Abstract: A grinding mill has an outer housing and a rotor mounted in the housing to form a grinding zone between the housing and rotor into which a charge to be ground is introduced. A pair of spaced rings are located at the entranceway to the grinding zone to form an annular gap through which the charge passes. At least one of the rings is adjustable to vary the gap width in response to one or more mill operating parameters. The rings control the flow of the charge into the grinding zone and reduce the size of the charge particles before they enter the grinding zone.

Abstract: A mobile slurry apparatus for creating a slurry from oil sand ore has a frame and a slurry box supported by the frame. Water is mixed with the ore to form a slurry that is retained in the slurry box. The frame base has a first set of spaced apart support points for supporting the frame in a stationary mode, and a second set of spaced apart support points for supporting the frame in a moving mode. The second set of spaced apart support points is closer together than the first set of support points and defines a lifting region disposed beneath a centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus in a moving mode when the slurry box is empty. Thus, a single moving device can be positioned beneath the second set of support points for lifting and moving the slurry apparatus.

Abstract: Dust control and/or freeze control compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides methods of utilizing the dust control and/or freeze control products. For example, the method can comprise preventing the agglomeration of particulate material comprising coal and the adhesion thereof to surfaces in subfreezing weather. The method can also comprise preventing dust formation from particulate material handling processes. The dust control and/or freeze control compositions can comprise one or more glycerin by-products derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process. The dust control and/or freeze control compositions can also comprise one or more glycerin by-products of transesterification reactions involving triglycerides.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic material product. A filler material is provided. The filler material is divided into filler granules collectively having a median diameter approximately 10 microns or less. An amount of carbon is provided. The carbon is divided into carbon particles and the carbon particles are allowed to coat the filler granules. The mixture of carbon-coated filler granules is formed into a selected shape. The formed mixture is placed in a substantial vacuum. The mixture is introduced to a pre-selected amount of silicon and the mixture of carbon-coated filler granules and silicon is heated to a temperature at or above the melting point of the silicon.

Abstract: Thermomechanical pulp is an important process for producing fibrous mass used in papermaking. A two-level control strategy that stabilizes and optimizes the refining process has been developed. The Stabilization layer consists of a multivariable model predicative range controller that regulates the refiner line operations. The Quality Optimization layer provides the pulp quality control as measured by an online pulp quality (freeness, fibre length) sensor. This control startegy leverages the natural decoupling in the process. The modular design technique is able to handle multiple refiner lines that empty into a common latency chest. A global optimizer is also used to integrate and coordinate the two layers for enhanced constraint handling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the hot dispersing of a paper fiber stock that includes providing an aqueous paper fiber stock and pressing the aqueous fiber stock in a thickening device. In this manner, water is at least partially removed from the aqueous fiber stock to form a highly consistent paper fiber stock. The process further includes heating the highly consistent paper fiber stock, dispersing the heated highly consistent paper fiber stock with a disperser, determining a thermal energy consumed to heat the highly consistent paper fiber stock, and controlling a dewatering effect of the thickening device. The dewatering effect is increased with rising thermal energy consumption and is reduced with a falling thermal energy consumption. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An aluminum flake pigment containing aluminum flakes as basic particles, said aluminum flakes having an average particle diameter in the range of 3 to 20 ?m and an average value of minimum diameter/maximum diameter of at least 0.6.

Abstract: Discrete particles of cellulosic material are flowable and meterable. They are easily dispersible in an aqueous or a dry medium. The particles comprise singulated cellulose fibers that have been densified. The particles have a density of at least 0.3 g/cc.

