Abstract: A synthetic forsterite-rich refractory sand composition for use as a taphole nozzle refractory sand for a sliding gate system of a steel ladle, the synthetic forsterite-rich sand composition including a mixture, the mixture including: a) a carbon bridging agent, the carbon bridging agent being present in the mixture in a proportion of from 5 to 15 percent by weight of the mixture; and b) a synthetic forsterite-rich sand, the synthetic forsterite-rich sand being free-flowing, having a MgO:SiO.sub.2 weight ratio of at least 1.2, a specific gravity of approximately 3 g/cm.sup.3, a void volume of less than approximately 50 percent by volume of the synthetic forsterite-rich refractory sand, and a fusion point of at least 1610.degree. C. At least 50 percent by weight of the synthetic forsterite-rich sand is forsterite; and from 8 to 27 percent by weight of the synthetic forsterite-rich sand is maghemite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of crystalline clathrasil of the dodecasil 1 H structural type having an average crystal size of not more than 20 .mu.m, characterised in that an alkaline aqueous silicate-containing medium comprising templates and crystallisation seeds is heat-treated, the crystallisation seeds content, relative to the SiO.sub.2 content of the medium, being not less than 1% by weight.

Abstract: The synthesized crystalline ion exchange material or a hydrate thereof has a chain structure and a composition represented by the following general formula (A) in an anhydride form:xM.sub.2 O.ySiO.sub.2.zM'O, (A)wherein M represents Na and/or K; M' represents Ca and/or Mg; y/x is 0.5 to 2.0; and z/x is 0.005 to 1.0. The chain structure exhibits at least one main scattering peak at 970.+-.20 cm.sup.-1 in Raman spectra. The detergent composition contains the above synthesized inorganic crystalline ion exchange material. The inorganic ion exchange material of the present invention is excellent in both cationic exchange capacity and anti-solubility, making it useful to be used for a water softener and alkalinity regulator in detergents. The detergent composition of the present invention contains an inorganic ion exchange material which has anti-solubility as well as excellent ion exchange capacity and alkaline capacity, thereby offering excellent washing effects and is suitable for the concentration of detergent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating acid gases to remove acid gas components therefrom. Processes in accordance with the present invention include preparing a calcium silicate hydrate sorbent in the form of a semi-dry, free-flowing powder, and treating the gas with the powdery sorbent, such as by injecting the sorbent into a stream of the gas. The powdery sorbents may be prepared by slurrying/drying or pressure hydration techniques. Examples disclosed herein demonstrate the utility of these processes in achieving improved acid gas-absorbing capabilities in both lab-scale and pilot plant studies. Additionally, disclosure is provided which illustrates preferred plant design configurations for employing the present processes using conventional dry sorbent injection equipment. Retrofit application to existing plants is also addressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to talc substances consisting of particles having a sheet structure. These substances are characterised in that each particle has internally the crystalline structure of talc which confers upon it certain specific properties of this mineral (softness, thermal stability) and has hydrophilic surface properties unlike the hydrophobic properties of mineral talc which give rise to useful reactivity. The substances according to the invention have a thermal and chemical stability range similar to that of talc. They can be manufactured by thermal or chemical means under conditions designed to avoid internal conversion of the talc and to effect the surface modifications consisting of replacing inert siloxane bridges by active hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous sepiolite having an improved water-resistance and thermal shock resistance obtained by grinding, moisture-conditioning and molding sepiolite, and then calcining said molded sepiolite at a temperature in the range of about 650.degree. C. to about 800.degree. C. Also disclosed is a porous sepiolite having a large specific surface area, wherein the pores having a pore diameter of 50 angstroms or less have a specific surface area in the range of from 40 to 200 m.sup.2 /g and in which no less than 20% of the total surface of the sepiolite is occupied with the pores having a pore diameter of 50 angstroms or less and wherein the pore distribution curve of the sepiolite has a main peak at a pore diameter of no more than 50 angstroms. This sepiolite is obtained by grinding, moisture-conditioning and molding sepiolite, calcining the same at a temperature in the range of about 650.degree. to about 800.degree. C., and then subjecting said calcined sepiolite to an acid treatment.

