montmorillonite, bentonite, hectorite and other smectites as well as attapulgite and sepiolite. Additional decolorization is then accomplished by treatment with activated carbon. sizes. The quaternary ammonium compounds must be water or alcohol soluble. Fifty grams (50 g.) of Varisoft 6112 solution as received (75% active ingredient, 25% isopropanol) was added to a beaker containing 270 ml. The caps were attached securely, and the stoppered flasks were placed in a water-filled shaker bath kept at 90 C. The shaker bath was covered with several layers of polyethylene sheet to minimize heat loss. Any of the well-known anions such as chloride, bromide, nitrate, hydroxyl, acetate, or methyl sulfate may be used. Granular forms of these clays in naturally occurring state or condition would simply fall apart in aqueous media. One hundred and fifty milliliters (150 ml.) Volatile-free weight is the weight of the earth after heating to essentially constant weight at about 660 C. Loss on ignition weight is determined by heating to constant weight at about 1000 C. At this temperature carbon dioxide volatile matter from any carbonate impurities in the clay is removed and may comprise typically about 4-7% by weight of the clay. A pure fine particle size attapulgite can be produced which has potential applications in ceramics for its binding properties and chemical content. No. This invention relates to compositions of aluminosilicate minerals treated with large organophilic cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compounds and a method for purifying liquids therewith. The concentration of quaternary ammonium salt in solution may vary from 1-50% by weight. The rate of addition during the 1-3 hour mixing time was controlled such that the clay retained a free flowing appearance. Decolorization of cane sugar liquor by various sorbents was also investigated. It has been recognized that mineral substrates may be modified to obtain a more organophilic surface to be effective sorbents for certain uses. 4H2O. This test is not a laboratory screening test but an actual end-use in which the power of various sorbents to remove color bodies from a solution containing a high concentration of colorless solute (sucrose) is evaluated. 1. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is present in amount within the range of about 15-35 meq./100 g. of said clay. This test is widely recognized by those in the art as being indicative of broad spectrum decolorizing power of a sorbent. The absorbance values were measured at a wavelength of 425 nanometers relative to a distilled water sample using a Beckman DU-2 Spectrophotometer. The data in Table III show treated attapulgite sorbents perform on a par with activated carbon and bone char depending upon surfactant loading level and type of surfactant. It is especially preferred to have no more than about 20% of the particles finer than 1 micron for ease in filtration. Attapulgite clays are sometimes referred to as sorptive clays because they have a large surface area and can absorb and adsorb many materials. As mentioned previously any of the well known anions may be used, with chloride, acetate and methyl sulfate preferred. While stirring 20 g. of acid-activated bentonite was added. Isopropanol is the preferred alcohol. Higher levels may be put on, but this increases the amount of surfactant that might be leached off in use. Free format text: This corresponded to 68.6 meq. In treating aqueous systems for removal of contaminants, various grades of activated carbon or bone char impregnated with activated carbon have been widely used. Ultimate particle size is understood to mean the size of particles in completely dispersed form. The quaternary ammonium salt that is ion-exchanged on the mineral substrate is extremely difficult to remove by immersion in aqueous or organic liquids. Combined water is less readily removed than the physically held water and ordinarily requires a temperature of at least about 300 C. for at least partial removal, this being called "activation". 3,080,214. Difficulties in handling these materials would preclude their use in large-scale treatment of process liquors. This mixture was then heated to 81-82 C. for 21/2 hours with continuous stirring. A water solution containing 20 ppm of the bromocresol green was prepared and the pH was buffered to 7.0 using Na. Attapulgite can be purified by using wet process beneficiation techniques so that impurities such as quartz, calcite, and dolomite can be removed. The results for various sorbents are shown below in Table III. A water cooled reflux condenser was placed in one neck; a thermometer was immersed in the solution through another neck, and a motor-driven stirring shaft was placed through the central neck. Temperature ranges and drying conditions are identical to those mentioned previously. Screw cap, 250 ml. The carbon content was found to be 14.3% by weight, which corresponded to 26.8 millimoles of Varisoft 6112/100 g. treated clay, or 53.6 milliequivalents of Varisoft 6112/100 g. treated clay. PATENTED CASE. of 10% or less is activated and has at least partial loss of colloidal properties. A solid particulate composition comprising particles of attapulgite clay calcined to a volatile matter content of 10 percent by weight or less at a temperature in the range of about 200-550 C. and having a surface area of about 80-140 m. 2. The drying step should be carried out carefully at low to medium temperatures, for example 20-150 C. with 60-100 C. being preferred, so as not to affect the quaternary ammonium salt. On a weight basis 50 meq./100 g. clay is approximately 15% by weight for a surfactant of molecular weight 300 and 30% by weight for one of 600, the range in molecular weights being illustrative of surfactants of the present invention. of quaternary ammonium salt/100 g. clay is preferred. as used herein refers to the weight percent of the mineral eliminated when heated to constant weight at about 105 C. The term volatile matter or V.M. Attapulgus clay rendered substantially non-swelling and non-gelling by calcination is treated with a large organophilic quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compound to yield a sorbent material effective for purifying liquids from inorganic and organic contaminants. A method of preparing heat-treated, so-called "activated" attapulgite which is substantially non-gelling and non-slaking is disclosed in U.S. Pat. This solution was added to the bentonite slurry being stirred at room temperature. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 9, pages 459-467, 1960. The sample was allowed to cool and was then vacuum filtered through #4 Whatman paper. The performance of various sorbents is illustrated in Table I below: A high-quality activated carbon, Darco DC manufactured by ICI America, Inc. was used as the standard for these tests. Hassler, Purification with Activated Carbon, Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., NY, 52-62. The lower temperature calcination gives rise to an attapulgite having volatile matter of about 10% and a free moisture content of about 6% and is called an RVM-grade clay. Nuchar activated carbon manufactured by Westvaco Corporation, New York, N.Y., is an activated carbon designed for water treatment use. An aqueous solution of 35.8 g. cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate in 50 ml. A molasses test solution was prepared by dissolving commercial "blackstrap" molasses (Holiday brand) in distilled water to give a 1.0% by weight buffered solution and filtering the solution through a #4 Whatman paper. Fifty grams (50 g.) of low volatile matter (LVM) attapulgite clay 100% finer than 325 mesh Tyler was added to the flask and the slurry heated and stirred for two hours at 50-60 C. This clay originated from the Georgia-Florida area and was calcined to about 5% volatile matter and had a free moisture content of 1-3% as used. It is preferred to keep the temperature in the range 20-100 C., with 40-80 C. being especially preferred. The major non-clay minerals associated with the attapulgite are quartz, calcite, and dolomite. When prepared by reaction in solution, the mineral substrate is added to a stirred solution of dissolved quaternary ammonium salt in water, alcohol or mixtures thereof. Removal of combined water is substantially irreversible whereas physical water loss is reversible. The pH of this raw solution was 5.0-5.2. As mined the mineral is associated with substantial water, both loosely held "free moisture" (F.M.) The cake was then broken up into small pieces and dried overnight in a forced air oven at 60 C. After drying the sample was sieved to substantially 100% finer than 325 mesh Tyler before use. The volume of solution added should be less than the available pore volume of the mineral substrate so as not to overwet the mineral and cause clumping and unequal distribution of surfactant. Current industrial practice is to decolorize cane sugar liquor by a dual-adsorbent, two-step process. isopropanol. is more typically about 1-3% after handling, as the mineral readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Economic benefits could be realized by using mineral-based sorbents, but unmodified mineral sorbents do not perform well in aqueous systems, though they are known purifying agents for organic liquids, notably fats and oils. content of the calcined product as produced will be less than that of the same material after storage in a humid environment or during handling. No. water and 30 ml. I have discovered that porous mineral substrates treated with organic-substituted quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compounds are effective sorbents for the purification of a variety of aqueous liquids. The bentonite was a commercial grade, Filtrol105, 100% finer than 325 mesh Tyler. solution) and had an overall brownish hue. This solution was sprayed onto 500 g. of the same attapulgite as in Example 1. The liquid is then filtered after a suitable period of time to remove the mineral and adsorbed contaminants. Five hundred milliliters (500 ml.) Four blades axially disposed along the inside wall of the can provided good tumbling and mixing of the clay. In either case, it is essential that the mineral be non-slaking or non-gelling, and of particle size sufficiently large so that it is easily filtered or separated from the liquid by settling, centrifugation or other methods known in the art. These non-clay minerals can be removed by wet process beneficiation methods to produce a relatively pure attapulgite. The flask was surrounded by a heating mantle and the solution was stirred. talcum, kaolin, clay, bentonite, smectite, montmorillonite, hectorite, attapulgite, Layer silicates, e.g. The filter cake was washed twice more by reslurrying in 200 ml. Thus these particle sizes are not true particle sizes but equivalent spherical diameter (e.s.d.) The term free moisture or F.M. As an alternative, the mineral substrate may be impregnated with the quaternary ammonium salt directly by spraying a solution of the salt onto a tumbling bed of the mineral. With this technique it is essential to add exactly the amount of surfactant desired. Untreated LVM attapulgite shows no ability to decolorize aqueous bromocresol green solutions, but surfactant treated clay shows decolorization power approaching Darco activated carbon, depending on the loading level of surfactant. talcum, kaolin, clay, bentonite, smectite, montmorillonite, hectorite, attapulgite in solid compositions, Board Of Trustees Operating Michigan State University, Yissum Research Development Company Of The Hebrew University Of Jerusalem. In general, it may be said that attapulgite calcined to a V.M. It is preferred to have pH within the range of 3-12, the range 5-9 being especially preferred. The particles were clumps of needle-like attapulgite of highly irregular shape having particle size distribution of about 100% finer than 44 microns, 90% finer than 22 microns, 70% finer than 12 microns, 50% finer than 5.5 microns, 30% finer than 2 microns, and 22% finer than 1 micron, as determined by Sedigraph. No. Two hundred sixteen grams (216 g.) of Varisoft 6112 as received (75% active ingredient) was diluted with isopropanol to give a total solution volume of 600 ml. Surfactant treated clays have decolorizing ability dependent upon the loading level of surfactant, the substrate, and the nature of the surfactant. When decolorization data are plotted