Abstract: The invention relates to the selection of a natural calcium carbonate crushed to a high degree of fineness, possibly treated with one or more fatty acids or one or more of their salts or mixtures thereof, and its use as a rheology regulator for polymeric compositions. The specific surface area is 14 to 30 m2/g measured according to the BET method to ISO 4652, and the oil absorption is greater than 16 measured according to ISO 787-V (Rub-out method). The conditions of mixing of the constituents and manufacture are improved, as well as the properties of the final product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polyacrylic acids which contain organic terminal groups containing sulphur, comprising at least two carbon atoms, having an average molecular weight Mw of 5 000-30 000 g/mol and which are at least partially neutralized by a base which is selected from the group of alkali hydroxides and ammonia as auxiliary agents for wet grinding of calcium carbonate. The invention also relates to fine particle aqueous suspensions of calcium carbonate which are produced by wet grinding of calcium carbonate in the presence of said polyacrylic acids.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid having an oleaginous phase and an additive for increasing the density of the wellbore fluid. The additive comprises solid colloidal particles coated with a dispersant during the comminution process of forming the particles. Exemplary starting materials for the colloidal particles include commonly known weighting agents as well as mixture and combinations thereof. The dispersant in one embodiment, is selected from carboxylic acids of molecular weight of at least 150 Daltons. Alternatively, the dispersant coating may be made of compounds including oleic acid, polybasic fatty acids, alkylbenzene sulfonic acids, alkane sulfonic acids, linear alpha-olefin sulfonic acid or the alkaline earth metal salts of any of the above acids, and phospholipids as well as mixtures and combinations of these compounds. In another embodiment the dispersant is a polyacrylate ester having an average molecular weight from about 10,000 Daltons to about 200,000 Daltons.

Abstract: In order to provide an aluminum flake pigment having excellent metallic luster, fine-grainedness and a plating-like appearance presenting silvery classiness, an aluminum flake pigment, obtained by grinding aluminum powder in an organic solvent, having an average thickness (t) in the range of 0.025 ?m to 0.08 ?m and an average particle diameter (D50) in the range of 8 ?m to 30 ?m is provided. This aluminum powder is preferably prepared by an atomized method. A ball mill is preferably used as a grinder for performing this grinding.

Abstract: A method of preventing the generation of dust or agglomeration of particulate material comprising coal by applying to the particulate material a mixture of from about 45 to about 90 weight percent of glycerin, from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of water, about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent of fatty acids and esters thereof and from 2 to about 15 weight percent of water soluble salts, which has been diluted with about 10–400 weight percent of water. The diluted compositIon is applied in an affective amount to suppress agglomeration of particulate material and its adhesion to surfaces and to substantially prevent the generation of dust. The concentrated composition has a freezing point of at least ?35° C.

Abstract: A finely divided, stable dispersion of a solid is produced by: spraying at least two streams of a preliminary dispersion, each through a separate nozzle by pumps, onto a collision point in a reactor chamber enclosed by a reactor housing; passing water vapor through an opening into the reactor chamber so that a vaporous atmosphere consisting mainly of water vapor prevails in the reactor chamber; and removing the finely divided dispersion and a) vapor, b) partially condensed vapor consisting mainly of water or c) a combination of a) and b) from the reactor chamber by excess pressure of an incoming water vapor on the gas inlet side; wherein the solid has an average particle size of from 10 nm to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A process for making singulated pulp flakes is provided. The process includes dewatering liquid pulp stock to a consistency of about 30 to about 50% solids. The process includes initial flaking to break up the dewatered pulp bundles into semi-uniform flakes having a median size of from about 3 to about 5 mm3 and a consistency of from about 33 to about 55% solids. The process includes drying the flaked pulp to a consistency of from about 85 to about 97% solids. The process includes flaking a second time to separate the flakes that may have bonded during drying. The product “singulated” flakes then go to a baler for packaging. In another embodiment, the process includes blending the liquid pulp stock with at least one adjuvant prior to dewatering.

Abstract: Post-processing methods for nanoparticles are disclosed. Methods for real time quality control of nanoscale powder manufacture are discussed. Uses of post-processed particles and consolidation methods are disclosed. Disclosed methods can enable commercial use of nanoscale powders in wide range of nanotechnology applications.

Abstract: A method for creating ultra-fine particles of material using a high-pressure mill is described. The method includes placing a material in a first chamber and subjecting the material to a high-pressure fluid jet to divide it into particles. These particles are then transferred to a second chamber in which they are subjected to cavitation to further divide the particles into relatively smaller particles. These relatively smaller particles are then transferred to a third chamber, in which the particles collide with a collider to still further divide them into ultra-fine particles of the material. The mill of the present invention includes a first chamber having an high-pressure liquid jet nozzle, first and second slurry nozzles, a second cavitation chamber and a third chamber which houses a collider. In one embodiment, the slurry nozzle has an inner surface and sharp edges that project slightly out from the inner surface.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for activating drugs by means of high-energy co-grinding of the drug with a pharmaceutical carrier, characterised by the use of a vibrational mill equipped with means that regulate the vibration frequency. The process, performed by modifying the frequency of vibration and keeping its amplitude constant, produces drug/carrier composites with a constant particle size in which the degree of drug activation increases in proportion to the frequency applied. The invention also includes a vibrational mill suitably modified to perform the process described.