Abstract: A method of using dicalcium silicate, and particularly dicalcium silicate slag, to produce wollastonite. In a particular embodiment, the method is used for the production of ceramic products, such as wall tile, containing wollastonite. The method includes preparing a batch mix comprising dicalcium silicate slag and a silica source, and preferably a fluxing agent, then firing the batch mix to produce wollastonite. The method can further include adding a binder material and water to the batch mix, and then pressing the resulting batch mix to form a desired shape, prior to firing. Also, a composition, such as a ceramic product, than is produced from a dicalcium silicate slag mixed with a silica source and fired such than the dicalcium silicate in the slag and the silica source undergo a phase change to become wollastonite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic phyllosilicates having a lamellar structure of the type T--O--T devoid of OH.sup.- and F.sup.- ions. Said phyllosilicates are very resistant to oxidation and possess a high thermal stability. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of said phyllosilicates.

Abstract: The invention provides:primary particles of amorphous silica composite material, characterized in that they are composed of numerous granular amorphous silica particles randomly attached to amorphous silica particles retaining the original configuration of calcium silicate crystals as starting crystals and having a crystalline appearance;secondary particles of amorphous silica composite material, characterized in that they are composed of said primary particles randomly three-dimensionally interlocked with one another;shaped bodies of amorphous silica composite material, characterized in that they are composed of either or both of said primary particles and said secondary particles randomly three-dimensionally interlocked with one another; andprocesses for preparing said primary particles, said secondary particles or said shaped bodies thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of low-template clathrasil, comprising heat-treating an alkaline aqueous silicate-containing medium containing crystallization seeds and an amount of a template such that the template content of the clathrasil, relative to the number of moles of the SiO.sub.2 of the medium, is less than 2 mol %.

Abstract: A method of making a pillared hydrotalcite and an associated products. The pillared hydrotalcite is made by calcining a hydrotalcite having the formula A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y [C].sub.z .multidot.nH.sub.2 O, wherein A represents a divalent metal cation, B represents a trivalent metal cation, C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following:0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1/2y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.1/2(w-x).The method further comprises combining the calcined compound with a salt solution of an anion to make the pillared derivative of the compound and then separating the pillared derivative from the salt solution. A method of intercalating inorganic anions and resulting product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A finely powdery magnesium hydroxide especially suitable as a flame-retardant filler for plastic compounds, in which the particles are provided optionally with a thin coating of a surfactant. The grain size of the magnesium hydroxide, measured by laser diffraction, is below 10 .mu.m. The median value of the grain size is greater than 0.8 .mu.m, and the maximum of the median value of the grain size is 3 .mu.m. The contents of water-soluble ionic impurities, viz. Ca.sup.++, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, SO.sub.4 --, Cl.sup.-, of the magnesium hydroxide are below the following limits (in parts by weight): Ca.sup.++ <1000 ppm, Na.sup.+ <20 ppm, K.sup.+ <20 ppm, SO.sub.4 --<1500 ppm, Cl.sup.- <1000 ppm. The contents of Mn, Cu and Ni are below the following limits (in parts by weight): MnO<100 ppm, NiO<100 ppm, CuO<10 ppm.

Abstract: Fine particle silica, especially fumed silica (FS), is interacted, in aqueous medium, with a substantially crystalline mixed metal layered hydroxide (MMLH) of the formula shown below to form a novel adduct, MMLH-SiO.sub.2, as an aqueous gell which is shear-thinning and which has rapid gelation times, the said MMLH comprising the general formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH)(m+2d+3+n.a)(A.sup.n)a.qH.sub.2 O (I)where: m is from zero to about 1; D represents divalent metal ions; d is from zero to about 4; T represents trivalent metal ions; A represents monovalent or polyvalent anions or negative-valence radicals other than OH-ions; a is the number of ions of A; n is the valence of A; n-a is from zero to about -3; q is zero or more; (m+d) is greater than zero; and (m+2d+3+n.a) is equal to or greater than 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to talc substances consisting of particles having a sheet structure. These substances are characterised in that each particle has internally the crystalline structure of talc which confers upon it certain specific properties of this mineral (softness, thermal stability) and has hydrophilic surface properties unlike the hydrophobic properties of mineral talc which give rise to useful reactivity. The substances according to the invention have a thermal and chemical stability range similar to that of talc. They can be manufactured by thermal or chemical means under conditions designed to avoid internal conversion of the talc and to effect the surface modifications consisting of replacing inert siloxane bridges by active hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing swellable or nonswellable fluorine mica at a relatively lower temperature by heating a powdery mixture comprising 10 to 35% by weight of an alkali silicofluoride as the main component optionally together with an alkali fluoride and the balance of talc. This fluorine mica is used for pigments, etc.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved method of inhibiting peroxide-reduction catalytic activity and concomitant toxicity of asbestos and nonasbestos iron-containing silicates. These undesirable reactions can be substantially reduced or essentially eliminated by contacting these potentially harmful materials with an aqueous solution comprising a non-mutagenic non-toxic iron chelating agent, such as phytic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or derivatives of these.

