Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring and adjusting both air content and rheology (e.g., slump, slump flow) properties of a hydratable concrete mix contained within a concrete mixer. The system simultaneously tracks dosage of both rheology-modifying admixture (e.g., polycarboxylate polymer cement dispersant) and air control agent or “ACA” (e.g., air entraining agent) by reference to at least four nominal dose response (“NDR”) curves or profiles, which at least four NDR profiles are based on the respective behaviors of each of the ACA and rheology-modifying agent on air content and rheology.

Abstract: A concrete additive includes expanded perlite with a volume weighted mean particle size of approximately 10-100 ?m. The perlite further includes at least one additional component to improve workability and compensate for the natural tendency of expanded perlite to absorb water from the concrete mix. The additional component can include: water; a superplasticizer such as polycarboxylates, naphthalene sulfonate, and melamine sulfonate; or a hydrophobic compound such as salts of fatty acids, fatty acids, silanes, and siloxanes. The additive can be made in the form of a flowable powder or a flowable slurry. Concrete containing this additive displays superior properties to conventional concrete, including extremely high thermal resistance and high strength, low chloride ion permeability, and good early strength. The expanded perlite is a readily available raw material and the finished concrete is extremely cost effective for applications where a high strength structural concrete must withstand high temperatures.

Abstract: A composition and method for reducing freeze-thaw heave risk over flash-filled voids are disclosed. A composition can include cementitious fly ash, water and cellular foam. The composition can optionally include a filler, e.g., Type F fly ash, or additional desired components. A method can include mixing the desired composition and applying the composition to a void. The method can optionally include determining the desired composition based on various factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides combustion products of hydrocarbon fuels and controlled amounts of metal oxide strength enhancing materials. The combustion products are useful as additives to cementitious materials. A hydrocarbon fuel such as coal is introduced into a combustion chamber and selected amounts of materials comprising CaO, SiO2 and Al2O3 are also introduced into and/or downstream from the chamber. The hydrocarbon fuel undergoes combustion while the metal oxide strength enhancing materials react with each other and/or the ash or other reaction products of the hydrocarbon fuel. The combustion products have been found to significantly increase compressive strengths of cements such as Portland cement. A reduction in SO2 emission levels also results from the introduction of the metal oxide strength enhancing materials into the combustion process.

Abstract: A calcium phosphate cement composition kit comprising (A) a powdery agent comprising 100 parts by mass of calcium phosphate powder, and 5-50 parts by mass of a powdery apatite/collagen composite, and (B) an aqueous blending liquid; a paste-like mixture being obtained by blending the powdery agent with the aqueous blending liquid, in such a proportion that the aqueous blending liquid is 15-50 parts by mass per the total amount (100 parts by mass) of the calcium phosphate powder and the powdery apatite/collagen composite, and filled in a predetermined prosthetic site in a human body to form a hardened calcium phosphate/collagen composite.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations, including a method of cementing that may comprise providing a settable composition that may comprise wollastonite, pumice, a calcium-ion source, and water, wherein the wollastonite may be present in an amount in a range of from about 25% to about 75% by combined weight of the wollastonite and pumice, and wherein the pumice may present in an amount in a range of from about 25% to about 75% by combined weight of the wollastonite and pumice. Embodiments of the method further may comprise allowing the settable composition to set.

