Abstract: Forming discrete bodies such as briquettes of glass forming raw materials is often advantageous in melting such materials to form said glasses. Such discrete bodies are formed by combining the particulate raw materials with a liquid binder and compressing the combination. This process is improved by using a dilute silicate solution as the liquid binder and by adding the maximum amount of the silicate solution to the raw materials that still provides a free-flowing dry appearing material. This amount of silicate solution results in a maximum crush strength when the discrete bodies are prepared.

Abstract: Potassium silicate solutions combined with silanes that contain a hydrophilic functionality can be spray dried effectively to provide free-flowing powdered products.

Abstract: Almost complete elimination of metal ions in aqueous effluents can be effected by treating said effluent with a base and then adding amorphous, hydrated magnesium silicate. This sequential process allows metal ion concentration to be reduced to less than 0.1 part per million while using a fairly small amount of amorphous hydrated magnesium silicate.