Patent ID: 12257613

MODES(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The inventor formerly performed an experiment to produce fiber from a raw material containing waste material in order to effectively use waste material discharged from coal-fueled thermal power plants. In preparation of the fiber, a raw material containing waste material was charged in a tammann tube suspended in an electric furnace, and the raw material was melted at a predetermined temperature. Thereafter, fiber was prepared by finely pulling out the melt (the raw material melted) flowing out of the hole (diameter 2 mm˜3 mm) provided in the center of the bottom of the tammann tube.

During the course of melting the raw material in this manner, when the melt solidifies into a spherical material, it was found that the spherical material could be crushed into a flat or scale-like shape by blow using a hammer. The present invention was established based on this finding.

In the following description, the term melt spinning refers to a method in which a melt of a raw material is melted by heat and discharged from a hole (through hole) to form fibers, and then cooled and solidified. Further, spinnability refers to the characteristic that a fiber is generated by the melt falling into a fiber shape from the hole (diameter 2 mm˜3 mm), or by pulling the rod (which is sticked to the melt by inserting a rod in the melt through the hole) away from the hole.

In the present embodiment, the flake-like composition refers to flat or scale-like composition. In consideration of the application of the flake-like composition (for example, a bright pigment, paint, lining, dressing material or reinforcing material), the thickness of the flake-like composition is in the range of 1 μm˜80 μm, and the length of the long side is preferably in the range of 5 μm˜1200 μm. Here, the thickness of the flake-like composition refers to the thickness of the thickest part of the flake-like composition. The long side of the flake-like composition refers to the length of the long side of the rectangular flake-like composition. The method for measuring the thickness and long side of the flake-like composition will also be described inFIG.8.

Further, the term flake workability refers to the characteristic that the spherical solidified material, which is obtainable by eluting the melt from the pore (diameter 2 mm˜3 mm) and solidifying the melt, is easily crushed into a flake shape by blow.

In the following description, Fe2O3is referred to as the F component, and the content of Fe2O3is also described as [F]. SiO2is referred to as the S component, and the content of SiO2is also described as [S]. Al2O3is referred to as the A component, and the content of Al2O3is also described as [A]. CaO is referred to as the C component, and the content of CaO is also described as [C].

Embodiment

The raw material for producing the flake-like composition according to the present embodiment includes waste material discharged from a coal-fueled thermal power plant. Here, thermal power plants include coal-fired thermal power plants, fluidized-bed combustion reactors, IGCC power plant.

The raw material of the flake-like composition is mainly composed of SiO2and Al2O3, and the ratio of Al2O3to the total of SiO2and Al2O3in the raw material is within a specific range, and further contains a specific amount of CaO.

The raw material of the flake-like composition according to the present embodiment preferably has a total content of SiO2and Al2O3of 45% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less, and more preferably 46% by mass or more and 63% by mass or less. When the sum of [S] and [A] is less than 45% by mass or more than 75% by mass, the melting temperature of the raw material increases, or the viscosity of the melt increases, thus the melt becomes difficult to flow out from the hole (diameter 2 mm˜3 mm) at the bottom of the tammann tube leading to failure to obtain the flake-like composition.

If the components in the raw material are blended so as to satisfy the above-described compositional conditions, a flake-like composition of the present embodiment can be obtained without restriction on the origin of the raw material. As the raw material for the flake-like composition of the present embodiment, waste material discharged from a coal-fueled thermal power plant (for example, a coal-fired thermal power plant, a fluidized-bed combustion furnace, a coal gasification combined cycle power plant (IGCC), etc.) is preferably used. Since the waste material discharged from the coal-fueled thermal power plant contains Fe2O3, Al2O3, and SiO2as the main components, it is suitable for obtaining a flake-like composition of the present embodiment.

The flake-like composition according to the present embodiment does not exclude that it contains unavoidable impurities. Examples of such impurities include MgO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, CrO2and the like.