Abstract: A niobium hydride or niobium hydride alloy is ground at a temperature of −200 to 30° C. in the presence of a dispersion medium to obtain a niobium powder for capacitors, having a low oxygen content, the niobium powder for capacitors is granulated to obtain a niobium granulated product for capacitors, having an average particle size of 10 to 500 &mgr;m, the niobium powder or granulated powder for capacitors is sintered to obtain a sintered body, and a capacitor is fabricated by forming a dielectric material on the surface of the sintered body and providing another part electrode on the dielectric material, whereby a capacitor having good LC characteristics and less dispersed in the LC characteristics is obtained.

Abstract: When elemental iron is in the presence of chlorinated compounds (contaminants) a naturally occurring reaction takes place and the chlorinated compounds are reduced and form harmless compounds. The production of extremely small metal particles containing elemental iron or a mixture of elemental iron and a second metal is imperative to this method of treating contaminants and is the subject of the present invention. When the particle is made small enough a surfactant is not required for the particle to do its job. The elemental metal may be kept in an elemental state by keeping it in an oxygen-scavenging environment. This is achieved by either suspending the nanoscale metal in a carbohydrate solution or by injecting a carbohydrate solution in atomized form into the gas used to inject the metal into the subsurface soil.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which allow for manipulation of nanotubes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention enable various types of manipulation of nanotubes utilizing an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. For example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention enables cutting of nanotubes into shortened nanotubes. Other types of nanotube manipulation that are enabled by embodiments of the present invention, include dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently fuctionalizing nanotubes. The organic material utilized in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a soft organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material utilized for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

Abstract: A process for making singulated pulp flakes is provided. The process includes dewatering liquid pulp stock to a consistency of about 30 to about 50% solids. The process includes initial flaking to break up the dewatered pulp bundles into semi-uniform flakes having a median size of from about 3 to about 5 mm3 and a consistency of from about 33 to about 55% solids. The process includes drying the flaked pulp to a consistency of from about 85 to about 97% solids. The process includes flaking a second time to separate the flakes that may have bonded during drying. The product “singulated” flakes then go to a baler for packaging. In another embodiment, the process includes blending the liquid pulp stock with at least one adjuvant prior to dewatering.

Abstract: A method for preparing dispersions of solid salts of fatty acids in low polarity liquids where a concentrated mixture of at least 50 percent of the solid salts of fatty acids in a low polarity liquid is subjected to high shearing forces, until the average particle size of the solid salts of fatty acids is less than 3 micron. The dispersion may then be diluted with the low polarity liquid to a lower concentration. The solid salt of the fatty acid is most preferably magnesium stearate, and the low polarity liquid is preferably a polydimethylsiloxane fluid having a viscosity of less than 100 centistoke (mm2/s).

Abstract: A method for making composite excipient particles for use in a pharmaceutical composition comprises a milling step in which particles of an excipient material are milled in the presence of an additive material. The product particles are of small size and the milling requires relatively low input of time and energy. The composite particles are suitable for use in inhalable pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing hydroxy apatite comprising the steps of preparing a mixed material slurry by dispersing calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) powder into a phosphoric acid (H3PO4) solution; conducting a mechanochemical milling treatment in which shearing force and compressive force based on a centrifugal force of a mechanical rotating body are imparted to the mixed material slurry, and reacting the calcium hydrate component with the phosphoric acid component under normal temperature and pressure thereby to prepare hydroxy apatite (HAp) powder having fine crystals. According to the structure described above, there can be provided a method of synthesizing hydroxy apatite having fine and uniform particle size which can be directly synthesized under normal temperature and pressure in a short time through simple and single process.

Abstract: A method of producing ceramic slurry capable of producing uniformly dispersed ceramic slurry without excessively damaging a ceramic powder, and a method of producing a ceramic slurry composition used for producing a multilayer ceramic electronic part, from which an undissolved binder is precisely removed. Also provided is a method of producing a ceramic green sheet, and a method of producing a multilayer ceramic electronic part. A ceramic powder having an average particle diameter of about 0.01 to 1 &mgr;m is mixed with a dispersion solvent (solvent) and disintegrated by a medium-type dispersion method using a dispersion medium such as balls, beads, or the like to obtain mixed and disintegrated slurry, followed by high-pressure dispersion under a pressure of about 100 kg/cm2 or more.

