also disclosed is a ceramic article that has a particular combination of chemistry and alumina crystalline phase.

Abstract: A ceramic particle with at least two microstructural phases comprising an amorphous phase, representing between 30 volume percent and 70 volume percent of the particle, and a first substantially crystalline phase comprising a plurality of predominately crystalline regions distributed through the amorphous phase is disclosed. A process for making the ceramic particle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a population of ceramic particles that includes a plurality of individual, free flowing particles. The plurality has a total weight and particle size distribution. The effective width of the distribution is the difference between the distribution's d95 and d5 particle sizes. The distribution's effective width exceeds 100 microns and includes three abutting and non-overlapping regions that include a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region abuts the second region and the second region abuts the third region. The width of the second region is at least 25% of the effective width. The weight of particles in the second region does not exceed 15% of the plurality of particle's total weight. The weight of particles in the first region and the third region each exceed the weight of particles in the second region. Methods of making the populations of ceramic particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic particle made from a ceramic material having a true density greater than 3.5 g/cc and a composition having no more than 30 weight percent silicon oxide and at least 15 weight percent iron oxide, based on the combined weight of the oxides of aluminum, iron and silicon, is disclosed. A process that utilizes an externally applied compressive force to make a ceramic particle is also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing ceramic particles, such as proppants, that have at least 10 percent total porosity. The process includes forming a particle precursor that includes 5 percent to 30 percent of a first ceramic material and at least 40 percent of a second ceramic material. The sintering temperature of the first ceramic material may be lower than the sintering temperature of a second ceramic material. Heating the precursor to a maximum temperature above the sintering temperature of the first material and below the sintering temperature of the second material. Also disclosed is a ceramic article that has a particular combination of chemistry and alumina crystalline phase.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic particle made from a ceramic material having a true density greater than 3.5 g/cc and a composition having no more than 30 weight percent silicon oxide and at least 15 weight percent iron oxide, based on the combined weight of the oxides of aluminum, iron and silicon, is disclosed. A process that utilizes an externally applied compressive force to make a ceramic particle is also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surface of a first ceramic component is joined to a surface of a second ceramic component using a silver-based composition. The silver-based composition is a mixture of silver metal and a metal oxide and the metal in the metal oxide is a metal other than silver. The silver-based composition is applied to the surface of the first ceramic component and to the surface of the second ceramic component. The silver-based composition applied to the first ceramic component is contacted to the silver-based composition applied to the second ceramic component. The surfaces of the first and second ceramic components are heated to melt the applied silver-based compositions. The surfaces of the first and second ceramic components are cooled to form a bond between the first and second ceramic components.

Abstract: A surface of a first ceramic component is joined to a surface of a second ceramic component using a silver-based composition. The silver-based composition is a mixture of silver metal and a metal oxide and the metal in the metal oxide is a metal other than silver. The silver-based composition is applied to the surface of the first ceramic component and to the surface of the second ceramic component. The silver-based composition applied to the first ceramic component is contacted to the silver-based composition applied to the second ceramic component. The surfaces of the first and second ceramic components are heated to melt the applied silver-based compositions. The surfaces of the first and second ceramic components are cooled to form a bond between the first and second ceramic components.