Abstract: Ceramic catalyst carriers that are mechanically, thermally and chemically stable in a ionic salt monopropellant decomposition environment, high temperature catalysts for decomposition of liquid high-energy-density monopropellants and ceramic processing techniques for producing spherical catalyst carrier granules are disclosed. The ceramic processing technique is used to produce spherical catalyst carrier granules with controlled porosities and desired composition and allows for reproducible packing densities of catalyst granules in thruster chambers. The ceramic catalyst carrier has excellent thermal shock resistance, good compatibility with the active metal coating and metal coating deposition processes, melting point above >2300° C., chemical resistance to steam, nitrogen oxides and nitric acid, resistance to sintering to prevent void formation, and the absence of phase transition associated with volumetric changes at temperatures up to and beyond 1800° C.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and process for manufacturing a brick or paver with a high content of coal ash (ranging from 60% to 100% coal ash or fly ash) so that a waste product (coal ash, and more particularly Class F coal ash) from a coal-fired power plant is incorporated into a building product (high content fly ash brick or paver). Also provided is a variable firing tray to support the dried, high content coal ash bricks/pavers as the dried products are sent through a tunnel kiln, to improve circulation around the individual bricks/pavers and thereby result in reduced firing time in the kiln.

Abstract: Methods of forming a shaped article having a matrix that contains sintered fly ash are disclosed that include forming a fly ash dough that includes fly ash and water. In one form a superplasticizer is added in the dough. A green article is formed in a desired shape from the fly ash dough that is subsequently fired so that the shaped article is hardened by sintering its fly ash matrix. In one form, the green article is cured under conditions of moderate heating and high humidity. A building element having a matrix of sintered fly ash is also disclosed.

Abstract: Wallboards, as well as other building materials, are produced by methods which use significantly reduced embodied energy, generating far less greenhouse gases when compared with the energy used to fabricate gypsum wallboard. A novel cementitious core, consisting in one embodiment of post-industrial waste such as slag and combined with pH modifiers, provides a controlled exothermic reaction to create a gypsum-wallboard-like core which can be wrapped in a selected material such as recycled paper and manufactured on a conveyor system to appear, weigh and handle similar to gypsum wallboard, but without the large amounts of energy required to make gypsum wallboard. The manufacturing process results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than the processes used to make gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic hybrid rock compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes employing mineral waste starting materials such as mine tailings, mine development rock, ash, slag, quarry fines, and slimes, to produce valuable articles of manufacture and products, which are characterized by superior physical and structural characteristics, including low porosity, low absorption, increased strength and durability, and retained plasticity. The resulting materials are compositionally and chemically distinct from conventional synthetic rock materials as demonstrated by scanning electron microprobe analysis, and are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly with respect to commercial and residential construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic composition and a porous ceramic insulating material comprising the same, which is widely used as a core material in sandwich panels or fire doors. The ceramic composition comprises 44-60 wt % of glass powder, 8-15 wt % of fly ash, 4-8 wt % of surface treatment agent, and 23-29 wt % of water glass. The porous ceramic insulating material manufactured from the composition is lightweight and is an environmentally friendly material which generates no toxic gas when it catches fire. The ceramic insulating material can be produced at a low temperature of 800˜900° C., and thus has low production cost. In addition, it can be continuously manufactured in a sheet form.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes solid waste forms and methods of processing waste. In one particular implementation, the invention provides a method of processing waste that may be particularly suitable for processing hazardous waste. In this method, a waste component is combined with an aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component in a slurry. A molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the slurry is greater than one. Water in the slurry may be evaporated while mixing the slurry at a temperature of about 140-200° C. The mixed slurry may be allowed to cure into a solid waste form. This solid waste form includes an anhydrous aluminum phosphate with at least a residual portion of the waste component bound therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system (10) for forming pressed articles by pressing powder or granules, the system comprising the following apparatuses: a powder discharge assembly (12); a no-cavity press assembly (20) including: an bottom plate (22) that is the same size or greater than the pressed articles, a constraining means to isolate a portion of powder, and a top punch (24); and a conveyor (14) to transport the powder and/or pressed articles.

