Novel methods for processing fumed metallic oxides into globular metallic oxide agglomerates are provided. The methodology may allow for fumed metallic oxide particles, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina particles, to be processed into a globular morphology to improve handling while retaining a desirable surface area. The processes may include providing fumed metallic oxide particles, combining the particles with a liquid carrier to form a suspension, atomizing the solution of suspended particles, and subjecting the atomized droplets to a temperature range sufficient to remove the liquid carrier from the droplets, to produce metallic oxide-containing agglomerations.

The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for the adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a new method for the preparation of a crystallized and shaped solid material, preferably in extruded form, of formula LiX.sub.x.2Al(OH).sub.3,nH.sub.2O, wherein n is between 0.01 and 10, x is 1 when X is an anion selected from among chloride, hydroxide and nitrate anions, and x is 0.5 when X is an anion selected from among sulfate and carbonate anions, comprising a boehmite precipitation step a) under specific temperature and pH conditions, at least one basic mixing shaping step, wherein the method also comprises a final hydrothermal treatment step, all to increase the lithium adsorption capacity and the kinetics of adsorption of the materials obtained, compared with the materials of the prior art when it is used in a method for lithium extraction from saline solutions.

An alumina body having nano-sized open-cell pores, the alumina body is formed from ?-Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and Al(OH).sub.3. The alumina body has porosity of greater than 36-percent by volume and a mean pore flow diameter less than 25-nm. The alumina body retains porosity of over 20-volume percent for temperatures up to 1510? C. for 1-hour. The nano-sized open-cell porous body can be scaled to any 3-dimensional structure.

The disclosure relates to methods for making a ceramic or glass-ceramic, the methods comprising spray-drying a mixture comprising batch materials to form agglomerated particles; bringing the agglomerated particles into contact with a plasma for a residence time sufficient to form fused particles; and annealing the fused particles at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form ceramic or glass-ceramic particles. Fused glass particles, ceramic or glass-ceramic particles, and ceramic or glass-ceramic articles, such as ceramic honeycombs, made by these methods are also disclosed herein.

The present disclosure relates to an alumina having a surface area in the range of 330-400 m.sup.2/g, a pore volume in the range of 1.2-1.7 cc/g, and an average pore diameter in the range of 125-160 . The present disclosure also relates to alumina extrudates having a diameter in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, a surface area in the range of 300-360 m.sup.2/g, a pore volume in the range of 0.8-1.3 cc/g and pore diameter in the range of 90-130 with a crushing strength in the range of 1-2.5 daN/mm. Further, the present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of alumina and alumina extrudates. The alumina extrudates can be used as a support for catalyst preparation or as a catalyst or adsorbent in various processes. The process of the present disclosure enhances metal loading capacity, has better metal dispersion, and exhibit delay in deactivation of the catalyst due to mouth pore plugging.

A method for fabricating an alumina body having nano-sized open-cell pores, the alumina body is formed from ?-Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and Al(OH).sub.3. The alumina body has porosity of greater than 36 percent by volume and a mean pore flow diameter less than 25 nm. The alumina body retains porosity of over 20 volume percent for temperatures up to 1510? C. for 1 hour. The nano-sized open-cell porous body can be scaled to any 3-dimensional structure.

Novel methods for processing fumed metallic oxides into globular metallic oxide agglomerates are provided. The methodology may allow for fumed metallic oxide particles, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina particles, to be processed into a globular morphology to improve handling while retaining a desirable surface area. The processes may include providing fumed metallic oxide particles, combining the particles with a liquid carrier to form a suspension, atomizing the solution of suspended particles, and subjecting the atomized droplets to a temperature range sufficient to remove the liquid carrier from the droplets, to produce metallic oxide-containing agglomerations.

Novel methods for processing fumed metallic oxides into globular metallic oxide agglomerates are provided. The methodology may allow for fumed metallic oxide particles, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina particles, to be processed into a globular morphology to improve handling while retaining a desirable surface area. The processes may include providing fumed metallic oxide particles, combining the particles with a liquid carrier to form a suspension, atomizing the solution of suspended particles, and subjecting the atomized droplets to a temperature range sufficient to remove the liquid carrier from the droplets, to produce metallic oxide-containing agglomerations.

Inorganic powder according to the present invention includes spherical alumina powder and spherical silica powder, in which an angle of repose measured using a powder tester under conditions of a room temperature of 25 C. and a humidity of 65% is more than or equal to 35 and less than or equal to 47.

Inorganic powder according to the present invention includes spherical alumina powder and spherical silica powder, in which an angle of repose measured using a powder tester under conditions of a room temperature of 25 C. and a humidity of 65% is more than or equal to 35 and less than or equal to 47.