Abstract: The present invention provides titanium nitride-reinforced zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramic powder and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of ceramic materials. The preparation method provided in the present invention includes the following steps: mixing an aluminum salt, a zirconium salt, a yttrium salt, and a titanium salt with water to obtain a mixed aqueous solution, where the aluminum salt, the zirconium salt, the yttrium salt, and the titanium salt are water-soluble inorganic salts; mixing the obtained mixed aqueous solution and an alkaline precipitant for precipitation, to obtain hydroxide precipitate powder; successively conducting first calcination and second calcination on the obtained hydroxide precipitate powder, to obtain oxide solid solution powder; and subjecting the obtained oxide solid solution powder to selective nitridation reaction, to obtain titanium nitride-reinforced ZTA ceramic powder.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for controlling enzyme-induced urea decomposition attendant to the application of solid or liquid urea-containing fertilizers to soils. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein is concerned with selected triarylmethane compounds as urease inhibitors and their use, either alone or in combination with tetrapolymer synergists. Further, the disclosed compositions have good storage stability, long-lived activity in soil, and avoid the toxicity issues common with present-day urease inhibitors used in agriculture.

Abstract: A method for producing a mixed calcium and magnesium compound comprising the slaking of quicklime with a magnesium hydroxide suspension, forming solid particles, said slaking by non-wet means forming said solid particles comprising a calcium phase and a magnesium phase intimately bonded to each other and of homogeneous volume distribution, and a mixed compound comprising a calcium phase and a magnesium phase.

Abstract: A cement composition for use in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation comprising: cement; water; and an additive comprising zirconium dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the zirconium dioxide is in a metastable tetragonal phase, and wherein some or all of the zirconium dioxide that is in the metastable tetragonal phase transforms to a stable monoclinic phase after a stress is applied to the cement composition. The additive also reduces the dimensions of a crack located within the set cement composition. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for producing a colloidal suspension of zirconia particles, comprising the following successive steps: a) subjecting a mixture of zirconium oxychloride and an alkali metal halide in an aqueous solvent to hydrothermal treatment at a temperature above 150° C., so as to obtain a suspension in the form of a two-phase mixture comprising a slurry and a supernatant, b) without first peptizing it, desalting said suspension so as to form a colloidal suspension of zirconia.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing ferrate, which includes the steps of: (a) weighing and obtaining iron salts, activating agents, alkalinizing agents and oxidizing agents solution; (b) mixing uniformly the iron salts, the activating agents and the alkalinizing agents, heating to 30˜398° C. and maintaining for 1 min˜60 min to obtain a mixture; (c) adding the oxidizing agents solution to the mixture with an adding time of less than 10 minutes, then obtaining a precursor; and (d) natural cooling the precursor, then mixing the precursor with water and stirring evenly to obtain a final product of ferrate, wherein a volume ratio of the precursor and the water is 1:1˜5. The method involves low power consumption, low temperature, low explosion risk, non-complicated steps and procedures, short synthetic time and high ferrate conversion efficiency. The method produces ferrate of high yield and good stability, and is suitable for producing ferrate composite pharmaceuticals in industrialized mass production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a scandia-stabilized zirconia sheet. The method includes the steps of: (1) pulverizing a scandia-stabilized zirconia sintered body to obtain a sintered scandia-stabilized zirconia powder having an average particle diameter (De), determined by a transmission electron microscope, in the range of 0.3-1.5 ?m, and an average particle diameter (Dr), determined by a laser scattering method, in the range of 0.3-3.0 ?m, where a ratio of Dr/De is at least 1.0-2.5; (2) preparing a slurry containing the sintered scandia-stabilized zirconia powder and an unsintered zirconia powder, where a percentage of the sintered scandia-stabilized zirconia powder to a sum of the sintered scandia-stabilized zirconia powder and the unsintered zirconia powder in the slurry is at least 2 mass % and at most 40 mass %; (3) molding the slurry into a green sheet; and (4) sintering the green sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the stabilization, storage and delivery of biologically active macromolecules, such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. In particular, this invention relates to protein or nucleic acid crystals, formulations and compositions comprising them. Methods are provided for the crystallization of proteins and nucleic acids and for the preparation of stabilized protein or nucleic acid crystals for use in dry or slurry formulations. The present invention is further directed to encapsulating proteins, glycoproteins, enzymes, antibodies, hormones and peptide crystals or crystal formulations into compositions for biological delivery to humans and animals. According to this invention, protein crystals or crystal formulations are encapsulated within a matrix comprising a polymeric carrier to form a composition.