Abstract: To use a media agitating mill of a wet internal circulation type when grinding materials, and offer oxide magnetic materials and coils in which influences of ZrO2 and Y2O3 mixing when using partially stabilized zirconia as media beads are improved. The magnetic materials and coils are characterized in that Fe2O3, ZnO, NiO and CuO are main components, and Y2O3, ZrO2 and Bi2O3 are contained with respect to these main components, where an amount of Y2O3 is 0.007 to 0.028 wt % for the total amount, an amount of ZrO2 is 0.12 to 0.55 wt % therefor and an amount of Bi2O3 is 0.03 to 10.12 wt % for the same.

Abstract: In a method for ultrafine grinding of solid particulate material to mean particle sizes far below 1 micrometer and/or for mixing of powder and agglomerate material with mean particle sizes in the range of nanometers, the material to be ground and/or mixed and an grinding/mixing additive are filled into a cooled grinding chamber containing loose grinding media. By motion of the grinding media relative to adjacent media and to the walls of the grinding chamber the material is ground to the desired particle size and/or is finely mixed. Subsequently the additive is removed from said material. For the production of particle sizes in the range of nanometers and/or for mixing particles of this size range, the method comprises that grinding and/or mixing is carried out in a cooled atmosphere in the presence of a fine grained solidified additive which is chemically inert to said material, preferably water ice or solid carbon dioxide, at temperatures below their melting or sublimation temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic slurry used for fabricating a ceramic electronic component includes a mixing and pulverizing step for mixing and pulverizing a ceramic powder having an average particle size of about 0.01 to 1 &mgr;m, a solvent and a dispersant by a dispersion process using a pulverizing medium, such as balls or beads, to obtain a mixed and pulverized slurry; and a high pressure dispersion step for performing high pressure dispersion at a pressure of about 100 kg/cm2 or more after a filtered binder solution is added to the mixed and pulverized slurry to obtain a dispersed slurry (final dispersed slurry), the filtered binder solution being prepared by dissolving a binder in a solvent, followed by filtration. A method for forming a ceramic green sheet and a method for fabricating a monolithic ceramic electronic component using the ceramic slurry are also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-pyrophoric hydrogen storage material having an engineered surface oxide to enhance initial activation and a method for making the same. The method for making. the hydrogen storage material includes the steps of providing a hydrogen storage powder and oxidizing the powder with a controlled oxidation reaction. In a preferred aspect hereof, the method includes providing a bulk hydrogen storage alloy; hydriding the alloy to form a comminuted material; and oxidizing the surface of the comminuted material with a controlled oxidation reaction. In another preferred aspect hereof, a passivating material is added to the comminuted material prior to the step for oxidizing to enhance initial activation. In still another preferred aspect hereof, at least one sacrificial modifier is provided in the particalized material to enhance initial activation.

Abstract: Chemically aided milling of ceramic powders is disclosed. Carrier suspension, usually aqueous, of the ceramic powder may have added to it a dispersing agent and a passivating agent, followed by milling the aqueous suspension while continuously monitoring the pH, and as necessary, adding acid or a base to keep the pH within a desired range during milling. Real time monitoring allows milling with lower energy consumption, and enhances the desirable particle surfaces of the ceramic powder. The passivating agent can also be real time monitored and adjusted as necessary.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a raw material powder for producing a sintered body of aluminum titanate comprising: pulverizing a mixture containing: (1) 100 parts by weight of aluminum titanate crystals pulverized until a maximum grain size of 30 to 50 &mgr;m is attained; and (2) 2 to 6 parts by weight of spinel crystals obtained by heating a mixture containing MgO and Al2O3 at 1250° C. to 1290° a molar ratio of MgO to Al2O3 being 1:0.95 to 1:1.05, said pulverizing being conducted by wet grinding process with a ball mill or cylinder mill.

