CA1289724C - Process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calciumsodium metaphosphate fiber - Google Patents

Process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calciumsodium metaphosphate fiber

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Publication number
CA1289724C
CA1289724C CA000553669A CA553669A CA1289724C CA 1289724 C CA1289724 C CA 1289724C CA 000553669 A CA000553669 A CA 000553669A CA 553669 A CA553669 A CA 553669A CA 1289724 C CA1289724 C CA 1289724C
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Canada
Prior art keywords
cao
sodium metaphosphate
calcium sodium
na2o
crystals
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
CA000553669A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Vaidy R. Nathan
Toan M. Ngo
Edward J. Griffith
John R. Jany
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Monsanto Co
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Monsanto Co
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B25/00Phosphorus; Compounds thereof
    • C01B25/16Oxyacids of phosphorus; Salts thereof
    • C01B25/26Phosphates
    • C01B25/45Phosphates containing plural metal, or metal and ammonium

Abstract

PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF
ASBESTIFORM CRYSTALLINE CALCIUM SODIUM
METAPHOSPHATE FIBER
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
Asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is prepared by (a) forming a wet mix slurry having a composition on a dry basis equiva-lent to a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio of about 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.60 to about 2.00, (b) forming and growing product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate under crystal formation and growth conditions between the solid phase of the wet mix slurry and substrate crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate, and (c) fiberizing the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate.

Description

-1- 43-21~6593~A

PROCESS FOR L~ PREPARATION OF
ASBESTIFORM CRYSTALLINE CALCIUM SODIUM
METAPHOSPHATE FIBER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a process for the preparation of crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber. More particularly, this inven-tion relates to a process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber. S1lch fiber is characterized by having the form or appearance of asbestos and by exhibiting an average aspect ratio of at least 10, preferably at least 50, and an average diameter from about 0.5 micron ~m) to about 20 ~m.
Asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is suitable for use as a replace-ment fiber in many applications which historically have employed asbestos and other durable inorganic fibers as inorganic fibrous insulation and reinforce-ment materials.
DescriPtion of the Prior Art Numerous durable inorganic fibers -- asbes-tos, glass fibers, for example -- are used in a wide variety of applications. Common among such applica-tions are composites with organic polymeric material such as plastics, resins, natural and synthetic elastomers, and the like. Such composites are used to make floor tiles, gaskets, brake linings, clutch facings, and numerous other objects commonly found in industry and in the home.
The use of durable inorganic fibers such as asbestos and glass fibers as the inorganic fibrous material in the aforementioned applications in general provide satisfactory performance. However, such fibrous materials also suffer from certain ~39'72~
-2- 43-21(6593)A

disadvantages. For example, many of such fibrous materials, especially asbestos, have been found to expose workers as well as the general public to a potentially serious health hazard. It has been determined that the inhalation of small asbestos fibers can result in a disease known as asbestosis in which these fibers accumulate in the lungs, scar lung ti~sue, and cause many respiratory problems. It has become increasingly clear that inhalation of asbestos fibers over an extended period of time can lead to a cancer of the lining of the lungs known as mesothelio-ma as well as lung cancer. Numerous other durable inorganic fibers, for example, alkali metal titanates, are also suspected of causing similar health problems among users of such fibers. In addition, many inor-ganic fibers are rapidly soluble in water, dilute acids or dilute alkali which limits the usefulness of such fibers.
Accordingly, there exists a great need for an inorganic fibrous material suitable for use as an insulation fiber and as a reinforcing fiber in appli-~ations requiring the presence of inorganic fibrous materials which are not rapidly soluble in water, di]ute acid or dilute alkali, and which do not present an undue health hazard to those exposed to such materials. Asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber satisfies each of these requirements.
A unique feature of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is the presence of a polyphosphate backbone which is believed to account for the lack of an undue health hazard to those exposed to such fiber. Polyphosphate chains, of course, are known to be biodegradable. As such, it is b~lieved that, in contrast to durable inorganic fibers, biodegradation by enzyme-assisted hydrolysis ~2~97~
\
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of the polyphosphate backbone of asbestiform crystal-line calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber should occur _ vivo to facilitate dissolution thereof. The resulting calcium, sodium, and inorganic phosphate can then be utilized in the normal biochemical functions of the cell.
A process to prepare asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is known to the art. In U.S. Patent 4,346,028, such fiber and a process to prepare same are disclosed. The process comprises forming a melt of a source of oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, and sodium having a mol percent ratio of about 15 mol percent to about 30 mol percent sodium oxide (Na2O), about 4~ mol percent to about 60 mo~ percent phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), and about 20 mol percent to about 37 mol percent calcium oxide (CaO~, maintaining the resulting mixture at a tempera-ture below the melting point o the calcium sodium metaphosphate for a time sufficient to form blocks of calcium sodium metaphosphate, and fiberizing the blocks into asbestiorm crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber.
Although asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber prepared by the process of the prior art is effective for contemplated end use applications, a process which can be readily adapted for batch, semicontinuous, or continuous operations would provide for increased efficiency in any commer-cial scale operation. Accordingly, research efforts are continually being made to define new or improved processes to more efficiently prepare asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber. The discovery of the process of the instant invention provides such a process and, therefore, is believed to be a decided advance in the asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium m~taphosphate fiber art.