Abstract: A sintering composition and calcined object which are precursors for a sintered zirconia. The burned surface of the sintered zirconia gives an X-ray diffraction pattern in which the ratio of the height of the peak present around the location where a [200] peak assigned to the cubic system is to appear to the height of the peak present around the location where a [200] peak assigned to the tetragonal system is to appear is 0.4 or more, and a region located at a depth of 100 ?m or more from the burned surface gives an X-ray diffraction pattern in which the ratio of the height of the peak present around the location where a [200] peak assigned to the cubic system is to appear to the height of the peak present around the location where a [200] peak assigned to the tetragonal system is to appear is 0.3 or less.

Abstract: A zinc oxide particle having large particle diameter and being high-density is provided. An exoergic resin composition, an exoergic grease and an exoergic coating composition containing the zinc oxide particle exhibit an excellent exoergic property. The zinc oxide particle being high-density, has a density of 4.0 g/cm3 or more, median size (D50) of 17 to 10000 ?m and tap bulk density of 3.10 g/cm3 or more.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid and economical process for manufacturing a transparent, spinel based ceramic. A transparent body of sintered magnesium aluminate spinel having excellent optical and mechanical properties is provided in a single-stage thermal process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing titanium dioxide particles can produce titanium dioxide particles where a rare earth element is substituted at the titanium sites from which it is possible to highly efficiently take out fluorescence attributable to the rare earth element The method of manufacturing titanium dioxide particles doped with a rare earth element comprises a step of preparing a liquid precursor containing a titanium source and rare earth metal source, the doping ratio of the rare earth element in the liquid precursor being within a range not less than 0 at % and not more than 5.

Abstract: When spherical calcium carbonate is produced by blowing a carbon dioxide gas or a carbon dioxide-containing gas into an aqueous suspension containing calcium hydroxide to react them, after start of the reaction, an aqueous solution or suspension of a water-soluble phosphoric acid compound or a water-soluble salt thereof is added to the reaction mixture when carbonation ratio reaches 2 to 10%, and the reaction is further allowed to continue at a low gas blowing rate of 1.0 NL/minute or lower (step (a)). Subsequently, an aqueous suspension containing calcium hydroxide and an aqueous solution or suspension of a water-soluble phosphoric acid compound or a water-soluble salt thereof are added to the reaction mixture, and a carbon dioxide gas or a carbon dioxide-containing gas is introduced to allow to react and thereby produce spherical calcium carbonate having a mean particle diameter of 10 ?m or larger.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble inorganic additive compound containing a cation capable of forming a sulfate salt that is less soluble than silver sulfate or a halide anion or an oxyanion capable of forming a silver salt that is less soluble than silver sulfate, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: Mixed oxide powder consisting of particles with the components zirconium dioxide, aluminium oxide and at least a third component selected from the group including yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide or calcium oxide, wherein mixed oxide powder has an aluminium oxide content 0.01 to 10 wt. % and is homogeneously distributed in the mixed oxide particles, the content of aluminium oxide, zirconium dioxide and yttrium oxide is at least 99.5 wt. %, based on the total quantity of the powder, and the BET surface area is 20 to 80 m2/g. It is obtained by atomising a solution containing at least one starting compound for each of aluminium oxide, zirconium dioxide and the third component, allowing the atomised solution to react with oxygen in a reaction chamber at a reaction temperature 700 to 15000° C., cooling the hot gases and the solid products and then separating the solid product from the gases. It can be used as a dental material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of compacted granular potassium chloride with improved handling qualities. A binding ingredient such as sodium hexametaphosphate is blended with the potassium chloride feed material in advance of compaction. The product of this apparatus and method has improved handling, storage, strength and other qualities over compacted granular potassium produced using prior art methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoscale rutile or oxide powder that is obtained by producing amorphous TiO2 by mixing an alcoholic solution with a titanium alcoholate and with an aluminum alcohalate and adding water and acid. The amorphous, aluminum-containing TiO2 is isolated by removing the solvent, and is redispersed in water in the presence of a tin salt. Thermal or hydrothermal post-processing yields rutile or oxide that can be redispersed to primary particle size. The n-rutile or the obtained oxide having a primary particle size ranging between 5 and 20 nm can be incorporated into all organic matrices so that they remain transparent. Photocatalytic activity is suppressed by lattice doping with trivalent ions. If the amorphous precursor is redispersed in alcohol, or not isolated, but immediately crystallized, an anatase is obtained that can be redispersed to primary particle size.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped article includes forming a mixture which includes a titania hydrate pulp having a loss on ignition of from about 10 to 45 wt. %, a seed material comprising a titanium oxide, at least a portion of the titanium oxide being in a rutile form, and optionally a dispersion aid. The method includes forming the mixture into a shaped article and firing the shaped article. A shaped article suitable for use as a catalyst carrier is at least 90% titanium oxide, greater than 80% of the titanium oxide being in the rutile phase. The article has a surface area of at least 2.5 m2/g and a mercury pore volume of greater than 0.15 cc/g.