In the present embodiment, there is no substantial difference between the component ratio (mass ratio) of the formulated raw material mixture and the component ratio (mass ratio) of the flake-like composition produced by melting the raw material mixture. For this reason, the component ratio of the raw material mixture can be regarded as the component ratio of the flake-like composition produced by melting the raw material mixture.

The flake-like composition according to the present embodiment is highly amorphous. For this reason, the flake-like composition has almost no strength decrease which is attributable to delamination of the crystalline phase-amorphous phase interface.

Here, the degree of amorphization, which is a measure of amorphousness, is calculated by the following equation (1) by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum.
Degree of amorphousness (%)=[Ia/(Ia+Ic)]×100  (1)

In the above formula (1), Iaand Icare as follows, respectively.

Ia: The integral value of the scattering intensity of the amorphous halo.

Ic: Integral value of the scattering intensity of crystalline peaks when X-ray diffraction analysis is performed on the flake-like composition.

The degree of amorphization of the flake-like composition according to the present embodiment may vary depending on the composition of the flake-like composition; however, the degree of amorphization usually presents a value of 90% or higher. The degree of amorphization of the flake-like composition even reaches as high as 95% or higher in some cases, and in case where the degree of amorphization is the highest, the flake-like composition is substantially composed only of a non-crystalline phase. Here, being substantially composed only of a non-crystalline phase implies that only the amorphous halo is recognized in the X-ray diffraction spectrum, and a peak for a crystalline material was not recognized.

EXAMPLES

In the following Examples, mixtures obtained by mixing waste materials discharged from coal-fueled thermal power plants, at predetermined mixing ratios (% by mass), were prepared as raw materials of flake-like compositions (since the numbers after the decimal point are rounded off, the sum may not necessarily add up to 100%). The mixing ratio of each of raw materials S1to S14will be described below with reference toFIG.1. Incidentally, inFIG.1, the IGCC slag indicates a waste material from a domestic IGCC power plant, and FA1to FA8indicate waste materials from domestic coal-fired power plants (FA1to FA8are waste materials discharged from different power plants). Furthermore, BA1indicates basalt (basalt).

The raw material S1is mixed at a ratio of 20% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant, 10% by mass of basalt (BA1), 40% by mass of waste material (FA1) from the coal-fired power plant FA1, and 30% by mass of waste material (FA2) from the coal-fired power plant FA2.

The raw material S2is mixed at a ratio of 50% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant and 50% by mass of waste material (FA2) from the coal-fired power plant FA2.

The raw material S3is mixed at a ratio of 75% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant and 25% by mass of waste material (FA2) from the coal-fired power plant FA2.

The raw material S4is mixed at a ratio of 90% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant and 10% by mass of waste material (FA2) from the coal-fired power plant FA2.

The raw material S5is mixed at a ratio of 90% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant and 10% by mass of waste material (FA2) from the coal-fired power plant FA2.

The raw material S6is waste material (FA5) from the coal-fired power plant FA5.

The raw material S7is 30% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant, 5% by mass of basalt, 15% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA2, and 50% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA7.

The raw material S8is mixed at a ratio of 50% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant and 50% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA3.

The raw material S9is 20% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant, 10% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA2, 30% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA3, and 40% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA4.

The raw material S10is mixed at a ratio of 25% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant, 10% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA4, and 65% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA6.

The raw material S11contains 70% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA3, 10% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA4, 10% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA6, and 10% by mass of waste material discharged from the coal-fired power plant FA7.

The raw material S12is 10% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant, 16% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA2, 36% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA3, and 37% by mass of waste material from the coal-fired power plant FA6.

The raw material S13is mixed at a ratio of 25% by mass of waste material (IGCC slag) from the IGCC power plant, 10% by mass of waste material (FA4) discharged from the coal-fired power plant FA4, and 65% by mass of waste material (FA6) discharged from the coal-fired power plant FA6.

The raw material S14is mixed at a ratio of 7% by mass of waste material (FA4) from the coal-fired power plant FA4, 18% by mass of waste material (FA5) from the coal-fired power plant FA5, and 75% by mass of waste material (FA8) from the coal-fired power plant FA8.

