Abstract: The subject invention relates generally to friable metal oxide agglomerates and specifically to agglomerates containing high surface area rare earth-containing materials and a polymeric binder.

Abstract: Ion exchange resins in the base form, e.g., DOWEX MWA--1--OH ion exchange resin, which contain crystalline Al(OH).sub.3, e.g., gibbsite, and/or bayerite, and/or norstrandite, are treated with hot, concentrated LiX solutions (where X is anion) to prepare 3-layer crystalline LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 O in the resin.

Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.

Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.

Abstract: Crystalline 2-layer LiOH.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 O, preferably supported by a porous substrate, is prepared by treating crystalline 2-layer LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 O, where X is anion, with a LiOH solution or other hydroxide ion source. The so-formed crystalline 2-layer LiOH.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 O is particularly suitable for exchange of the OH ion with larger X' ions to produce other crystalline 2-layer LiX'.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 O.

Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.

Abstract: The bayerite form of crystalline alumina, Al(OH).sub.3, contained within a macroporous ion exchange resin is converted to the gibbsite form of Al(OH).sub.3 by reaction with hot MgX.sub.2, where X is halide, followed by water-washing the MgX.sub.2 portion from the product, thereby causing the conversion of bayerite to the gibbsite form of crystalline Al(OH).sub.3. The gibbsite form may then be reacted with hot LiX solution, where X is anion, to form crystalline 2-layer LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 O.