Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for making a refractory article, the process comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a particulate refractory mixture by: (I) obtaining coal combustion fly ash having a bimodal particle size distribution such that: (i) the smaller peak is in the range of from greater than 32μm to 75μm; and (ii) the larger peak is in the range of from greater than 90μm to 250μm; and (II) contacting the coal combustion fly ash with binder and/or water, wherein the particulate refractory mixture comprises: (i) from 90wt% to 99wt% coal combustion fly ash (I); and (ii) from 1wt% to 10wt% binder and/or water (II); (b) optionally, contacting the particulate refractory mixture to water; (c) pressing the particulate refractory mixture to form a green article; (d) optionally, subjecting the green article to an initial drying step; (e) subjecting the green article to a firing step in a kiln to form a hot article; and (f) cooling the hot article to form a refractory article.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for making a refractory article, the process comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a particulate refractory mixture by: (I) obtaining coal combustion fly ash having a particle size distribution such that at least 60wt% of the particles have a particle size of from greater than 90μm to less than 250μm; and (II) contacting the coal combustion fly ash with binder and/or water, wherein the particulate refractory mixture comprises: (i) from 90wt% to 99wt% coal combustion fly ash (I); and (ii) from 1wt% to 10wt% binder and/or water (II); (b) optionally, contacting the particulate refractory mixture to water; (c) pressing the particulate refractory mixture to form a green article; (d) optionally, subjecting the green article to an initial drying step; (e) subjecting the green article to a firing step in a kiln to form a hot article; and (f) cooling the hot article to form a refractory article.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a porous refractory article, wherein the article comprises greater than 90wt% coal combustion fly ash, wherein the coal combustion fly ash is in the form of an interconnected particulate lattice structure, and wherein greater than 50% by volume of the coal combustion fly ash particles within the particulate lattice structure have a particle size of greater than 150μm, wherein the article has: (a) an apparent porosity of from 30% to 50%, (b) a porosity such that the maximum pore size is less than 500μm; (c) a cold crushing strength of at least 4.0 MPa; and (d) a thermal conductivity of less than 1.5 W/(m•K).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a non-spray-dried, dry-granulated ceramic particulate mixture comprising at least 40wt% coal combustion fly ash and from 4wt% to 9wt% water, wherein at least 90wt% of the particles have a particle size of from 80µm to 600µm.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a non-spray-drying, dry-granulation process for making a ceramic particulate mixture comprising from 4wt% to 9wt% water, wherein at least 90wt% of the particles have a particle size of from 80μm to 600μm, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming a precursor material; (b) subjecting the precursor material to a compaction step to form a compacted precursor material; (c) subjecting the compacted precursor material to a crushing step to form a crushed precursor material; and (d) subjecting the crushed precursor material to at least two air classification steps, wherein one air classification step removes at least a portion of the particles having a particle size of greater than 600μm from the crushed precursor material, and wherein the other air classification step removes at least a portion of the particles having a particle size of less than 80pm from the crushed precursor material.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for making a sintered article, the process comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a particulate mixture; (b) contacting the particulate mixture to water to form a humidified mixture; (c) pressing the humidified mixture to form a green article; (d) optionally, subjecting the green article to an initial drying step; (e) subjecting the green article to a firing step in a kiln to form a hot fused article; and (f) cooling the hot fused article to form a sintered article, wherein the particulate mixture comprises: (i) at least 20wt% coarse coal combustion fly ash; and (ii) at least 30wt% clay, wherein the coarse coal combustion fly ash has a particle size in the range of from greater than 150μm to less than 250μm.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an uncoated homogeneous sintered article, wherein the article comprises: (a) at least 30wt% coal combustion fly ash; and (b) at least 30wt% clay, wherein the article has: (i) an Ra value of greater than 5.0μm; and (ii) a water absorption of less than 3.0wt%.
Abstract:
A method of producing percolated mullite in a body of material, the method including the step of heating the body of material, wherein the body of material has a composition that includes alumina and silica, and the weight ratio of alumina:silica is from approximately 10:90 to approximately 77:23. The percolated mullite produced extends continuously and/or substantially throughout the entire body of material.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process of forming ceramic articles that contain a high percentage of recycled alumina silicate in their composition. The fabrication process includes a fusing of the base material forming a reticulated network that is in- filled with a melted additive composition. The base material gives the article dimensional stability and strength while the additive composition gives the article water resistance and toughness. In this invention, an additive powder with an engineered melting temperature is added to the recycled base material. The mixture is heated until the recycled aluminosilicate reaches the optimal fusing temperature. Heating is continued until the additive begins to melt filling the voids between the fused aluminosilicates particles. The article is then rapidly cooled to quench the fusing without cracking. The resulting article has high strength due to the fused alumina silicate particles and low water absorbance and high density due to the melted additive component filling all the pores between the fused alumina silicate particles.
Abstract:
A fly ash composition including fly ash and a plasticising agent and being in a powder form is disclosed. The plasticising agent is capable of binding the fly ash particles in the fly ash composition together on pressing of the fly ash composition. Processes of forming shaped articles containing fly ash may utilise the fly ash composition and/or mixtures containing fly ash and have low water content and may exhibit sufficient green strength to be handled by industrial equipment.