Abstract: Apparatus and method for the heat processing of granular materials by the counterflow of the granular material and preheated particulate heat exchange media through a processing drum rotatable about an inclined axis. The hot media is imtimately mixed with the granular material internally of the drum to heat the material and to cool the media. Various arrangements are disclosed to recover the heat imparted to the material, or to utilize the media for successive heating operations, or to recover waste heat from other related heat processing operations or to utilize the material as preheated by the media.

Abstract: A ZrB.sub.2 composite sintered material consisting essentially of at least 1% by weight of SiC, at least 1% by weight of BN, at most 20% by weight of AlN, at most 20% by weight of B.sub.4 C, the rest being substantially ZrB.sub.2, provided that the total amount of SiC and BN is from 2 to 50% by weight.

Abstract: An improvement over the cementitious composite material described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,385 consists in replacing the stainless steel particles with graded silicon carbide particles. The resulting material has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, a greater thermal conductivity and an increased surface abrasion resistance as compared to the material described in the patent and is a lighter weight material. These properties enhance its applicability to certain uses.

Abstract: A Cementatious admixture for use either as a mortar, cement or concrete when added to water comprising a hydraulic cement, such as Portland cement, in combination with presized inorganic filler particles having a maximum particle size of about 50 microns and in a predetermined relationship by weight to the Portland cement. The added water must also satisfy a relationship to the weight of hydraulic cement to provide thixotropy and nondilatency.

Abstract: A novel thermal insulating material is provided which is formed by the curing and drying of a composition comprised of from about 50 to 75 percent by weight of an expanded siliceous inorganic aggregate, from about 25 to 35 percent by weight of an aqueous solution of sodium silicate, from about 5 to about 12 percent by weight of kaolin, from about 3 to about 15 percent by weight of mica, an inorganic reinforcing fiber in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight, and a filler in an amount of up to about 5 percent by weight. The material possesses desirable insulating properties at both low and high temperatures while also exhibiting highly advantageous structural integrity over a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: A mineral wool waste cement that includes as an addition to portland cement vitreous and non-vitreous mineral wool plant waste materials. A separate ground mineral wool waste cement can be made by feeding mineral wool waste materials above or by feeding blends of mineral wool waste materials and cementitious furnace slags to a grinding plant and thereafter blending the resulting ground product with portland cement. An interground cementitious slag-portland cement clinker can be produced by feeding to a grinding plant portland cement clinker and cementitious slags made from mineral wool waste materials or combinations of mineral wool waste materials and cementitious furnace slags.

Abstract: A novel cement composition comprising (1) cement, (2) at least one salt, and (3) at least one polysaccharide or mixture of polysaccharides having a solution time greater than about 10 minutes; aqueous slurries prepared from these novel cement compositions and a method of cementing casing in the borehole of a well using such novel aqueous cement slurries.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing low sulfur cement clinker from cement raw meal containing sulfur or with fuel containing high levels of sulfur or a combination thereof. The process is carried out in an apparatus which includes a preheater, calcining furnace, clinkering furnace and clinker cooler. A separate source of fuel is added to the feed end of the kiln to maintain reducing conditions and temperatures for decomposing the sulfur compounds. Fresh air is added to the riser duct connecting the clinkering furnace with the calcining furnace and the preheater for converting sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. Calcium oxide is added to the riser duct for absorbing the sulfur trioxide to form calcium sulfate. The calcium sulfate is then removed by a gas solid separator from the system. Excess fuel added to maintain reducing condition at the feed end is utilized in the calcining furnace.

Abstract: This invention provides novel amorphous aluminosilicates having useful ion exchange properties and resistance to reaction with sodium silicate when used in detergent compositions. The invention also discloses routes to manufacture of the novel aluminosilicates.

Abstract: A significant increase in the structural strength of heated calcium alumie refractory products, such as mortar and concrete, can be obtained by the addition of alkaline earth borates, barium metaborate in particular, and heating in the range of 500 to 1000 degrees F. to cure the refractory, with an optimum strength provided at approximately 750 degrees F.

Abstract: A floor underlayment composition for producing a fluid, quick-setting cementitious underlayment which includes alpha gypsum, beta gypsum, fly ash, and Portland cement.

Abstract: Fly ash combined with a bonding agent, an air entrainer, water, and a foaming agent which forms gas as a result of a chemical reaction within the mixture; allowed to foam and harden, produces a material that is relatively strong and light, has good structural strength, and is resistant to fire, freezing, and thermal shock. Since the major component, fly ash, is a waste product, the material is also inexpensive, and can help alleviate a waste disposal problem. The composition can be handled and fabricated much like concrete, and standard concrete components can be used to modify its strength, setting time, density, color, and water reistance. It may also be formed or crushed for use as a light weight aggregate.

