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: The present disclosure includes binder systems for making foundry articles. The binder systems may comprise a humic substance-containing component that comprise lignite, an isocyanate component, and a catalyst component. The binder systems may be mixed with an aggregate (e.g., sand) for making foundry articles such as molds and cores. Also disclosed herein are methods of making foundry articles using the binder systems.

Abstract: A filter aid composition may include a first acid-treated silica-based filter aid having a first particle size distribution and a second acid-treated silica-based filter aid having a second particle size distribution. A method of making a filter aid composition may include providing a first silica-based filter aid having a first particle size distribution, providing a second silica-based filter aid having a second particle size distribution, and blending the first silica-based filter aid with the second silica-based filter aid to form the filter aid composition. A method of filtering a fluid may include providing a filter aid composition including a first acid-treated silica-based filter aid and a second acid-treated silica-based filter aid and filtering the fluid through the filter aid composition. The filter aid composition may have a multimodal particle size distribution such that the first particle size distribution has a d50 greater than the second particle size distribution.

Abstract: A method of preparing a unique foundry premix composition that has a low bulk density of 30-45 lbs/ft3 and contains fine particles with an average particle size of 85-100 ?m is described. The unique foundry premix composition is produced by using specially designed assemblies of mechanical equipment with improved efficiency so that the premix can be prepared at a site closer to a foundry. As a result, increase in premix density caused by handling and shipping across a long distance from a traditional premix manufacturing facility to a foundry can be suppressed; transportation cost can be saved; and safety would be of less concern. The use of the foundry premix composition to prepare a sand molding medium for casting molded articles is also described.

Abstract: The disclosure describes the preparation and use of reactive carbonates containing a metal carbonate bound to a reactive compound, wherein the reactive compound comprises a mineral binding group and a polymer reactive group connected together by a linking group. Such reactive carbonates are useful as reagents in processes for making mineral-bound elastomeric materials, and in methods for reducing cavitation in elastomer materials.

Abstract: A flame-retardant polymer composition comprising a polymer, a flame retardant, a high aspect ratio particulate mineral and optionally a reinforcing material, articles made from and comprising said flame-retardant polymer composition and methods of making said flame-retardant polymer composition.

Abstract: A cationic composite filter aid may include a silicate substrate, a silica precipitated on the silicate substrate, and a cationic surface modification of the precipitated silica. A method for making a cationic composite filter aid may include providing a silicate substrate, precipitating a silica onto the silicate substrate to form a composite filter aid, and cationically modifying the precipitated silica to form a cationic composite filter aid. A method for filtering a liquid may include providing a liquid for filtering and filtering the liquid through a cationically modified composite filter aid. The cationically modified composite filter aid may include a silicate substrate, a precipitated silica, and a cationic surface modification of the precipitated silica.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes compositions and methods for filtering a liquid, e.g., water. The compositions herein may include a filter aid comprising a filter medium and packaging having at least one water-soluble portion. When the filter aid is introduced into the liquid to be filtered, the water-soluble portion(s) may dissolve or otherwise degrade in order to expose the filter medium to the liquid.

Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.

Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A mineral filler composition for use in covering products may include first and second inorganic particulate material fillers having respective first and second average particle sizes, wherein the first average particle size is larger than the second average particle size, and wherein at least one of the first and second inorganic particulate material fillers is hydrophobic. A covering product may include a resin and the mineral filler composition. A method for at least one of improving filler loading and water resistance in a covering product including resin, may include providing the mineral filler composition including blended first and second inorganic particulate material fillers, and adding the blended first and second inorganic particulate material fillers to the resin.

Abstract: A method for killing arthropods may include providing a mineral composition to a substrate that arthropods will contact, wherein the mineral composition is not a carrier for chemical toxin. The mineral composition may include an aluminosilicate particulate, wherein contact between the mineral composition and an arthropod results in death of the arthropod. A composition for killing arthropods may include a mineral composition for associating with a substrate. The mineral composition may include at least one of an aluminosilicate particulate and a diatomaceous earth particulate, wherein the mineral composition is not a carrier for a chemical toxin. The mineral composition may have a median particle size d50 of 10 ?m or less. A system for killing arthropods may include a mineral composition including at least one of an aluminosilicate particulate and a diatomaceous earth particulate. The system may further include a substrate, wherein the mineral composition is associated with the substrate.

