Abstract: A novel catalyst for the conversion of hydrocarbons comprising a material containing an acid treated zeolite, a boron component and a zinc component wherein the material is treated with a silylating agent. A method of making such novel catalyst and the use of the novel catalyst for converting paraffin hydrocarbons with a low rate of coke formation during such conversion are disclosed.

Abstract: A calcined cracking catalyst comprising zeolite crystals in an inorganic oxide matrix and containing less than about 0.75% Na.sub.2 O and, from 0.1 to 10% P expressed as P.sub.2 O.sub.5, the cracking catalyst being further characterized by exhibiting a spectra with a peak at about 3735 cm.sup.-1 when treated with pyridine and analyzed by FTIR. A process for manufacturing an FCC catalyst characterized by high tolerance to contaminated metals comprises providing fluid cracking catalyst microspheres containing zeolite Y in an inorganic oxide matrix and analyzing 20 to 60% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and analyzing less than 0.75% wt. Na.sub.2 O; impregnating the catalyst with a solution of a phosphate or phosphite salt in amount such the microspheres analyze 0.5 to 10% by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and calcining the microspheres in the absence of steam at a temperature above 1300.degree. F. and below 1600.degree. F. and recovering the product characterized exhibiting a spectra with a peak at about 3687 cm.sup.

Abstract: A catalyst composition, a process for producing the catalyst composition, and a hydroconversion process for converting a fluid stream comprising at least one saturated hydrocarbon to C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes are disclosed. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite and a promoter. The process for producing the composition comprises the steps of: (1) combining a zeolite with a complexing ligand and a promoter compound under a condition sufficient to produce a modified zeolite; and (2) heating the modified zeolite to produce a promoted zeolite. The hydroconversion process comprises contacting a fluid stream with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst comprising ZSM-5, rhenium which is impregnated onto the catalyst, and a selectivating agent. The selectivating agent may be coke and/or a siliceous material. The catalyst is particularly useful for catalyzing toluene disproportionation reactions. Methods for making this catalyst and processes for using this catalyst in toluene disproportionation are also provided.

Abstract: An inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite comprising a hydrophilic macromolecular substrate containing the inorganic porous crystals in its inner matrix, production method thereof and use thereof. The present invention affords an inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite comprising the inorganic porous crystals held in the inner matrix of the hydrophilic macromolecular substrate. This composite is particularly superior in adsorption of metal ion, specifically silver and copper ions, and the metal-holding inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite showed noticeably strong adsorption of hydrogen sulfide and the like, so that it can be used as a deodorizer, antimicrobial material and freshness retention material for fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: A novel zeolite catalyst comprising an acid treated zeolite impregnated with silver and boron, a method of making such zeolite catalyst, and the use thereof for converting paraffin hydrocarbons to olefins and aromatics.

Abstract: A phosphorous-containing zeolite with structural type CON in its aluminosilicate or borosilicate form contains at most 10% by weight of phosphorous. A process for its preparation is described, starting from existing zeolites (SSZ-26, SSZ-33 or CIT-1) or from beta zeolites and an organic structuring agent or template which is 1-N,N,N-trimethyl adamantammonium hydroxide or 2-N,N,N-trimethyl adamantammonium hydroxide. The zeolite is used for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feeds.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for the production of lube oil blending components, and lube oils, from waxy, paraffinic feeds, a process for producing such catalyst, and a process utilizing this catalyst in the production of lubes. The catalyst is a unitized mixed powder pellet catalyst constituted of a dehydrogenation component, or components, suitably a catalytically active Group VIB, VIIB, or VIII metal, or metals, an isomerization component, suitably an amorphous acidic solid support, and a small pore molecular sieve dewaxing component. The dewaxing component is characterized as a small pore molecular sieve wherein the pore windows are formed by 8 oxide atoms which form the limiting edge of the pore window, each of the oxide atoms constituting one of the four oxide atoms of a tetrahedrally coordinated cluster around a silicon or aluminum framework ion, or atom, each oxide ion is coordinated to two framework ions in these structures, and the pore size of the sieve ranges between about 6.3 .ANG. and 2.3 .ANG..

