Abstract: A composite filter aid may include a first mineral selected from diatomaceous earth and natural glass. The filter aid may also include a second mineral having and aspect ratio greater than about 2:1, and a binder. The filter aid may have a permeability ranging from 0.2 to 20 darcys. A method for making a composite filter aid may include blending a first mineral, a second mineral, and a binder, wherein the first mineral comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth and natural glass, and the second mineral has an aspect ratio greater than about 2:1. The method may further include agglomerating the first mineral and second mineral in the presence of the binder to form the composite filter aid. A method for filtering a beverage may include using the composite filter aid.

Abstract: A composite filter aid may include diatomaceous earth, natural glass, and a precipitated silica binder, wherein the filter aid has a permeability ranging from 3 to 20 darcys. A composite filter aid may include diatomaceous earth, perlite, and a precipitated silica binder, wherein the filter aid has an alpha density less than 15 lbs/ft3. A method for making a composite material may include blending diatomaceous earth and perlite, adding alkali silicate to the blended diatomaceous earth and perlite, and precipitating the alkali silicate as a binder to make the composite material. A method for filtering a beverage may include using a composite filter aid and/or composite material.

Abstract: Filter-aid materials are disclosed herein, and processes, systems, and methods using such filter-aid materials for filtering and removing particles and/or constituents from a fluid, wherein the filter-aid material comprises at least one filterable composite adsorbent comprising at least one adsorbent component formed in-situ on at least one filtration component. Further disclosed herein are filter-aid materials and processes, systems, and methods using such filter-aid materials for filtering and removing particles and/or constituents from a fluid, wherein the filter-aid material comprises at least one filterable composite adsorbent comprising at least one adsorbent component formed in-situ on at least one filtration component, and wherein the filter-aid material further comprises an at least one additional filtration component mixed with the at least one filterable composite adsorbent.

Abstract: Modified mineral-based fillers with enhanced retention of at least one active ingredient and/or enhanced antimicrobial capabilities are described. The materials comprise at least one mineral-based filler subjected to at least one modification process, which may be either a cationic modification process, a surface adsorption process, a surface retention process, or a combination thereof, with at least one active ingredient, followed by at least one thermal treatment. The at least one active ingredient may be a metal substance or other biocide, fungicide, mildewcide, antibiotic, insecticide, preservative, or antimicrobial agent. Methods for enhancing the antimicrobial activity of products in applications such as polymers, clothing, surgical equipment, coatings, and paints are also described.

Abstract: A product including ultrafine natural glass, methods of producing the ultrafine natural glass, and methods of use thereof are provided. The product may have, for example, a small top cut (d99) particle size of, for example, less than 12 microns. The product may also have high blue light brightness higher than, for example, 69, and/or low oil absorption, for example, less than 100 percent in volume. The product may be used in a variety of applications, such as, for example, anti-block filler in plastic films and/or reinforcement filler in polymers.

Abstract: Natural amorphous silica filler products featuring high brightness, low oil absorption, fine particle size, and low crystalline silica content are described. Methods for making, using, and measuring the properties of the natural amorphous silica filler products are also described. The natural amorphous silica filler products described herein may be useful in a variety of products including, but not limited to, polymers, sealants, paints, caulks, latex, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, pozzolan, glass catalysts, ceramic glazes, and anti-blocking applications.

Abstract: A water filter may include a diatomite-based ceramic filter having a median pore size greater than about 5 microns, and at least one of a halogen source, a UV source, an active carbon source, or a filtration membrane. A method of filtering water includes passing water from a source chamber through a diatomite-based ceramic filter having a median pore size greater than about 5 microns, and passing the water through at least one of a halogen source, an active carbon source, a UV source, or a filtration membrane to a collection chamber. The diatomite-based ceramic filter may further include bentonite. The water filter may include a biocide. The water filter may have a flow rate greater than about 5 L/hr when normalized to a surface area of 0.015 m2. The water filter may reduce bacteria by greater than about 6-log. The halogen source may include a halogen elution system or a surface modification of the diatomite-based ceramic filter.

Abstract: A diatomaceous earth product may include diatomaceous earth having a loose weight density of less than about 14 lbs/ft3, and a stoichiometric ratio of alkali metal to iron and/or aluminum ranging from about 100% to about 400%. A diatomaceous earth product may include diatomaceous earth having a loose weight density of less than about 14 lbs/ft3, and a silica specific volume of at least about 3.2, A method for making a low loose weight density diatomaceous earth product may include providing a feed material comprising diatomaceous earth having a silica specific volume of at least about 3.5. The method may further include adding alkali flux to the feed material to achieve a combination having a stoichiometric ratio of alkali metal to iron and/or aluminum that ranges from about 100% to about 400%, calcining the combination at a temperature ranging from about 1,600° F. to about 2,200° F.

