Abstract: A system for hydrogen formation includes a container and at least one object. The container defines a reservoir and is flexible along the reservoir. The container forms a gas-tight seal between the reservoir and an atmosphere outside of the container. The at least one object includes aluminum in an activated form. The at least one object is disposed in an inert environment in the reservoir, and the activated form of the aluminum reactable to produce hydrogen in the reservoir upon exposure to water.

Abstract: An alkaline catalyst for hydrogen generation can comprise a first metal (102), a second metal (104), and hydroxide (104). When the alkaline catalyst is added to an aqueous solution containing a hydrogen generation metal, the aqueous solution produces at least 4 L of hydrogen per 5 gram of hydrogen generation metal per 15 minutes at a production temperature of 140° F. and at a pressure of 1 atm.

Abstract: This application discloses methods and processes for preparation of high purity aluminum hydroxide and high purity aluminum oxide. The method of preparing high purity aluminum hydroxide involves reacting aluminum with water in the presence of one or more catalysts and one or more complexing agents that can react with non-aluminum metal impurities to form soluble complexes for effective removal through rinsing.

Abstract: A device for generating hydrogen for power system based on hydrolysis aluminum assisted water split has a housing, a unit for containing aluminum in the housing, a unit for periodically bringing the aluminum and the electrolyte in contact for production of hydrogen, and a unit for the withdrawing the hydrogen to a power source.

Abstract: A composition for splitting water into hydrogen and a hydroxide component, the composition comprising a solid-state component including at least one of aluminum and tin and a liquid metal alloy that is capable of at least partially dissolving the solid-state component, the liquid metal alloy including at least one of gallium and indium.

Abstract: A support for a fuel reforming catalyst includes aluminum (Al); and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) encapsulating the aluminum, wherein a total volume of micropores and mesopores is in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 ml/g per unit mass, and a volume of macropores is in the range of 0.4 to 1.2 ml/g per unit mass, and a method of preparing the same. The support has excellent heat transfer characteristics due to its high thermal conductivity and excellent mass transfer characteristics because the micropores, mesopores, and macropores exist in a proper ratio. Accordingly, if the support is used for a supported catalyst that is used in a reaction, in which the reaction rate is controlled by heat transfer and mass transfer, such as a fuel reforming reaction, the activity of the catalyst is enhanced. In addition, the support can be easily formed as desired due to its high mechanical strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides gibbsite type aluminum hydroxide particles having a primary particle diameter of from 0.01 ?m to 0.3 ?m and a DOP oil absorption of from 90 mL/100 g to 300 mL/100 g.

Abstract: The invention is a device for purifying drinking water that has at least one fibrous structure. Preferably, there is an upstream and downstream fibrous structure. Each fibrous structure is a mixture of nano alumina fibers and second fibers arranged in a matrix to create asymmetric pores and to which fine, ultrafine, or nanosize particles are attached. Preferably, the device has an upstream antimicrobial for sterilization of retained microbes. The device is substantially more efficient at removing soluble contaminants such as halogens from a fluid stream than those previously available and is also able to retain turbidity, bacteria, and virus.

Abstract: The invention is a filter for gaseous media in which nano alumina fibers and second fibers are arranged in a matrix to create asymmetrical pores. The filter is a high efficiency, high capacity particulate filter that intercepts pathogens and other particulate matter from gaseous media, including vapor-suspended particles. The new filter has an improved retention of water-aerosolized particles as compared to conventional HEPA filters and may be used as a pre-filter that extends the life of HEPA filters by about five to ten times. The invention is also a method of manufacturing and using the filter.

Abstract: Nanoscale corundum powders are obtained by first producing an Al2O3 precursor by adding seed crystals to an aqueous solution of an aluminium compound and adding a base and then converting the Al2O3 precursor into corundum by calcination at a high temperature. Before the calcination, the salts that are present in addition to the Al2O3 precursor are separated off. The resulting product is calcined at temperatures of 700 to 975° C. and any fines that may be present are removed. The resulting corundum powders can be sintered at temperatures of ?1200° C. to produce compacts or components of multiple layer systems.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing hydrogen gas serving as fuel for a portable fuel cell, whereby hydrogen gas can be provided easily, safely, and at a low cost. To that end, the method of producing hydrogen gas comprises the steps of causing friction and mechanical fracture accompanying the friction to occur to a metallic material under water and increasing thereby chemical reactivity of atoms of the metallic material, in close proximity of the surface thereof; wherein water molecules are decomposed by accelerating corrosion reaction of water with the metallic material. Further, for the metallic material, an aluminum or aluminum alloy material is used as industrial waste including refuse and cutting chips (curls) of an industrial aluminum material. Meanwhile, pure water not substantially containing ionic impurities and organic molecules is used for the water.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing process for planarizing at least one or more of thin films formed on a substrate, wherein the chemical-mechanical polishing is performed using a slurry containing abrasive particles mainly made of sialon or boehmite. This process is advantageous in improvement of a polishing rate without degradation in planarity of the processed surface and in level of metal impurities.