Abstract: A cerium oxide powder for one-component CMP slurry, which has a specific surface area of 5 m2/g or more, and a ratio of volume fraction of pores with a diameter of 3 nm or more to that of pores with a diameter less than 3 nm of 8:2˜2:8, is disclosed. A method for preparing the same, a one-component CMP slurry comprising the same as an abrasive material, and a method of shallow trench isolation using the one-component CMP slurry are also disclosed. The CMP slurry causes no precipitation of the cerium oxide powder even if it is provided as a one-component CMP slurry, because the CMP slurry uses, as an abrasive material, cerium oxide powder that is obtained via a low-temperature calcination step, optionally a pulverization step, and a high-temperature calcination step and has a high pore fraction and low strength.

Abstract: Nanoscalar, pyrogenically produced yttrium-zirconium mixed oxide which has a BET surface area of between 1 and 600 m2/g, a total chloride content of less than 0.05 wt. % and does not exhibit a conversion into the monoclinic phase during storage is produced by atomizing yttrium compounds and zirconium compounds and reacting them in a flame. The mixed oxide can be used as ceramic raw material.

Abstract: Described is an additive for producing the positive active material for lead-acid storage batteries on the basis of finely divided tetrabasic lead sulfate. The additive contains a tetrabasic lead sulfate of an average particle size smaller than about 3 ?m as well as finely divided silicic acid for preventing an agglomeration of the particles of the tetrabasic lead sulfate. During maturation, this additive ensures the formation of the structure of a tetrabasic lead sulfate crystal with a very narrow bandwidth of crystal sizes and a very homogeneous distribution. In a subsequent electrochemical formation to lead oxide, this leads to particularly efficient lead-acid storage batteries. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of making the additive according to the invention as well as its advantageous use in the positive material for the maturation and drying of singled and not singled plates in the production of lead-acid storage batteries.

Abstract: A producing method for producing zirconia hollow particles in which a zirconia powder mutually combines to form a porous shell layer thereby constructing a hollow structure, the method being characterized in mixing under a pressurized contact a resin powder and a zirconia powder of a grain size smaller than that of the resin powder, thereby forming a precursor by covering a surface of the resin powder with the zirconia powder in a partially embedded state, and calcining the precursor to expel the resin powder and to mutually sinter the zirconia powder.

Abstract: There are provided: (I) a process for producing zirconia powder, which comprises the step of calcining a zirconium salt in an atmosphere containing hydrogen chloride, and (II) a process for producing zirconia powder, which comprises the steps of: (1) pre-calcining a zirconium salt to obtain a pre-calcined product, and (2) calcining the pre-calcined product in an atmosphere containing hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble organo-sulfate or organo-sulfonate additive compound, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain size of less than 50 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention is an additive for producing a positive active material for lead-acid storage batteries on the basis of finely divided tetrabasic lead sulfate. The additive contains a tetrabasic lead sulfate of an average particle size less than about 3 ?m as well as finely divided hydrophobic silicic acid for preventing agglomeration of the particles of the tetrabasic lead sulfate. During maturation, this additive ensures the formation of the structure of a tetrabasic lead sulfate crystal with a very narrow bandwidth of crystal sizes and a very homogeneous distribution. In the subsequent electrochemical formation to lead oxide, this leads to particularly efficient lead-acid storage batteries. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of making the additive according to the invention as well as its advantageous use in the positive material for the maturation and drying of plates in the production of lead-acid storage batteries.