Abstract: An anticaking agent having a coating and a mineral matrix of a coarse mineral and a fine mineral is described. A method of making the anticaking agent is disclosed, as well as a method of applying the anticaking agent to a hygroscopic fertilizer to reduce caking in high temperature and high humidity environments. The coarse mineral may be a diatomaceous earth.

Abstract: Methods of treating water to promote the health of aquatic organisms are described. The method may include introducing pulverized kaolin into the water. The pulverized kaolin may have a particle size distribution such that at least 30% by weight of the particles pass through a 60 mesh screen. For example, the pulverized kaolin may be in the form of a dry powder having a d50 diameter less than 300 ?m. The pulverized kaolin may remain dispersed or suspended in the water without dispersants and/or surfactants, e.g., to reduce the amount of at least one pathogenic microorganism present in the water and/or to reduce or prevent exposure of aquatic organisms to the pathogenic microorganism(s).

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using rock dust are disclosed. A mine rock dust may be capable of being applied in a wet form. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may be capable of being dispersed by a light blast of air. A method may include applying a mine rock dust at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. A method of applying a mine rock dust may include applying a mine rock dust in a wet form. The mine rock dust may be applied at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. The mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material.

Abstract: Compositions useful for foundry processes such as green sandcasting are discussed. The compositions may include ball clay, bentonite, and a carbonaceous material. The ball clay may include leonardite and/or causticized lignite, e.g., as a portion of the natural ball clay deposit. The composition may further include sand, such that the resulting mixture may be formed into a green sand mold for use in casting molded articles. Incorporation of ball clay materials in the compositions may help to improve the quality of the casted article.

Abstract: Mineral additive blend compositions and a method for operating a furnace are provided in order to avoid combustion problems such as agglomeration, deposition, corrosion and reducing emissions. A method for operating a furnace, such as a fluidized-bed reactor, pulverized-fuel combustor, and grate combustor, includes introducing fuel and a mineral additive blend including a clay and a functional mineral into the furnace.

Abstract: A filter aid may include acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite. A method of making a high purity filter aid may include acid washing diatomaceous earth to reduce the h in the diatomaceous earth, and combining the acid-washed diatomaceous earth with high purity perlite to obtain to obtain a high purity filter aid. A method of reducing extractable metals from diatomaceous earth may include washing the diatomaceous earth in a first acid, rinsing the diatomaceous earth, and washing the diatomaceous earth in a second acid. The first acid may include an inorganic acid having a first strength, and the second acid may include an organic acid having a second strength different than the first strength. A method of filtering a beverage may include passing the beverage through a filter including a filter aid including acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer foam may include providing a polymer composition, introducing an alkaline earth metal silicate into the polymer composition, and foaming the polymer composition using a gas to form a polymer foam. A method of producing a polymer-matrix may include providing a polymer composition, nucleating the polymer composition with an alkaline earth metal silicate, and using a blowing agent to form a polymer foam from the polymer composition. The alkaline earth metal silicate may facilitate nucleation of the cells in the polymer foam. A polymer foam composition may include a polymer-based foam matrix and an alkaline earth metal silicate within a cell of the polymer-based foam matrix.

Abstract: A method of forming a dry molding sand additive may include recovering a non-sand fraction from a foundry waste material and adding the non-sand fraction to a dry molding sand additive formulation to form a dry molding sand additive. Adding the non-sand fraction to the dry molding sand additive formulation may reduce the amount of fresh clay and carbon to produce the dry molding sand additive. A method of forming a molding sand additive may include recovering a waste molding sand additive composition having a clay or carbon content differing from a desired clay and carbon content, recycling the waste molding sand additive as a raw material in production of a fresh molding sand additive, and adjusting the amount of fresh clay or carbon added during production of the fresh molding sand additive to achieve the desired clay and carbon content.