Abstract: Disclosed is a media (such as a filter media) having one or more carbon nanotube (CNT)-containing layer. Each CNT-containing layer contains high temperature refractory fibers (e.g., staple quartz fibers and/or ceramic refractory fibers) that have melting temperatures greater than about 600° C. and in situ grown CNTs. Substantially all of the in situ grown CNTs have one end thereof associated with the fibers. This results in substantially all of the in situ grown CNTs extending away from substantially all of the fibers. Moreover, substantially all of the in situ grown CNTs are dispersed throughout the fibers. In one embodiment the media also includes one or more supporting layer. Each supporting layer contains high temperature refractory fibers that have melting temperatures greater than about 600° C., optionally bulk refractory fibers, optionally E-glass fibers, and optionally microglass fibers.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate (1) capable of carrying uniformly dispersed, finely divided, particulate, solid particles, e.g., catalyst particles (10) and sustaining temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees F. The substrate comprises a top layer (2) for containing the particles (10) and composed of quartz fibers (4) with an average diameter of between about 0.1 and 4 microns and about 0 to 13% of microglass fibers having a softening point of about 1000 degrees F. A support layer (3) is composed of the fibers of the top layer and, in addition, bulk refractory, e.g., ceramic, fibers (6) having and average diameter of about 1 to 4 microns and 0 to 50% of chopped e-glass fiber (7). A method for producing the substrate is provided that includes wet laying the top and bottom layers in spaced apart times so that the juncture (8) between the two layers has intermingled fibers whereby the consolidated layers are not easily separated.

Abstract: A cylindrical polymer fiber filter cartridge for liquid filtration is formed by applying an acrylic latex binder, diluted with water, to a batt of thermoplastic polymer fibers and winding the batt onto a core to form a hollow fibrous cylinder while applying compression with a compression roll to an outer surface of the fibrous cylinder. After the batt is fully wound onto the core, the cylindrical cartridge is rotated at a speed sufficient to cause the acrylic latex binder to foam in-situ thereby fluidizing the cartridge to allow the polymer fibers in the cartridge to reorient to form a smooth outer surface on the cartridge and to evenly distribute the acrylic binder throughout the cartridge. The binder in the cartridge is then cured to bond the fibers together at their points of intersection and annular grooves are cut in the outer surface of the cartridge to increase the surface area of the filter.

Abstract: A synthetic microfiber blanket having a uniform thickness is formed from a nonuniform blanket having thin or feathered lateral edges. The nonuniform blanket is cut transversely into a plurality of discrete pieces of blanket of uniform length. The plurality of discrete pieces of blanket are arranged with the thin lateral edges in overlapping relationship to form a blanket of a desired width and thickness. The overlapped, discrete pieces of blanket are then joined into an integral blanket of uniform width and thickness by entangling together fibers of adjacent pieces of blanket. A scrim backing can be incorporated into the blanket for added strength and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A process for producing fiberglass reinforced molded articles of superior surface quality involves preparation of a mat of glass fiber comprised of a majority of fibers having a diameter of less than one micron and a minority of fibers having a diameter greater than one micron. A sizing is applied to the fibers. The sizing includes a coupling agent preselected to be compatible with the moldable material, e.g. nylon. The glass fiber mat is comminuted into pieces shaped and dimensioned for combination with the moldable material to form a composite having a range of to 50% of glass fiber by weight. The composite is then molded by a conventional process to yield a fiberglass reinforced article with superior surface quality.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a spherical catalyst support comprising the steps of:(a) forming a mixture comprising:(i) 30-85 wt. % diatomite;(ii) 15-40 wt. % solvent;(iii) 0-15 wt. % fluxing agent; and(iv) 0-15 wt. % organic burnout material;(b) forming said mixture into generally spherical balls;(c) calcining said balls at a temperature in the range of about 700.degree. to 2300.degree. F. for about 10-45 minutes; and(d) thereafter, depositing at least one catalytically active substance on the surface of said spherical support in any suitable manner.The spherical support produced by the above process is especially useful as a support for immobilizing enzymes and microbial cells.

Abstract: A method of preparation of catalyst supports is disclosed as well as supports made by the method. Natural diatomite, bentonite clay, silica, cellulose fiber, corn meal and water are mixed, extruded, pelleted, dried and calcined to form porous catalyst supports pellets comprising fused natural diatomite, bentonite clay and silica.

Abstract: Compositions and papers made therefrom useful as separator materials in starved electrolyte lead/acid batteries are described. The compositions comprise a mixture of 30% to 80% by weight of perlite and 20% to 70% by weight of glass fibers. The glass fibers have diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 1.0 micrometers while the perlite has particle sizes in the range of from about 3 to about 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A process for producing fiberglass reinforced molded articles of superior surface quality involves preparation of a mat of glass fiber comprised of a majority of fibers having a diameter of less than one micron and a minority of fibers having a diameter greater than one micron. A sizing is applied to the fibers. The sizing includes a coupling agent preselected to be compatible with the moldable material, e.g. nylon. The glass fiber mat is comminuted into pieces shaped and dimensioned for combination with the moldable material to form a composite having a range of to 50% of glass fiber by weight. The composite is then molded by a conventional process to yield a fiberglass reinforced article with superior surface quality.