Abstract: A transparent aluminum oxynitride product is produced by a first heat treating step wherein a combination of Al2O3 and AlN at a temperature within the solid-liquid phase and a second step of sintering the heat treated combination at a temperature at least 50° C. less than the heat treating temperature. The method introduces a small fraction of liquid that aids in pore elimination and densification. In a single step, the material is shifted from the liquid/solid region into a solid AlON solution region, wherein the liquid is fully reacted with the solid AlON phase, with further sintering occurring. The procedure is sufficient to eliminate voids and other imperfections which often result in a reduction in optical clarity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production, by fluid-bed spray granulation, of granular sodium percarbonate having a low TAM value. According to the invention, in the fluid-bed spray granulation, an Mg compound in a quantity of 50 to 2,000 ppm, in particular 100 to 1,000 ppm, or/and a complexing agent from among the hydroxycarboxylic acids, aminocarboxylic acids, aminophosphonic acids and phosphonocarboxylic acids, hydroxyphosphonic acids and their alkali metal salts, ammonium salts or Mg salts, in a quantity of 50 to 2,000 ppm, in particular 200 to 1,000 ppm, are added as stabilisers to the soda solution and/or H2O2 solution. Preferably a combination of an Mg compound in a quantity of 100 to 1,000 ppm Mg2+ and waterglass in a quantity of 0.1 to 1 wt. %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 wt. %, is used, and in this case granules having a TAM value of about or below 6 ?W/g and simultaneously a short dissolving time, are obtainable.

Abstract: An abrasive precipitated calcium carbonate is provided that provides excellent cleaning properties without being excessively abrasive or damaging to gums or tooth surfaces. The abrasive, precipitated calcium carbonate has a primary particle size of about 1 ?m to about 4 ?m, and an aggregate size of about 3 ?m to about 10 ?m. Also disclosed is a method for forming calcium carbonate comprising the steps of: providing a reaction medium; introducing carbon dioxide and the calcium hydroxide slurry simultaneously into a reaction medium to form calcium carbonate while maintaining constant pH during calcium carbonate precipitation; and optionally drying the calcium carbonate slurry to form a dried calcium carbonate product. Also disclosed is a dentifrice containing the aforementioned abrasive, precipitated calcium, and one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of humectants, thickening agents, binders, gums, stabilizing agents, antibacterial agents, fluorides, sweeteners, and surfactants.

Abstract: Dangling bonds of silicon atoms tend to take place in silicon oxide grown on a silicon wafer due to oxygen deficiency; hypofluorous acid is introduced into the silicon oxide so that the hypofluorous acid reaches the dangling bonds through diffusion; the hypofluorous acid is decomposed into fluorine atoms and hydroxyl groups, and the fluorine atoms and hydroxyl groups deactivate the dangling bonds of silicon atoms; even if electric charges are injected into the silicon oxide, the deactivation is never broken so that the silicon oxide layer is stable and highly reliable.

Abstract: Method for producing stable sodium chlorite by pelletization of granular sodium chlorite with metal salt or salts forming hydrates with water of hydration in the pellets being more than 5% of the anhydrous weight of the sodium chlorite. Pelletized sodium chlorite can be used to produce chlorine dioxide gas by passing a dilute mixture of chlorine gas and an inert gas through a bed of the pellets.

Abstract: This invention relates to calcium carbonate of different shapes including spindle, petal, whisker, needle, flake, ball and fiber. The calcium carbonate of such different shapes has an average particle size in the range of 10 nm-2.5 &mgr;m. This invention also relates to a process for preparing the said calcium carbonate with a controllable range of average particle size and different shapes. Precipitated powder of calcium carbonate with a desired shape and a controllable average particle size is obtained by carbonizing a suspension of calcium hydroxide and a feed gas containing carbon dioxide on a revolving bed under the gravitational field, and optionally in the presence of a crystal form-controller and/or crystal seeds. The precipitated powder of calcium carbonate obtained by the process according to this invention has a controllable average particle size and a narrow particle distribution.

