Aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may be improved by the addition of opacifiers to reduce the radiative component of heat transfer. Such aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may also be treated to impart or improve hydrophobicity. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.

Aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may be improved by the addition of opacifiers to reduce the radiative component of heat transfer. Such aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may also be treated to impart or improve hydrophobicity. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.

A powder pulverization device is provided. The device includes a hermetically sealed pulverization container, a powder introduction mechanism having an introduction inlet opened inwardly to the pulverization container, and introducing powder to be pulverized to the introduction inlet, a powder pulverization mechanism disposed at a portion below the introduction inlet in the pulverization container, and a classification device disposed at a portion above the introduction inlet in the pulverization container for screening pulverized powder and leading the screened powder out from the pulverization container. An inner wall of the pulverization container is covered with a porous lining material and each hole of the lining material communicates with an air supply via a gap between the inner wall and the lining material.

A powder pulverization device is provided. The device includes a hermetically sealed pulverization container, a powder introduction mechanism having an introduction inlet opened inwardly to the pulverization container, and introducing powder to be pulverized to the introduction inlet, a powder pulverization mechanism disposed at a portion below the introduction inlet in the pulverization container, and a classification device disposed at a portion above the introduction inlet in the pulverization container for screening pulverized powder and leading the screened powder out from the pulverization container. An inner wall of the pulverization container is covered with a porous lining material and each hole of the lining material communicates with an air supply via a gap between the inner wall and the lining material.

The present invention relates to a mechanochemically carbonated magnesium silicate which has a BET surface area within the range of 20 to 100 m.sup.2/g, preferably 30 to 80 m.sup.2/g, more preferably 40 to 70 m.sup.2/g, most preferably 45 to 65 m.sup.2/g and/or an amorphous content as determined by XRD of at least 30 wt. %, preferably at least 40 wt. %, more preferably at least 50 wt. %, even more preferably at least 60 wt. % a CO.sub.2 content of at least 3 wt. %. The invention further relates to methods of its production and uses thereof, for example as a filler in polymers. The compositions comprising the mechanochemically carbonated magnesium silicate and a polymer (such as a polyolefin) provide the benefits of being a CO.sub.2 negative material having excellent functional properties which can be used for a variety of purposes, for example as a component of clothing or apparel, or as a component of backpacks such as a buckle.

Cement and concrete compositions are produced via metal hydroxides and metal oxides isolated from aqueous sources such as seawater or wastewater. Aqueous solutions are electrolyzed to produce an alkaline component stream having an elevated pH, which when mixed with mineralized seawater causes metal ions dissolved therein to precipitate out in the form of metal hydroxides such as Mg(OH).sub.2 and Ca(OH).sub.2. These metal hydroxide products are then utilized as feedstocks for production of cement and concrete structural elements, or are converted to metal oxides suitable for the same purpose. The hydroxide products are then subjected to pressure and prolonged exposure to carbon dioxide to accelerate carbonation of the hydrated product. The resulting carbonates exhibit sufficient compressive strength for use in making structural components for construction, while reducing or eliminating the carbon footprint associated with traditional methods of cement and concrete manufacturing. Excess demineralized alkaline component can be recycled for additional electrolysis, or returned to a neutral pH for use in water desalination processes or even returned to the environment.

Method for preparing lithium concentrate from natural lithium-bearing brines was developed. The brine is first subjected to purification from the suspended solids, then filtered through a static layer of the granulated sorbent based on the LiCl-2Al(OH)3-mH20, where m=3-5, to obtain primary lithium concentrate. The process is carried out in sorption-desorption units consisting of 4 columns, two of which are in the process of lithium chloride from the brine, one column is in the process of washing the sorbent saturated with lithium chloride from the brine, and one column is in the process of lithium chloride desorption. Primary lithium concentrate is converted to a secondary lithium concentrate by concentration in evaporative pools or reverse-osmotic concentration-desalination. Secondary lithium concentrate is used for further production of lithium chloride or lithium carbonate. Invention increases recovery of lithium chloride during sorption enrichment of natural lithium brines, improves the quality of lithium chloride and lithium carbonate obtained, widens the range of lithium-bearing hydromineral raw materials suitable for the production of lithium compounds, by using lithium-bearing natural brines containing suspended particles.

Aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may be improved by the addition of opacifiers to reduce the radiative component of heat transfer. Such aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may also be treated to impart or improve hydrophobicity. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.

Aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may be improved by the addition of opacifiers to reduce the radiative component of heat transfer. Such aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may also be treated to impart or improve hydrophobicity. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.

Divalent ions are extracted from solids by leaching to form a divalent ion-containing solution. The divalent ion-containing solution is subjected to concentration to form a concentrated divalent ion-containing solution. Precipitation of a divalent ion hydroxide salt is induced from the concentrated divalent ion-containing solution. In other cases, the concentrated divalent ion-containing solution is exposed to carbon dioxide to induce precipitation of a divalent ion carbonate salt.