Abstract: Disclosed are micronized synthetic calcium silicates in the form of fluffy particles of needle-like calcium silicate crystals having a particle size of about 0.5 to 50 microns and an average particle size d.sub.50 of from 5 to 25 microns, and preferably of from 7 to 15 microns, obtainable from micronized, approximately spherical synthetic calcium silicate hydrate aggregates having a diameter of from 10 to 150 microns. They are preferably used in filled and unfilled liquid resin systems.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the mineralogical conversion of waste asbestos to a non-asbestos product. The waste asbestos is treated with a mineralizing agent and then heated for a period of time sufficient to convert the asbestos to the non-asbestos product. The mineralizing agent is preferably a water-soluble alkali metal borate or alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns synthetic mica powder containing from 75 to 99% of the stoichiometrical composition of fluorine and/or having a shape in which the end face of particle is laminated, process for producing such synthetic mica powder, as well as cosmetics having synthetic mica powder blended therewith, in which the synthetic mica powder shows no leaching of fluorine ions and/or improved hold of oils due to lamination at the surface of powder. Accordingly, in this invention, cosmetics excellent in extensibility, gloss, adherence and modability, having appearance of high chroma and of high stability and safety can be obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cordierite, which includes dissolving a silicon compound, an aluminum compound and a magnesium compound in a molar ratio of 1:0.7 to 1:0.3 to 0.5 in a complexing agent represented by the formula R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OH, wherein R is an alkyl group and n is an integer of 1 to 4; heating the resulting solution to bring about a ligand exchange reaction of the silicon compound, aluminum compound and magnesium compound with the complexing agent; conducting hydrolysis to form a gel; drying the gel and sintering the dried gel at 800.degree. to 1450.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting asbestoform material into an environmentally safe material by heating the asbestoform material with an alkaline flux so as to change the crystalline structure of the asbestoform material to a form that is environmentally safe.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the water retention capacity of soils and providing plant nutrients thereto over an extended period of time uses chryso-zeolites type A and/or X admixed with a soil at 2 to 30% by weight of the soil. The chryso-zeolites comprise a magnesium-leached asbestos matrix with a zeolite crystalline structure thereon. The composition of the chryso-zeolites includes silica--35 to 60% by weight, MgO--0.1 to 10% by weight, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --10 to 45% by weight and from 10 to 25% by weight of CaO, the CaO being optionally substituted by one or more of plant nutrient components such as potassium or ammonium. The content of sodium oxide is reduced to less that 3% by weight. The chryso-zeolites of the invention exhibit a very low phytotoxicity, good water retention and easy substitution of calcium by other nutritive components.

Abstract: Synthetic stevensite composed of stevensite-type sodium magnesium phylosilicate of which metallic components consist essentially of magnesium, sodium and silicon. The synthetic stevensite is characterized by having an X-ray diffraction peak at a spacing of 16 to 26 .ANG. when treated with ethylene glycol. It can be produced by a process comprising hydrothermally treating an aqueous composition containing basic magnesium carbonate and a silica-sodium component selected from the group consisting of (i) sodium silicate, (ii) sodium silicate and amorphous silica, and (iii) amorphous silica and sodium silicate.

Abstract: A method of making a pillared hydrotalcite and an associated products. The pillared hydrotalcite is made by calcining a hydrotalcite having the formula A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y [C].sub.z .multidot.nH.sub.2 O, wherein A represents a divalent metal cation, B represents a trivalent metal cation, C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following:0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1/2y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.1/2(w-x)The method further comprises combining the calcined compound with a salt solution of an anion to make the pillared derivative of the compound and then separating the pillared derivative from the salt solution. A method of intercalating inorganic anions and resulting product is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for pillaring a layered silicate, such as kenyaite, with polymeric oxide by using a single step treatment with a mixture of swelling agent and pillar precursor. The swelling agent may be an organic cation, such as a cetyltrimethylammonium cation, and the pillar precursor may be a compound which is capable of hydrolyzing to form a polymeric oxide. Tetraethylorthosilicate is an example of such a pillar precursor.

