Prediction of aggregation behavior of submicron-sized particles of praseodymium-doped zirconium silicate in aqueous suspension by population balance model

The aggregation behavior of submicron-sized particles of praseodymium-doped zirconium silicate, a ceramic pigment, in aqueous suspension was predicted by a modified population balance model, In the model, the collision frequencies were selected to describe evolution of the particle size distribution of the suspension. The collision efficiency was estimated as a function of interaction potential between particles based on Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory. The population balance model was modified to predict the stable state of the aggregation by introducing the volume mean size of aggregate to stability ratio. In addition, aggregation of the particles in aqueous suspension in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate or potassium chloride was experimentally investigated. The predicted data （i.e., the final aggregate size, aggregation rate, and particle size distribution） were similar to the experimentalresults.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Xonotlite-type Calcium Silicate Insulation Material Using Industrial Zirconium Waste Residue

Xonotlite-type insulation material was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis technology using industrial zirconium waste residue in this paper,and the phase analysis together with the observation of micro–morphology were also carried out by XRD,SEM and TEM.The density and thermal conductivity were measured finally.The results indicate,chlorine ion impurity contained in zirconium waste residue can be removed effectively via water washed process,and the reactive activity of silicon dioxide is almost not affected,which make it be a good substitution of silicon material for the preparation of calcium silicate insulation material by hydrothermal synthesis technique.The density and thermal conductivity of xonotlite-type calcium silicate insulation material obtained by hydrothermal synthesis technique can reach 159 kg/m3,0.049 W/（m·° C）,respectively,meeting with National Standard well,when synthesis conditions are selected as follows：Ca/Si molar ratio equal to 1,synthesis temperature at 210°C and kept for 8 hrs.It provides a new approach to realize lightweight and low thermal conductivity of calcium silicate insulation material.

Decomposition kinetics of zircon sand in NaOH sub-molten salt solution

Sub-molten salt was applied to the decomposition of zircon sand(ZrSiO4).The kinetics of the decomposition of zircon sand and the effects of reaction temperature,reaction time,NaOH content,agitation speed,and the NaOH/ore mass ratio on the decomposition rate of zircon sand in NaOH sub-molten salt were investigated.The results indicate that the decomposition rate of zircon sand increases with the increase in the reaction temperature,reaction time,and NaOH content.The shrinking-core model with surface chemical reaction-controlled process is the most applicable for the decomposition of zircon sand,with the apparent activation energy of 77.98 kJ/mol.The decomposition product is sodium zirconium silicate(Na2ZrSiO5),and the decomposition rate is higher than 99%under the optimal conditions.