Proppants from mineralogical material
US8959954B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/80
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for producing proppants from waste mineralogical material. The process can include providing the waste mineralogical material in a form such as particles, fines, dust, powders, and the like, and forming a plurality of “green” pellets from the waste mineralogical material. Thereafter, the plurality of green pellets are fed into a provided flame drop tower that has a combustion flame, a hot zone, and a collection basin located downstream from the hot zone. The plurality of green pellets pass through the hot zone, are melted and subsequently solidified in the shape of a sphere downstream from the hot zone to form vitrified glass spheres. In some instances, the vitrified glass spheres are subjected to a devitrification step.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.