972~
4 _ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTI~N
It is a feature of one embodiment o~ the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber which can be adapted to batch, semicontinuous, and continuous operations.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber characterized by exhibiting an aspect ratio of at least 10, preferably at least 50, and an average diameter from about 0.5~m to about 2~m.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention th~re is provided a process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber, which process comprises:
(a) bringing together in aqueous media source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 in proportions sufficient to provide a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of about 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.60 to about 2.00, and form a wet mix slurry containing a solid phase and an aqueous liquid phase;
(b) dispersing the wet mix slurry onto substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals in a crystal formation and growth zone under conditions sufficient to remove the aqueous liquid phase and deposit the solid phase onto the substrate crystals and cause identically oriented continuous crystal formation and growth betT~een the solid phase deposit and the substrate crystals to thereby form product p., ~L~89~
crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate; and (c) fiberizing the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate into asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosph~te fiber, which process comprises: (a) bringing together in aqueous media source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 in proportions sufficient to provide a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of a~out 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-50.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.60 to about 2.00, and form a wet mix slurry containing a solid phase and an aqueous liquid phase; (b) dispersing the wet mix slurry onto substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals in a crystal formation and growth zone under conditions sufficient to (i) remove the aqueous liquid phase and deposit the solid phase onto the substrate crystals, (ii) induce incipient fusion of the substrate crystals and the solid phase deposit, and (iii) cause identically oriented continuous crystal formation and growth between the solid phase deposit and the substrate crystals to thereby form product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate; and (c) fiberizing the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate into asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber.
-DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with this invention, a process isprovided for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber. Such fiber, which is suitable for use as an insulation fiber and as a 1 J~8!~7~A

- 5a -reinforcing fiber in applications requiring the presence of inorganic fibrous materials, is prepared by a process which comprises:
(a) bringing together in aqueous media source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 in proportions sufficient to provide a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of about 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.60 to about 2,00, and fo~m a wet mix slurry containing a solid phase and an aqueous liquid phase;
(b) dispersing the wet mix slurry onto substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals in a crystal formation and growth zone under conditions sufficient to remove the aqueous liquid phase and deposit the solid phase onto the substrate crystals and cause identically oriented continuous crystal formation and growth between the solid ~, ~2897Z~
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phase deposit and the substrate crys-tals to thereby form product srystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate; and (c) fiberizing the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate into asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber.
The asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is a high molecular weight phos-phate rcaNa(po3)3 ]n~ wherein n is a number representing the number of repeating caNa(po3~3 units.
Fiber prepared in accordance with the process of the instant inYention exhibits an aspect ratio (length-to-average diameter ratio, L/D) of at least 10, preferably at least 50, and an average diameter in the range from about 0.5 micron (~m) to about 20 ~m, preferably from about l ~m to about 10 ~m.
Component source materials suitable for use in the process of the instant invention are those which yield the desired asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber. Referring to the elemental composition of asbestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber in terms of its dry basis calcium oxide (CaO)/sodium oxide (Na20)/phosphorus pentoxide (P205) composition ~quivalent, component source mate-rials in a mol percent ratio from about 24.0 to about 34.0 CaO, from about 12.0 to about 18.0 Na20, and from about 50.0 to about 60.0 P205, that is, a CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio of about 24.0-34.0/
12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na20 mol ratio is from about 1.60 to 2.00, has been found to consistently yield the desired asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber. It is preferred to llse component source materials having a composition on a dry basis equivalent to a CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio of about ~L2~3~7~4~
-7- 43-21~6593)A

29.0-34.0/16.0-18.0/50.0-53.0 and a CaO/Na2O mol ratio from about 1.80 to 2.00, with a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio of about 30.0-33.0/16.5-17.5/50.5-52.5, and the previously noted CaO/Na20 mol ratio from about 1.80 to 2.00 being most preferred.
In general, the CaO/Na20/P20s mol percent ratio in the product crystals and, ultimately, the asbestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is determined by the CaO/Na2O/P2 05 mol percent ratio in the wet mix slurry as charged to the crystallization kiln (crystal formation and growth zone) and dispersed upon the substrate crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate. Typically, the average CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio and the CaO/Na2O mol ratio for the product crystals and the abestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber ranges from about 32.30-32.70/16.90-17.20/50.25-50.60 and about 1.80-2.00, respectively, as compared to the theoreti-cal mol percent ratio and mol ratio of 33.33/16.67/
50.00 and 2.00, thus indicating an excess of Na2O and P2O5 in the product crystals and asbestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber relative to the amount of CaO.
The CaO, Na20, and P205 composition equiva-lent of the product crystals (also referred to herein as crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate and calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals) and, as previ-ously noted, the asbestiform crystalline calcium ~odium metaphosphate fiber can be provided by any number of component source materials known to those skilled in the art so long as the stated CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio and CaO/Na20 mol ratio are achieved.
It is preferred, by virtue of the elemental composi-tion of the product crystals and the asbestiform crystallin~ calcium sodium me~aphosphate fiber to minimize the presence of anions other than carbonates, ~,l397~
-8- 43-21(6593)A

