Abstract: A process which uses selective flocculation with hydroxamates for the beneficiation of mixtures of mineral particles (such as kaolin clays). The increased selectivity of hydroxamates for certain mineral phases within kaolin clays and other mixtures of mineral particles improves the process over selective flocculation processes utilizing other activators.

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: 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: 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 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 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.

Abstract: An opacifying pigment with enhanced light scattering properties for use as a paper coating or filler material is produced by reacting kaolin in the presence of water with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide at a temperature in excess of 60.degree. C. The kaolin is reacted with the hydroxide in a concentration to produce a molality of at least 0.1.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the physical and catalytic properties of faujasite containing fluid cracking catalysts (FCC) employing a sol binder by incorporating acid stable surfactants into the catalyst component streams prior to spray drying.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the brightness (beneficiating) of kaolin clays by removing titanium impurities is disclosed. The claimed method is a selective flocculation process wherein clay solids are blunged (dispersed) in water together with a dispersing agent and an ammonium salt conditioning agent. When a water-dispersible anionic polymer is added to the dispersed and conditioned clay suspension, titanium flocs are separated from the suspension yielding a whiter kaolin clay product. Unlike prior art selective flocculation processes, the use of highly-dilute dispersions and/or multiple washing steps is not required.