Abstract: Disclosed are a porous material comprising particles without substantial fibrous structure and having pores, the pores having a mean pore diameter in a meson-pore region, sharp pore size distribution, and at least a part of the pores being connected three-dimensionally to form a three-dimensional network structure with random passages, the porous material preferably being of alumina and having a spongy structure or the porous material preferably being an aggregate of particles having an aspect ratio of 3 or less; a process of producing the porous material which includes a step of aging a system capable of becoming an oxide on thermal decomposition; a catalyst for exhaust gas purification having excellent NOx removal performance, high resistance against sulfur poisoning, and satisfactory high-temperature durability which comprises the porous material as a carrier having supported thereon a noble metal and an NOx storage component; and a method of exhaust gas purification using the catalyst.

Abstract: Aluminum hydroxide fibers approximately 2 nanometers in diameter and with surface areas ranging from 200 to 650 m2/g have been fount to be highly electropositive. When dispersed in water they are able to attach to and retain electronegative particles. When combined into a composite filter with other fibers or particles they can filter bacteria and nano size particulates such as viruses and colloidal particles at high flux through the filter. Such filters can be used for purification and sterilization of water, biological, medical and pharmaceutical fluids, and as a collector/concentrator for detection and assay of mirobes and viruses. The alumina fibers are also capable of filtering sub-micron inorganic and metallic particles to produce ultra pure water. The fibers are suitable as a substrate for growth of cells. Macromolicules such as proteins may be separated from each other based on their electronegative charges.

Abstract: The process for producing hydrogen gas according to the present invention consists of reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for producing hydrogen gas, comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous solution containing between 0.26 M and 19 M NaOH in a vessel. The next step consists of reacting aluminum with water at the surface of the solution to generate a region of effervescence at the surface of the solution and a precipitate sinking from the region of effervescence to the bottom of the vessel. The region of effervescence is kept separated from the precipitate at the bottom the vessel, to prevent any precipitate from mixing with the aluminum therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are a porous material comprising particles without substantial fibrous structure and having pores, the pores having a mean pore diameter in a meso-pore region, sharp pore size distribution, and at least a part of the pores being connected three-dimensionally to form a three-dimensional network structure with random passages, the porous material preferably being of alumina and having a spongy structure or the porous material preferably being an aggregate of particles having an aspect ratio of 3 or less; a process of producing the porous material which includes a step of aging a system capable of becoming an oxide on thermal decomposition; a catalyst for exhaust gas purification having excellent NOx removal performance, high resistance against sulfur poisoning, and satisfactory high-temperature durability which comprises the porous material as a carrier having supported thereon a noble metal and an NOx storage component; and a method of exhaust gas purification using the catalyst.

Abstract: The method for producing hydrogen according to the present invention consists of reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The apparatus for carrying out the method uses the pressure and temperature of the reaction to control the degree of immersion of a fuel cartridge in water and consequently to control the vigor and duration of the reaction.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a plate boehmite and a plate alumina having high catalytic activity. The plate boehmite is prepared by subjecting at least one kind of an alkaline earth metal compound, which is selected from calcium, strontium and barium, and aluminum hydroxide to pressurization and heating at 150 to 300° C. in the presence of water. The resulting reaction product is treated with an acid to remove the residual alkaline earth metal compound contained in the product, followed by rinsing with water. The resulting plate boehmite is subjected to calcination at 450 to 1500° C. Thus, a plate alumina comprising a mixture of &thgr;-alumina and &dgr;-alumina as a major component is prepared.

Abstract: A fire-retardant plastic mixture contains 55%-75% by weight of boehmite which has an orthorhombic crystal structure and has the general formula AlO.sub.x (OH).sub.3-2x with x-values ranging between 0.8 and 0.99, and has a mean grain diameter d.sub.50 ranging between 0.4 and 0.7 .mu.m, a d.sub.10 value ranging between 0.7 and 1.2 .mu.m and a d.sub.90 value ranging between 0.2 and 0.4 .mu.m. The filler material is used in the form of a finely-crystallized hydrargillite which is obtained during a precipitation process according to Bayer with a grain diameter of 0.5 to 3 .mu.m, which is suspended and which, without any mechanical working, is transformed directly in a hydro-thermal process at temperatures ranging between 220.degree. C. and 240.degree. C. under turbulent conditions into a boehmite of the general formula AlO.sub.x (OH).sub.3-2x with x-values ranging between 0.8 and 0.99.

