Abstract: Processes for treating iron containing waste streams are provided. According to these processes, metal-containing compounds, particularly iron oxides are produced. These methods may, for example, be used in the processing of the waste streams from the chlorination of titanium-bearing raw materials and involve the use of certain combinations of neutralization and precipitation steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising inorganic solids for use as pigments in paints, papers and plastics.

Abstract: A unique treatment for pigments is provided. This treatment, which uses certain organo-phosphoric acids and/or their salts, imparts improved physical and chemical qualities including lacing resistance, improved dispersion and decreased chemical reactivity when these treated pigments are incorporated into polymeric matrices.

Abstract: A method of producing an elemental material or an alloy thereof from a halide or mixtures of halides is provided. The halide or mixtures thereof are contacted with a reducing gas in the presence of reductant material, preferably in sufficient quantity to convert the halide to the elemental material or alloy and to maintain the temperature of the reactants at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the reductant material at atmospheric pressure or the sintering temperature of the produced elemental material or alloy.

Abstract: A unique treatment for pigments is provided. This treatment, which uses certain organo-acid phosphate molecules, imparts improved physical and chemical qualities including lacing resistance, improved dispersion and decreased chemical reactivity when these treated pigments are incorporated into polymeric matrices.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide pigments having improved gloss and durability are disclosed. These pigments are prepared by continuous processes, where pH, temperature, and addition times of hydrous silica and alumina coatings are carefully controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides titanium dioxide pigments with improved gloss and/or durability. The titanium dioxide pigments are made by treating titanium dioxide with a plurality of metal salts under conditions suitable to form the titanium dioxide pigment having improved gloss and/or durability, wherein at least one metal salt is capable of providing a monovalent anion. Preferred pigments of the present invention are substantially-sulfate free.

Abstract: A treatment for pigments is provided. This treatment, which uses certain organosulfonic compounds, imparts improved physical and chemical qualities including lacing resistance, improved dispersion and decreased chemical reactivity when these treated pigments are incorporated into polymeric matrices. The addition of organosulfonic compounds may flexibly be incorporated into known processes at varying points, and are preferably added downstream of any filtering steps.

Abstract: Processes for the efficient and economical beneficiation of titaniferous ore are provided. A unique process for beneficiating ore comprising pretreatment of the ore by oxidation and reduction, followed by acid leaching with sulfuric acid has been developed. The acid used in this process may be recycled, which will thereby increase the efficiency of the process. Preferably the ore treated according to the present invention is ilmenite ore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a treatment method for rendering inorganic oxide particles, such as TiO2 pigment, hydrophobic by predispersing a suitably reactive organohalosilane into an aqueous media, using intensive mixing means (such as a rotor stator emulsifier or inline static mixer) to form a reactive dispersion. When this dispersion is combined with inorganic oxide particles, such as TiO2 pigment, under sufficient agitation, a hydrophobic inorganic oxide can be formed. The oxides formed by the present invention have good mechanical properties, such as dispersibility in nonpolar substances (i.e., plastics), and they do not degrade physical properties of the pigmented nonpolar substance, such as lacing resistance of thermoplastics.

Abstract: Processes for treating iron containing waste streams are provided. According to these processes, metal-containing compounds, particularly iron oxides are produced. These methods may, for example, be used in the processing of the waste streams from the chlorination of titanium-bearing raw materials and involve the use of certain combinations of neutralization and precipitation steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides slurries and methods of making slurries having improved stability comprising below about 78 weight-percent rutile titanium dioxide based on the total weight of the slurry, an amorphous alumina compound surface treated titanium dioxide, a polyacrylic acid dispersing agent having a molecular weight in the range of from about 2,000 to about 5,000 that is neutralized with a neutralizing agent having a monovalent group, and water; wherein the slurry has a pH of from about 6 to about 8. The slurries of the present invention resist gel formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing substantially anatase-free titanium dioxide by mixing titanium tetrachloride with a silicon compound to form an admixture, and introducing the admixture and oxygen into a reaction zone to produce the substantially anatase-free titanium dioxide. The reaction zone has a pressure of greater than 55 psig.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high solids slurries of anatase titanium dioxide pigment comprising greater than about 75% by weight of anatase TiO2 pigment dispersed in water. A process for producing the slurries of the present invention is disclosed which comprises the steps of a) dry milling the anatase titanium dioxide pigment, preferably by pressure rolling, and b) mixing the dry milled pigment with water in the presence of an acrylic acid dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved titanium dioxide pigment that incorporate a dense silica coating and its process for manufacture. The pigment is preferably produced from a titania base from the chloride process in which the manufacturing process comprises the following steps in the order stated: (a) partial or substantial removal of salt from the oxidizer discharge; (b) addition of a dispersant; (c) milling to produce a highly dispersed, highly deagglomerated slurry, followed by dense silica surface treatment. Pigments prepared using the inventive process exhibit optics equivalent to high gloss, high opacity pigments and maintain the durability of the more conventional dense silica treated pigments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for generating titanium dioxide pigments that have reduced moisture retention. By leaching oxidizer discharge and removing alumina containing compounds, one is able to generate a low volatile pigmentary bases. These low volatile pigmentary bases may be processed into finished low volatile pigments that may be combined with polymers to form polymer matrices. These pigments may be incorporated into polymer matrices at high temperatures without significant lacing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing a titanium dioxide pigment having improved gloss properties which involves heating an aqueous slurry of base titanium dioxide pigment to a temperature below about 75° C., coating the base titanium dioxide pigment with a silica compound at a temperature below about 75° C. to form a silica coated titanium dioxide pigment; and coating the silica coated titanium dioxide pigment with an alumina compound at a temperature below about 75° C. to form the titanium dioxide pigment having improved gloss.

Abstract: A process for controlling the formation of TiO2 particles in a multi-stage vapor-phase oxidation reactor wherein the process includes the steps of limiting the fraction of TiCl4 converted into TiO2 in the reaction stream of a first or intermediate stage of the reactor under conditions that control the mean residence time distribution of the reacting mass. By running the reaction in this manner, the growth of TiO2 particles produced is so controlled that after subsequent standard finishing steps (e.g. milling) the fraction of particles having an average size of less than 0.5 &mgr;m is reduced or minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated titanium dioxide pigment which includes a base titanium dioxide pigment; a first deposit of a phosphate compound contiguous with the base titanium dioxide pigment; a deposit of a silica or zirconia compound contiguous with the phosphate deposit; a second deposit of a phosphate compound contiguous with the silica or zirconia compound; and a deposit of an alumina compound contiguous with the second phosphate deposit. Titanium dioxide pigments of the present invention are easily dispersible, and display excellent durability and gloss.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high solids slurries of anatase titanium dioxide pigment comprising greater than about 75% by weight of anatase TiO2 pigment dispersed in water. A process for producing the slurries of the present invention is disclosed which comprises the steps of a) dry milling the anatase titanium dioxide pigment, preferably by pressure rolling, and b) mixing the dry milled pigment with water in the presence of an acrylic acid dispersant.