초록 ▼

The disclosure describes methods for producing bulk, particulate material that includes solid, generally ellipsoidal particles. Irregularly shaped feed particles with average particle sizes of up to 25 microns on a volume basis are dispersed in at least a portion of a combustible gas mixture by appl

The disclosure describes methods for producing bulk, particulate material that includes solid, generally ellipsoidal particles. Irregularly shaped feed particles with average particle sizes of up to 25 microns on a volume basis are dispersed in at least a portion of a combustible gas mixture by application of force and/or fluidizing agents. The combustible mixture with particles in suspension is then delivered, while controlling agglomeration or re-agglomeration of the particles, to at least one flame front. There, the mixture and suspended particles are uniformly distributed across the surface(s) of and passed through the flame front(s) with a high concentration of particles in the mixture. This flame front and the resultant flame(s) with suspended particles are located in at least one "wall free" zone. In such zone(s) the flame(s) may expand while the particles are maintained in dispersion and heated, with controlled and highly efficient application of heating energy. At least partial fusion occurs within at least the surfaces of the particles at high thermal efficiencies, while agglomeration of particles during fusion is inhibited.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A composition of matter comprising solid particles wherein:A. at least a portion of said solid particles are generally ellipsoidal particles that are substantially glassy;B. at least a portion of said solid particles respectivelyconstitute product particles produced by

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A composition of matter comprising solid particles wherein:A. at least a portion of said solid particles are generally ellipsoidal particles that are substantially glassy;B. at least a portion of said solid particles respectivelyconstitute product particles produced by at least partial fusion of feed particles while they are flowing in suspension in hot combustion gases, said feed particles containing volatile material ranging in amount from about 1 to about 25% by weight based on the weight of the feed particles,are derived from, and have chemical compositions corresponding substantially with the chemical composition of, one or more silicas and/or silicates present in naturally occurring mineral deposits, except that the amount of volatile material in the product particles may differ from the volatile content of the corresponding naturally occurring mineral,have a Color Quest 457 nanometer brightness of at least about 60,have an average particle size by volume in the range of up to about 15 microns, andinclude at least about 1% of void volume, based on the volume of the product particles; andC. said composition of matter comprises about 15 to 100% by volume of said generally ellipsoidal particles that have said chemical compositions, based on the total volume of solid particles present in said composition of matter.