Method of processing nepheline syenite powder to produce an ultra-fine grain size product

US8070080B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Unimin Corporation · US

Inventors

• Louis M. Schlesinger · Spruce Pine, US
• Mauricio Duran Sanchez · Monterrey, MX
• Gerardo Hernandez Gonzalez · San Nicolás de los Garza, MX
• Artemio Gonzalez Acevedo · San Nicolás de los Garza, MX

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 5, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2011
• Expiry date: Jan 5, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2982
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The method of converting nepheline syenite particulate feedstock with a grain size profile to an ultra-fine grain finish product for subsequent commercial use, the ultra-fine grain final product has a maximum grain size of less than about 6 microns. The method comprising: providing a dry feedstock with a controlled maximum particle size greater than about 20 microns; grinding the feedstock in a dry state by passing the feedstock vertically downward through a continuous, high-speed stirred ball mill whereby the feedstock is ground into an intermediate powder having a drastically reduced grain size profile than the grain size profile of the feedstock; and passing the intermediate powder from the mill through an air classifier using a rapidly moving high speed air stream moving along a given path to convey the ultra-fine grain product along the path and from the classifier and to allow coarse particulate material including particles larger than the ultra-fine product to be separated and then expelled from the classifier.