Abstract: A reflective particulate material includes a particulate substrate having high total solar reflectance, bulk and apparent densities and toughness, and a low dust index. The reflective particulate can have a total solar reflectance of 80% to 87%, a toughness of 1% or fewer fines, an apparent density of 2.75 g/cm3 or greater, and a dust index of 1 or lower. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material includes preparing a slurry of the particulate substrate, spray drying the slurry to form a spray dried particulate, crushing the spray dried particulate to form a crushed particulate, and heating/calcining the crushed particulate. The heated, crushed particulate may further be coated to form a coated roofing granule.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for producing nanometer scale particles utilizing an electrosterically stabilized slurry in a media mill. A method for producing nanometer scale particles includes adding to a media mill a feed substrate suspension. The feed substrate suspension includes a liquid carrier medium and feed substrate particles. The method further includes adding to the feed substrate suspension in the media mill an electrosteric dispersant. The electrosteric dispersant includes a polyelectrolyte. Still further, the method includes operating the media mill for a period of time to comminute the feed substrate particles, thereby forming nanometer scale particles having a (D90) particle size of less than about one micron, and recirculating for further grinding the nanometer scale particles from the media mill.

Abstract: Roofing systems are disclosed herein. In particular, a method of making an asphaltic roofing product having an asphaltic substrate and at least one granule disposed thereon is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A reflective particulate material comprises a particulate substrate, and a coating on the particulate substrate. The coated reflective particulate material may have a relative error of an amount of the coating on the particulate substrate of about 5% to about 15%, and/or a dust index of about 5 or lower, and/or a staining loss of about 8% to about 11%. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material comprises mixing the particulate substrate with a liquid coating composition to form a wet particulate mixture, passing the wet particulate mixture through at least one heat zone to remove water and/or moisture, and curing the coating material in the coating composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for producing nanometer scale particles for electrochemical materials utilizing an electrosterically stabilized slurry in a media mill. The method includes adding to a media mill a feed substrate suspension including a liquid carrier medium and electrochemical feed substrate particles. The method further includes adding to the feed substrate suspension in the media mill an electrosteric dispersant that includes a polyelectrolyte. Still further, the method includes operating the media mill for a period of time to comminute the feed substrate particles, thereby forming nanometer scale particles having a (D90) particle size of less than about one micron, and recirculating for further grinding the nanometer scale particles from the media mill.

Abstract: A reflective granular composition including a reflective pigment material including a majority of kaolin clay and a hardening additive including a sodium salt or another salt. A method for making a reflective granular composition includes the steps of mixing together a reflective pigment material including a majority of kaolin clay and a hardening additive including a sodium salt or another salt to form a particulate mixture, forming a slurry from the particulate mixture by adding to the particulate mixture water and a binder material, granulating the slurry, drying the granulated slurry, and kilning the dried, granulated slurry to form the reflective granular composition. Methods of analyzing the strength of a reflective granular composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for producing nanometer scale particles utilizing an electrosterically stabilized slurry in a media mill. A method for producing nanometer scale particles includes adding to a media mill a feed substrate suspension. The feed substrate suspension includes a liquid carrier medium and feed substrate particles. The method further includes adding to the feed substrate suspension in the media mill an electrosteric dispersant. The electrosteric dispersant includes a polyelectrolyte. Still further, the method includes operating the media mill for a period of time to comminute the feed substrate particles, thereby forming nanometer scale particles having a (D90) particle size of less than about one micron, and recirculating for further grinding the nanometer scale particles from the media mill.

Abstract: A reflective particulate material includes a particulate substrate having high total solar reflectance, bulk and apparent densities and toughness, and a low dust index. The reflective particulate can have a total solar reflectance of 80% to 87%, a toughness of 1% or fewer fines, an apparent density of 2.75 g/cm3 or greater, and a dust index of 1 or lower. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material includes preparing a slurry of the particulate substrate, spray drying the slurry to form a spray dried particulate, crushing the spray dried particulate to form a crushed particulate, and heating/calcining the crushed particulate. The heated, crushed particulate may further be coated to form a coated roofing granule.