hydroxides, and phosphates, since the presence of more than trace amounts of anions such as sulfates, ha-lides, and the like in the component source materials tends to exert an adverse effect upon the production of the product crystals. For convenience, the compo-nent source materials will be referred to herein as source material for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5.
Suitable source materials for CaO include calcium phosphates and basic calcium-containing materials such as calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof. Calcium hydroxide [Ca~OH)2], also known as hydrated lime, is generally preferred in that it is readily available, can be easily mixed with the other source materials in aqueous media, and does not introduce any extraneous anions into the product.
Compounds suitable for use as the source material for Na2O include the sodium orthophosphates and condensed phosphates which contain at least one P-O-P linkage such as the metaphosphates and the pyrophosphates and the like, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and the like. For reasons similar to those stated for the preference for calcium hydroxide as the CaO source material, sodium hydro~ide (NaOH) is preerred as the Na2O source material. Advantages accruing from the use of sodium hydro~ide as the Na2O
source material include its ready availability, its ease of mixing in aqueous media, and little, if any, undesirable foam formation during mixing operations.
Representative source materials for P2O5 include phosphorus pentoxide, orthophosphoric acid~
and orthophosphate salts such as sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate, disodium hydrogen orthophosphate, trisodium orthophosphate, condensed phosphoric acids such as pyrophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid, and the sodium salts o condensed phosphoric acids.

~J897~
-9- 43-21(6593)A

Among these materials, orthophosphoric acid (H~PO4) is preferred, with 85% H3PO4 being most preferred.
Other suitable source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 include any compound or mixture of compounds having a composition on a dry basis eguiva-lent to the stated CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio --calcium sodium orthophosphate and calcium sodium pyrophosphate, for example.
The purity of the source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 must be such that the yield of the product crystals and, ultimately, the asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber is not affected adversely. Advantageously, it is preferred to use reagent grade materials to control the level of undesired impurities.
The initial step to prepare the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate involves bringing together the source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 in proportions sufficient to provide a CaO/
Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of about 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, and a CaO/Na20 mol ratio of about 1.60 to about 2.00, preferably about 29.0-34.0/16.0-18.0/50.0-53.0 and about 1.80 to about 2.00, respectively. The component source materials are mixed by slurrying in agueous media, usually water. In general, it is preferred to employ suffi-cient water to provide a wet mix slurry wherein the total solids concentration (sum of the concentrations of CaO, Na20, and P2O53 is from about 40% to about 70%
by weight, preferably about 45% to about 55% by weight. During the mixing operations to prepare the wet mix slurry, the aqueous mixture preferably is maintained at a temperature sufficient to prevent (or suppress~ (a) foam formation, (b) excessive water loss, and (c) selectiv~ crystallization of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and calcium hydrogen phosphate, ~2897Z~
-10- 43-21(6593)A

either of which could cause an adverse effect upon the CaO/Na2 /P2 05 mol percent ratio, the CaO/Na20 mol ratio, and/or the solid phase content of the wet mix slurry. In general, a preferred temperature ranges from about 40C to about 95C.
Following the formation of the CaO/Na2O/P2O5 wet mix slurry, the wet mix slurry is dispersed onto or upon calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals which serve as a substrate upon which crystal formation and growth can occur. In a preferred embodiment, the wet mix slurry is dispersed onto substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals in a crystal formation and growth zone under conditions sufficient to remove the aqueous liquid phase and deposit a solid phase layer onto the substrate crystals. During this operation, identically oriented crystal formation and growth ocsurs between the solid phase deposit and the sub-strate crystals to produce product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that although the initially supplied substrate crystals provide the necessary nuclei and/or surfaces upon which the desired crystal formation and growth occurs, once subsequent crystal formation occurs, such subsequent crystals also serve to provide additional nuclei and/or surfaces for crystal formation and growkh. In this manner, so long as wet mix slurry is supplied to the cryst~l formation and growth zone under crystal formation and growth conditions, the production of product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate will proceed in a continuous manner.
The crystal formation and growth conditions utilized in the instant process can vary within fairly wide limits. It will be recognized, however, that the inskant process is temperature dependent in the sense that the temperature must be sufficient to cause 8~7~ d~
~ 43-21(6593)A

crystal formation and growth between the solid phase deposit or layer and the substrate crystals, but, at the same time, insufficient to cause macroscale melting of either the substrate crystals or the solid phase layer. Suitable temperatures will in general range from about 550C to about 720C. Preferred temperatures, however, range from about 680C to about 720C, with 685C to about 705C being particularly preferred. At such preferred temperatures, the rate of product crystal production is reasonably rapid and little, if any undesirable by-product formation occurs.
It will be appreciated, however, that the particular temperature employed to produce product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate from a given wet mix slurry will depend to some extent upon the incipient fusion temperature of the substrate crystals and the solid phase deposit. This, in turn, will depend upon the CaO/Na2O/P2 05 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of the wet mix slurry. For example, when the P2 5 iS present in an amount which constitutes an excess of at least about 8% to about 10% on a mol percent basis above the theoretical composition equivalent of 50.00 mol percent, the crystal formation and growth process can be readily conducted at temper-atures which encompass the entire operative tempera-ture range, that is, from about 550C to abou-t 720C.
On the other hand, at the preferred CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio of 29.0-34.0/16.0-18.0/50.0 53.0, temperatures from about 689C to about 720C are conveniently employed. Again, however, temperatures from about 680C to about 720C are preferred, with temperatures from about 685C to about 705C being most preferred.
Thus, while not desiring to be bound by the theory of the instant invention or to limit the ~8~