Abstract: Process for the production of anhydrous calcium fluosilicate from anhydrous calcium chloride and impure fluosilicic acid solution, a by-product of the acid treatment of phosphorus ores containing fluorine, characterized in that a calcium fluosilicate dihydrate is precipitated at low temperature and quantitatively by suitable adjustment of the fluosilicic acid concentration and the molar ratio CaCl.sub.2 /H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6 and that after filtration, washing and drying of the precipitate, an anhydrous calcium fluosilicate which can be easily decomposed by heat treatment is obtained to restore calcium fluoride and silicon tetrafluoride suitable for the manufacture of pure hydrofluoric acid and fluosilicic acid.For gravimetric concentrations of H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6 >25% and molar concentration ratios CaCl.sub.2 /H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6 between 2 and 5, the yields of the anhydrous calcium fluosilicate obtained are greater than 94%.

Abstract: A process for preparing monoclinic celsian from AlF.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3, and fused SiO.sub.2 powders by heating an intimate mixture of the powders (1) at from about 700.degree. to 900.degree. C. to form topaz and then (2) at a temperature as low as 900.degree. C. to produce monoclinic celsian. The reactions take place in an atmosphere of the gases generated by the reactions.

Abstract: A smoke suppressant additive for halogenated polymer compositions which consists of a mixture of from 30 to 70% by weight of zinc oxide and from 70 to 30% by weight of caustic calcined magnesium oxide with the addition thereto of up to 20% by weight of finely divided silica based upon the total weight of the zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, the mixture having being subjected to calcination at a temperature in the range of from 700.degree. to 1100.degree. C. for a period of time of from 1 to 6 hours.The additive is incorporated into halogenated polymers in an amount of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably about 2.5% by weight.

Abstract: Synthetic stevensite composed of stevensite-type sodium magnesium phylosilicate of which metallic components consist essentially of magnesium, sodium and silicon. The synthetic stevensite is characterized by having an X-ray diffraction peak at a spacing of 16 to 26 .ANG. when treated with ethylene glycol. It can be produced by a process comprising hydrothermally treating an aqueous composition containing basic magnesium carbonate and a silica-sodium component selected from the group consisting of (i) sodium silicate, (ii) sodium silicate and amorphous silica, and (iii) amorphous silica and sodium silicate.

Abstract: A process for preparing monoclinic celsian from topaz and BaCO.sub.3, pows by heating an intimate mixture of the powders at a temperature of from 900.degree. C. to less than 1590.degree. C. in an atmosphere of the gases generated by the monoclinic celsian formation reaction itself.

Abstract: A process for producing a clay mineral of chain structure such as sepiolite and attapulgite. The process comprises suspending a metal silicate gel in an aqueous solution which has a pH value of 3-11 at room temperature and contains a clay mineral of chain structure suspending therein, and then heating the resulting suspension at a temperature below 350.degree. C. According to this process, it is possible to produce a clay mineral of chain structure in a simple, stable manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous-like synthetic forsterite obtained by the calcination of chrysotile asbestos fiber at a temperature of from 650.degree. to 1450.degree. C., said synthetic forsterite being characterized by having an MgO:SiO.sub.2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity "k" factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. In/Hr. .degree. F. Ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C. which is useful as an insulating material.

Abstract: A process for improving a purity and/or whiteness degree of a talc powder is disclosed. A talc powder with a particle size of about 0.8 mm or less containing impurities such as asbestos, etc. is treated with a phosphoric acid agent under heating at from 70.degree. to 250.degree. C. to remove impurities such as asbestos, etc. by utilizing the difference in the rate of dissolution as between the talc and the impurities. The phosphoric acid agent is one selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate and mixtures thereof. Thus, asbestos, which is considered to be carcinogenic, can be effectively removed from talc.

Abstract: A method of treating raw water containing phosphorous and nitrogen compounds and organic matter in which the raw water is passed through an aerobic zone containing a porous material. Anaerobic treatment is carried out in the presence of a hydrogen donor. The porous material is tobermorite and/or xonotlite with a porosity of 50% to 90% and is produced by foaming and hardening a silica-based material, a lime-based material and water, and subjecting the porous material to hydrothermal synthesis. The order of the aerobic and anaerobic treatments may be varied.