Abstract: Roofing systems are disclosed herein. In particular, a method of making an asphaltic roofing product having an asphaltic substrate and at least one granule disposed thereon is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A reflective particulate material comprises a particulate substrate, and a coating on the particulate substrate. The coated reflective particulate material may have a relative error of an amount of the coating on the particulate substrate of about 5% to about 15%, and/or a dust index of about 5 or lower, and/or a staining loss of about 8% to about 11%. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material comprises mixing the particulate substrate with a liquid coating composition to form a wet particulate mixture, passing the wet particulate mixture through at least one heat zone to remove water and/or moisture, and curing the coating material in the coating composition.

Abstract: A cool roofing system includes highly reflective calcined kaolin particles having a solar reflectance of 80% to 92%. When applied to a roofing substrate, the highly reflective kaolin particles produce a roofing system having a solar reflectance greater than or equal to 70%.

Abstract: Roofing systems are disclosed herein. In particular, an asphaltic roofing product having an asphaltic substrate and at least one granule disposed thereon is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A reflective particulate composition includes a particulate substrate, and an inorganic binder, a pigment, and a hydrophobic coating on the particulate substrate. The composition may have a solar reflectance of 70% or greater. The pigment may include a clay, and the hydrophobic coating may include a (meth)acrylic polymer, a coupling agent, a wax and an antioxidant. A method of making the composition may include mixing the pigment, the inorganic binder, a dispersant and water to form a pigment mixture, adding the particulate substrate to the pigment mixture, heat treating the pigmented particulate, and mixing the pigmented particulate with a hydrophobic coating composition. Alternatively, the method may include first mixing the particulate substrate with one of the inorganic binder or the pigment, and then mixing the resulting composition with the other of the inorganic binder and the pigment, and heat treating the pigmented particulate.

Abstract: A reflective particulate composition includes a particulate mixture that includes a particulate substrate, a hardness enhancer and a pigment. The reflective particulate substrate has a hydrophobic coating on the particulate mixture. The composition may have a solar reflectance of 70% or greater. The pigment may include a clay, and the particulate substrate may include a feldspar. A method of making the composition may include mixing the particulate substrate, the hardness enhancer, and the pigment to form a particulate mixture, heat treating the particulate mixture, and coating the heat treated mixture with the hydrophobic coating.

Abstract: A cool roofing system includes highly reflective calcined kaolin particles having a solar reflectance of 80% to 92%. When applied to a roofing substrate, the highly reflective kaolin particles produce a roofing system having a solar reflectance greater than or equal to 70%.

Abstract: A resin-coated substrate composition includes a resin-coated substrate comprising a particulate substrate coated with a polymer resin, and an additive comprising bentonite or a zeolite. A method of preparing a resin-coated substrate composition includes heating a particulate substrate, and mixing the heated substrate with a polymer resin and an additive such as bentonite or a zeolite. In some embodiments, a foundry sand composition includes the resin-coated substrate composition. In some embodiments, a proppant sand composition includes the resin-coated substrate composition.

Abstract: A reflective particulate composition includes a particulate substrate, and an inorganic binder, a pigment, and a hydrophobic coating on the particulate substrate. The composition may have a solar reflectance of 70% or greater. The pigment may include a clay, and the hydrophobic coating may include a (meth)acrylic polymer, a coupling agent, a wax and an antioxidant. A method of making the composition may include mixing the pigment, the inorganic binder, a dispersant and water to form a pigment mixture, adding the particulate substrate to the pigment mixture, heat treating the pigmented particulate, and mixing the pigmented particulate with a hydrophobic coating composition. Alternatively, the method may include first mixing the particulate substrate with one of the inorganic binder or the pigment, and then mixing the resulting composition with the other of the inorganic binder and the pigment, and heat treating the pigmented particulate.

Abstract: A cool roofing system includes highly reflective calcined kaolin particles having a solar reflectance of 80% to 92%. When applied to a roofing substrate, the highly reflective kaolin particles produce a roofing system having a solar reflectance greater than or equal to 70%.