Abstract: An absorbent article suitable for absorption of aqueous as well as oleaginous liquids such as metal cutting fluids, hydraulic fluids, oils and the like is disclosed. The absorbent article is a spunlaced material sleeve closed at both ends and filled with an inherently flameproof particulate material, such as particulate clay material, having a certain particle size range. The spunlaced material is liquid permeable, oleophilic, and hydrophilic. The spunlaced material also has a liquid wicking rate that is at least equal to that of the particulate clay material contained within the sleeve. Preferred spunlaced materials are woodpulp/polyester spunlaced materials having a woodpulp-rich face and a polyester-rich face. The polyester-rich face is situated contiguous to the particulate absorbent material.

Abstract: Animal litter composition which includes a particulate, absorbent inorganic solid material and an odor-abating amount of p-hydroxybenzoate (paraben) distributed on the solid material is disclosed.

Abstract: A particulate, water and oil sorbing composition is disclosed. The composition contains sorbent fuller's earth clay particles and sorbent synthetic particles, e.g. calcium sulfate dihydrate-containing granules, in a weight ratio of about 0.5:9.5 to about 4:6, respectively.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbent granules of calcium sulfate dihydrate are manufactured by a process which utilizes a commercial type of dry powdered gypsum plaster or calcium sulfate hemihydrate, mixes the plaster with water in an inclined rotating disc machine to cause hydration to occur, and wherein the plaster is formed and grown into balls or granules of a generally predetermined size and discharged from the disc when reaching such size. The ball forming operation is started in the disc with seed material in the form of balls of a size corresponding generally to the balls to be manufactured by the process. Water spray is applied to the seed material in the rotating disc and a uniform pattern of movement of such material with a well defined eye is developed. When this occurs, generally the water is turned off.

Abstract: A process for pelletizing sorptive mineral "fines" which includes adding sufficient moisture to the particles of sorptive material to occupy the pore space therein, compactly forming the moistened mineral in a pelletizing machine, then removing the pore moisture in a suitable dryer or kiln so that final pellets retain relatively the same absorbent capacity and bulk density as the original material.

Abstract: Calcium sulfate hemihydrate is processed into agglomerates such as granules and/or macrogranules by addition of an aqueous binder to a fluidized charge of calcium sulfate hemihydrate particles. The hemihydrate particles are agglomerated to a predetermined size range and hydrated to calcium sulfate dihydrate. The produced agglomerates have a bulk density of less than about 55 pounds per cubic foot, a surface hardness providing less than about 40 percent attrition, and a liquid holding capacity of at least about 10 percent.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetic liquid absorbent granules to serve the same purposes as granules made from naturally occurring sorptive minerals such as absorbent clays. Water is mixed with powdered gypsum plaster in mixing apparatus and a paste or slurry condition results, with the volume of water relative to the plaster being varied to vary the bulk density and the absorption capacity characteristics of the ultimate granular product from each mix. The mix is taken from the apparatus and is allowed to set and harden in a form to be readily handled for crushing and sizing into desired screen mesh size granules, or the mix can be directly formed into pellets or granules so as to be allowed to set and harden and be correspondingly sized as the commercial product. Additives can be included in the mixing to vary the density and the absorption characteristics of the final absorbent granules.

Abstract: A process for pelletizing sorptive mineral "fines" which includes adding sufficient moisture to the particles of sorptive material to occupy the pore space therein, compactly forming the moistened mineral in a pelletizing machine, then removing the pore moisture in a suitable dryer or kiln so that final pellets retain relatively the same absorbent capacity and bulk density as the original material.