Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved cathode material having the general formula of Li1+xMn2?x?y?zMyM?zO4 where x is generally less than 0.25, y is less than about 0.5, z is between about 0.1 and about 0.7, M is a trivalent transition metal, M? is a divalent transition metal. Also disclosed is an improved secondary battery having a cathode material of the general formula of Li1+xMn2?x?y?zMyM?zO4. In one embodiment, the method provides for the preparation of a solution of Mn++ ions by dissolving manganese metal, typically in the form of powder or chips, in a mineral acid. The final concentration of Mn++ in solution will be between about 20 g/L to about 254 g/L. Typically, the solution will contain about 47 g/L of Mn++. The final pH of the solution containing Mn++ may range between about two and about eight; however, a typical operational pH will be between about 5.5 and about 7.0.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved LMO composition suitable for use as cathode material in rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The LMO composition may be doped with an additional metal or undoped. The LMO composition carries a surface treatment of LiF that protects the LMO from acid degradation. Cathodes prepared from the improved LMO have improved fade characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the hydrostatic testing of pipelines and to purification of waste water from such testing. More specifically, there is provided a method of hydrostatically pressure testing a natural gas pipeline using water. The waste water, which is contaminated with hydrocarbons, is subsequently treated by contacting it with manganese dioxide so that the hydrocarbons are broken down into carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved LMO composition suitable for use as cathode material in rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The LMO composition may be doped with an additional metal or undoped. The LMO composition carries a surface treatment of LiF that protects the LMO from acid degradation. Cathodes prepared from the improved LMO have improved fade characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the hydrostatic testing of pipelines and to purification of waste water from such testing. More specifically, there is provided a method of hydrostatically pressure testing a natural gas pipeline using water. The waste water, which is contaminated with hydrocarbons, is subsequently treated by contacting it with manganese dioxide so that the hydrocarbons are broken down into carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: Improved stabilized spinel battery cathode material and methods of treating particles of spinel battery cathode material to produce a protective coating of battery-inactive lithium metal oxide on the particles are provided. The methods basically comprise mixing the spinel particles with a particulate reactant selected from a lithium salt, a lithium metal oxide or a mixture of a lithium salt and a metal oxide and then heating the resultant particulate mixture for a time and temperature to react the particulate reactant with the spinel particles whereby a protective coating of lithium metal oxide is formed on the spinel particles and the lithium content of the spinel adjacent to the coating is increased a limited amount.

Abstract: Improved stabilized spinel battery cathode material and methods of treating particles of spinel battery cathode material to produce a protective coating of battery-inactive lithium metal oxide on the particles are provided. The methods basically comprise mixing the spinel particles with a particulate reactant selected from a lithium salt, a lithium metal oxide or a mixture of a lithium salt and a metal oxide and then heating the resultant particulate mixture for a time and temperature to react the particulate reactant with the spinel particles whereby a protective coating of lithium metal oxide is formed on the spinel particles and the lithium content of the spinel adjacent to the coating is increased a limited amount.

Abstract: A process for preparing a low-dusting, free-flowing pigment which has not been subjected to any micronizing treatment comprising the steps of providing an inorganic pigment material; providing a source of water; forming a fine, well dispersed slurry of the pigment and water; milling the slurry; depositing a treating agent having the formula ROOCCHSO.sub.3 MCH.sub.2 COOR' wherein R and R' are monovalent alkyl radicals having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, and M is a metallic monovalent cation on the slurried milled pigment; and drying the pigment material having a treating agent deposited thereon. The invention also provides the free-flowing pigments produced by this process.

Abstract: A process for preparing a low-dusting, free-flowing pigment which has not been subjected to any micronizing treatment comprising the steps of providing an inorganic pigment material; providing a source of water; forming a fine, well dispersed slurry of the pigment and water; milling the slurry; depositing a treating agent having the formula ROOCCHSO.sub.3 MCH.sub.2 COOR' wherein R and R' are monovalent alkyl radicals having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, and M is a metallic monovalent cation on the slurried milled pigment; and drying the pigment material having a treating agent deposited thereon. The invention also provides the free-flowing pigments produced by this process.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a particulate product including electrostatically charging a fuel and/or oxidizer and/or ionizable inert gas present during the synthesis is provided. The method can include a step of collecting the particulate product which exploits the charged nature of the particulate reaction product.

Abstract: A method for milling a powder in a high energy mill which includes steps of forming a milling slurry including a naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand grinding medium having a density in the range of from about 4 g/cc absolute to about 6 g/cc absolute. Also provided is a grinding medium including naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand characterized by a density in the range of from about 4 g/cc absolute to about 6 g/cc absolute.

Abstract: A method for producing a milled powder including imparting an electrostatic charge to the starting powder and milling the electrostatically charged starting powder is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing free flowing powders of nonpigmentary titanium dioxide granular aggregates. The process comprises the providing of dried preforms of flocculated pigmentary titanium dioxide and the comminution thereof to powders of granular aggregates of enhanced bulk density and predetermined particle size.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide pigment slurry containing from about 70 to about 80 percent by weight solids content is provided by dewatering, at superatmospheric pressure, a highly dispersed pigment slurry containing from about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of an untreated, nonflocculated titanium dioxide pigment and which slurry has a pH of below about 4.0 or above about 8.0 to produce a wet filter cake. The wet filter cake is reslurried in the presence of a dispersing agent. The high solids content slurry preferably is prepared from rutile titanium dioxide pigment.

Abstract: There are provided titanium dioxide pigments characterized by improved gloss developing and dispersibility properties in surface coating vehicles and reduced tendencies to adsorb moisture. Said titanium dioxide pigments comprise pigmentary titanium dioxide particles having deposited thereon a treating agent comprising at least one amine salt of a polyprotic acid having pK.sub.a1 value greater than about 2.5 and a water solubility at 20.degree. C. of at least 2.0 weight percent and an alkanolamine having a pK.sub.b1 greater than about 4.4.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of hydrocarbon polymers to improve the hardness of waxes. Blends of hydrocarbon polymers in soft waxes are unexpectedly harder than each component thereof. In addition the blending of hydrocarbon polymers into waxes has a lesser effect on the undesirable properties of (1) increased viscosities and (2) increased cloud points, than occurs when polyethylene are blended into wax.