Abstract: In synthetic, substantially spherical crystal aggregates of xonotlite having a particle size of more than 20 microns, and preferably up to 150 microns, up to 30% of the silicon atoms can be replaced by titanium or zirconium atoms, and inert particles can be incorporated in the crystal aggregates.

Abstract: A synthetic lamellar magnesium phyllosilicate has as the main component a composition represented by the following formula:Mg.sub.3 Si.sub.4 O.sub.10 (OH).sub.2.nH.sub.2 O (1)wherein n is a number of up to 5, and has X-ray diffraction peaks at spacings of 4.5-4.6 .ANG., 2.5-2.6 .ANG. and 1.5-1.6 .ANG., wherein the lamination asymmetry index (Is) defined by the following formula:Is=tan .theta..sub.2 /tan .theta..sub.1 (2)wherein.theta..sub.1 stands for the angle formed by the peak perpendicular and the peak tangent on the small diffraction angle side in said X-ray diffraction peak at a spacing of 4.5-4.6 .ANG., and.theta..sub.2 stands for the angle formed by the peak perpendicular and the peak tangent on the large diffraction angle side in said X-ray diffraction peak,is at least 3.0, the BET specific surface area is at least 300 m.sup.2 /g and the Methylene Blue decolorizing power (JIS K-1470) is at least 100 ml/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, and aryl cyclotetrasiloxanes from a metal silicate halide salt, Ca.sub.8 Si.sub.4 O.sub.12 Cl.sub.8.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel borated asbestos fibers which possess improved filtration properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for producing dispersions of vermiculite ore particles by intercalating organo-cation salts into the vermiculite structure under shearing conditions to delaminate the ore and reduce particle size in one step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the water-retention capacity of soils and providing plant nutrients to same over an extended period of time. This method comprises the admixing of soils with from 2 to 30% by weight of a chryso-zeolite of type A/and or X which comprises a magnesium leached asbestos matrix having an SiO.sub.2 content of 37 to 60% wt %, an MgO content of 0.1 to 15% by weight, an Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 content of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight and containing from 10 to 25% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and from 25 to 35% by weight of Na.sub.2 O, and/or K.sub.2 O, and/or CaO, and/or (NH.sub.4).sub.2 O.

Abstract: Ultramafic rock material containing, or which is serpentinized so as to contain, substantially or completely serpentinized material, or alternatively, clay material containing structural water, is subjected to a temperature and pressure for a period of time and optionally in the presence of added elemental or ferrous iron to cause deserpentinization or dehydroxylation and consequent formation of hydrogen and hydrocarbons and formation of a solid residue having a mineral content containing one or more of magnesium, nickel, iron, magnetite, calcium or other metal values. When the material is deserpentinized or dehydroxylated in the vicinity of 700.degree. C. or subsequently heated at between about 700.degree. and 815.degree. C., the mineral content of the residue has a transition lattice structure whereby the magnesium, nickel, calcium and other mineral values can be extracted by trituration with mineral acid, e.g., hydrochloric acid, to form an aqueous solution of the mineral acid salts of such metal values.

Abstract: A method for chlorinating the surface of a layered lattice silicate to produce a reactive chloride intermediate. The layered lattice silicate is reacted in substantially dry particulate form with a reactant system capable of forming bound chloride moieties at its surface, to form the said chloride thereof, the reaction being conducted at temperatures below that which would otherwise substantially alter the starting composition.

Abstract: Low structure magnesium silicate pigment is useful as a low cost, low brightness filler for newsprint. The magnesium silicate is prepared by dissolving a serpentine mineral in sulfuric acid and reacting the resulting solution with an alkali metal silicate to precipitate a magnesium silicate pigment.

Abstract: The disclosed simple, economical and rapid sol-gel process for forming a silica-based glass body, termed the "vapogel" process, comprises introduction of a silicon halide-containing gas (e.g., SiCl.sub.4 +O.sub.2) into an aqueous medium. The thus formed sol can gel within minutes, resulting in a monolithic gel from which particles having a narrow size distribution can easily be formed. The thus formed particles can be used to produce a glass body such as an optical fiber. Various techniques for forming the glass body from the gel are disclosed. Among the many advantages of the vapogel method are its ability to produce very homogeneous mixed oxide glasses of composition not obtainable by prior art sol-gel processes, and the advantageous mechanical properties of the gel produced by the method. The latter makes possible, inter alia, formation of particles having a relatively narrow size distribution.

