Abstract: A granular product for use as a raw material for glass manufacture is composed of at least one alkaline earth metal silicate intimately admixed with at least one alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide. Glass containing fewer gas bubble inclusions and undissolved-particle defects can be produced more readily.

Abstract: A novel alkaline earth metal carbonate product for use as a raw material in the glass manufacturing process is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate becomes a part of the liquid phase in the glass furnace more readily and at a lower temperature; it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas more rapidly so that all of the gas can escape from the molten glass more easily. Using these alkaline earth metal carbonate compositions, the production capacity of a glass furnace is increased.

Abstract: A method of converting fine particle size alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, into a free-flowing granular form with relatively high bulk density, without sintering, grinding, or briquetting, is disclosed. It involves the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resultant suspension at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C., which causes it to shrink, thereby increasing its bulk density by at least about 5%, preferably at least 10 or 20 percent.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing process using a granular, free-flowing form of alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate has a relatively high bulk density and is made without sintering, grinding, or briquetting. The carbonate is prepared from a fine particle size material by the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resulting suspension, at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example, by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A strontium or barium carbonate product that is better suited for use as a glass ingredient is obtained by sintering the powdered carbonate in a kiln lined with fused amorphous silica. The carbonate picks up fewer harmful contaminants from the amorphous silica lining than it does from, say, a refractory silica-alumina brick lining or a kiln having a metallic inner surface.

Abstract: A method for increasing the bulk density and decreasing the time of wetting with water of a substantially anhydrous kaolin clay powder, comprising dry milling said powder in a media mill wherein the media is at least +5 mesh, and using work inputs of from about 5 to about 40 HP-hrs/ton of dry clay. The process enables improved handling characteristics for the treated clay with respect to bulk material handling systems.

Abstract: A method for increasing the bulk density and decreasing the time of wetting with water of a substantially anhydrous kaolin clay powder, comprising dry ball-milling said powder using work inputs of from about 5 to about 40 HP-hrs/ton of dry clay. The milling may be effected by grinding the clay with ceramic balls of less than 5 inches diameter. The process enables improved handling characteristics for the treated clay with respect to bulk material handling systems.

Abstract: A method for increasing the bulk density and decreasing the time of wetting with water of a substantially anhydrous kaolin clay powder, comprising dry ball-milling the said powder using work inputs of from about 5 to about 40 HP-hrs/ton of dry clay, followed by pulverization in a high energy impact mill and classification to eliminate undesirable larger particles. The ball-milling may be effected by grinding the clay with ceramic balls of less than 5 inches diameter. The process enables improved handling characteristics for the treated clay with respect to bulk material handling systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating titaniferous and ferruginous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed containing a deflocculant and a fatty acid collecting agent, and the slurry is conditioned to coat the discolorants with the collecting agent to thereby render the discolorants hydrophobic. A system of sub-micron sized magnetic ferrite seeding particles, the surfaces of which have been rendered hydrophobic, is thereupon added to the slurry. The seeded slurry is mixed to coalesce the hydrophobic-surfaced discolorants with the hydrophobic-surfaced seeding particles, and the slurry is then subjected to a froth flotation, which removes substantial quantities of the discolorants and seeding partices coalesced therewith, and also removes excess seeding particles and excess collecting agent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating titaniferous and ferruginous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed containing a deflocculant and a fatty acid collecting agent, and the slurry is conditioned to coat the discolorants with the collecting agent to thereby render the discolorants hydrophobic. A system of sub-micron sized magnetic ferrite seeding particles, the surfaces of which have been rendered hydrophobic, is thereupon added to the slurry. The seeded slurry is mixed to coalesce the hydrophobic-surfaced discolorants with the hydrophobic-surfaced seeding particles, and the slurry is then subjected to a froth flotation, which removes substantial quantities of the discolorants and seeding particles coalesced therewith, and also removes excess seeding particles and excess collecting agent.