Process for producing low density gel compositions

US6172120A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Cabot Corporation · US

Inventors

• Douglas M. Smith · Albuquerque, US
• William C. Ackerman · Albuquerque, US
• Stephen Wallace · Albuquerque, US
• Elsbeth R. Lokey · Albuquerque, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 1997
• Grant date: Jan 9, 2001
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J13/0091
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Processes for producing gel compositions comprising: esterifying a portion of the surface of a gel composition sufficient to produce a gel composition having a rod density of less than or equal to 0.15 g/cc, and/or a tap density of less than or equal to 0.2 g/cc through contact with at least one esterification agent and at least one catalyst. The processes may be utilized to produce low density gel compositions without the need for a supercritical drying step or thermal treatment.