In the Examples, the components of the raw materials were analyzed by fluorescent X-ray analysis. For the analysis Japan Philips Inc.'s X-ray fluorescence analyzer (Philips PW2404) was used using the sample chamber of the X-ray fluorescence analyzer in a vacuum.FIG.2shows the component composition of the raw materials (the total is not necessarily 100 because the value after the decimal point is rounded). In the following, 0% by mass is a measurably small amount, and does not mean that it is strictly “0”.

The composition of the waste material (IGCC slag) from the Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is 9% by mass of [F], 54% by mass of [S], 11% by mass of [A], 17% by mass of [C], and 9% by mass of others.

The composition of Basalt (BA1) is 19% by mass of [F], 46% by mass of [S], 11% by mass of [A], 17% by mass of [C], and 6% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA1) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA1is 13% by mass of [F], 57% by mass of [S], 17% by mass of [A], 6% by mass of [C], and 7% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA2) from a domestic coal-fired power plants FA2is 55% by mass of [F], 35% by mass of [S], 5% by mass of [A], 2% by mass of [C], and 3% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA3) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA3is 2% by mass of [F], 62% by mass of [S], 27% by mass of [A], 3% by mass of [C], and 5% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA4) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA4is 97% by mass of [F], 0% by mass of [S], 0% by mass of [A], 0% by mass of [C], and 3% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA5) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA5is 21% by mass of [F], 35% by mass of [S], 12% by mass of [A], 22% by mass of [C], and 10% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA6) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA6is 1% by mass of [F], 73% by mass of [S], 22% by mass of [A], 0% by mass of [C], and 4% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA7) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA7is 1% by mass of [F], 19% by mass of [S], 17% by mass of [A], 55% by mass of [C], and 8% by mass of others.

The composition of the waste material (FA8) from a domestic coal-fired power plant FA8is 0% by mass of [F], 34% by mass of [S], 13% by mass of [A], 42% by mass of [C], and 11% by mass of others.

FIG.3summarize the component composition of the raw materials S1-S14used in Examples. The component composition was calculated from the mixing ratio as shown inFIG.1and the component composition of the raw materials inFIG.2. Note that since the decimal point is rounded, the total is not necessarily 100%.

The raw material S1consists of 26% by mass of [F], 49% by mass of [S], 12% by mass of [A], 8% by mass of [C], and 6% by mass of others.

The raw material S2consists of 32% by mass of [F], 45% by mass of [S], 8% by mass of [A], 10% by mass of [C], and 6% by mass of others.

The raw material S3consists of 21% by mass of [F], 49% by mass of [S], 10% by mass of [A], 13% by mass of [C], and 8% by mass of others.

The raw material S4consists of 14% by mass of [F], 52% by mass of [S], 10% by mass of [A], 16% by mass of [C], and 8% by mass of others.

The raw material S5consists of 14% by mass of [F], 52% by mass of [S], 10% by mass of [A], 16% by mass of [C], and 8% by mass of others.

The raw material S6consists of 21% by mass of [F], 35% by mass of [S], 12% by mass of [A], 22% by mass of [C], and 10% by mass of others.

The raw material S7consists of 12% by mass of [F], 33% by mass of [S], 13% by mass of [A], 34% by mass of [C], and 8% by mass of others.

The raw material S8consists of 6% by mass of [F], 58% by mass of [S], 19% by mass of [A], 10% by mass of [C], and 7% by mass of others.

The raw material S9consists of 47% by mass of [F], 33% by mass of [S], 11% by mass of [A], 5% by mass of [C], and 4% by mass of others.

The raw material S10consists of 13% by mass of [F], 61% by mass of [S], 17% by mass of [A], 5% by mass of [C], and 4% by mass of others.

The raw material S11consists of 12% by mass of [F], 53% by mass of [S], 23% by mass of [A], 8% by mass of [C], and 4% by mass of others.

