Synthesis of hectorite-type mineral
AssigneeImerys USA, Inc.
InventorsJie Lu, Benjamin Yip, Michael Greene
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Abstract
A method of making a synthetic hectorite-type mineral is described, along with its resulting physical and rheological properties. The synthetic hectorite-type mineral is a 2:1 phyllosilicate essentially free of aluminum, and having a trioctahedral structure with Mg2+ and Li+ occupying octahedral sites. As a hydrogel, the synthetic hectorite-type mineral has a swell index of greater than 55 mL, and a yield point of greater than 290 Pa. The method of making uses a MgO/MgCO3 buffer system, with heating for about 2 hours at temperatures of no higher than 300° C. and pressures of no higher than 600 psi.
Claims19
A method of making a synthetic hectorite mineral, the method comprising:
- mixing sodium silicate, a silica source, lithium hydroxide, sodium fluoride, and water to form a first mixture;
- mixing a magnesium source and an acid with the first mixture to form a second mixture, wherein the magnesium source comprises magnesium carbonate and/or magnesium oxide;
- heating the second mixture to form an intermediary product;
- and
- drying and milling the intermediary product to form the synthetic hectorite mineral.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.