-12- 43-21(6593)A

invention in any way, it is believed that at the previo1lsly stated temperatures incipient fusion of the substrate crystals and the solid phase deposit occurs to induce crystal formation and growth by a ripening process of continuous solid-solid dissolution and crystallization. However, regardless of the actual mechanism of the process or step by which the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate are produced, the step is conveniently referred to herein as crystal formation and growth and is meant to encornpass any and all possible mechanistic pathways by which the crystal formation and growth step of the instant invention occurs.
The time required for completion of the crystal formation and growth step is not narrowly critical and will depend, to some extent, upon the temperature and type of equipment employed, as well as the CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent ratio, the CaO/Na20 mol ratio, the solid phase content, and the rate of dispersion of the wet mix slurry upon the substrate crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate. In general, however, a nominal residence time in the crystal formation and growth zone (crystallization kiln~ from about 3 hours to about lS hours, usually about 3.5 hours to about 4.5 hours, especially at the preferred temperatures, is sufficient.
The product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate, for convenience of handling following discharge or recovery from the crystallization kiln, are cooled to ambient (room3 temperature for s~bse-quent fiberization. The product crystals can be fiberized by conventional techniques such as grinding, crushing, levigating, triturating, milling, and the li~e. In general, in a preferred embodiment, the product crys~als are fiberized by dry milling in an air classification mill or an air jet mill.

~ ~897~4 -13- 43-21(6593)A

The instant process is suited to batch semicontinuous, or continuous operations. In a preferred embodiment, the crystal formation and growth step is carried out in a substantially horizontally oriented internally fired rotating crystallization kiln of suitable dimensions to accommodate the desired quantity of materials involved within a reasonable period of time. In addition, such kiln should com-prise temperature control means and means to control the rate of addition/dispersal of the wet mix slurry into the crystal formation and growth zone of the crystallization kiln upon a preexisting bed of sub-strate crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate. The resulting product crystal of calcium sodium metaphosphate (following cooling for convenience of handling) are fed into a milling apparatus for fiber~
ization into fiber. In a semicontinuous operation, wet mix slurry is periodically charged to a wet mix slurry feed material container and dispers~d upon the substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals with periodic interruptions for charging the wet mix slurry feed material container and/or removing product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate from the crystallization kiln and/or charging the fiberizing mill. On the other hand, in a continuous operation, such periodic interruptions would be eliminated by automation.
The asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber prepared in accoxdance with the process of the instant invention, as previously noted, is characterized by exhibiting an average aspect ratio of at least 10, preferably at least 50, and an average diameter in the range from about O.5 ~m to about 20 ~m, preferably from about 1 ~m to about lO ~m. Such fiber ha.s excellent thermal stability and inertness.

- ~8~7~
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It is reasonably resistant to corrosion in water, dilute sodium hydroxide, and dilute hydrochlori~ acid.
The following specific examples illustrating the best presently-known methods of practicing this invention are described in detail in order to facili-tate a clear understanding of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed expositions of the application of the invention, while indicating preferred embodiments, are given by way of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention since various changes and modifications within the spirit of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

-~a) CrYstallization Kiln A crystallizakion kiln was constructed from a 60.96 cm (24 in.) inside diameter x 12~.92 cm (48 in.) long stainless steel tube, including a 5.08 cm (2 in.) long x 13.97 cm (5.5 in.) high discharge chute at each end thereof, having its longitudinal axis orient-ed along a substantially horizontal line and having a centrally located 33.02 cm (13 in.) circular opening in each end to accommodate required supply lines and fitted with a) a 93.98 cm (37 in.) long x 17.78 cm (7 in.) wide ~ 12.70 cm (5 in.) deep jacketed water-cooled line burner containing two staggered parallel rows of 14 and 13 blast burner tips spaced 6.096 cm (2.4 in.) apart, center-to~center, and having a maximum firing rate of 1.90 x lO9 joules/hr (J/hr, 1 . 8 X 106 BTU/hr) of full ratio gas-air mixture at a maximum pressure of 2.49 x 103 pascals (P, 10 in.
- column of water) which was positioned in the upper quadrant of the crystallization kiln shell with its length parallel to the axis of rotation of the shell and the burner tips directed in the direction of ~8~
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rotation of the kiln shell on a 45 angle from the horizontal and vertical axes into the diagonally located lower quadrant of the kiln shell; b) a 71.12 cm (28 in.) long x 2.54 cm (1 in.) inside diameter jacketed water-cooled stainless steel thermocouple assembly having four perpendicularly oriented Hastelloy C-276 tipped thermowell arms (nonjacketed tips) at equally spaced intervals along its length [to provide temperature readings and control for each of four equally divided imaginary zones Z1-Z4 of the crystallization kiln shell (numbering sequentially from one end of the kiln shell to the other), one thermocouple for each numbered zone] which was posi-tioned parallel to and just below the line burner to coincide with the 91.44 cm ~36 in.) flame zone with the thermowell arms being curved in the direction of rotation of the crystallization kiln shell to run along the kiln shell wall, but spaced from the kiln shell wall at a distance slightly greater than the distance defined by the kiln shell wall and the boring/scraper bar described in Part d) belowi c) 91.44 cm (36 in.) long x 2.54 cm (1 in.) jacketed water-cooled stainless steel feed tube assem~ly containing seven 0.635 cm (0.25 in.) feed tubes numbered F1-F7 branched off perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the assembly, all in the same direction, at equally spaced intervals along the length of the assembly and fitted with seven solenoid valves (located externally to the kiln3, each associ-ated with a particular feed tube to control the flow of feed material -through the assembly, which was positioned parallel to the line burner in the upper quadrant of the annular opening of the kiln shell opposite that of the line burner to coincide with the 91.44-cm (36-in.3 flame zone of the line burner and deposit the feed material directly into the flame ~'J'89~

