Abstract: The method further includes heating at least a portion of the inorganic compound-containing material and clay, such that at least a portion of the clay is at least partially calcined, and the at least partially calcined clay and functional mineral adsorb at least a portion of the inorganic volatile compounds present in the furnace and react with the ash produced during fuel combustion increasing its refractoriness. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed inorganic compounds from the furnace.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluidized-bed reactor includes introducing an alkali-containing material into a fluidized-bed reactor and introducing hydrous clay into the fluidized-bed reactor, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the fluidized-bed reactor. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the fluidized-bed reactor.

Abstract: A method for operating a furnace, such as, for example, a fluidized bed reactor, includes introducing an alkali-containing material and a hydrous clay into the furnace, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the furnace. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the furnace.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of processing mica, compositions resulting from these methods, and paints comprising the mica. One method relates to a method of processing mica comprising dry attrition grinding a micaceous material to produce a micaceous product having a particle size distribution such that at least about 60% by weight of the micaceous product passes through a 325 mesh screen. The dry grinding can be performed with at least one non-mica grinding media, such as a ceramic ball mill. The methods described herein can use mica from the Spruce Pine Mining District of North Carolina. The methods can allow the use of micaceous materials having a wide range of grit content with minimal adverse effect on the brightness.