Abstract: Dry mix for treating refractory substrates, comprising combustible particles of at least one oxidizable substance which, in the presence of oxygen, gives rise to an exothermic reaction, and particles of at least one other substance, wherein these particles form together, during said exothermic reaction, a coherent mass capable of adhering to and/or interacting with the treated substrate, characterized in that it comprises, as particles of at least one other substance, particles of at least one expanding substance, in that the dry mix without the particles of this at least one expanding substance has a first bulk density and in that the mix comprising said at least one expanding substance has a second bulk density lower than said first bulk density.

Abstract: Chemically bonded ceramics and manufacturing processes are described. In one aspect, a manufacturing process of a chemically bonded ceramic is carried out by: (1) combining an acidic liquid and Fly ash to form a mixture; and (2) curing the mixture to form the chemically bonded ceramic. The Fly ash corresponds to at least a majority by weight of solids combined with the acidic liquid to form the mixture.

Abstract: A composition of matter and method of forming a radiation shielding member at ambient temperatures in which the composition of matter includes a ‘cold-fired’ chemically bonded oxide-phosphate ceramic cement matrix; with one or more suitably prepared and distributed radiation shielding materials dispersed in the ‘cold-fired’ chemically bonded oxide-phosphate ceramic cement matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a crystallizable glass, a crystallized glass, and manufacturing methods thereof. The crystallizable glass can be crystallized in a short period of time, and can maintain its glass shape and its surface condition during a crystallization process. The crystallized glass has good mechanical strength, an adequate thermal expansion coefficient that allows the crystallized glass to be used as a construction material, less content of alkali-metal oxides, and good chemical durability. The MgO—Al2O3—SiO2-based crystallizable glass and crystallized glass contain, by mass percent, 55.0-65.0% SiO2, 8.0-14.0% Al2O3, 10.0-20.0% MgO, 1.5-6.0% CaO, 1.0-2.2% Li2O, 0.7-3.0% Na2O, 2.5-4.0% K2O, and 1.5-3.0% F.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an artificial lightweight aggregate containing bottom ash. The method includes the steps of: (a) mixing 100 parts by weight of clay and 10-100 parts by weight of bottom ash to obtain a mixture; (b) extrusion-molding the mixture by using an extruder and cutting the extrusion-molded mixture to form a molded article; (c) drying the molded article by using a rotary drier; and (d) sintering the dried article at 1050-1150° C. for 15-45 minutes to produce the artificial lightweight aggregate. The aggregate produced according to the invention is lightweight, cost-effective, and has uniform water absorption.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic hybrid rock compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes employing mineral waste starting materials such as mine tailings, mine development rock, ash, slag, quarry fines, and slimes, to produce valuable articles of manufacture and products, which are characterized by superior physical and structural characteristics, including low porosity, low absorption, increased strength and durability, and retained plasticity. The resulting materials are compositionally and chemically distinct from conventional synthetic rock materials as demonstrated by scanning electron microprobe analysis, and are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly with respect to commercial and residential construction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.

Abstract: Provided is a mineral wool that includes recycled material. The mineral wool is characterized by an acid to base ratio within a specified range. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the mineral wool that includes selection of post-consumer or post-industrial recyclable materials. Application of the mineral wool to products such as an acoustical ceiling panel is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.

Abstract: A synthetic glass family in the quaternary phase field of CaO—SiO2-Al2O3-MgO (CSAM) with hydraulic and pozzolanic properties for use in differing applications in the gas and oil well cementing area. A method of making a mud-to-cement (MTC) slurry and a method for treating oil and gas wells with the MTC slurry containing a homogenous amorphous synthetic glass made from a mixture of inorganic materials selected from the group consisting of CSAM, wherein the cementing glasses with the mixture of inorganic materials are in a 100% amorphous phase with a degree of crystallization of zero.

Abstract: A method for producing an oil-binding agent of granular open-porous structure with a silicate ceramic matrix by using recovered paper material and clay. The method is characterized in that, in each case based on the entire raw material, 35 to 60 wt.-% sewage sludge with a water content of between 70 and 85 wt.-%, 25 to 55 wt.-% recovered paper material with a water content of between 35 and 55 wt.-%, 10 to 25 wt.-% clay and optionally 1 to 3 wt.-% zeolite, 1 to 2 wt.-% quicklime and/or up to 3 wt. % fly ash are mixed to a homogeneous mixture. The raw material thus obtained is subsequently processed in order to form particles having an average diameter of 4 to 6 mm. The particles are then dried and subsequently burnt at 950 to 1050° C. The oil-binding agents produced according to said method have a bulk density of between 0.4 and 0.75 kg/1 and a oil-binding capability of 0.7 to 1.0 1 oil per oil-binder.