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zone; d) a 116.84 cm (46 in.) long x 10.16 cm (4 in.) x 1.27 cm (0.5 in.) thick Hastelloy C-276 bar ha~ing 1.905 cm x 1.905 cm (0.75 in. x 0.75 in.~ notches spaced 1.905 cm (0.75 in.) edge-to-edge along its length on one edge thereof which was positioned parallel to the line burner and supported by adjust-able brackets attached to the underside of the line burner such that the notched side of the boring/scraper bar approached the inner wall of the kiln shell ~usually about 1.905 cm (0.75 in.) at the apogee (peaks) of the notches and about 3.81 cm ~1.5 in.) at the perigee (valleys) of the notches] from the side of the line burner opposite that with the burner tips; and e) a motor driven rotation drive.
tbL Wet Mix Slurry To 204.5 kg (2.56 x 103 moles) of 50% by weight aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) contained in a 600 l stainless steel recirculating slurry tank was added, with stirring and recirculation, 204.5 kg (2.69 x 103 moles~ of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)23 and enough water [approximately 300 kg tl.67 x 104 moles~] to maintain an even consistency to yield a homogeneous slurry. The slurry was thereafter added, with stir-ring and recirculation, to 1020.7 kg (8.85 x 103 moles) of 85% aqueous orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) contained in a 1300 l stainless steel tank fitted with circulating water-cooled coils at a rate sufficient to maintain the temperature between 40C and 95C.
Following complete mixing, the mixture was sampled and the CaOfNa20/P205 mol percent ratio was adjusted by the addition of an additional 33.9 kg (4.74 x 102 moles) of 50% by weight aqueous NaOH, 9.O kg (1.18 x 102 moles) of Ca(OH)2, and 34.7 kg ~3.010 x 102 moles) of 85% aqueous H3PO4, while maintaining the tempera-ture between 40C and 95C. The total source material usage was 213.5 kg (2.81 x 103 moles) of Ca(OH)2, ~89 ~2~
-17- 43-21 ( 6593 )A

238.4 kg (2.98 x 103 moles) of 50% by weight aqueous NaO~, and 1055.4 kg (9.15 x 103 moles) of 85% aqueous H3PO4. The resulting slurry contained approximately 50.7~ by weight solids, the mol percent of components S on a dry basis was 31.5 mol percent CaO, 17 .1 mol percent Na2O, and 51.4 mol percent P2O5, and the CaO/Na20 mol ratio was 1.84.
(c) Crystalline Calcium Sodium Metaphosphate The crystallization kiln described in Part (a) above was heated, while rotating at approximately 7 revolutions per minute ~rpm), via the line burner to a temperature between about 680C and about 720C.
The maximum temperature was controlled by manipulation of the firing rate of the line burner based on read-ings from the four thermocouples in the thenmocoupleassembly. The wet mix slurry from Part (b) above was pumped via a metering pump to the feed-tube assembly and dispersed (in the form of droplets) at a constant volumetric rate onto the heated surface of the crys-tallization kiln shell at a rate sufficient to main-tain the desired operating temperature. The overall dispersment was controlled via sequential opening of : the solenoid valves associated with feed tubes F1-F7 which were numbered sequentially in relation to the corresponding numbered zones of the crystallization kiln shell as follows:
ZoneTemperature Feed Tube Z1 T1 Fl,F2 Z2 T2 F3,F4 3 0 Z3 T3 - F4,F5 Z4 T4 F6,F7 such that at any given time only one feed tube was being supplied with wet mix slurry. The operating temperature profile T1-T4 of zones Zl-Z4, respective-ly, was maintained within 20C of one another by increasing the relative on-time of a feed tube 89 ~2~
-18- 43-21(6593~A

associated with a hot zone and/or decreasing the relative on-time of a feed tube associated with a cool zone. During the initial period of operation, the wet mix slurry was dispersed onto the heated kiln shell wall, dried, and heated to a temperature of incipient fusion to form a protective ceramic-like shell lining of calcium sodium metaphosphate having a desirable thickness (as determined by the distance between the boring/scraper bar and the crystallization kiln shell inner wall which served to protect the stainless steel kiln shell wall from corrosion and to minimize heat loss through the kiln shell. Once the desirable kiln shell lining thickness - about 1.905 cm (0.75 in.) at its thinnest point [which corresponds to the apogee ~peaks) of the notches of the notched side of the boring/scraper bar] and about 3.81 cm (1.5 in.) at its thickest point ~which corresponds to the perigee (valleys) of the notches of the notched side of the boring/scraper bar] -- was achieved, the boring/scraper bar continuously contacted the lining to bore and scrape grooves in the kiln shell lining to induce a rolling-tumbling action for the particulate material [maintained at the incipient fusion tempera-ture (680C-720C, usually averaging 685C-705C) separated from the kiln shell lining. Addition/-dispersion of the wet mix slurry was continued over a 32-hour period to produce a total of 5.96 x 102 kg (1313.0 lb) of product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate at an average production rate of 18.6 kg/hr (41.0 lb/hr). The product crystals [once the threshold height of the 13.97 cm (5.5 in.) discharge chute was overcome] were continuously discharged from the crystallization kiln, (crystallization forming and growth zone) resulting in a mean residence time for the product crystals in the crystallization kiln of 2a~
,, ~
-19- 43-21(6593)A

