Abstract: A method for obtaining particulate calcium carbonate exhibiting improved brightness and color and having uniformity of size such that when the particles are formed in the causticization process in a kraft pulp mill, the time required to separate the particles from liquors in which they are suspended is minimized and the amount of liquor recovered is maximized, with minimal dilution by water used for washing. The method includes the steps of a) slaking calcium oxide in water or an alkaline liquor containing as dissolved species predominantly sodium hydroxide; b) mixing the slaked lime with green liquor from a kraft pulping process to complete a causticization reaction that produces white liquor and lime mud; c) separating the lime mud from the white liquor; and d) milling a portion of the lime mud for use as a white mineral pigment in applications where such pigments are typically used.

Abstract: A method of blending a fine precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) filler with larger PCC, the resulting blend to be used alone or in conjunction with a ground carbonate, clay or other filler, resulting in improved porosity by the lowering of the porosity of supercalendered paper, thereby imparting improved and offset printability. The fine PCC can be ultrafine PCC filler which then is blended with other fillers including but not limited to pigments. These fillers which are blended with the fine PCC include commercial and experimental PCC and commercial clays. Ultrafine PCC has agglomerates of small, discrete particles. Ultrafine PCC for use in the invention has a specific surface area of about 20 m2/g as measured by BET gas adsorption. As measured by a sedigraph, the average size of these agglomerates is from 0.4 to 1.1 microns.

Abstract: A method of blending a fine precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) filler with larger PCC, the resulting blend to be used alone or in conjunction with a ground carbonate, clay or other filler, resulting in improved porosity by the lowering of the porosity of supercalendered paper, thereby imparting improved and offset printability. The fine PCC can be ultrafine PCC filler which then is blended with other fillers including but not limited to pigments. These fillers which are blended with the fine PCC include commercial and experimental PCC and commercial clays. Ultrafine PCC has agglomerates of small, discrete particles. Ultrafine PCC for use in the invention has a specific surface area of about 20 m2/g as measured by BET gas adsorption. As measured by a sedigraph, the average size of these agglomerates is from 0.4 to 1.1 microns.

Abstract: A method for obtaining particulate calcium carbonate exhibiting improved brightness and color and having uniformity of size such that when the particles are formed in the causticization process in a kraft pulp mill, the time required to separate the particles from liquors in which they are suspended is minimized and the amount of liquor recovered is maximized, with minimal dilution by water used for washing. The method includes the steps of a) slaking calcium oxide in water or an alkaline liquor containing as dissolved species predominantly sodium hydroxide; b) mixing the slaked lime with green liquor from a kraft pulping process to complete a causticization reaction that produces white liquor and lime mud; c) separating the lime mud from the white liquor; and d) milling a portion of the lime mud for use as a white mineral pigment in applications where such pigments are typically used.

Abstract: The process of the present invention provides a method of obtaining a high yield of water or acid soluble nitrate esters without the use of organic solvents in the nitration reaction or the production of unstable products or by-products. The process involves the nitration of an organic hydroxy-containing compound with a suitable nitrating agent such as nitric acid in the absence of organic solvents in the nitration reaction. The reaction mixture is neutralized, causing the nitrate esters to precipitate or separate from the neutralized nitrate solution. The nitrate ester is then recovered, and any dissolved nitrate salts can be removed therefrom by gentle washing with water or a dilute halide solution. As provided by the process of the present invention, no organic solvents are used in the nitration reaction and average yields range from about 80% to about 95%.

Abstract: Emulsion explosive compositions comprising a discontinuous aqueous oxidizer salt phase and a continuous carbonaceous fuel phase and from about 5% to about 50% nitrostarch are disclosed which exhibit increased resistance to precompression or dead pressing while maintaining high detonation velocities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a water-in-oil emulsion and the emulsion explosives therefrom containing nitrostarch by nitrating starch with an excess of a nitrating agent, treating the reaction mixture thereof with anhydrous ammonia to form a solution of water, dissolved ammonium nitrate, and nitrostarch, and thereafter combining the aqueous solution with a carbonaceous fuel phase and emulsifier to form a water-in-oil emulsion. The explosive is provided, preferably, by the distribution of voids throughout the water-in-oil emulsion to render it detonable. The invention is also applicable to the production of melt-in-fuel explosive compositions and water-gel explosives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions comprising a discontinuous aqueous phase, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase, and an emulsifier content being at least 45% by weight of the emulsified fuel phase which decreases precompression or dead pressing.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermodynamically stable fluid system for use in combination with a solid oxidizer to provide an explosive composition. The fluid system comprises 1-70% by weight of water, 5-20% by weight of a surfactant, 0-35% by weight of a cosurfactant, and 5-85% by weight of an organic oil. Any droplet formation within the system has diameter or a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.1 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid system is a microemulsion. When the fluid system is combined with a solid oxidizer, an explosive composition is formed, and the resulting explosive composition has a density greater than ANFO under similar conditions. The fluid system acts to increase the density of the oxidizer.

Abstract: An explosive composition is disclosed which comprises a discontinuous oxidizer phase comprising at least one oxygen-supplying component, a continuous organic phase comprising at least one water-immiscible organic liquid, and an emulsifying amount of at least one nitrogen-containing emulsifier derived from (A) at least one carboxylic acylating agent, (B) at least one polyamine, and (C) at least one acid or acid-producing compound capable of forming at least one salt with said polyamine. These explosive compositions can be water-in-oil emulsions or melt-in-oil emulsions. They can also be explosive compositions derived from such emulsions wherein at temperatures below that at which the emulsion is formed the discontinuous phase is solid or in the form of droplets of supercooled liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermodynamically stable fluid system for use in combination with a solid oxidizer to provide an explosive composition. The fluid system comprises 1-70% by weight of water, 5-20% by weight of a surfactant, 0-35% by weight of a cosurfactant, and 5-85% by weight of an organic oil. Any droplet formation within the system has diameter or a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.1 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid system is a microemulsion. When the fluid system is combined with a solid oxidizer, an explosive composition is formed, and the resulting explosive composition has a density greater than ANFO under similar conditions. The fluid system acts to increase the density of the oxidizer.