Abstract:
Spheroidal alumina particulates having bifold porosity are prepared by (i) intimately admixing, at a pH of less than about 7.5, (a) a sol of a member selected from the group consisting of ultrafine boehmite and pseudo-boehmite, said sol being devoid of amorphous alumina and the concentration by weight thereof, in content by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, being between 5 and 25%, with (b) from 30 to 95% by weight, based upon the total solids content of the admixture, of spheroidal alumina particulates essentially completely in at least one of the phases eta, gamma, delta and theta, such particulates having a micropore volume ranging from about 0.4 to 1 cm.sup.3 /g, a specific surface ranging from about 100 to 350 m.sup.2 /g, and particle diameters ranging from about 1 to 50 microns; (ii) prilling said intimate admixture into spheroidal particulates and gelling the same; and then, (iii) recovering, drying and calcining said gelled particulates at a temperature of from 550.degree. to 1100.degree. C.The resultant particulates having bifold porosity are useful as catalysts or catalyst supports.
Abstract:
A process for the production of spherical silica gel which comprises emulsifying water glass in a dispersion medium composed of a polar solvent and a non-polar solvent and gelling the water glass while maintaining it in emulsified state.
Abstract:
Spherical particulates containing inorganic material are produced by forming a slurry of particles in an aqueous solution of a gellable organic binder, introducing droplets of the slurry into a two-phase liquid containing an upper hydrophobic phase for forming and maintaining the droplets in spherical form, and a lower ionic phase containing divalent or trivalent metal cations for promoting gellation of the organic binder, thereby converting the slurry droplets into substantially self-supporting spheres of particles dispersed in the gelled binder. Upon separation from the two-phase liquid and one or more optional heat treatments to remove the binder, to convert precursors into the desired final inorganic form, or to strengthen or densify the spheres, such spheres are useful, for example, as starting materials for single crystal growth from a melt.
Abstract:
A mixed oxide fuel of uranium dioxide and plutonium dioxide is in the form of mixed oxide particles with a diameter of 0.2 to 2 mm. A surface layer of the particles consists of UO.sub.2 with a plutonium content per unit of volume of at most 15 per cent of the average plutonium content per unit of volume of the particle. The particles are formed by extrusion through a concentric nozzle. A water emulsion of uranium dioxide is first pumped through the inner nozzle, after which a water emulsion of plutonium dioxide is pumped through the outer nozzle. Thereafter a water emulsion of uranium dioxide is pumped through the outer nozzle to surround the plutonium dioxide layer and then water emulsion of uranium dioxide is pumped through the first nozzle to complete the enclosure of the plutonium dioxide.
Abstract:
An apparatus for producing spherical uranium dioxide nuclear fuel particlesaving diameters of the order of several hundred microns comprises a source of an aqueous solution of uranyl nitrate, urea and hexamethylenetetramine, a container of a hot organic liquid, i.e. paraffin in which water is insoluble, and a droplet-forming dispenser connected between the source and the container. The dispenser has a constricted nozzle disposed above the free surface of the hot liquid and a piston displaceable in the passage leading thereto by a crank mechanism imparting periodic movement to the piston. The piston has a conical tip which cooperates with a seat along the passage having a larger flow cross-section than the nozzle orifice.
Abstract:
In the preparation of microspheres of nuclear fuel by feeding droplets of an aqueous solution of a salt of a metal constituting the nuclear fuel that is precipitated by a basic medium and a resin that increases in viscosity in the presence of an alkali into an aqueous alkaline solution so that spheroids are formed therefrom which are then dried and calcined, the geometrical properties of those spheroids are controlled by thermostating the feed solution so that the droplets which are fed into the alkaline solution have a predetermined temperature.
Abstract:
A method of preparing spheroidal refractory inorganic oxide particles characterized by low bulk density in combination with high micropore volume is disclosed. The particles, especially low bulk density - high micropore volume alumina particles, are useful as a support or carrier material for catalytically active materials to yield an improved hydrocarbon conversion catalyst.
Abstract:
Apparatus is described for producing microspherical particles. Also described is a method for operating said apparatus. A droplet generator dispenses uniform spherical droplets into a gelling column which is sealed at both ends to prevent entry of air thereinto. A gelling liquid and a gelling gas are provided in the column, and a further gas, which is of a density lower than that of the gelling gas, is introduced to the region above the gelling gas. At the interface between the gelling gas and the further gas, the gases are withdrawn from the gelling column.
Abstract:
A method of producing ball-shaped metallic oxide or metallic carbide particles which includes the steps of introducing an aqueous solution of a metallic nitrate or metallic chloride or a mixture or a colloidal solution of such metallic nitrates or chlorides dropwise into an organic phase in a column which comprises a lower phase of an aqueous ammonia solution and an upper phase of a ketone or mixture of ketones.
Abstract:
Plasticized polyvinyl chloride particles are prepared by dispersing a plasticol in an agitated liquid medium immiscible therewith maintained at about 100*-140*F. The liquid medium is agitated so that the plastisol is dispersed as small droplets of essentially spherical form having a particle size not exceeding about 0.03 inch. The liquid medium is then heated to a temperature above about 150*F, e.g., up to about 350*F but advantageously to a temperature up to the boiling point of the liquid medium, to achieve gelation of the plastisol droplets, which are then separated from the liquid medium. The resulting plasticized particles are of essentially spherical form and have an advantageously narrow particle size distribution range. The particles are essentially dust free and have highly desirable free flowing characteristics. Blends of two or more plastisol compositions, e.g., of different color, can readily be obtained.