Abstract: A crystalline zeolite having, except for water crystallization, the formula:Ba.sub.43x Na.sub.86(1-x) [(AlO.sub.2).sub.86 (SiO.sub.2).sub.104 ](I)wherein x is a number from 0.6 to 0.8. This crystalline zeolite can be mixed with a binder, followed by the calcination. Thus, a zeolitic molecular sieve agglomerate suitable for use in the separation and/or removal of a specific component (e.g., carbon monoxide, oxygen, carbon dioxide, or water vapor) from a fluid stream containing the same.

Abstract: A crystalline swellable sheet silicate of the saponite type, of the formula[Mg.sub.6 (Si.sub.8-x Al.sub.x)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4 ].sup.x-.(x/z)M.sup.z+ n H.sub.2 Oin whichx is a number which is less than 1.5 but at least 0.2,z is an integer from 1 to 3,M denotes a cation having the valency of z andn is a number less than 20, is prepared. For this purpose, an aqueous solution or suspension containing magnesium ions, a silica source, an alumina source and a sodium oxide source are combined. The atomic ratio of Mg/Si and Mg/Al used in this procedure correspond to the composition of the desired saponite. The atomic ration (Na-Al):(Mg+Si+3/2.Al) should be between x/5 and 1, Na denoting the amount of sodium atoms present in alkaline compounds. The pH of the reaction mixture should be at least 9.0. The crystals of the resulting synthetic saponite in the sodium form are separated off from the mother liquor and, if appropriate, treated with an aqueous solution or suspension of a salt having the cation M.sup.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic, finely divided water-insoluble layered silicates having a smectite-like crystal phase, with increased contents of bound alkali and silicate and a distinctly reduced swelling power in aqueous suspension relative to pure layered silicates of this type. The synthetic layered silicate of this invention has the following oxide summation formulaMgO.aM.sub.2 O.bAl.sub.2 O.sub.3.cSiO.sub.2.nH.sub.2 Owherein M is selected from the group consisting of sodium and a mixture of sodium and lithium said mixture having a molar ratio of sodium to lithium of at least about 2,n represents the number of water molecules bound in the crystal phase, anda, b, c and n each represent a number having a value within the following ranges:a is from about 0.05 to about 0.4b is from 0 to about 0.3c is from about 1.2 to about 2.0, andn is from about 0.3 to about 3.0.

Abstract: A process and reagents are described for separating beryllium silicate concentrates by flotation from oxidic minerals. The process is especially suitable for the separation of phenacite and bertrandite present in ores with complex gangue compositions. The ore is ground and subjected to acid pretreatment, then conditioned by the addition of pH modifier, alkali fluoride activator and a depressant containing sodium hexametaphosphate and carboxymethyl cellulose, or hexametaphosphate and quebracho. The conditioned ore is thereafter treated with a tall oil fatty acid-based collector mixture, of general formula C.sub.17 H.sub.31-35 COOH; which also contains cresylic acid, kerosene and a branched short-chained aliphatic alcohol, such as methyl-iso-butyl carbinol. Mercapto acetic acid and alkali metal hydrogen sulphide may also be added in the second and third stages of conditioning, respectively, for increasing selectivity. The mineral concentration process includes conventional rougher and cleaner flotation steps.

Abstract: Novel crystalline porous magnesium silicates having catalytic activity or other useful properties and processes for preparing said silicates.

Abstract: Beryllium is efficiently recovered from silicate ores in a hydrometallurgical, single solvent, process which avoids the complexities, high costs and hazards ofpyrolytic, fluorination and acid leach methods, by contacting the ore in a closed reactor at elevated temperature and autogenous pressure with a concentrated caustic solution and lime or lime hydrate to form a slurry containing dissolved beryllium, reducing the pressure to about one atmosphere and the temperature to below the boiling point of the caustic solution, separating by-product solids to leave a pregnant leach liquor, diluting and digesting the leach liquor to precipitate the beryllium and to leave a caustic mother liquor, and separating the beryllium. The caustic mother liquor can be recycled to the ore contacting step in a closed loop version of the process.