Abstract: A catalyst comprising at least one catalytic element, and a support comprising 20-99% by weight of at least one matrix, 1-80% by weight of at least one 2:1 trioctahedral phyllosilicate containing fluorine and 0-30% by weight of at least one Y zeolite, in which the catalytic element is from groups VI and/or VIII, and phosphorous can be present, as well as a process for the hydroconversion of petroleum with said catalyst.

Abstract: The use of modified silicon dioxide as a catalyst support in catalytic reactions under hydrothermal conditions is described. The pore structure of the supports may be stabilized against hydrothermal reaction conditions by impregnating the catalyst supports with elements of Group IVB of the Periodic Tube of Elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to zeolitic molecular sieve compositions characterized by outstanding capability to complex multivalent cations, especially calcium. In particular, the invention relates to novel zeolitic molecular sieve compositions, especially those based on molecular sieves having a high alumina-to-silica ratio, in which crystals of the zeolite are modified by the inclusion of occluded silicate.

Abstract: This invention relates to zeolitic molecular sieve compositions characterized by outstanding capability to complex multivalent cations, especially calcium. In particular, the invention relates to novel zeolitic molecular sieve compositions, having a high alumina-to-silica ratio, with additional occluded non-zeolitic silicate, and solid particulate alumina is the source of alumina in the zeolite.

Abstract: Monomodal or polymodal catalyst supports or catalysts having a BET specific surface area of from 0.01 to 250 m.sup.2 /g and a monomodal or polymodal pore size distribution having a mean pore diameter of from 50 to 300,000 nm measured by the mercury pressure porosimetry method, whereina) from 10 to 95% of the pore volume is at from 0.2 to 100 times the mean pore diameter and/orb) from 10 to 80% of the pore volume is at from 0.8 to 100 times the mean pore diameter and/orc) from 50 to 95% of the pore volume is at from 0.2 to 1 times the mean pore diameter and/ord) from 50 to 80% of the pore volume is at from 0.8 to 1 times the mean pore diameter ande) the width at half height of the pore size distribution is less than 0.

Abstract: Monomodal or polymodal catalyst supports or catalysts having a BET specific surface area of from 0.01 to 250 m.sup.2 /g and a monomodal or polymodal pore size distribution having a mean pore diameter of from 50 to 300,000 nm measured by the mercury pressure porosimetry method, whereina) from 10 to 95% of the pore volume is at from 0.1 to 3 times the mean pore diameter and/orb) from 10 to 80% of the pore volume is at from 0.4 to 3 times the mean pore diameter and/orc) from 50 to 95% of the pore volume is at from 0.1 to 1 times the mean pore diameter and/ord) from 50 to 80% of the pore volume is at from 0.4 to 1 times the mean pore diameter ande) the width at half height of the pore size distribution is less than 0.

Abstract: A method for fluorinating molecular sieve catalysts to increase selectivity to ethylene during conversion of oxygenates to olefins, fluorinated catalysts produced by such method, and methods of using the fluorinated molecular sieve catalysts to increase selectivity to ethylene during conversion of oxygenates to olefins.

Abstract: An adsorbent is described based on an inorganic support material with exchangeable mono- and divalent cations, characterized by the fact that the specific surface of the support material is >100 m.sup.2 /g, its cation exchange capacity is>30 mg-equiv/100 g, its pore volume is>0.15 m/g, the pH value of an aqueous suspension of 8 g of support material in 100 mL of H.sub.2 O is<7.5 and that at least 60, preferably at least 70% of the exchangeable mono- and/or divalent cations are exchanged by cations acting as Lewis acids, preferably Al.sup.3 + cations.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of novel titanium silicate molecular sieves with modified properties such as adsorption, ion-exchange and catalytic behavior by selective extraction of framework titanium atoms after synthesis of the sieves.