Abstract: A synthetic glass family in the quaternary phase field of CaO—SiO2-Al2O3-MgO (CSAM) with hydraulic and pozzolanic properties for use in differing applications in the gas and oil well cementing area. A method of making a mud-to-cement (MTC) slurry and a method for treating oil and gas wells with the MTC slurry containing a homogenous amorphous synthetic glass made from a mixture of inorganic materials selected from the group consisting of CSAM, wherein the cementing glasses with the mixture of inorganic materials are in a 100% amorphous phase with a degree of crystallization of zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic hybrid rock compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes employing mineral waste starting materials such as mine tailings, mine development rock, ash, slag, quarry fines, and slimes, to produce valuable articles of manufacture and products, which are characterized by superior physical and structural characteristics, including low porosity, low absorption, increased strength and durability, and retained plasticity. The resulting materials are compositionally and chemically distinct from conventional synthetic rock materials as demonstrated by scanning electron microprobe analysis, and are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly with respect to commercial and residential construction.

Abstract: There are provided a coloration agent for use in ceramic articles which offers an effective reuse of shot waste and which contributes to the reduction of manufacture costs, as well as a color developing clay using the same. The coloration agent contains metal powder separated from the shot waste and uses metal oxide powder contained in the metal powder as a basic raw material. The color developing clay is prepared by admixing the coloration agent with a clay raw material.

Abstract: The compound is a clay aqueous suspension made of at least one 2:1 layer phyllosilicate clay mineral, at least one 1:1 layer phyllosilicate clay mineral, and water that can be used to sequester asbestos, such as chrysotile, as well as dust and other fibrous particles, at all scales of contamination.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic hybrid rock compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes employing mineral waste starting materials such as mine tailings, mine development rock, ash, slag, quarry fines, and slimes, to produce valuable articles of manufacture and products, which are characterized by superior physical and structural characteristics, including low porosity, low absorption, increased strength and durability, and retained plasticity. The resulting materials are compositionally and chemically distinct from conventional synthetic rock materials as demonstrated by scanning electron microprobe analysis, and are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly with respect to commercial and residential construction.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metal-fly ash composite material includes classifying a fly ash-containing material to provide a classified fly ash material having a mean particle size of from about 4 ?m to about 40 ?m. The classified fly ash material is blended with a metal matrix whereby the fly ash material and the metal matrix form a substantially homogenous mixture. Suitable conditions of temperature and/or pressure are applied to form a metal-fly ash composite material is formed. The metal matrix may be provided as a liquid or as a powder.

Abstract: A ceramic building element made from a mixture comprising 20% to 80% clay, 20% to 80% fly ash, 0.5% to 5.0% of oily organic material, and 5% to 15% water. The oily organic material may be selected from the group consisting of sediment and silt, the sediment and silt being further selected from at least one site including a river, a lake, a seabed and swamp land.

Abstract: Reinforcing glass yarn, the composition of which comprises the following constituents, within the limits defined below, expressed in percentages by weight: SiO2 54.5 to 58% Al2O3 12 to 15.5% SiO2 + Al2O3 70 to 73% CaO 17 to 25% MgO 0 to 5% RO = CaO + MgO 21 to 28% R2O = Na2O + K2O + Li2O up to 2% TiO2 less than 1% Fe2O3 less than 0.5% B2O3 up to 3% F2 less than 1% and such that the ratio R1=Al2O3/CaO is less than 0.7, and when SiO2 is greater than 57% the amount of boron oxide B2O3 is greater than 2%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to transform large quantities of fiber glass waste into useful ceramic products by a low-cost manufacturing process. The method consists of reducing the fiber glass waste into a glass powder; mixing the glass powder with additives into a glass-additives mixture; granulating the glass-additives mixture into granulated particles; forming the granulated particles into a green ceramic article; and heating the green ceramic article into the ceramic product. Water and clay can be included in the processing. Only one firing step is needed with a low peak firing temperature of about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The method conserves energy and natural resources compared to clay-based traditional ceramic manufacturing. High-quality impervious ceramic products can be produced by the invention.

Abstract: A glass having a visible transmission of no greater than 28% and low IR transmission, and employing a colorant portion: total iron (expressed as Fe2O3): 0.7 to 1.8% cobalt oxide (e.g., Co3O4): 0.001 to 1.0% titanium oxide (e.g., TiO2): 0.25 to 3.0% selenium (e.g., Se): 0 to 0.0020% chromium oxide (e.g., Cr2O3): 0 to 0.010%.