Abstract: A kaolin clay pigment comprises a coarse kaolin clay or a blend of a coarse kaolin clay with a fine kaolin clay. The coarse kaolin clay is a delaminated and defined pigment product with an overall shape factor greater than about 12. If the coarse kaolin clay is fluid at about 65% to about 75% solids, then it is used by itself as the kaolin pigment. If it is not fluid, it is blended with a fine kaolin clay in amounts ranging from about 0.1% to about 30.0% by weight of the blend. The coarse kaolin clay fraction has a Hinckley Crystallinity Index greater than about 0.6 and the fine kaolin clay has a Hinckley Crystallinity Index less than about 0.5. The pigment has a G.E. brightness of about 90.5 and a particle size distribution such that at least about 90% by weight of the particles has an e.s.d. less than about 2 &mgr;m and about 30% by weight of the particles has an e.s.d. less than about 0.25 microns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting and drying material utilizing a closed-loop cyclonic system including a cyclonic comminution chamber, and further incorporating heated or dried air for desiccation of the material, as well as reducing the air pressure of the system to provide enhanced drying of the material. The present invention further contemplates to a cyclonic mill system configured to fiberize and dewater cellulose and other materials in a highly efficient and cost effective manner. The present system employs indirect heat drying and fiberizing for the continuous drying and processing of moist cellulose (i.e., paper) material by cyclonically agitating same in a hot air flow via a specially designed cyclonic mill, which is configured to effectively dewater and decimate wet cellulose material from a variety of sources for form fiberized cellulose material suitable for thermal insulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reductive dehalogenation of halogen-organic substances which can be used in solid or liquid mixtures of substances. When the parameters of the inventive method are correspondingly adapted, liquids and halogen-organic contaminated soils can be mechanically treated and consequently reductively dehalogenated by applying mechanical energy and adding elementary alkali metal, earth-alkaline metal, aluminum or iron as a reducing agent and at least one reactant with slightly activated hydrogen as a hydrogen source.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for drying a suspension of a finely divided particulate solid material to produce the solid material in a substantially dry and unagglomerated form. The apparatus consists of a grinding chamber containing a particulate grinding medium such as silica having a diameter of 1-5 mm, a conduit for introducing the suspension into the grinding chamber and an impeller which rotates in the grinding chamber. The grinding chamber has a perforated base through which a heated gas is introduced to provide an upward flow of gas through the grinding chamber and through the grinding medium. As the particulate material is dried, fine particles of the dried material are carried upwards in the upflow of gas through the grinding chamber. A filter such as one or more cyclones and/or a bag filter assembly is located downstream of the grinding chamber in order to separate the particles of dried material from the gas.

Abstract: A powder slurry coating composition is prepared by adding individual particulate materials including at least one resin powder to an aqueous medium and then milling the dispersed particulate materials to produce a median particle size of up to about 15 microns. The powder slurry coating composition is used to prepare a coating on a substrate. The coating is equivalent to coatings obtained from powder slurry coating compositions in which the powder is produced by melt mixing in an extruder and grinding the extrudate.

Abstract: A method for creating ultra-fine particles of material using a high-pressure mill is described. The method includes placing a material in a first chamber and subjecting the material to a high-pressure liquid jet to divide it into particles. These particles are then transferred to a second chamber in which they are subjected to cavitation to further divide the particles into relatively smaller particles. These relatively smaller particles are then transferred to a third chamber, in which the particles collide with a collider to still further divide them into ultra-fine particles of the material. The mill of the present invention includes a first chamber having an high-pressure liquid jet nozzle, first and second slurry nozzles, a second cavitation chamber and a third chamber which houses a collider. Sensors may be located throughout the mill to collect data on the comminution process and to use the data to control the resultant particle size.

Abstract: The method for granulating liquid slag melts, in particular blast furnace slag, in which the melt (2) is ejected into a cooling chamber via a slag tundish (1) and in which fluid under pressure, in particular compressed gas, vapor or pressurized water, is injected in the direction of the slag exit (6) in order to eject said liquid slag, is characterized in that the pressure fluid jet discharges into a throttle pipe (3) which is immersed in the slag bath and whose lower edge is mounted so as to be adjustable in the height direction (4). The corresponding device comprises a lance (7) which is surrounded by a height-adjustable throttle pipe (3) whose lower edge (5) is immersed in the slag bath (2) contained in the tundish (1) and forms a throttling cross section between the slag exit (6) and the slag bath (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the mean particle size of resilient porous organic polymer particles having open cell pores, which resist particle size reduction due to the compressibility and resiliency of the organic polymer. Further, the present invention relates to novel products produced by the process for reducing the mean particle size and to particles of reduced mean particle size which have one or more functional agents contained in the pores thereof.