Abstract: A product including ultrafine natural glass, methods of producing the ultrafine natural glass, and methods of use thereof are provided. The product may have, for example, a small top cut (d99) particle size of, for example, less than 12 microns. The product may also have high blue light brightness higher than, for example, 69, and/or low oil absorption, for example, less than 100 percent in volume. The product may be used in a variety of applications, such as, for example, anti-block filler in plastic films and/or reinforcement filler in polymers.

Abstract: Foam glass may include natural glass, wherein the foam glass includes greater than 5% alumina by weight of the foam glass and has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging between 4×10?6 ppm/° C. and 6×10?6 ppm/° C. A composition for making foam glass may include natural glass including at least 5% alumina by weight of the composition, soda ash including less than 10% by weight of the composition, and boric acid including at least 5% by weight of the composition. A method for making foam glass may include mixing natural glass with boron to form a mixture, milling the mixture, melting the mixture at a temperature of at least 900° C., and allowing the melted mixture to cool, such that the foam glass includes at least 5% alumina by weight of the foam glass and at least 5% boron oxide by weight of the foam glass.

Abstract: Described herein is a reduced allergenicity natural latex rubber for use in such products as latex gloves and similar medical and consumer goods, and to methods of production and use thereof. In one aspect, a rubber composition may include a natural latex and a functionalized mineral filler. In another aspect, the mineral filler may include, for example, a diatomite.

Abstract: Particulate mineral materials comprising at least one coating comprising at least one metal compound are disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal silicate compound. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal oxide compound. In one embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite. In another embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite microspheres. In a further embodiment, the particulate mineral material is diatomite. Methods of making particulate mineral materials coated with at least one metal compound are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be injected into a perlite expander to form a metal compound coated perlite material. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be applied through a low temperature coating process to the at least one particulate mineral material. Uses for metal compound coated particulate mineral materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are diatomaceous earth products containing reduced soluble metal levels, processes for reducing soluble metal levels in diatomaceous earth products, and methods of using the same. In particular, diatomaceous earth products are disclosed that have been treated with at least one surface metal blocking agent, and then subjected to at least one thermal treatment process to reduce the level of soluble metals associated therewith. Such diatomaceous earth products containing reduced soluble metal levels may be useful for various applications including, but not limited to, as filter aid materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preventing or reducing scale formation or corrosion by combining at least one scale-forming fluid comprising at least one scaling compound with at least one anti-scale material chosen from at least one scale-adsorbent agent. The methods may reduce or prevent the formation of scale on surfaces of liquid-related process equipment, such as boilers and heat exchangers.

Abstract: Described herein is a flux-calcined diatomite composition having a cristobalite content of less than about 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the flux-calcined composition and a whiteness of greater than about 90. Also described herein is a process for producing flux-calcined diatomite compositions including calcining a feed composition including diatomite having an iron content of at least about 0.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the feed composition in the presence of at least one flux including at least one alkali metal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are foam glasses and compositions comprising such foam glasses, which can be used, for example, in structural applications. The foam glass can have one or more properties, such as a density ranging from about 20 Ib/ft3 to about 100 Ib/ft3, a compressive strength of at least about 650 psi, and an alumina content of at least about 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the foam glass. Also disclosed are methods for preparing foam glasses.

Abstract: Foam glass may include natural glass, wherein the foam glass includes greater than 5% alumina by weight of the foam glass and has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging between 4×10?6 ppm/° C. and 6×10?6 ppm/° C. A composition for making foam glass may include natural glass including at least 5% alumina by weight of the composition, soda ash including less than 10% by weight of the composition, and boric acid including at least 5% by weight of the composition. A method for making foam glass may include mixing natural glass with boron to form a mixture, milling the mixture, melting the mixture at a temperature of at least 900° C., and allowing the melted mixture to cool, such that the foam glass includes at least 5% alumina by weight of the foam glass and at least 5% boron oxide by weight of the foam glass.

Abstract: Particulate mineral materials comprising at least one coating comprising at least one metal compound are disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal silicate compound. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal oxide compound. In one embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite. In another embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite microspheres. In a further embodiment, the particulate mineral material is diatomite. Methods of making particulate mineral materials coated with at least one metal compound are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be injected into a perlite expander to form a metal compound coated perlite material. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be applied through a low temperature coating process to the at least one particulate mineral material. Uses for metal compound coated particulate mineral materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are diatomite filter aid products with enhanced permeabilities and flow characteristics, and methods for enhancing the permeabilities and flow characteristics of very fine grain, low permeability diatomite ore by, in one embodiment, pre-agglomerating the ore in the presence of less than 10% water and then subjecting the pre-agglomerated ore to at least one calcination process. At least one flux may be used in the at least one calcination process. Also disclosed herein is a method of processing diatomite ore suitable for samples with high wet densities or large amounts of fine particulate matter. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing commercially applicable filter aid products from Hungarian diatomite.

Abstract: The present invention describes polymer compositions comprising fluoroelastomer and expanded perlite and uses thereof.