approximately 3.9 hr. The product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate had a CaO/Na20/P205 mol percent rakio of 32.46/17.14/50.40 and a CaO/Na20 mol ratio of 1.89.
(d) Asbestiform CrYstalline Calcium Sodium MetaPhosl~hate Fiber ( 1 ) Fiberizatlon The calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals from Part (c) above [following cooling to ambient (room) temperature] were fiberized into asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber by dry milling in an air classification mill (Mikro-pul 1 ACM) at a rotor speed of 22,000 rpm, a separator speed of 10,000 rpm, and an air flow rate of 1.42 m3/min ~50 ft3/min). The resulting fiber, which contained an average water soluble fraction (nominally considered to consist of noncrystallized calcium sodium metaphosphate glass) of 5.34% by weight, had an average aspect ratio of 83.2 and an average diameter of 1.98 ~m, and an average surface area of 7.14 x 103 cm2/g.
(2) Characterization The asbestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber from Part (d)(l) above was characterized as follows:
The average aspect ratio (length/diameter) was calculated using Equation (1) Aspect Ratio (L/D~ =
[(9.76 o V + 72.0) ~ - 11.5~/0.244 (1) wherein V is th~ packed volume (in cm3) of the ashestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber, as determined using a Vanderkamp Tap Density Tester according to the standard operating instructions supplied by the manufacturer. The aspect ratio e~uation was derived via a quadratic least squares analysis of data presented by Milewski, A Study of the Packing of Fibers and Spheres, University 1~89 ~Z~

-20- 43-21(6593)A

Microfilms, Ann Arbor, 1973, p. 83 which correlates aspect ratio with bulk density.
The average fiber diameter was calculated using Equation ( ) Equivalent Cylindrical Diameter =
(2/3) (Equivalent Spherical Diameter) (2) wherein the e~uivalent spherical diameter was measured using a Fisher Sub-sieve Sizer according to standard operating instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
The average surface area was calculated from the equivalent spherical di~meter using Equation (3~
S = 60,000/~d-P) (3) wherein S is the surface area in cm2/g; d is the equivalent spherical diameter in ~m; and P is the true density in g/cm3 as determined by mercury displacement using an Aminco-Winslow Porisimeter.
The water soluble fraction was detexmined by adding 4.0 g of asbestiform calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber to 200.0 g of water. The result-ing mixture was heated, with agitation, to 90C, which temperature was maintained for 30 minutes, cooled to ambient (room) temperature, and filtered through a 0.45 ~m filter. The filtrate was analyzed for CaO, Na20, and P2O5 via a Technicon Autoanalyzer system according to standard operating instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
EXAMPLES 2-l9 A number of batches of calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber were prepared using the crystal-lization kiln, procedure and conditions described in Example 1 above. The parameters for such fiber are set forth in Table 1 below.

-21- 43-21 (6593~A

o ~ o oo ~ -In ~ ~ r, ~ u~ ~O ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ a- C~J
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ O r~
3 ~ ~ J c~
0~

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~) o ~1 ,4 8 ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~o o ~ . o~ ~ co ~ oo , o . ~ ~ ~ . ,, . ~ ~ ~ ~
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O OOO~ ~0000' ' ~0 00 U~ ~ 00 O~ ~ 0 5~ In O
_l . . . .. O O
~4 ~ ~ ~ 00 O~
S~ r~
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~: Z c~i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~i ~ ~
u ~ 00 ~0 0 ~ 00 ~i _1 C~i In ~0 00 _1 00 00 O~ 00 O ~ ~ ~ ~J ~ ~ u~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~O
~n ~ c~
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u~ -~ ~ ~ r ~ o~, -- c`J 1-- ~D ~ co 1.~ Lt ) O ~ ro O~ ~ r~ ~9 u o r- o ~ ~D O CO ~D ~ ~ O '-- ~ `4 `D CO ~4 CO
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i~l ~ 3 .- ~ o d u 3 N ~rl ~ p P ~ ~ O ~
7 3 ~ ~ S~ ¢ d o ~ d ~ ,~ ~
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-24- 43-21~6593)A