The raw material S12consists of 11% by mass of [F], 60% by mass of [S], 20% by mass of [A], 3% by mass of [C], and 6% by mass of others.

The raw material S13consists of 13% by mass of [F], 61% by mass of [S], 17% by mass of [A], 5% by mass of [C], and 4% by mass of others.

The raw material S14consists of 11% by mass of [F], 32% by mass of [S], 12% by mass of [A], 36% by mass of [C], and 9% by mass of others.

FIG.4is a diagram showing an outline of the electric furnace(1) used in obtaining a flake-like composition from the raw material according to the examples. The electric furnace(1) is of a cylindrical body having a height(H) of 60 cm and an outer diameter(D) of 50 cm in which a through hole(4) having an inner diameter d of 10 cm is formed in the center. In the through hole(4), a tammann tube(2) having an inner diameter of 2.1 cm and a length of 10 cm is suspended by the suspension rod(3). The tammann tube(2) is charged with any of the raw materials S1-S14. A hole having a diameter of 2 mm is provided in the center of the bottom of the tammann tube(2), and when the raw material S1-S14is melted by heating, the melt flows out from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. The outflowed melted raw material is cooled and solidified in contact with the outside air. Since the molten raw material (hereinafter also referred to as the melt) flowing out from the bottom of the tammann tube(2) is solidified rapidly, the solids are substantially amorphous.

The electric furnace(1) is heated by a predetermined temperature raising program, but it is confirmed in advance that the temperature (° C.) of the melt in the tammann tube(2) follows at a temperature substantially 50° C. lower than the temperature inside the furnace.

FIG.5summarize the temperature conditions and experimental results of spinnability and flake workability when the raw materials S1-S14are melted in an electric furnace(1).FIG.6shows the temperature profile over time when the raw materials S1-S14is melted in an electric furnace(1).

Example 1

After the raw material S1was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature in the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.), and then held at about 1400° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) to about 1450° C. (raw material temperature 1400° C.) over an hour, and the melt was discharged from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. The discharged dropping melt first solidified into spherical solid material, and subsequently fell into a fiber shape to produce fibers (Good spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability). In the following example 2˜7 below, workability into flake was tested likewise.

Example 2

After the raw material S2was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature(25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1450° C. (raw material temperature 1400° C.) over 15 hours, and the melt was discharged from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. The discharged dropping melt first solidified into spherical solid material, and subsequently fell into a fiber shape to produce fibers (Good spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability).

Example 3

After the raw material S3was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1450° C. (raw material temperature 1400° C.) over 15 hours, and the melt was discharged from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. The discharged dropping melt first solidified into spherical solid material, and subsequently fell into a fiber shape to produce fibers (Good spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability).

Example 4

After the raw material S4was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 8 hours, and the melt flowed out from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. The discharged dropping melt first solidified into spherical solid material, and subsequently fell into a fiber shape to produce fibers (Good spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability).

Example 5

After the raw material S5was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1350° C. (raw material temperature 1300° C.). Thereafter, the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from about 1350° C. (raw material temperature 1300° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) taking 2 hours and the melt flowed out from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. The discharged dropping melt first solidified into spherical solid material continuously and did not solidify into a fiber shape (Poor spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability).

Example 6

After the raw material S6was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was discharged from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube(2) by gravity. From the hole provided in the center of the bottom of the tammann tube, the melt first solidified into spherical material, and the melt subsequently fell into a fiber shape to produce fibers (Good spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability).

Example 7

After the raw material S7was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was discharged from the hole provided at the bottom of the tammann tube by gravity. The discharged dropping melt solidified into spherical solid material continuously and did not solidify into a fiber shape (Poor spinnability). A flake-like composition was obtained by crushing the spherical solid material by striking with an iron hammer (Good flake workability).

