Imerys Pigments, Inc.

Ecc International Limited

Jun Yuan

Michael J. Garska

Robert J. Pruett

Philip J. E. Jones

David O. Cummings

Bomi M. Bilimoria

Robin Wesley

Michael J Garska

Robert J Pruett

Bomi M Bilimoria

David O Cummings

J Philip E Jones

Christopher R L Golley

William L Garforth

Dona L Archer

Johnny W Larimore

H Vince Brown

Ismail Yildirum

Juan Yuan

Philip J E Jones

Philip J Jones

Disclosed herein are stabilized kaolin slurries comprising a kaolin comprising no more than about 80% by weight of particles having an equivalent spherical diameter of less than 2 microns and at least one stabilizer, wherein the stabilized kaolin slurry has a 28-day pour test result of at least about 80% poured. Also disclosed are methods of making such stabilized kaolin slurries.

Stabilized kaolin slurry and methods for improving kaolin slurry stability

The Rio Capim Kaolin deposit contains a lower bed of soft kaolin clay that averages 10 meters thick, and an upper bed of 'hard' kaolin ('RCC hard kaolin') that may be as thick as 6 to 8 meters. Due to their high impurity content fine particle size, cementetious nature, and high degree of particle aggregation, hard kaolins are difficult to process. Disclosed herein are compositions comprising kaolin having a particle size distribution such that at least about 90% of the kaolin has a particle size of less than 1 micron and a GE brightness of at least about 91, where the kaolin may be derived from a crude kaolin having a FeOcontent of at least about 1.0% by weight, and optionally comprises titania in an amount of at least about 1.5% by weight. Also disclosed herein are methods of refining the hard kaolins, such as RCC hard kaolins, by dispersing the kaolin with at least one anionic organic dispersant and at least one inorganic dispersant. Also disclosed are compositions comprising an aqueous kaolin slurry comprising the hard kaolin, such as an RCC hard kaolin, at least one anionic organic dispersant, and at least one inorganic dispersant. Also disclosed are products containing the refined kaolin, such as paints, paper coatings, and plastics.

Method for separating mixture of finely divided minerals

The present invention relates to a hydrous kaolin product having improved optical properties, for example, when used in the production of paper products. The present invention comprises an improved barrier coating for paper and a method of making the coated paper. The present invention also comprises an improved method from making filled and coated paper products. The present invention uses a composition comprising kaolin having a shape factor of at least about 70:1, such as at least about 80:1 or at least about 100:1.

Hyperplaty clays and their use in paper coating and filling, methods for making same, and paper products having improved brightness

The present invention provides an improved method of beneficiating and dewatering kaolin clays. The product of the improved process is a brightened, dewatered kaolin, suitable for use in pigments and paper coating compositions. The improved beneficiation process provides refined kaolin for pigments and other purposes of the same or better quality as prior art processes, but with the use of fewer steps and materials, at significant cost and environmental savings.

Integrated process for simultaneous beneficiation, leaching, and dewatering of kaolin clay suspension

A method of enhancing the brightness and increasing the yield of a kaolin clay by optimizing the removal of the titania and mica impurities in the clay and the amount of clay remaining in the slurry is disclosed. The method is a selective flocculation process wherein the clay is blunged, dispersed, and conditioned before flocculation. In the flocculation step, a high molecular weight anionic polymer and a low molecular weight anionic polymer, such as sodium polyacrylate, are added to the slurry after the conditioning process, whereby the titania-mica enriched flocs are separated from the suspension which is enriched with kaolin. This final kaolin product has titania levels ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%, a reduced mica level, a high usable product yield, and a brightness greater than 89.5 and at least 91.5.

Method for separating mixture of finely divided minerals and product

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Sandersville, GA, United States of America

Michael J Garska