Abstract: A catalyst system and a process for converting a hydrocarbon stream such as, for example, a C.sub.9 +aromatic compound to C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylenes are disclosed. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst composition and a second catalyst composition wherein said catalyst system is not a physical mixture of said first catalyst composition and said second catalyst composition, said first catalyst is a metal-promoted, alumina- or silica-bound beta zeolite, and said second catalyst composition is a ZSM-5 zeolite having incorporated therein an activity promoter selected from the group consisting of silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and combinations of two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon stream with the catalyst system under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a the hydrocarbon to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Catalysts comprisingA) a rare earth alkoxide, a rare earth carboxylate and/or a rare earth coordination compound with diketones,B) an alumoxane andC) an inert, particulate, inorganic solid with a specific surface area of greater than 10 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume of 0.3 to 15 ml/gare excellently suited to the polymerisation of conjugated dienes, in particular butadiene, in the gas phase.

Abstract: Compacts produced from a pyrogenically produced oxide, magnesium stearate, methyl cellulose and urea are mixed together in the presence of water, compacted, dried, comminuted to a powder, and the powder is pressed with an isostatic press to compacts and the compacts tempered. The resulting compacts have an outside diameter of 16 to 100 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocracking catalyst containing at least one hydrogenation metal component, and particles of a cracking component of which at least 50% of the outer surface is coated with a layer of a pre-formed oxide, which layer has a thickness in the range of 10 nm to 5 .mu.m. The cracking component is either a zeolitic cracking component or an amorphous cracking component or a mixture of both. The particles may be coated with oxide by contacting uncoated particles having a mean particle size in the range of 0.1 to 10 .mu.m with an aqueous medium containing particles of the oxide to be provided as the coating having a particle size in the range of 10-5000 nm, with the ratio between the oxide particle size and the mean particle size of the cracking component particles being in the range of 0.001:1 to 0.5:1. The coating oxide is preferably alumina or silica/alumina.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic crystalline material and its use in catalytic conversion of organic compounds and as a sorbent. The crystalline material contains one or more microporous crystalline phases, having a micropore volume greater than or equal to about 0.15 cc/g distributed in channels between about 3 to about 15 .ANG. in average diameter which is rendered accessible by a mesopore volume of greater than or equal to about 0.1 cc/g distributed in channels between about 20 to about 100 .ANG. in average diameter. A process is also provided for preparing the crystalline material of the present invention.

Abstract: An adsorbent for selective removal of nitrile from a hydrocarbon feedstock includes a substantially homogeneous mixture of a cationic nonacidic zeolite and an inorganic oxide matrix, the zeolite having an accessibility index of between about 0.1 to about 0.4, and the adsorbent being capable, when contacted with a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nitrile and containing dienes in an amount of at least about 1.0% by volume, of adsorbing at least about 80% of the nitrile during contact with at least about 200 volumes of the feedstock per volume of adsorbent.

Abstract: A porous clay heterostructure of a 2:1 layered silicate prepared by a gallery templated synthesis method is described. The method uses an inorganic oxide, a neutral amine surf surfactant and a quaternary onium ion surfactant in the galleries of the 2:1 layered silicate. The structure is then calcined to remove the surfactants which act as a template to produce the porous clay heterostructure. The structure is useful for cracking catalysts, molecular sieves and adsorbents.

Abstract: A high silica zeolite (UTD-1) using bis(pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt(III) hydroxide, Cp*.sub.2 CoOH is disclosed. UTD-1 is a large pore molecular sieve having one dimensional channels running in parallel. The synthesis and characterization of silicates incorporating titanium, vanadium, aluminum or boron in the silicate framework is described. Calcined Ti-UTD-1 containing cobalt oxide and the cobalt free molecular sieves are shown to be effective oxidation catalysts. Oxidation of alkanes with hydrogen peroxide and t-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) and the room temperature oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid are demonstrated.

Abstract: A catalytic composition is described for the alkylation or transalkylation of aromatic compounds consisting of zeolite Beta, as such or modified by the isomorphic substitution of aluminium with boron, iron or gallium or by the introduction of alkaline/earth-alkaline metals following ion exchange processes, and of an inorganic ligand, wherein the extrazeolite porosity, i.e. the porosity obtained by adding the mesoporosity and macroporosity fractions present in the catalytic composition itself, is such as to be composed for a fraction of at least 25% of pores with a radius higher than 100 .ANG..