Comparative Example 1

After the raw material S8was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

Comparative Example 2

After the raw material S9was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature in the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

Comparative Example 3

After the raw material S10was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

Comparative Example 4

After the raw material sample S11was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

Comparative Example 5

After the raw material sample S12was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.), and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). Thereafter, the furnace temperature was raised from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature 1350° C.) over 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

Comparative Example 6

After the raw material sample S13was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). The temperature inside the furnace(1) was then increased from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature: 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature: 1350° C.) over a period of 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

Comparative Example 7

After the raw material sample S14was charged in the tammann tube(2), the temperature inside the furnace(1) was raised from room temperature (25° C.) to about 1375° C. (raw material temperature 1325° C.) and then held at about 1375° C. for 1 hour (annealing treatment). The temperature in the furnace was then increased from about 1375° C. (raw material temperature: 1325° C.) to about 1400° C. (raw material temperature:1350° C.) over a period of 5 hours, and the melt was tried to discharge from the hole by gravity. The melt did not solidify into spherical material (Poor flake workability) and the melt did not fall into the fiber (Poor spinnability).

As described above, in Examples 1-7 (raw materials S1-S7), flake workability was good, in other words, a flake-like composition could be obtained, while in Comparative Examples 1-7 (raw materials S8-S14), flake workability was poor, in other words, a flake-like composition could not be obtained.

It was noted that a flake-like composition is obtained in Example 5 where no annealing treatment was performed, whereas any flake-like composition was not obtained in Comparative Example 1 to 7 where annealing treatment is performed. This indicates that, in contrast to the case to obtain fiber, annealing is not necessary to obtain flake-like compositions.

FIG.7summarize such component composition as [S]+[A], [A]/([A]+[S]), [C] of the raw material mixtures of S1to S14. In order to fabricate flake-like composition a total content of SiO2and Al2O3([S]+[A]) in the raw material mixture should preferably be between 45 and 75% by mass, and more preferably between 46 and 63% by mass. As to the ratio of Al2O3to the sum of SiO2and Al2O3([A]/([A]+[S]) (mass ratio), 0.15 to 0.28 is preferable. Preferred CaO content([C]) in the raw material mixture is from 8 to 36% by mass.

FIG.8is a magnified view (micrograph) of the flake-like compositions obtained from the raw materials in the Examples. The thickness and the length of the long sides of the flake-like compositions obtained in Examples 1-8 were measured under a microscope. Here, the flake-like compositions are quasi-rectangular in plan view, and the thickness and length of the long sides of the flake-like compositions are measured visually with an ocular micrometer installed in the microscope. Here, the thickness of the flake composition was measured at the thickest point of the flake composition as the thickness of the flake composition. As the length of the long side of the flake-like composition, the length of the point corresponding to the long side of the rectangular flake-like composition was measured. The measurements showed that the flake compositions with thicknesses in the range of 1 μm to 80 μm and lengths of the long sides in the range of 5 μm to 1200 μm. These obtained flake-like composition are desirable for applications such as bright pigments, paints, linings, coatings and reinforcement materials.

The flake-like composition shown inFIG.8was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum, and it was found that the flake-like composition consists essentially only of amorphous material. This is considered to be because the molten raw material which flows out of the hole of the tammann tube is rapidly cooled, resulting in an amorphous state due to the lack of enough time to arrange atoms.

The raw materials containing waste materials discharged from coal-fueled thermal power plants that have been melted and then solidified by cooling (including natural cooling) are also considered useful regardless of shape, since the solidified materials can be melted again to form fibers or flake-like compositions. In this case, too, the raw material contains SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO as components, and the total content of SiO2and Al2O3in the raw material is preferably between 45 and 75% by mass, and between 46 and 63% by mass is more preferred.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Flake-like compositions of the present invention can be used as glitter pigments, paints, linings, coatings and reinforcements.

EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS

1ELECTRIC FURNACE2TAMMANN TUBE3SUSPENSION ROD4THROUGH HOLED OUTER DIAMETER OF ELECTRIC FURNACEH HEIGHT OF ELECTRIC FURNACEd INNER DIAMETER OF THROUGH HOLE