(a) Crystallization Kiln A crystallization kiln was constructed from a 60.96 cm (24 in.~ inside diameter x 48.26 cm (19 in.) long stainless steel tube, including a 12.70 cm (5 in.) long x 15.24 cm (6 in.) high discharge chute at one end thereof, having its longitudinal axis oriented along a substantially horizontal line and having a centrally located 15.74 cm (6 in.) circular opening in one end and the previously noted 15.24 cm (6 in.) high x 12.70 cm (5 in.) long discharge chute at the other end and fitted with a 45.72 cm (18 in.) long gas-fired, water-cooled line burner containing two parallel rows of six flame nozzles spaced 5.08 cm (2 in.) apart, center-to-center, and having a maximum firing rate of 2.85 x 108 joules/hr (J/hr, 2.70 x 105 BTU/hr), a reciprocating water-cooled slurry feed tube, and a motor driven rotation drive.
(b) Wet Mix Slurry To a solution of 180.9 kg (2.26 x 103 moles) of 50% by weight aqueous NaOH and 240.9 kg (1.34 x 104 moles ) of water (H2O) contained in a 600 l stainless steel recirculating slurry tank was added, with stirring and recirculation, 161.4 kg (2.12 x 103 moles) of Ca(OH)2 to yield a homogeneous slurry. The slurry was thereafter added, with stirring and recir-culation, to 787.0 kg (6.83 x 103 moles) of 85% aque-ous H3PO4 contained in a 1300 l stainless steel tank fitted with circulating water cooled coils at a rate sufficient to maintain the temperature between 40C
and 95C. The resulting slurxy contained approximate-ly 49% by weight solids, the mol percent of components on a dry basis was 31.6 mol percent CaO, 17.2 mol percent Na2O, and 51.2 mol percent P2O5, and the CaO/Na2O mol ratio was 1.84.

- ~Bg~
-25- 43-21~6593~A

(c) CrYstalline Calcium Sodium Meta~hosphate The crystallization kiln from Part (a~ above was charged with 47.17 kg (104 lb) of crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate having a particle size less than 8 mesh (U.S. Standard Sieve Size, 2.36 mm) and larger than 30 mesh (600 ~m), also expressed as ~8, ~30 or 8/30 mesh, to provide a bed depth of 15.24 cm (6 in.), and heated, while rotating, with the line burner to an average temperature from about 681C to about 712C to induce incipient fusion of the crystal bed.
A portion of the wet mix slurry from Part (b) above (672.4 kg, 1482.3 lb) was pumped via a metering pump to the reciprocating feea tube and dispersed onto the heated bed of calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals over a 59.3-hr period at a rate sufficient to maintain the bed temperature. A total of 552.1 kg (1217.1 lb) of calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals having the appearance of blocks ~0 and a size generally ranging from about 200 ~m to about 400 ~m was collected -- 457.7 kg tlO09.1 lb) as discharge from the crystallization kiln (crystal formation and growth zone) and 94.3 kg (208.0 lb) as residue remaining in the crystallization kiln -- plus an additional 79.7 kg (175.7 lb) as blowout from the crystallization kiln. The latter material, which was collected either as a slurry in an off gas scrubber or as soli~s in the crystallization kiln off-gas ductwork, was used as recycle for subsequent runs.
The former material had an average CaO~Na20/P20s mol percent ratio of 32.68/16.93/50.39 and a CaO/Na20 mol ratio of 1.93.
(d) Asbestiform Crystalline Calcium Sodium Metaphosphate Fiber The calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals from Part (c) above were fiberized into asbestiform '`-'` ~L%~7~
-26- 43-21(6593)A

crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber by dry milling in an air classification mill (Mikro-pul 10 ACM) at a rotor speed of 7,000 rpm, a separator speed of 3,500 rpm, and an air flow rate of 11.3 m3/min (400 ft3/min). The resulting fiber was characterized as described in Example l(d)(2) above by an average aspect ratio of 64.0, an average diameter of 1.98 ~m, an average surface area of 7.15 x 103 cm2/g, and an average water soluble fraction of 7.32% by weight.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the instant invention, a process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber that fully satis-fies the objects and advantages set forth hereinabove.
While the invention has been described with respect to various specific examples and embodiments thereof, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the 2~ art in light of the foregoing description. Accord-ingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterna-tives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims (36)

1. A process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber, which process comprises:
(a) bringing together in aqueous media source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 in proportions sufficient to provide a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of about 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.60 to about 2.00, and form a wet mix slurry containing a solid phase and an aqueous liquid phase;
(b) dispersing the wet mix slurry onto substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals in a crystal formation and growth zone under conditions sufficient to remove the aqueous liquid phase and deposit the solid phase onto the substrate crystals and cause identi-cally oriented continuous crystal formation and growth between the solid phase deposit and the substrate crys-tals to thereby form product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate; and (c) fiberizing the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate into asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber.
2. The process of Claim 1 wherein the source materials for each of CaO, Na2O, and P2O5, respectively, is calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and a phosphoric acid.
3. The process of Claim 2 wherein the phosphoric acid is orthophosphoric acid.

-28- 43-21(6593)A
4. The process of Claim 3 wherein the orthophosphoric acid is an 85% by weight aqueous solution.
5. The process of Claim 1 wherein the CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio is about 29.0-34.0/
16.0-18.0/50.0-53.0 and the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.80 to about 2.00.
6. The process of Claim 5 wherein the CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio is about 30.0-33.0/16.5-17.5/50.5-52.5.
7. The process of Claim 1 wherein the solid phase of the wet mix slurry comprises from about 40%
to about 70% by weight thereof.
8. The process of Claim 7 wherein the solid phase of the wet mix slurry comprises from about 45%
to about 55% by weight thereof.
9. The process of Claim 1 wherein the-wet mix slurry is maintained in step (a) at a temperature from about 40°C to about 95°C.
10. The process of Claim 1 wherein the crystal formation and growth zone is maintained at a temperature from about 550°C to about 720°C.
11. The process of Claim 10 wherein the temperature is from about 685°C to about 705°C.
12. The process of Claim 1 wherein the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate have a residence time in the crystal formation and growth zone from about 3 hours to about 15 hours.
13. The process of Claim 12 wherein the residence time is from about 3.5 hburs to about 4.5 hours.
14. The process of Claim 1 wherein the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate are fiberized by a process selected from grinding, crush-ing, levigating, triturating, and milling.