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of catalysts or catalyst additives by kneading and/or grinding, spray-drying and heat-treating a suspension containing a catalytically active component as well as aluminum hydroxide and/or one or more aluminum hydroxy compound(s) and other binding agent(s) and optionally kaolin(ite), which comprises using one or more aluminum-containing silicic acid modification(s) of formula (I),H.sub.4+y-z ?(SiO.sub.4/2).sub.x-y (AlO.sub.4/2).sub.y (SiO.sub.3/2 O).sub.4-z (AlO.sub.3/2).sub.z !, (I)wherein y is less than 1; z is less than 1; and x is 0, 4, 10, or 16 to 18, instead of the kaolin(ite) or a part thereof to be used as filling material. The process and the catalysts or catalyst additives render it possible to increase the butene fraction of cracked products.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a clay belonging to the family of smectites, containing multi-metal pillars, together with a process which uses such a catalyst for the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons by means of long chain linear olefins. The resulting alkyl-aromatic compounds are useful for preparing biodegradable synthetic detergents.

Abstract: High performance activated clays suitable for bleaching oil are produced by mixing a clay mineral with a metal salt that is a Lewis acid. Mixtures of such metal salts can be used as well.

Abstract: The invention concerns new oxidation catalysts, methods of producing them and their use. These catalysts consist of titanium silicalites crystallized in situ onto activated charcoal or metal oxides. The titanium silicalite content lies preferably in the range of 30 to 60% by wt. The atomic ratio of Si to Ti in the carrier-borne phase is 10 to 100. Such catalysts are particularly suitable for oxidation reactions with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 under mild conditions, such as temperatures of 20.degree. to 120.degree. C. and pressures equal to or higher than atmospheric.

Abstract: A zeolite polycondensation catalyst comprising an alkali- or alkaline earth metal aluminum silicate zeolite having an original water content of 12 to 30 weight % and a solubility, measured at 260.degree. C., in an esterification mixture consisting essentially of bis(hydroxy ethylene)terephthalate, of over 8.0 weight %, and an average particle size of less than 1.0.mu.. The present invention is also a process for the production of polyester using this catalyst.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalytic molecular sieve for enhanced shape selective hydrocarbon conversions in which a catalytic molecular sieve is modified by being exposed to at least one ex situ selectivation sequence, each sequence including an impregnation of the molecular sieve with a selectivating agent in an aqueous emulsion and a subsequent calcination of the impregnated molecular sieve. The selectivating agent compositions for the ex situ selectivation method are also described, including the selectivating agents, the surfactants, and the aqueous components. Also, a method for moderate steaming of the ex situ selectivated molecular sieve. Also a method for in situ trim-selectivating the ex situ selectivated catalytic molecular sieve. Also described is the modified catalytic molecular sieve modified by this method.

Abstract: A porous clay heterostructure of a 2:1 layered silicate prepared by a gallery templated synthesis method is described. The method uses an inorganic oxide, a neutral amine surfactant and a quaternary onium ion surfactant in the galleries of the 2:1 layered silicate. The structure is then calcined to remove the surfactants which act as a template to produce the porous clay heterostructure. The structure is useful for cracking catalysts, molecular sieves and adsorbents.

Abstract: A honeycomb structural body is obtained by mixing 60.about.80 wt % of aggregate, which does not show a transformation of crystal structures substantially up to 500.degree. C., and 20.about.40 wt % of clay to obtain a mixture, adding phosphate as a hardening agent to the mixture in such a manner that more than 2.0 wt % of phosphoric acid exists therein with respect to 100 wt % of the mixture, adding a forming agent and a water to the mixture to obtain a formable batch, extruding the batch into a honeycomb structure to obtain a honeycomb structural formed body, drying the honeycomb structural formed body, and subjecting the honeycomb structural formed body to a heat treatment in 300.degree..about.500.degree. C. The thus obtained honeycomb structural body has excellent catalyst carrying property and fireproof property, which are used as a catalyst carrier for ozone dissolving, deodorizing and so on in an inexpensive manner.