Abstract: A method for pacifying the spent bed material resulting from the synthesis of organohalosilanes and halosilanes by mixing clay with spent bed material. Clay compositions containing at least 10 weight % of clay and spent bed material, as well as ceramic compositions containing spent bed material, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to transform large quantities of waste glass into useful ceramic products by a low-cost manufacturing process. The method improves green strength compared to previous methods, and does not require water or any other liquid solvent. Only one firing step is needed with a low peak firing temperature of about 700° C.to about 1000° C. The method conserves energy and natural resources compared to clay-based traditional ceramic manufacturing. High-quality impervious ceramic products can be produced by the invention.

Abstract: Recycled ceramic slurry is produced by a method including the steps: dissolving the waste material of unfired ceramic in a solvent to form a waste solution; and adjusting a composition of the waste solution to thereby produce the recycled ceramic slurry. If the waste material of unfired ceramic includes a metal component, the metal component may be removed therefrom before the step of adjusting the composition of the waste solution.

Abstract: This invention provides a silicon composition comprising at least 15 wt % of hydrolysed silicon compounds and at least 3 wt % of a binder material. The silicon composition is used in the manufacture of ceramics. The hydrolysed silicon compounds can for example be the gel produced by hydrolysing higher boiling point organohalosilanes produced in the manufacture of organohalosilanes or halosilanes by the direct process.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for making ceramic articles with improved density, compression strength and efflorescence properties, in which a pre-ceramic article containing direct process residue gel is heated at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A fired spinel complex oxide is produced by firing a mixture containing a slag by-produced in chromium refining, a reducer, and a silica-containing material, and is essentially composed of: 29 to 40 percent by weight of Fe2O3; 15 to 20 percent by weight of Al2O3; 9 to 14 percent by weight of MgO; 0 to 4 percent by weight of Na2O; 9 to 17 percent by weight of Cr2O3; 14 to 20 percent by weight of SiO2; and 2 percent by weight or less of CaO. The fired spinel complex oxide shows a Cu—K&agr; X-ray diffraction pattern in which the ratio (b/a) of the diffraction peak intensity of the silica-containing material (b) in the vicinity of 2&thgr;=26.7° to the {113} plane diffraction peak intensity (a) in the vicinity of 2&thgr;=36° is 0.1 or less.

Abstract: A new method for combining magnesium oxide, MgO, and magnesium dihydrogen phosphate to form an inexpensive compactible ceramic to stabilize very low solubility metal oxides, ashes, swarfs, and other iron or metal-based additives, to create products and waste forms which can be poured or dye cast, and to reinforce and strengthen the ceramics formed by the addition of fibers to the initial ceramic mixture.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for use in production of paving tiles, construction tiles, flooring in offices, flooring in machinery plants and so forth is obtained by a method comprising steps of mixing defatted bran derived from rice bran with a thermosetting resin before kneading, subjecting a kneaded mixture thus obtained to a primary firing in an inert gas at a temperature in a range of 700 to 1000° C., pulverizing the kneaded mixture after the primary firing into carbonized powders, kneading the carbonized powders with which ceramic powders, a solvent, and a binder as desired are mixed into a plastic workpiece (kneaded mass), pressure-forming the plastic workpiece at pressure in a range of 10 to 100 MPa, and subjecting a formed plastic workpiece thus obtained again to firing in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature in a range of 100 to 1400° C.

Abstract: An automated method for recycling mixed colored cullet glass (i.e., broken pieces of glass of mixed colors and types) into new glass products. A computer controlled process identifies the virgin glass raw materials, the desired target glass properties, the composition of a batch of mixed colored cullet, and the quantity of cullet to be used in the glass melt, and the computer controlled process automatically determines the proper amounts of raw materials to add to the batch of mixed colored cullet so that recycled glass is produced having the desired coloring oxides, redox agents, and glass structural oxides in the proper proportion. The recycled glass is then used to make glass products such as beer bottles.

Abstract: A porous sintered body in which the leaching amounts of heavy metals are small and having high availability contains 0.5-15 weight % of B2O3, preferably contains 20-60 weight % of Al2O3, 18-60 weight % of SiO2, 1-12 weight % of the sum of Na2O, K2O, Li2O, and P2O5, 1-30 weight % of the sum of CaO, SrO, BaO, and MgO, and 0.5-15 weight % of B2O3.

