Abstract:
Oxide microspheres having a diameter in the 0.5 to 20 micron range are produced by forming a mixture of urea or melamine and formaldehyde in an aqueous sol containing colloidal oxide particles. Copolymerization of the organic constituents produces coacervation of the organic material into microparticles containing the inorganic material. The organic constituent can be burned out to form a powder of uniform-sized porous microparticles consisting of an interconnected array of inorganic colloidal particles separated by uniform-sized pores.
Abstract:
A PROCESS FOR PREPARING GEL PARTICLES FROM AN AQUEOUS SOL BY FORMING THE SOL INTO DROPLETS IN A LIQUID SYSTEM WHEREIN THE LIQUID PHASE CONTAINS A LIQUID ORGANIC SOLVENT AND A BARRIER AGENT. THE BARRIER AGENT PREVENTS DEHYDRATION FROM OCCURRING TOO RAPIDLY AND PERMITS SURFACE TENSION EFFECTS TO FORM SOL DROPLETS INTO THE DESIRED SPHEROIDAL SHAPE. A PREFERRED BARRIER AGENT IS MINERAL OIL.
Abstract:
Apparatus for producing microspheres including a vertically mounted sol-gel feed tube having a lower microsphere formation needle immersed in an alcohol drying column, variable pump means for feeding sol-gel at a predetermined rate into the upper end of the feed tube, and drive means for vibrating the feed tube in a generally horizontal direction at a predetermined amplitude and frequency to produce microspheres from the formation needle of a uniform and predetermined size. An electromagnetic transducer drive for vibrating the feed tube is used in one illustrative embodiment of the invention, and an electric motor offset drive is used in another illustrative embodiment thereof. A feed tube having multiple microsphere formation needles at its lower end can be used for producing microspheres in quantity.
Abstract:
THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A POROUS REFRACTORY MATERIAL WHICH COMPRISES URANIUM OXIDE AND AN OXIDE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THE OXIDES OF THORIUM, PLUTOMIUM, BERYLLIUM, SILICON, ALUMINUM AND MAGNESIUM, WHICH PROCESS COMPRISES HEATING THE REFACTORY MATERIAL IN AN INERT OR OXIDIZING ATMSOPHERE, REPLACING THE INERT OR OXIDIZING ATMOSPHERE BY A REDUCING ATMOSPHERE, FURTHER INCREASING THE EMPERATURE OF THE HEATED REFRACTORY MATERIAL TO PRODUCE A MATERIAL HAVING POROSITY OF FROM 2% TO 30%.
Abstract:
To a solution of a soluble salt of the relevant material or metals, e.g., iron, thorium, uranium, or aluminum, is added a polymeric organic compound, eg a polysaccharide such as dextran or carob gum, which renders the solution viscous and forms a complex with the metallic ions. The viscous solution is formed into a suitable physical configuration, eg drops, and contacted with a gaseous reagent to precipitate the metal or metals as insoluble compounds, eg iron can be precipitated by contacting with ammonia gas. The gaseous reagent employed moves relative to the viscous solution in said form of a suitable physical configuration. The organic compound may be driven off by heating and the precipitate reduced to metal if desired.
Abstract:
Low density alumina spheres of improved strength at high temperature are prepared by commingling an acidic alumina sol and an aqueous rare earth metal salt solution with an ammonia precursor at below gelation temperature and dispersing the mixture as droplets in a hot oil bath. The hydrogel spheres which form are aged, washed and dried, and calcined. Low density alumina spheres are useful as a catalyst or as a catalyst support, particularly in the conversion of hot exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine.
Abstract:
SPHERICAL ALUMINUM OXIDE GELS ARE MADE BY FEEDING DROPS OF A COAGULABLE AQUEOUS SLURRY OF HYDROUS ALUMINA INTO A COLUMN OF A WATER-IMMISCIBLE LIQUID, E.G., MINERAL OIL, WHICH CAN BE MAINTAINED AT CLOSE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. THE HYDROUS ALUMINA IS PREPARED BY HYDROLYSIS OF FINELY DIVIDED ALUMINUM HAVING A SURFACE AREA OF ABOUT 75,000 TO 1,000,000 SQUARE MILLIMETERS PER GRAM, AND THE HYDROLYSIS MEDIUM IS ACIDIC FROM THE PRESENCE OF A NONOXIDIZING ACID FOR INSTANCE, FORMIC ACID. THE HYDROUS ALUMINA FEED HAS A RATIO OF ALUMINA MONOHYDRATE TO AMOR-
PHOUS HYDROUS ALUMINA OF AT LEAST 0.5/1 AND THE ALUMINA MONOHYDRATE HAS A CRYSTALLINE SIZE OF LESS THAN 65 A. AMMONIA CAN BE ADDED TO THE COLUMN TO AID THE COAGULATION. OTHER SOLIDS, FOR INSTANCE, CALCINED ALUMINA, ALUMINA TRIHYDRATE, SILICA OR CARBON CAN BE INCORPORATED IN THE AQUEOUS SLURRY AS CAN ALUMINUM OXYUCHLORIDE. DRYING AND CALCINATION OF THE COAGULATED HYDROUS ALUMINA PROVIDES ADSORPTIVE SOLIDS WITH ADVANTAGEOUS CHARACTERISTIC WHEN USED, FOR INSTANCE, AS CATALYST COMPONENTS.