Imerys Pigments, Inc.

Imerys Rio Capim Caulim, S.a.

Ernest Gay

Robert J Pruett

Christopher R L Golley

David Leslie Light

Jose Messias

Sayre Mender

Milton Constantin

Christopher R Golley

David L Light

Disclosed herein are granulated kaolin compositions exhibiting at least one of improved material handling properties, low dusting during transit, easy make-down into mineral-water slurries, and requiring less energy to produce than spray dried kaolin products. The granulated kaolin compositions may, in one embodiment, be characterized by a moisture content ranging from about 12% to about 23% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the granulated kaolin compositions may have an average granule size of greater than about 10 mesh. Also disclosed herein are granulated kaolin compositions having a moisture content ranging from about 12% to about 23% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition is friable when subjected to a shear force. Further disclosed herein is a method for producing granulated kaolin compositions comprising mixing at least one kaolin slurry with at least one predispersed spray dried kaolin and agglomerating the resulting mixture. Still further disclosed herein is a system for producing granulated kaolin compositions comprising a first zone for mixing at least one kaolin slurry with at least one predispersed spray dried kaolin and a second zone for agglomerating the resulting mixture.

Granulated kaolin compositions and processes for their production

A pigment product for use in a coating composition to provide a gloss coating on paper, the pigment product comprising a processed particulate kaolin having a particle size distribution such that at least about 80% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter less than about 2 p,m and in the range of from about 10% to about 20% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter less than about 0.25 wm, the particles have a shape factor in the range of from about 20 to about 36 and the particles have a particle steepness in the range of about greater than about 35, more preferably in the range of about 35 to about 40, and wherein the kaolin is derived from a secondary kaolin source.

Kaolin pigment products

Growing community of inventors

Macon, GA, United States of America

Ernest Gay