A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

A method for manufacturing a ceramic material for thermal energy storage, includes producing a mixture of at least particles of clay and particles of natural and/or synthetic phosphate, and water, the mixture comprising between 0.5% and 40% by weight of phosphate compared to the weight of the mixture with the exception of water, and shaping and firing of the mixture to obtain the ceramic material. A ceramic material for thermal energy storage includes: a matrix of clay and, if appropriate, sand, and particles of a natural and/or synthetic phosphate dispersed in the matrix, the ceramic material comprising between 0.5% and 40% by weight of phosphate compared to the weight of the ceramic material.

A method for storing thermal energy in the ceramic material includes: placing a heat transfer fluid in contact with the ceramic material, to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the ceramic material in a charge phase, and to transfer heat from the ceramic material to the heat transfer fluid in a discharge phase.

A method for manufacturing a ceramic material for thermal energy storage, includes producing a mixture of at least particles of clay and particles of natural and/or synthetic phosphate, and water, the mixture comprising between 0.5% and 40% by weight of phosphate compared to the weight of the mixture with the exception of water, and shaping and firing of the mixture to obtain the ceramic material. A ceramic material for thermal energy storage includes: a matrix of clay and, if appropriate, sand, and particles of a natural and/or synthetic phosphate dispersed in the matrix, the ceramic material comprising between 0.5% and 40% by weight of phosphate compared to the weight of the ceramic material.

A method for storing thermal energy in the ceramic material includes: placing a heat transfer fluid in contact with the ceramic material, to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the ceramic material in a charge phase, and to transfer heat from the ceramic material to the heat transfer fluid in a discharge phase.

A reflective particulate material includes a particulate substrate having high total solar reflectance, bulk and apparent densities and toughness, and a low dust index. The reflective particulate can have a total solar reflectance of 80% to 87%, a toughness of 1% or fewer fines, an apparent density of 2.75 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, and a dust index of 1 or lower. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material includes preparing a slurry of the particulate substrate, spray drying the slurry to form a spray dried particulate, crushing the spray dried particulate to form a crushed particulate, and heating/calcining the crushed particulate. The heated, crushed particulate may further be coated to form a coated roofing granule.

A reflective particulate material includes a particulate substrate having high total solar reflectance, bulk and apparent densities and toughness, and a low dust index. The reflective particulate can have a total solar reflectance of 80% to 87%, a toughness of 1% or fewer fines, an apparent density of 2.75 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, and a dust index of 1 or lower. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material includes preparing a slurry of the particulate substrate, spray drying the slurry to form a spray dried particulate, crushing the spray dried particulate to form a crushed particulate, and heating/calcining the crushed particulate. The heated, crushed particulate may further be coated to form a coated roofing granule.

A ceramic membrane is provided, which may include glass, incinerator fly ash, kaolin and palygorskite. The weight percent of the glass may be 3060 wt %. The weight percent of the incinerator fly ash may be 530 wt %. The weight percent of the kaolin may be 050 wt %. The weight percent of the palygorskite is 030 wt %.

A ceramic membrane is provided, which may include glass, incinerator fly ash, kaolin and palygorskite. The weight percent of the glass may be 3060 wt %. The weight percent of the incinerator fly ash may be 530 wt %. The weight percent of the kaolin may be 050 wt %. The weight percent of the palygorskite is 030 wt %.

The invention discloses a method of making waterproof magnesium oxychloride refractory brick by fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration. The method comprises the following steps: (1) sulfur-containing compound and water are mixed into the fly ash and stirred evenly to make stabilized slurry, the heavy metals are stabilized and CaO is turned to Ca(OH).sub.2 during this process. (2) The aqueous solution of MgO and MgCl.sub.2 is added into the stabilized slurry to make magnesium oxychloride slurry by being stirred evenly. (3) The magnesium oxychloride slurry is cured to make magnesium oxychloride gel, (4) and the magnesium oxychloride aggregate is prepared by crushing the magnesium oxychloride gel. (5) The blended slurry is prepared by mixing metastable material, alkali metal hydroxide, Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, magnesium oxychloride aggregate and water, (6) after being stirred, molded and cured, the waterproof magnesium oxychloride refractory brick is obtained. The waterproof magnesium oxychloride refractory brick made by this invention combines two materials, the geopolymer gel and the magnesium oxychloride gel, which possess different properties of fire resistance and water resistance. It is confirmed that the coexistence of geopolymer gel and magnesium oxychloride gel achieves the multi-stage solidification and stabilization of heavy metals and improving the water resistance of magnesium oxychloride refractory brick.

The present disclosure relates to the manufacture of ceramic products by aqueous gelcasting. Exemplary ceramic products include sanitary ware, such as toilets and sinks. The process includes a slurrying step, a mixing step, a molding step involving aqueous gelcasting, a drying step, a glazing step, and a firing step.