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Kilt, LLC

Larry W Shipley

Flavio Ernesto Ribeiro

Leo Gingras

Porous amorphous silica can be obtained from siliceous plant matter containing non-siliceous inorganic substances. The siliceous plant matter is soaked in an aqueous solution which includes a chelating agent. The chelating agent is present in an amount which helps to extract at least some of the non-siliceous inorganic matter. The aqueous solution is then separated from the siliceous plant matter. Beneficial properties are imparted to the siliceous plant matter by controlling the amount of at least one preselected non-siliceous inorganic substance in the siliceous plant matter. At the end of the process, the siliceous plant matter is heat treated in the presence of oxygen at a temperature to produce the resulting amorphous silica having the beneficial properties.

Method for controlling the properties of biogenic silica

In the process disclosed herein, siliceous plant matter is steeped in water, soaked in an aqueous solution containing a solute which solubilizes inorganic oxides, soaked in an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing solute, rinsed, dried and thermally pyrolyzed to produce amorphous silica with of low carbon content, low water content, low inorganic impurity content and is of high porosity. Practice of the invention yields usable energy, does not produce carbonization of the atmosphere and is of lower nitrogen oxide and sulphur emission than currently used processes. By varying steps of the process herein disclosed, the carbon content, inorganic impurities and porosity of the resulting amorphous silica may be selectively controlled.

Process for recovering useful products and energy from siliceous plant matter

In the process disclosed herein, siliceous plant matter is steeped in water, soaked in an aqueous solution containing a solute which solubilizes inorganic oxides, soaked in an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing solute, rinsed, dried and thermally pyrolyzed to produce amorphous silica with of low carbon content, low water content, low inorganic impurity content and is of high porosity. Practice of the invention yields usable energy, does not produce carbonization of the atmosphere and is of lower nitrogen oxide and sulphur emission than currently used processes. Lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose derived sugars may be recovered from the steep or soak water. By varying steps of the process herein disclosed, the carbon content, inorganic impurities and porosity of the resulting amorphous silica may be selectively controlled.

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Fairbury, NE, United States of America

Larry W Shipley