Abstract: An improvement is disclosed applicable to systems where a mineral ore, such as a crude kaolin is introduced into a high shear, high energy mixing device with a suspending fluid and dispersing agents added to the same mixing device at controlled rates to produce a suspension with a solid content not more than 72% by weight. The process is applicable to systems where inorganic materials are suspended in a slurry, using water as the suspending fluid, in the presence of a dispersing agent, as for example in the processing of kaolin clay where the crude clay is formed into an aqueous suspension for the purpose of removing impurities and further processing. Heat is applied to the fluids in or before entering the mixing zone of the mixer, in sufficient quantity to raise the temperature of the suspension by at least 10.degree. C. This lowers the flow resistance of fluids in the mixing zone.

Abstract: The bulk handling characteristics of a calcined kaolin clay powder, including the bulk density and flowability, are significantly improved by forming an aqueous slurry of the calcined kaolin clay powder and spray drying the slurry.

Abstract: The bulk handling characteristics of a calcined kaolin clay powder, including the bulk density and flowability, are significantly improved by forming an aqueous slurry of the calcined kaolin clay powder and spray drying the slurry.

Abstract: A method is described for forming bulked aggregates of mineral particles such as kaolins. An aqueous slurry of the mineral is treated with a source of a multi-valent cation to floc the mineral, polyacrylic is added and the slurry is then neutralized with a base to an alkaline pH. This treatment causes the polyacrylic acid to undergo cross-linking with the cations to form the polyacrylate which precipitates in situ on the mineral floc and preserves and retains the bulked, porous floc structure, whereby pore radius and volume of the treated mineral are increased. The products are useful as fillers or as coating pigments in paper manufacture.

Abstract: The rheology of an aqueous slurry of a calcined kaolin clay powder is significantly improved by spray drying a slurry of the calcined kaolin clay powder, recovering the spray-dried material, and forming an aqueous slurry from said spray-dried material.

Abstract: A bleached, dispersed, high solids slurry is produced from unprocessed crudes at low pH and with minimum work input, using polyacrylic acid as the dispersant. The process involves making the slurry at the highest solids possible without resorting to filtration or spray drying.

Abstract: A surface treated clay such as kaolin is prepared by a process in which the clay surface is preconditioned by treatment with gaseous hydrogen and then functionalized by reaction with a polymerizable organic moiety of an organic compound. The products are useful as fillers for rubber, resin, plastic, paper and the like.

Abstract: In the method for producing a low abrasion calcined kaolin clay pigment by providing a feed kaolin which is at least sufficiently fine that substantially 100% by weight of the particles are of less than 1 micrometer E.S.D., and heating said feed in a calciner to a temperature of at least 900.degree. C., and under conditions such that substantially none of said kaolin is heated to a temperature in excess of 1100.degree. C.; a reduction in the abrasivity of the calcined product is achieved by incorporating into the feed from 1 to 4% by weight of MgCO.sub.3 and/or Mg(OH).sub.2.

Abstract: A method of producing a mineral such as calcium carbonate, glass fibers and layered lattice silicates which is surface modified with an organic material wherein said mineral in substantially dry, particulate form is contacted with an organic monomer, co-monomers or a prepolymer, and surface polymerization or reaction in situ on the mineral is carried out in the presence of gaseous carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method of producing a calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate or calcium-magnesium carbonate which is surface modified with an organic material wherein the carbonate in substantially dry, particulate form is contacted with an organic monomer, copolymers or a prepolymer, and surface polymerization or reaction in situ on the carbonate in the presence of a gaseous hydrogen atmosphere is effected. In the case where the carbonate has been wet processed and residues of a dispersing agent employed remain as a coating on the carbonate particles after drying, a minor amount of a calcined kaolin or TiO.sub.2 is used as a polymerization catalyst. When the carbonate has been dry ground so that the particles are free from processing chemicals, no catalyst is needed to initiate the polymerization.

Abstract: Mixed pillared clays having good thermal stabilities and high surface areas are prepared by liquid phase methods in which either (a) a discrete multi-metallic hydroxy polymer having a definite chemical formula is prepared prior to mixing with a swelling clay or (b) at least two separate metal hydroxy polymers are prepared and mixed with the swelling clay in respective amounts to satisfy selected percentages of the cationic exchange capacity of the clay.

Abstract: A structured kaolinitic pigment having improved physical and optical characteristics when incorporated as a filler in paper. The pigment is also useful in paper coating applications. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles which are chemically bonded together. The pigment may be produced by chemically reacting a particulate kaolin with a metal chloride, such as silicon tetrachloride. The process is conducted under conditions such that the kaolinite structure is not impaired.

Abstract: A controlled release composition is prepared by contacting an organoclay with a biologically active material in concentrated form to cause absorption of the active material on the organoclay. The resulting product releases the active agent slowly, over a period of time, when exposed to the open atmosphere, for instance on being distributed over cultivated fields.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the abrasiveness of calcined clay, e.g. kaolin clay. The method comprises contacting the clay prior to calcination with an aliphatic diol, preferably ethylene glycol, in an amount sufficient to reduce the abrasiveness of the calcined product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structured kaolinitic pigment having improved physical and optical characteristics when incorporated as a filler or coating pigment in paper. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles which are chemically bonded together. The pigment may be produced by chemically reacting a particulate kaolin with a metal chloride, such as silicon tetrachloride, and with urea or an organic amine. The process is conducted under conditions such that the kaolinite structure is not altered.

Abstract: A coated paper of improved optical and printing qualities, coated with a structured kaolinitic pigment. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles which are chemically bonded together. The pigment may be produced by chemically reacting a particulate kaolin with a metal chloride, such as silicon tetrachloride. The process for preparing the structured pigment is conducted under conditions such that the kaolinite structure is not impaired.

Abstract: A particulate kaolin pigment which enhances gloss and printability properties when used as a coating pigment for paper and enhances light scattering and opacifying properties when incorporated as a filler in paper, is obtained by mixing a fine particle kaolin with an aggregating agent comprising an organic silicon compound such as tetramethoxy silane or tetraethoxy silane.

Abstract: A process is described in which a structured aggregated kaolin pigment is prepared by mixing substantially dry kaolin in particulate form with an aqueous alkali metal silicate to deposit on the surface of the kaolin particles a substantially molecular level of said silicate without formation of silica gel, drying the treated kaolin without calcination and exposing it to an acidic gas. The product is useful as a pigment in the coating or filling of paper.

Abstract: The surface of a hydrous clay such as kaolin is modified by treatment with an alkyl dimethoxy mercaptopropylsilane and the modified clay is used as a filler in elastomers to give improved reinforcement.

Abstract: A modified clay mineral, such as a kaolin clay, is disclosed in which nitridation of the silicon atoms of the clay has been effected. This may be accomplished by reaction of the clay with NH.sub.3 at temperatures above 1000.degree. C.