Patent · US Expired

Purified attapulgite clay

US6130179A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
9References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 1998
Grant dateOct 10, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 12, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC01B33/40
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for producing an attapulgite clay (Fuller's Earth) that significantly removes other types of clays and minerals, resulting in improved performance. A unique dispersant is used that will fully disperse the individual attapulgite particles in water such that the particles remain in suspension, and said dispersant will not fully disperse other clay and mineral species, which then can be easily separated through various techniques. The attapulgite clay may be recovered from the dispersion and dried in such a manner to produce a finely sized powder from ore, without the need for any grinding or milling operation. The dried attapulgite clay with adsorbed dispersant is redispersed in water and retain thixotropic properties.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.