Abstract: A system for producing a suitable fuel from waste material including a dispersion tank in which a rotating impeller is positioned in the bottom of such tank in close spaced relationship above a stationary plate and the facing surfaces of the impeller and the plate include shear blocks which intermesh to grind solid materials in the tank and disperse the solid materials in a blend stock making a suitable fuel. A cylinder is connected to raise and lower the impeller to control the spacing between the impeller and the plate and thus control the spacing between the shear blocks to control the fineness of the grinding of the waste material. Means is provided for discharging metal from the dispersion tank and means is provided for circulating liquid from the dispersion tank to an accumulation tank and for recirculating the liquid from the accumulation tank to the dispersion tank.

Abstract: A process for reducing the particle size of porous organic polymers by subjecting an aqueous slurry of the porous organic polymers to a cutting action and recovering particles of reduced mean particle size. The particles produced by the process can be used as additives for lead acid batteries and as a starting material for the production of additives having functional release agents.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of making a highly reactive pozzolan, involving the steps of forming a slurry comprising metakaolin and a liquid; wet milling the slurry; and separating the metakaolin from the liquid to provide the highly reactive pozzolan. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of making a cement-based composition involving the steps of providing a highly reactive pozzolan by forming a slurry comprising metakaolin and a liquid, wet milling the slurry, and separating the metakaolin from the liquid; and combining the highly reactive pozzolan with at least one cementitious material.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that the crosslinks in thermoset plastics can be broken by heating to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4.times.10.sup.6 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol. By utilizing the process of this invention, precious metals can be easily and economically recovered from electronic circuit boards. In this process, the crosslinks in the thermoset plastics in the circuit board break under conditions of heat and pressure in the presence of 2-butanol. After the crosslinks in the thermoset plastic break, the plastic material dissolves in the 2-butanol and can be removed by decanting. The remaining undissolved fiberglass mat and precious metal is removed by filtration, decanting or centrifugation. The precious metals which were entrapped in the thermoset plastic can be recovered from fiberglass on the circuit board by being melted.

Abstract: A grinding composition is disclosed for the grinding particulate metal containing minerals containing as a grinding aid at least one hydroxy-carboxylic acid of five to six carbon atoms, containing at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl groups, or its soluble salts.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, and method for making same, comprising large particle size, calcined kaolin clays that, when used in paint formulations, provide paints having low sheen and good weathering resistance. Compositions of the invention include a composition comprising the pigment produced by a process comprising calcining a feed comprising kaolin having a median equivalent spherical diameter (e.s.d.) as measured on a Sedigraph 5100 of greater than about 2.0 microns and having .ltoreq. about 15% less than 0.5 micron.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing a concentrated aqueous suspension of a finely ground particular material, which process comprises (a) preparing an aqueous suspension comprising at least 20% by weight of the particulate material comprising calcium carbonate in coarse particular form; (b) grinding the suspension formed in step (a) in the presence of a polycarboxylate dispersing agent for the particular material in a grinding process where the pH is not less than 10 to produce an aqueous suspension wherein at least 90% by weight of the particles or the particulate material have an e.s.d. less than 2 .mu.m and 60% by weight have an e.s.d. less than 1 .mu.m; (c) adding an additive comprising an anionic polycarboxylate dispersing agent to the suspension of ground material formed in step (b). The process is characterized in that the aqueous suspension formed in step (c) has a pH which lies within the inclusive range 8.5 to 9.

Abstract: In a grinding/pulverizing system the combustion of the material being processed is avoided by grinding or pulverizing the material at temperatures below the combustion temperature of the material, and/or in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen level incapable of supporting combustion of the material at the processing temperature.

Abstract: A process for making an ink jet ink comprising:a) providing a dispersion containing a pigment, a hydrocarbon carrier, and a polyamine/fatty acid condensation polymer dispersant;b) mixing the pigment dispersion with rigid milling media less than 100 .mu.

Abstract: Ultra-fine microcrystalline cellulose compositions are disclosed which produce highly stable suspensions and/or dispersions in which substantially all of the microcrystalline cellulose has a particle size not greater than about 0.7 .mu.m. The compositions include an attriting aid which has a dual functionality, assisting in reducing the size of the cellulose microcrystals and adding a desired property or ingredient to the dispersions or other product in which the compositions are utilized.