Abstract: An aluminum oxide mass characterized by a specific surface area greater than or equal to 70 m.sup.2 /g and a narrow pore radius distribution, with at least 90% of the pore radii being approximately 0.5 to 2.5 nm, preferably approximately 1.7 to 2.2 nm.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable acidic aqueous alumina sol containing 50 to 300 nm of elongate secondary particles which are elongated in only one plane and formed by edge-to-edge coagulation of rectangular plate-like primary particles having a length of one side of 10 to 30 nm when observed through an electron microscope, the process comprises the steps of:(A) adding an alkali to an aqueous alumina sol containing fibrous colloidal particles of an amorphous alumina hydrate to produce a reaction mixture having a pH of 9 to 12,(B) subjecting the reaction mixture obtained in the step (A) to a hydrothermal treatment at a temperature of 110 to 250.degree. C. to produce an aqueous suspension containing an alumina hydrate having a boehmite structure, and(C) desalting the aqueous suspension obtained in the step (B) by adding water and an acid by ultrafiltration to form an acidic aqueous alumina sol having a pH of 3 to 6.

Abstract: The invention concerns oxidised aluminium or aluminium alloy pigments having a content of metallic aluminium of not more than 90% by weight with respect to the total weight, wherein the pigments are colored, flake-like, shiny and non-agglomerated, a process for the production thereof and use thereof as special-effect pigments and as base pigments for further colouring with organic or inorganic color pigments.

Abstract: An improved process for making high purity aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH).sub.3.3H.sub.2 O] of the hydrargillite form containing the steps of: (a) adding a non-powdered aluminum solid, preferably aluminum ingots, into a hot water bath at about 70.degree. C. to form a reaction mixture; (b) stirring the reaction mixture for about 20 minutes: (c) adding an alkaline-generating solid, preferably sodium hydroxide solids, into the reaction mixture and heating the reaction mixture to reach boiling point temperature; (d) lowering the temperature of the reaction mixture to 75.degree..about.80.degree. C. and stirring the reaction mixture for about 60 minutes; (e) lowering the temperature of the reaction mixture to room temperature; and (f) filtering the reaction mixture to obtain the high purity aluminum hydroxide form. The high purity of the final product was confirmed by data from X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.

Abstract: Saltcake generated by the aluminum industry is completely recycled through a process that simultaneously liberates the contained aluminum metal and dissolves the soluble salt fluxes to recover aluminum metal, aluminum oxide and salt fluxes by temperature controlled wet milling, rapid solids-brine separation and solar pond evaporation of the resulting clear brine. The temperature of the feedwater is 70.degree. F. or less to retard the exothermic reaction of aluminum metal with water, thereby minimizing the loss of metal to oxidation and the evolution of undesirable gases. Low temperature is maintained by using process water at or below the desired temperature, by forcibly cooling the mill with ambient air, and by controlling transit time through the mill to avoid excessive grinding of the aluminum metal. Minimizing the production of fine aluminum particles reduces the total surface area of aluminum metal available for exothermic reacton with the water.

Abstract: A method for the production of aluminum hydroxide, including reacting water in the liquid phase and aluminum at a pH above about 12.4. In this pH range, aluminum hydroxide is produced at acceptable rates both for aluminum surface areas above 75,000 mm.sup.2 /g and for aluminum surface area of less than about 50,000 mm.sup.2 per gram, and even down to 20 mm.sup.2 per gram. According to an alternative view of the invention, it is characterized by the production of aluminum hydroxide by reacting aluminum with liquid water containing choline. Aluminum hydroxide particles having unique morphologies are obtained.

Abstract: A reduced chromium-ore bearing powder used for production of a chromium-containing steel in a converter, is produced by a reduction of chromium ore-powder having a particle-diameter of 3 mm or less by a carbonaceous reducing agent having a particle diameter of 3 mm or less in an inert-gas atmosphere, while the chromium-ore powder and carbonaceous reducing agent are stirred and mixed with each other in the reaction chamber (5).The reduced chromium-ore powder has 3 mm or less of particle diameter. Acid-soluble chromium is in an amount of 85% or more of the total chromium, and acid-soluble iron is in an amount of 95% or more of the total iron.

Abstract: A process for forming a structure of aluminium components comprises pre-treating aluminium sheet to produce an inorganic non-metallic surface coating thereon, forming the pre-treated sheet to produce components of desired shape and applying adhesive to the components and securing them together by means of the adhesive. Generally, an adhesive-compatible press lubricant is present on the sheet when it is formed. The invention also includes aluminium sheet carrying the inorganic non-metallic surface coating and a press lubricant thereon.

Abstract: Alumina particles having average particle size of about 1-20 microns are converted to alpha alumina in a steam-fluidized bed maintained at about 380.degree.-600.degree. C. and a pressure greater than about 1000 psig. Acidifying the steam reduces average crystallite size of the product and lowers content of some impurities. A preferred product is alpha alumina having an average crystallite size of less than about 0.2 micron.