according to the so-called Freundlich isotherm described in the text by J. W. Hassler, "PURIFICATION WITH ACTIVATED CARBON", Chemical Publishing Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1974, pages 52-62; the lines often intersect indicating one loading level may be best to achieve 75% decolorization and a different, lower or higher, loading may be best to achieve 95% decolorization. None of the above-mentioned references teaches either heat-treated non-gelling grades of attapulgite or non-gelling grades of smectite clays modified by ion exchange with an organic-substituted quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compound or the use thereof in purification of liquids, especially aqueous liquids. Color intensities were determined spectrophotometrically as in Example 5 using 1 cm. The pH of solution should not be too acidic or too basic in order to avoid possible reactions with the mineral such as leaching of alumina or silica. After treatment the slurry was suction filtered through #4 Whatman paper in a Buechner funnel. The filter cake was reslurried in 100 ml. Clays may be rendered substantially non-gelling or non-slaking by heat treatment. 42, pages 529-533, 1950. One hundred grams (100 g.) of the same attapulgite as used in Example 1 were added while the liquid was being stirred at room temperature. The LECO carbon analysis showed 11.6% carbon which corresponded to 47.8 millimoles Arquad T-50/100 g. treated clay or the same number in milliequivalents, since Arquad T-50 has a single quaternary ammonium functionality. of distilled water and refiltered a total of five times. Surfactant on the mineral is present in quantities approximating the exchange capacity of the mineral. Not all grades perform well in all uses, and the more effective grades tend to be rather expensive. In a second and preferred embodiment, the mineral substrate is treated with a quaternary ammonium salt and the treated mineral is then contacted with the liquid to be purified. The final product was analyzed for carbon by the LECO method, well-known in the art. No. The particular combination of loading level and surfactant most effective for the particular job at hand is best found by experimentation well within the skill of the art. It is recognized in the art that a clear distinction between a granular size and a powder may not be made precisely. In the process of removing contaminants from liquids, treating the mineral substrate with the quaternary ammonium salt and then contacting the treated mineral with the contaminated liquid is preferred. The product was found to contain 12.1% carbon corresponding to 24 millimoles of surfactant/100 g. treated clay, or 48 meq. Patents to Sawyer: U.S. Pat. A specially processed form of heat-treated attapulgite has disclosed use as a filter aid in U.S. Pat. aliquots of water and filtering. The great bulk of these compositions are used in thickening and related arts and require a swelling or gelling-grade clay, e.g. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of tallowammonium acetate, cocotrimethylammonium chloride, tallowtrimethylammonium chloride, trimethyl hexadecylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, dimethyl dicocoammonium chloride, dimethyldi (hydrogenated tallow) ammonium chloride, methyl-tri (C. 3. Surfactant loading levels will also depend on the mineral substrate used. The product was found to contain 17.3% carbon by LECO carbon analysis. Erlenmeyer flasks were charged with dry sorbent in dosages of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g. and 130 g. of cane sugar solution was added to each flask. This application is a continuation of application Ser. The resulting slurry is mixed for a time sufficient to achieve the desired degree of ion-exchange/adsorption, at which point the treated mineral product is recovered by filtration and drying. The data in Table I show that an untreated minerals such LVM attapulgite, a low volatile matter clay calcined to about 5% volatile matter and 1-3% free moisture, and acid activated bentonite have virtually no decolorizing power. The metal cation is complexed by the amine and subsequently adsorbed on the aluminosilicate material. of the buffered 1.0% molasses solution were added by pipette into the flasks. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS, Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof, Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material, Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising silica or silicate, Naturally occurring clays or bleaching earth, ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES, DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL, Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00, Inorganic compounds ; Elemental compounds, Silicon containing, e.g. The clay was contained in a rotating can tilted at an angle of about 45 degrees. Once dry, the sample was sieved to substantially 100% finer than 325 mesh Tyler (44 microns) with a size distribution substantially similar to the starting clay and was ready for use. An amount virtually equal to the cation exchange capacity of the mineral or about 30 meq. In a first embodiment, the quaternary ammonium salt and mineral substrate are added separately to the liquid to be purified. For example, fuller's earth has been a known purifying agent and decolorizer for fats and oils since antiquity. The amount of quaternary salt or quaternary cation on the treated mineral product may be determined by LECO carbon analysis familiar to those skilled in the art. Nuchar 681 is a Westvaco activated carbon impregnated with MgO to keep the liquor pH slightly basic thereby preventing sucrose inversion. 2,885,360 to Haden et al, in which the treated clay is used as a thickening agent for various organic liquids. The clay may be calcined by means conventional in the art, for example a rotary calciner. The filtrates were adjusted to pH 7.0 with 0.1 M HCl or 0.1 M NaOH as required. Treated clay and other liquid purification sorbents may be evaluated comparatively on the basis of performance in decolorizing molasses solutions. No. of the diluted surfactant was sprayed as a fine mist onto the clay through an atomizing nozzle operated by a hand pump.