Abstract: Colored impurities are removed from kaolin clay by an improved flotation process in which a blend of a fatty acid compound and a hydroxamate compound is used as a collector.

Abstract: The invention is a catalyst and a process for manufacturing a catalyst. The process includes adding an effective amount of an acid stable surfactant or an alkaline stable surfactant to a slurry of particles including an active mineral component. Desirable active mineral components include natural or synthetic zeolites and specialty clays such as chlorite clays and other non-kaolin clays for use in catalysts.

Abstract: Substantially crystalline kaolin clays having varying morphological properties are produced by the hydrothermal treatment, in an acidic environment, of substantially amorphous calcined kaolin clay.

Abstract: Kaolin clay materials containing discoloring impurities can be beneficiated by microwave irradiation in the presence of water and a polyprotic acid component to produce a beneficiated kaolin clay material having improved color and brightness.

Abstract: Fine-grained kaolin clays having improved brightness can be produced by (a) using centrifugation to fractionate the clay starting material into finer and coarser fractions, (b) subjecting the coarser fraction to flotation to remove discoloring impurities and (c) combining the finer and floated coarser fractions to produce fine-grained kaolin clays having improved brightness.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the physical and catalytic properties of fluid cracking catalysts (FCC) is disclosed. The invention is a process for manufacturing a fluid cracking catalyst. The process includes adding an effective amount of an acid stable surfactant or an alkaline stable surfactant to a slurry of clay particles and sodium silicate particles. The process then includes forming a sol binder and spray drying the particles. Forming of the dried particles into a catalyst product then occurs.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the physical properties of formed particles is disclosed. The process includes adding an effective amount of an acid stable surfactant or an alkaline stable surfactant to a component of the material before drying the particles. The preferred particles are microspheroidal for use in fluid bed reactors, but can include granules and beads.

Abstract: Clay materials, such as kaolin, containing expandable layer-silicates are chemically treated with a source of magnesium cations, followed by a pH adjustment, to provide a slurry product having improved rheological properties.

Abstract: Kaolin clays are conditioned for the removal of colored titaniferous impurities by (A) first mixing the kaolin clay with a collector to condition the impurities, in the absence of a dispersant, but in the presence of sufficient water to yield a mixture having a solids content of at least 65 percent by weight and (B) then deflocculating the kaolin clay mixture at a pH of at least 4.0 with a dispersant in amounts sufficient to yield a kaolin clay slurry which is suitable for subsequent processing to remove colored titaniferous impurities.

Abstract: A process for intercalating potassium acetate molecules in kaolin clay particles to achieve delamination has been developed by mixing kaolin clay particles, potassium acetate and water. A maximum intercalation, and hence a maximum degree of delamination, can be achieved with potassium acetate levels between 10% and 75% by weight, based on the weight of kaolin clay particles, and 5% and 50% water by weight, based on the weight of potassium acetate.

Abstract: A biologically stable kaolin clay slurry is manufactured by heating a kaolin clay slurry for at least 15 minutes at a temperature of at least 93.degree. C., cooling the slurry to a temperature no greater than about 35.degree. C. and then adding a microbiocide to the slurry.

Abstract: A kaolin clay slurry having a reduced viscosity is manufactured by a process which comprises the sequential steps of mechanically working an undispersed crude kaolin clay material having a solids content of at least about 65 percent, by weight, under conditions which insure that the kaolin clay material will be subjected to an energy level of at least 10 horsepower-hours per ton of dry kaolin clay material and then subjecting the mechanically worked kaolin clay material to centrifugation to substantially remove any particles having a diameter less than about 0.2 microns.

Abstract: An opacifying kaolin pigment with improved porosity, light scattering ability (opacity), gloss, and ink receptivity over that of the starting pigment is manufactured by a process which comprises the steps of treating an aqueous solution of kaolin with a phosphate compound, using the endogenous aluminum leached from kaolin and/or adding a soluble aluminum compound and increasing the pH of the mixture.

Abstract: An opacifying kaolin clay pigment with improved rheological properties and good opacifying characteristics is manufactured by a process which comprises reacting a mixture of water, kaolin clay and calcium carbonate with a hydroxide component at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.

Abstract: A stable high solids structured clay slurry is manufactured by a process which comprises the sequential steps of forming a high solids slurry by mixing a structured clay material with water in a first stage mixing step under conditions which promote particle to liquid contact and which substantially prevent interaction between the structured clay particles, terminating the first stage mixing and then, in a second stage mixing step, mixing the high solids slurry under conditions which are different from the first stage mixing conditions and which promote substantial interaction between the structured clay particles.

Abstract: Colored impurities are removed from kaolin clay by an improved flotation process in which a blend of a fatty acid compound and a hydroxamate compound is used as a collector.

Abstract: A biologically stable kaolin clay slurry is manufactured by heating a kaolin clay slurry for at least 15 minutes at a temperature of at least 93.degree. C., cooling the slurry to a temperature no greater than about 35.degree. C. and then adding a microbiocide to the slurry.

Abstract: A high solids structured kaolin clay slurry having improved high shear rheology is manufactured by a process which comprises the sequential steps of forming an aqueous composition by mixing water and a lithium-based dispersant and then mixing structured kaolin clay particles with the aqueous composition to form the desired high solids slurry.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the physical and catalytic properties of fluid cracking catalysts (FCC) is disclosed. The invention is a process for manufacturing a fluid cracking catalyst. The process includes adding an effective amount of an acid stable surfactant or an alkaline stable surfactant to a slurry of clay particles and sodium silicate particles. The process then includes forming a sol binder and spray drying the particles. Forming of the dried particles into a catalyst product then occurs.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the physical and catalytic properties of fluid cracking catalysts (FCC) is disclosed. The invention is a process for manufacturing a fluid cracking catalyst. The process includes adding an effective amount of an acid stable surfactant or an alkaline stable surfactant to a slurry of clay particles and sodium silicate particles. The process then includes forming a sol binder and spray drying the particles. Forming of the dried particles into a catalyst product then occurs.