-29- 43-21(6593)A
15. The process of Claim 14 wherein the fiberization is effected by milling.
16. The process of Claim 15 wherein the milling is carried out by dry milling in an air classification mill.
17. The process of Claim 1 wherein the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate possess a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio from about 32.30-32.70/16.90-17.20/50.25-50.60 and aCaO/Na2O mol ratio from about 1.80 to about 2.00.
18. The process of Claim 1 wherein the asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber exhibits an average aspect ratio of at least 10 and an average diameter in the range from about 0.5 µm to about 20 µm.
19. A process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber, which process comprises:
(a) bringing together in aqueous media source materials for CaO, Na2O, and P2O5 in proportions sufficient to provide a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio on a dry basis of about 24.0-34.0/12.0-18.0/50.0-60.0, with the proviso that the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.60 to about 2.00, and form a wet mix slurry containing a solid phase and an aqueous liquid phase;
(b) dispersing khe wet mix slurry onto substrate calcium sodium metaphosphate crystals in a crystal formation and growth zone under conditions sufficient to (i) remove the aqueous liquid p~ase and deposit the solid phase onto the substrate crystals, (ii) induce incipient fusion of the substrate crystals and the solid phase deposit, and (iii) cause identically oriented continuous crystal formation and growth between the solid phase deposit and the substrate crystals to thereby form product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate; and (c) fiberizing the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate into asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber.
20. The process of claim 19 wherein the source materials for each of CaO, Na2O, and P2O5, respectively, is calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and a phosphoric acid.
21. The process of claim 20 wherein the phosphoric acid is orthophosphoric acid.
22. The process of claim 21 wherein the orthophosphoric acid is an 85% by weight aqueous solution.
23. The process of claim 19 wherein the CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio is about 29.0-34.0/16.0-18.0/50.0-53.0 and the CaO/Na2O mol ratio is from about 1.80 to about 2.00.
24. The process of claim 23 wherein the CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio is about 30.0-33.0/16.5-17.5/50.5-52.5.
25. The process of claim 19 wherein the solid phase of the wet mix slurry comprises from about 40% to about 70% by weight thereof.
26. The process of claim 25 wherein the solid phase of the wet mix slurry comprises from about 45% to about 55% by weight thereof.
27. The process of claim 19 wherein the wet mix slurry is maintained in step (a) at a temperature from about 40°C to about 95°C.
28. The process of claim 19 wherein the crystal formation and growth zone is maintained at a temperature from about 550°C to about 720°C.
29. The process of claim 28 wherein the temperature is from about 685°C to about 705°C.
30. The process of claim 19 wherein the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate have a residence time in the crystal formation and growth zone from about 3 hours to about 15 hours.
31. The process of claim 30 wherein the residence time is from about 3.5 hours to about 4.5 hours.
32. The process of claim 19 wherein the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate are fiberized by a process selected from grinding, crushing, levigating, triturating, and milling.
33. The process of claim 32 wherein the fiberization is effected by milling.
34. The process of claim 33 wherein the milling is carried out by dry milling in an air classification mill.
35. The process of claim 19 wherein the product crystals of calcium sodium metaphosphate possess a CaO/Na2O/P2O5 mol percent ratio from about 32.30-32.70/16.90-17.20/50.25-50.60 and a CaO/Na2O mol ratio from about 1.80 to about 2.00.
36. The process of claim 19 wherein the asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fiber exhibits an average aspect ratio of at least 10 and an average diameter in the range from about 0.5µm to about 20µm.
CA000553669A 1986-12-08 1987-12-07 Process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calciumsodium metaphosphate fiber Expired - Lifetime CA1289724C (en)

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US4729838A (en) * 1986-12-08 1988-03-08 Monsanto Company Process for the preparation of crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate
ATE107713T1 (en) * 1987-10-02 1994-07-15 Basf Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF PROFILED MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS.
US5162074A (en) * 1987-10-02 1992-11-10 Basf Corporation Method of making plural component fibers
US5108755A (en) * 1989-04-27 1992-04-28 Sri International Biodegradable composites for internal medical use
US6361736B1 (en) 1998-08-20 2002-03-26 Fiber Innovation Technology Synthetic fiber forming apparatus for spinning synthetic fibers
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US20230159344A1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2023-05-25 Crystaphase Products, Inc. Method for forming insoluble solute adducts using an acidic medium

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US4346028A (en) * 1979-12-14 1982-08-24 Monsanto Company Asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium or lithium phosphate, preparation and compositions
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US4690809A (en) * 1985-12-23 1987-09-01 Monsanto Company Process for the preparation of asbestiform crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate fibers
US4725368A (en) * 1985-12-23 1988-02-16 Monsanto Company Process for the preparation of substantially crystalline calcium sodium metaphosphate
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