Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A low pressure process for the production of beta-lithium aluminate (LiAlO 2 ) in a two thermal stage reaction of alumina with liquid phase lithium carbonate comprising: admixing powdered alumina with a carbonates composition selected from the group consisting of a ternary lithium-potassium-sodium carbonates composition, a binary lithium-potassium carbonates composition and a binary lithium-sodium carbonates composition, said carbonates composition being liquid at reaction temperatures; heating said admixture at about 480° to 550° C. in a first thermal stage for a period of time to react the alumina with lithium carbonate to form lithium aluminate; raising the temperature of said lithium aluminate to about 600° to 650° C. in a second thermal stage for a period of time to transform said lithium aluminate to the desired beta-lithium aluminate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A low pressure process for the production of beta-lithium aluminate (LiAlO 2 ) in a two thermal stage reaction of alumina with liquid phase lithium carbonate comprising: admixing powdered alumina with a carbonates composition selected from the group consisting of a ternary lithium-potassium-sodium carbonates composition, a binary lithium-potassium carbonates composition and a binary lithium-sodium carbonates composition, said carbonates composition being liquid at reaction temperatures; heating said admixture at about 480° to 550° C. in a first thermal stage for a period of time to react the alumina with lithium carbonate to form lithium aluminate; raising the temperature of said lithium aluminate to about 600° to 650° C. in a second thermal stage for a period of time to transform said lithium aluminate to the desired beta-lithium aluminate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature in said first thermal stage is about 510° to 540° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the temperature in said second thermal stage is about 630° to 650° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of said first thermal stage is maintained for about 4 to 15 hours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of said second thermal stage is maintained for about 20 to 100 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alumina contains less than about 2 to 5 wt. percent nonvolatile impurities of silica, titanium, iron and sodium oxides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said alumina contains less than 0.1 wt. percent of said impurities.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said carbonates composition is a ternary lithium-potassium-sodium carbonates composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said potassium carbonate is present in greater than about 50 wt. percent of the total carbonates composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said lithium carbonate is present in less than about 20 wt. percent of said carbonates composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said carbonates composition is a binary lithium-potassium carbonates composition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said lithium carbonate is present in less than about 20 wt. percent of the total carbonates composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said pressure is less than about 500 psig.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said pressure is about ambient.