Abstract: A method for the production of aluminum hydroxide, including reacting water in the liquid phase and aluminum at a pH above about 12.4. In this pH range, aluminum hydroxide is produced at acceptable rates both for aluminum surface areas above 75,000 mm.sup.2 /g and for aluminum surface area of less than about 50,000 mm.sup.2 per gram, and even down to 20 mm.sup.2 per gram. According to an alternative view of the invention, it is characterized by the production of aluminum hydroxide by reacting aluminum with liquid water containing choline.

Abstract: A process for treating dry, particulate alumina for use in preparing alumina slurries which are resistant to gellation in which the particulate alumina is contacted with a carbon dioxide rich gaseous medium for a suitable time.

Abstract: A method of making beta"-alumina comprises dispersing in a precursor of aluminum oxide a member of the group comprising sodium oxide and its precursors, and dispersing in the precursor of aluminum oxide a spinel stabilizer which is a member of the group comprising spinel-forming oxides and the precursors thereof, to form a mixture. The mixture is then heated to a temperature at which at least some of the precursor of aluminum oxide is converted to beta"-alumina. The precursor of aluminum oxide is one which, when calcined in air by itself, has a calcination product which, when subjected to X-ray diffraction, displays a predetermined X-ray diffraction trace. The X-ray diffraction trace is one whose peak with the highest intensity in the 2 (theta) range of 44.degree.-48.degree. and whose peak with the highest intensity in the 2 (theta) range of 63.degree.-69.degree. respectively have maximum intensities and integrated intensities which comply with equations (I) and (II):A/S is greater than 0.

Abstract: High purity alumina with a low sodium content and with a friable, easily ball milled structure is produced in this invention through a modified sol-gel procedure which includes digestion of the contaminant containing aluminum metal with hydrochloric acid in the presence of excess aluminum, removal of the contaminants, seeding the resulting sol with high purity alumina, drying to a solid, and then calcining said seeded sol solids to produce said high purity alpha alumina.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an alumina hydrosol from an aluminum sulfate solution. The subject method comprises the steps of admixing a stoichiometric amount of a metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium and/or barium in the form of a mixture of a hydrated chloride metal salt and a metal hydroxide with an aqueous aluminum sulfate solution, filtering the resulting metal sulfate precipitate from the above admixture, recovering a substantially sulfur-free aluminum-containing filtrate solution, admixing aluminum metal with the filtrate solution, and digesting the aluminum metal at digestion conditions with the filtrate solution to form an alumina hydrosol possessing the desired Al:Cl weight ratio.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of substantially all of the aluminum from aluminum bearing waste products which includes a method for the commercial production of alumina and compounds of alumina.

Abstract: High purity aluminum oxide is produced by continuously reacting high purity metallic aluminum, either solid or liquid, with high purity oxygen, present in stoichiometrically excessive amount, within a vertically oriented cylindrical vessel closed at the top and open at the bottom and having cooled side walls on which there forms a layer of solid aluminum oxide. Newly formed aluminum oxide deposits as a liquid film on the inside surface of this layer and flows downwardly thereover by gravity to the open bottom of the container and thence falls to a collecting vessel below, solidifying either during this fall or after impingement on a moving metallic surface. An annular array of burners, e.g. oxy-hydrogen burners, limits downward growth of the layer below the vessel, prevents closing off by growth of that layer of the space within the vessel, and fosters detachment of the downwardly flowing film in the form of drops to fall to the collection vessel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the elimination of the chief impurities in aluminum dross tailings. The dross tailings, which are chiefly particles of aluminum oxide, are suspended in an aqueous slurry and the slurry is heated to a temperature from 185.degree.-225.degree. F. and maintained under liquification pressures and sufficient agitation to insure particle-to-particle attrition that removes an aluminum hydroxide coating which would otherwise inhibit the reaction. The reaction rate is accelerated by chemical and physical additives that can be optionally added to the slurry such as trace quantities of caustic, which serves as a source of hydroxyl ligands to increase the solubility of aluminum hydroxide and/or refractory particles such as ceramic spheres which increase the attrition. Other contaminants present in the dross tailings include aluminum nitride, which is decomposed to aluminum oxide and ammonia, and aluminum carbide which is decomposed to aluminum oxide and methane.

Abstract: Pure alumina is produced from aluminum metal by steps of activation by stripping the oxide layer in an acidic aqueous medium; washing in a neutral medium; reacting in a neutral, acidic or alkaline medium to give hydrated alumina; and igniting the hydrated alumina.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an airtight-sealed system comprising one or more molten alkalifluorides in the operating condition.The corrosive action of oxygen present in the melt is prevented by adding metallic aluminium and/or zinc to the melt.