Abstract: A catalyst composition which comprises a crystalline metallosilicate having the structure of zeolite Beta, phosphorus and a matrix that is substantially free of crystalline aluminum phosphate which has improved resistance to steam deactivation and which has higher cracking activity than analogous catalysts prepared without phosphorus. The crystalline metallosilicate may be used in the as-synthesized form or in the calcined form. Also included is the method to produce the catalyst composition and methods for the use of catalysts prepared by the present method in organic conversion processes. Specific embodiments of the invention involve various techniques for preparation of catalysts containing phosphorus and crystalline metallosilicates having the structure of zeolite Beta. Catalysts prepared according to the method of this invention are useful for organic compound, e.g., hydrocarbon compound, conversion processes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing an ex situ selectivated catalytic molecular sieve for shape selective aromatic alkylation in which a catalytic molecular sieve having a reduced activity is modified by being exposed to at least two selectivation sequences, each sequence includes contacting the molecular sieve with a selectivating agent and subsequently calcining the contacted molecular sieve. The present invention is also a method of producing an ex situ selectivated catalytic molecular sieve for shape selective aromatic alkylation in which a catalytic molecular sieve is modified by being exposed to at least two selectivation sequences and then reduced in activity. The ex situ selectivated catalytic molecular sieves may optionally be further modified by in situ trim selectivation. The present invention is also a process for shape selective aromatic alkylation utilizing the modified molecular sieves.

Abstract: Crystalline silicate compositions having unique combinations of framework-confined uniform mesopores and textural mesopores and to a method for their preparation. The compositions typically possess a small particle size of .ltoreq.400 .ANG., a ratio of textural to framework-confined mesoporosity of 0.2 or greater, and a novel ability to discriminate, to adsorb, and with a metal element in the mesopores, to catalytically transform large organic molecules. The method for the formation of the mesoporous structure is accomplished by hydrogen bonding between a non-ionic amine template and a non-ionic inorganic oxide precursor followed by hydrolysis and crosslinking under mild reaction conditions. The templated products of this invention are preferably obtained using water as a hydrolyzing reagent and an alcohol as a co-solvent. The framework-confined uniform mesopore size can be expanded without the use of an auxiliary organic (pore expanding agent).

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic fuel composition capable of reducing pollutants in the combustion gasses generated upon combustion of the same. A catalytic material is combined with a liquid, petroleum-based fuel, mixed and solid particles are separated out to give the catalytic fuel product. The catalytic material predominantly comprises a plagioclase feldspar belonging mainly to the albite-anorthite series, and contains small amount of mica, kaolinite and serpentine, and optionally contains magnetite. An alloy material is also disclosed, comprising a mixture of the above-described catalytic material and a metal. The alloy material exhibits unique properties relative to the metal component alone, such as increased tensile strength, improved heat resistance, improved acid resistance, improved corrosion resistance, as well as exhibiting unusual conductive properties.

Abstract: There is provided zeolite catalyst, which is first selectivated with a siliceous material and then treated with an aqueous solution comprising ammonium or organoammonium ions under ion exchange conditions.

Abstract: A process for shape selective hydrocarbon conversion involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedsteam under conversion conditions with a modified catalytic molecular sieve which has been modified by being pre-selectivated with a first silicon source, then steamed. The feedstream may also contain a second silicon source which is a high efficiency para-xylene selectivating agent. The method for modifying the molecular sieve is also described.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for Shape Selective Hydrocarbon Conversions such as the regioselective disproportionation of toluene to para-xylene wherein hydrocarbon to be converted is passed over a catalytic molecular sieve which is trim selectivated with a reaction stream comprising toluene and a silicon-containing high efficiency p-xylene selectivating agent under toluene conversion conditions. The toluene disproportionation process attains a single-pass para-xylene product over 95% coupled with a toluene conversion of at least 15%. The present invention also includes the highly para-selective catalyst which results from the treatment of a catalytic molecular sieve with a high efficiency p-xylene selectivating agent under the recited conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a zeolite catalyst, which is first selectivated with a siliceous material and then washed with a liquid. The washing step may comprise slurrying the catalyst in water and recovering the washed catalyst by filtration.