Abstract: A method of producing an improved aggregate product from in inferior initial aggregate material base material. A percentage weight of crushed glass material is introduced into the initial aggregate material to form said aggregate product.

Abstract: A supplemental agent for a hazardous waste composition containing electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) includes potassium magnesium sulfate or a magnesium salt such as magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride. The supplemental agent when mixed with EAFD and water, along with either lime inherent within the EAFD or added lime, reduces the leaching of heavy metals from the waste composition over a wide range of leaching conditions, including both acidic, neutral, and alkaline environments. The method for reducing the concentration of heavy metals in a leachate from the EAFD involves forming a mixture of EAFD, water, the supplemental agent, and, optionally, ferrous sulfate, along with lime, then permitting the mixture to react.

Abstract: An open-cell glass crystalline porous material made from hollow microspheres which are cenospheres obtained from fly ash, having an open-cell porosity of up to 90 vol. % is produced. The cenospheres are separated into fractions based on one or more of grain size, density, magnetic or non-magnetic, and perforated or non-perforated. Selected fractions are molded and agglomerated by sintering with a binder at a temperature below the softening temperature, or without a binder at a temperature about, or above, the softening temperature but below the temperature of liquidity. The porous material produced has an apparent density of 0.3-0.6 g/cm3, a compressive strength in the range of 1.2-3.5 MPa, and two types of openings: through-flow wall pores in the cenospheres of 0.1-30 micrometers, and interglobular voids between the cenospheres of 20-100 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of vitrifying waste and for lowering the melting point of glass forming systems by including lithia formers in the glass forming composition in significant amounts, typically from about 0.16 wt % to about 11 wt %, based on the total glass forming oxides. The lithia is typically included as a replacement for alkali oxide glass formers that would normally be present in a particular glass forming system. Replacement can occur on a mole percent or weight percent basis, and typically results in a composition wherein lithia forms about 10 wt % to about 100 wt % of the alkali oxide glass formers present in the composition. The present invention also relates to the high lithia glass compositions formed by these methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the production of ceramic tiles using industrial wastes. The invention particularly relates to an improved process for the production of ceramic tiles using industrial wastes such as iron ore slime, fly ash and blast furnace slag.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing low density ceramics is described wherein the process incorporates paper residuals which are a by-product of the paper recycling process. The method for making a low density-ceramic comprises the steps of: a) providing a paper residual comprising from about 0.5 to about 99 percent, by weight, of at least one filler, from about 0 to about 20 percent, by weight, of a dye, from about 0 to about 10 percent, by weight, of an ink, from about 0.5 to about 99.5 percent, by weight, of paper fiber, and from about 0 to about 30 percent, by weight, of other components, based on a dry weight of the residual; b) admixing a ceramic material with the paper residual, the ceramic material comprising up to about 90%, by weight, of the admixture, based on a dry weight of the admixture; c) forming the admixture into a desired shape; and d) firing the admixture to a temperature ranging from about 1850° F. to about 2900° F.

Abstract: A new method for combining magnesium oxide, MgO, and magnesium dihydrogen phosphate to form an inexpensive compactible ceramic to stabilize very low solubility metal oxides, ashes, swarfs, and other iron or metal-based additives, to create products and waste forms which can be poured or dye cast, and to reinforce and strengthen the ceramics formed by the addition of fibers to the initial ceramic mixture.

Abstract: Recycled ceramic slurry is produced by a method including the steps: dissolving the waste material of unfired ceramic in a solvent to form a waste solution; and adjusting a composition of the waste solution to thereby produce the recycled ceramic slurry. If the waste material of unfired ceramic includes a metal component, the metal component may be removed therefrom before the step of adjusting the composition of the waste solution.

Abstract: A new method for combining elemental iron and other metals to form an inexpensive ceramic to stabilize arsenic, alkaline red mud wastes, swarfs, and other iron or metal-based additives, to create products and waste forms which can be poured or dye cast.

Abstract: A new method for enhancing the physical and radiation shielding characteristics of phosphate ceramics, via the incorporation therein of isotopic boron compounds and bismuth, iron, and lead additives. The resulting material finds applications as physical and radiation shields and as building constituents in spent fuel- and waste containment-scenarios.