Abstract: A photocatalytic material having titanium oxide crystals and anions X incorporated therein, which is prepared by at least one of a method comprising substituting anions X for some of the oxygen sites of titanium oxide crystals, a method comprising doping anions X between lattices of a titanium crystal and a method comprising doping grain boundaries of titanium oxide, or a combination of these method. The photocatalytic material has acquired a new energy level formed in a band gap of titanium oxide, which results in its exhibition of a photocatalytic activity by absorbing visible lights. The photocatalytic material can thus exhibit a satisfactory photocatalytic activity under sunlight and also in a room with a fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: Process for the production of precipitated calcium carbonate particles, structured at the nanoscale, by carbonation of milk of lime in the presence of a crystallization controller selected from the following list: polyaspartic acid, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate, polyacrylic acid, the molecular weight of which is between 500 and 15 000, and citric acid. When the crystallization controller is citric acid, its concentration in the milk of lime is between 5 and 15%.

Abstract: A process for preparing a capped metal sulfide, selenide or telluride nanoparticle containing one or a mixture of metals; which process comprises contacting, in an inert organic solvent and in the presence of a polar Lewis base capping ligand, a source of the metal(s) and a source of sulfur, selenium or tellurium, wherein the capping ligand and the source of the metal(s) are soluble in said inert organic solvent. Trialkylphosphine oxide capped mercury sulfide, selenide or telluride nanoparticles may be produced by the process of the invention and are useful as amplifiers in optical cables.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to control the degree of connectivity of the colloidal particles making up a colloidal crystal and, consequently, the pore size, filling fraction, mechanical stability and optical properties of the colloidal lattice, without disrupting its long range order and without the deleterious effects of lattice contraction induced cracking observed in conventional necking methods based on thermal sintering. The colloidal particles are connected to adjacent colloidal particles in the lattice by a homogeneous layer of uniform and controllable thickness of a metal oxide. This metal oxide layer is grown in a layer-by-layer process and is chemically bonded to the colloidal particle surface and serves to enhance the mechanical stability of the colloidal crystal in addition to acting to control the pore size or void volume between the colloidal particles in the lattice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the destruction of PFC's and HFC's using a catalyst which comprises aluminum oxide that has preferably been stabilized through the addition of a stabilizing agent (such as, titanium, zirconium, or cobalt, or mixtures of these elements). The addition of these elements to the aluminum oxide unexpectedly enhances the catalyst's stability without significantly altering its reactivity. The total amount of stabilizing agent added to the catalyst can be as low as 0.005 parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or as great as 2 or more parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide; so long as there is sufficient aluminum oxide available to effectively catalyze the destruction of the target PFC's and/or HFC's.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and method for controlling odors, the composition containing an activated lignin-derived complex containing a histosol compound, and optionally containing a hydrolytic enzyme, or at least one microorganism capable of providing the hydrolytic enzyme, or a combination of hydrolytic enzyme and at least one microorganism capable of providing the enzyme. The composition can be applied to holding tanks, portable toilets, pulp and paper mills, and other loci giving rise to noxious odors, in particular, to hydrogen sulfide emission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel form of particulate precipitated aragonite, and a novel process for producing it.

Abstract: A process for forming metal nanocrystals involves complexing a metal ion and an organic ligand in a solvent and introducing a reducing agent to reduce a plurality of metal ions to form the metal nanocrystals associated with the organic ligand. The nanocrystals are optionally doped or alloyed with other metals.

Abstract: A process for preparing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises the following steps. A solution of ammonium nitrate (12), a phase stabilizer (26), and an inert liquid (20) is prepared. The solution is atomized to form a stream of droplets. The droplets (54) are freeze dried to form phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: Hydroxalkylaminium polysulfides are used to provide cold stability to ammonium polysulfide solutions. Hydroxyalkylaminium sulfides or polysulfides also are used to solubilize unwanted sulfur. Preferred aminium ions are monohydroxyalkylaminium ions, preferably monoethanolaminium ions. When added to an aqueous stream comprising free cyanide ions (including HCN), the polysulfide solution reduces corrosion of metal equipment contacted by the stream by converting the free cyanide ions into thiocyanate ions.

Abstract: A method for controlling the crystallite size and growth rate of plasma-deposited diamond films. A plasma is established at a pressure in excess of about 55 Torr with controlled concentrations of hydrogen up to about 98% by volume, of unsubstituted hydrocarbons up to about 3% by volume and an inert gas of one or more of the noble gases and nitrogen up to about 98% by volume. The volume ratio of inert gas to hydrogen is preferably maintained at greater than about 4, to deposit a diamond film on a suitable substrate. The diamond film is deposited with a predetermined crystallite size and at a predetermined growth rate.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an aqueous calcium Hydroxide slurry with solids loading of 25-65 wt. %, an acidic polymer or water-soluble salt thereof and a co-additive are prepared. Also claimed are methods for the preparation thereof. The composition has low viscosity and remains flowable after several days.