Abstract: There is provided a zeolite catalyst, which is first selectivated with a siliceous material and then treated with an aqueous solution comprising a dealuminizing agent such as an acid or a chelating agent.

Abstract: A process for shape selective hydrocarbon conversion involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream under conversion conditions with a catalytic molecular sieve which has been modified by treatment with an amino silane polymer while molecular sieve acid sites are protected. When the process is toluene disproportionation, a toluene feedstream may also contain a second silicon source which is a high p-xylene selectivating agent. The invention also includes the modification method and the shape selective catalyst which results from the modification.

Abstract: A catalyst includes or consists essentially of the oxides of silicon, aluminum and titanium, characterized in that the catalyst particles are built up from a core with the composition (SiO.sub.2).sub.y (AlO.sub.2).sub.y M.sub.y, wherein x/y=10 to .infin. and M=H, Na, K, NH.sub.4, or NR.sub.4, wherein R is a C.sub.1-8 -alkyl, and a shell with the composition (SiO.sub.2).sub.n (TiO.sub.2).sub.m, wherein n/m=12 to 1000. Both the core and the shell have a crystal structure of MFI or MEL. The catalyst can be prepared by preparing a synthesis gel for the preparation of a titanium silicalite, thereafter introducing an aluminosilicate of the MFI or MEL structural type into this synthesis gel, and working up the synthesis gel in a known manner to obtain the product.

Abstract: A desiccant cooling apparatus and process using a solid adsorbent and refrigerant wherein the solid adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of zeolite Y-85, a low cerium rare earth exchanged Y-84 and a rare earth exchanged LZ-210, and the adsorbent is bonded directly to the heat exchange tubes within the device by a novel slip coating process resulted in significant improvements in thermal efficiency and overall performance.

Abstract: Silicon-containing species which evolve from the calcination of silicone treated catalysts may be removed by the use of an alumina-containing guard bed. The method is particularly useful for the production of silicone treated ZSM-5 catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making novel catalysts, catalyst supports, and adsorbers comprising synthetic hydrotalcite-like binders, having a sheet-like morphology and a sheet broadness to thickness ratio of at least 50 and a formula Mg.sub.1-x Al.sub.x (OH).sub.2.xA.sup.-. mH.sub.2 O where A.sup.- is a mono carboxylic anion of the form RCOO.sup.- where R is C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 and n=0-5, and x and m are numbers satisfying the following conditions:0.2<=x<=0.40.0<=m<=4This hydrotalcite-like material is combined with an inorganic material to form shapes which have good mechanical strength. The process includes starting with a synthesis mixture having magnesium (divalent cation) to aluminum (trivalent cation) molar ratio between 1:1 and 10:1, mono carboxylic anion to aluminum (trivalent cation) molar ratio between 0.1:1 to 1.2:1 and optionally added other anions.

Abstract: Novel fluoride containing substituted smectite clays are disclosed as well as their preparation and uses. The clay has the formulaA.sub.x (M.sub.y M'.sub.4--y)(Si.sub.8--x M.sub.t M'.sub.v)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4--u F.sub.uwhere A is a cation, M and M' are metals having a +3 oxidation state, each selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, iron and chromium, x is the moles of A, y is the moles of M, t and v are the moles of M and M' in the tetrahedral layer and t+v=x and u is the moles of F. The clay composition may be used as is or after pillaring to catalyze hydrocarbon conversion processes such as alkylation.

Abstract: A body made of activated carbon particles bonded together with a clay binder which can be attapulgite and/or sepiolite, and a plasticizing organic binder. The organic binder is more typically cellulose ether and/or cellulose ether derivative at a level of about 2 to 12 wt. % and the clay about 2% to about 30 wt % based on the carbon and clay. A method for making the body involves forming an aqueous mixture composed of the clay, organic binder and carbon, forming the mixture into a body, and drying the formed body.