Abstract: A process for producing steam-cured lightweight calcium silicate articles superior in productivity, homogeneity, and mechanical strength by using a powdery siliceous material, powdery calcareous material, and cellulose pulp as main raw materials, which process comprises mixing short acrylic fibers of 1 to 10 mm in filament length to which an organic silicon compound has adhered, into a slurried mixture of said raw materials.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of ZrO.sub.2 bodies partially stabilized through the inclusion of 0.5-10% Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 with 1-10% of a secondary stabilizer selected from the group of MgO, CaO, CuO, ZnO, and CeO.sub.2. The method comprises sintering a shaped batch at 1600.degree.-1800.degree. C., quickly cooling the sintered shape to 1000.degree.-1475.degree. C., holding said shape within that temperature range to cause precipitation of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 as islands within cubic ZrO.sub.2 grains, and then cooling to room temperature. The final product exhibits a microstructure consisting essentially of about 50-70% cubic ZrO.sub.2, greater than 20% and up to 50% tetragonal ZrO.sub.2, and less than 10% monoclinic ZrO.sub.2.

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable, adhesive surgical dressing is described which comprises a continuous film of a hydrophilic polymer which has a moisture vapor permeability which is greater when in contact with water than when not in contact with water and which is attached around its edges to a water transmitting film so as to form a sealed portion into which exudate may pass from an exuding wound. The water transmitting film comprises a backing layer and an adhesive layer on the side remote from the continuous film. The adhesive layer is suitable for adhering the dressing to the skin. The water transmitting film allows or is adapted to allow access of water to the film when in contact with water so that when used on an exuding wound the high moisture vapor permeability of the continuous film allows water to evaporate through the dressing and prevents the dressing forming a blister.

Abstract: A novel method of making a refractory material is disclosed comprising the steps of providing an electrical arc metal furnace, charging that furnace with a charge of refractory oxide, and selecting voltage, amperage and electrode spacings to create novel "hum and scum" melt conditions. This hum and scum condition is maintained until said charge is substantially melted. The described technique is particularly useful for melting magnesia chrome materials to produce fusion cast refractory products which are highly reduced and quite dense. The elaboration of this product requires higher energy input per pound concurrent with an increased consumption of reducing materials compared with standard preparation conditions. The resulting product exhibits higher oxidation weight gains, higher densities, lower porosities, high cold crush strengths, more thermal shock resistance, and better corrosion-erosion resistance than similar magnesia chrome refractory products fused using prior "arc and bark" processes.

Abstract: When a cement-based mixture such as cement paste, mortar and concrete is admixed with the inventive cement additive composition, the cement-based mixture is imparted with lastingly improved flowability and hence workability. The cement additive composition of the invention comprises (a) 100 parts by weight of a saponified product of (a half ester of) a copolymer of styrene and maleic acid and (b) from 5 to 900 parts by weight of a flowability improving agent such as a salt of a condensation product of naphthalene sulfonic acid with formaldehyde, salt of a condensation product of an alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acid with formaldehyde, salt of a condensation product of a sulfonated creosote oil with formaldehyde and the like.

Abstract: A concrete mix comprises a cementing agent and aggregate, the aggregate comprising vesiculated beads of cross-linked resin which beads contain an average of at least 2 thin-walled foraminous cells to provide communication between the vesicles within said bead and the exterior of said beads to allow water to move into and out of said beads. This reduces the density of the concrete and the beads hold water to help control the cure.

Abstract: A porous ceramic material composed of a sintered porous body of a calcium phosphate compound is described. A multiplicity of capillary void paths having a diameter of 1 to 30 .mu.m and a multiplicity of pores having a diameter of 1 to 600 .mu.m are formed in the sintered porous body. At least part of the pores are connected to the exterior space of the sintered porous body through at least a part of the capillary voids. The porous ceramic material is valuable as a medical material, e.g., a substitute or prosthesis for bone or dental root, and also an electronic material and a genetic engineering material.When the porous ceramic material is embedded in a bone defect of human or animals, osteolytic cells, osteoblasts, erythrocytes and body fluid are selectively allowed to intrude through the porous ceramic material while almost no intrusion of osteoclasts and collagen fibers is allowed.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing a sintered polycrystalline compact of cubic boron nitride (CBN) with substantial intercrystalline bonding, together with the compact produced by the process. A carbon containing material, such as diamond or graphite, is added to a binder material which comprises elemental silicon. The carbon from the carbon containing material reacts with the silicon to form silicon carbide. Having silicon carbide as a constituent of the final product is preferable to having elemental silicon because the silicon carbide does not expand on cooling, and is also harder and more wear resistant than elemental silicon. In this way, the benefits of using elemental silicon in a binder system to enhance intercrystalline bonding of the CBN are realized while avoiding the disadvantages otherwise present. Another advantage is provided in the compact of this invention may be cut into precision shapes with a conventional Electric Discharge Machine (EDM).