Abstract: A process for the production of ammonium nitrate bodies in particulate form wherein an ammonium nitrate/water liquid mixture containing at least 92% and preferably at most 97.5% by weight ammonium nitrate, optionally with a proportion of the ammonium nitrate substituted by alkali- and/or alkaline earth metal nitrate, and a small amount of poly-styrene sulphonate crystal-habit modifier is sprayed as droplets into an atmosphere in which cooling effects crystallization of the ammonium nitrate and which the crystallized particles are dried to remove moisture, wherein the liquid mixture also contains ammonium sulphate, the concentration of poly-styrene sulphonate in the liquid mixture being at least 0.01%, preferably in the range 0.02 to 0.06%, by weight, and the concentration of ammonium sulphate in the liquid mixture being greater than that of the poly-styrene suphonate and at least 0.04%, preferably in the range 0.06 to 0.15%, by weight.

Abstract: Novel lamellar mesoporous silica compositions which can contain functional inorganic elements and organic functional groups as part of the lamellar silica framework structure are described. The compositions are prepared using gemini amine surfactants as templates or structure directing agents. The compositions have novel high temperature and hydrothermal stability and unique fundamental particle structures.

Abstract: n the manufacture of sodium carbonate having increased CO2 uptakes the carbonation reaction to form sodium bicarbonate is enhanced by the addition of particular amounts of a cationic quaternary amine, selected from the family of dialkylethoxylated quaternary salts, benzylalkyl quaternary salts, or a combination of quaternary salts from these families, to treat the 25-30% by weight sodium carbonate liquor prior to filtration. The manufactured product yields a modified sodium carbonate liquor product that, when crystallized and converted to any anhydrous product, is more readily carbonated with CO2 in the production of sodium bicarbonate. The cationic additive reacts with organic materials in the sodium carbonate liquor to form solid polymeric by-products. Thus the treatment with a cationic compound is made prior to filtering the liquor. After filtering to remove the polymeric by-products and other solid materials, the liquor is evaporated or crystallized to produce a purified and modified sodium carbonate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an alumina composition having high specific surface area and large pore volume, comprising preparing a reaction mixture having a given molar ratio between a monobasic acid and water by the use of an aluminum source such as acid-containing alumina obtained by heat treatment of aluminum hydroxide in the presence of an acid, bayerite, &rgr;-alumina and &ggr;-alumina, optionally adding an oxygen-containing organic compound or an inorganic polybasic acid as a pore structure controlling agent, performing sol-forming reaction, and then subjecting the product obtained by the sol-forming reaction to an appropriate operation such as alkali addition or heat dehydration treatment.

Abstract: A method for producing phase-stabilized particulate ammonium nitrate (AN) through integration of a diamine complex of the metals copper, nickel or zinc into the crystal lattice of AN, wherein AN is reacted with inorganic CU, Ni and/or Zn compounds, is characterized in that carbonates and/or hydroxide carbonates and/or hydroxides are added as inorganic compounds of the metals Cu, Ni and/or Zn. Moreover, additives are added to reduce the melting temperature of AN.

Abstract: A method of producing calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate, including the steps of exposing a mixture including a calcium sulfate form selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium sulfate &bgr;-hemihydrate, water-soluble calcium sulfate anhydrite, and mixtures thereof, water, and a crystallization catalyst, to microwave radiation to produce calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate; and separating at least a portion of the calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate to provide a solid comprising calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate and a remainder, is disclosed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of spinel type manganese oxide for a lithium ion secondary cell, includes pre-firing a mixture of lithium salt including lithium carbonate, manganese oxide, and heterogeneous metal, firing the mixture at 900 to 1200° C. to form a raw material, adding in the raw material at least one of crystal growth accelerators selected from the group consisting of lithium hydroxide, lithium sulfide and a mixture thereof, and firing the resulting compound at 750 to 850° C. to form an excess lithium heterogeneous metal-doped spinel compound having a BET specific surface area of 0.5 m2/g or less.