Abstract: Cement compositions containing biowaste ash and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. Examples of suitable biowaste ash include agricultural waste ash, municipal waste ash, waste-water treatment waste ash, animal waste ash, non-human-non-animal industrial waste ash, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A liquid aqueous suspension of polysaccharide, contains a mass concentration of at least one polysaccharide of between 15 and 35% in the form of partially hydrated particles dispersed in an aqueous solution of a strong base salt, excluding ammonium salts, with an ionic strength of between 1.25 mol/L and 15 mol/L, has a pH greater than 9 and contains at least one non-phyllitic crystalline mineral powder, referred to hereafter as filler, which is chemically inert in the aqueous suspension and which has a grain size of between 0.1 and 100 micrometers and an attapulgite in micronized form, the aqueous suspension being stable at least in a temperature range from 5 to 30° C. The suspension is suitable for use as an agent for thickening cementitious compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cement slurry composition, containing a hydraulic cement material, (A) a first water-soluble low molecular weight compound and (B) a second water-soluble low molecular weight compound differing from the compound (A), wherein a combination of the compounds (A) and (B) is (I) the compound (A) selected from cationic surfactants and the compound (B) selected from anionic aromatic compounds; or (II) the compound (A) selected from cationic surfactants and the compound (B) selected from brominated compounds, and in the compound (A), a ratio of compounds having a hydrocarbon group of 18 or more carbon atoms is not less than 45% by weight.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of a fluidized bed reactor in the carbonation of a solid, inorganic and alkaline particulate material which contains alkaline metal salts. It also describes a method for treating cement kiln dust (CKD) containing alkaline metal salts. The treatment method comprises two steps: (a) a hydration step; and (b) a carbonation step, wherein the carbonation step is carried out in a fluidized bed reactor. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the treated CKD is used as an aggregate in sulfur polymer concrete (SPC). Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method for producing SPC, which method comprises heating and mixing treated CKD of the present invention, elemental sulfur and modified sulfur to produce a mixture. The SPC can be used as a barrier to restrict permeation of matter, e.g. in a containment construction for storing matter such as hazardous waste.

Abstract: A method of sequestering a greenhouse gas is described, which comprises: (i) providing a solution carrying a first reagent that is capable of reacting with a greenhouse gas; (ii) contacting the solution with a greenhouse gas under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reagent and the greenhouse gas to produce at least a first reactant; (iii) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a second reactant; (iv) allowing a solution carrying the at least first reactant to infiltrate at least a substantial portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (v) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interior spaces of the porous matrix, thereby sequestering a greenhouse gas.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure, using a mandrel that is later removed from the composite structure, involves production of a mandrel by depositing a particulate mixture, including an aggregate and a binder, into a mold and removing the mandrel from the mold. The mandrel may be treated while still in the mold by heating, curing with an agent, microwave energy, or by some combination thereof. Once finished, the mandrel can be used in manufacturing polymer and/or composite components. The mandrel can also be include materials that can be easily removed from the finished composite structure by water, shakeout, chemically dissolving, or by some combination thereof.

Abstract: A calcium sulfoaluminate-based concrete with a permeability of less than 1000 Coulombs. Rapid-setting low chloride-ion permeability calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements and concretes include CSA and a suitable polymer such as a sol-gel derived, organic-inorganic, silica based hybrid coating solutions of polystyrene-butylacrylate polymers containing active silanol groups protected by hydroxyl groups containing polyalcohol, or other polymers. Such polymers may be added as powders or as liquid in the finish mill. Other rapid-setting low chloride-ion permeability (CSA) cements and concretes include CSA with selected particle size distributions, and do not require use of any polymer. These CSA cements and concretes have low chloride-ion permeability, high early strength, fast setting times, low-shrinkage, and high freeze-thaw resistance.

Abstract: A method of producing a mainly carbonate bonded article includes a step of providing an alkaline granular material having one or more alkaline earth metal silicate phases. The method includes a step of compacting the granular material to obtain a compact of the granular material. The porosity of the compact is smaller than or equal to 37% by volume. The intrinsic permeability of the compact is at least 1·10?12 cm2. The method also includes a reacting step arranged to form at least 5% by weight of carbonates (CO32?), by reacting the granular material with carbon dioxide in the presence of water, thus transforming the compact into the article. In the reacting step, the compact, being unsaturated with moisture at the beginning of the reacting step, is brought in an atmosphere having carbon dioxide. The atmosphere is at a temperature of at least 70° C. and at a pressure of at least 0.5 MPa. The pressure is also higher than the saturated vapor pressure of water at the temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polycationic compound in combination with a hydroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof to enhance slump retention in cements and concretes having clay-bearing aggregates, wherein the clay otherwise absorbs or diminishes the dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate superplasticizers.

Abstract: A mixture for making a high strength phosphate cement includes monopotassium phosphate, a Group IIA metal oxide in amounts of about 20 to about 100 parts per 100 parts of the monopotassium phosphate and monocalcium orthophosphate in amounts of from about 3 to about 30 parts per 100 parts of the monopotassium phosphate. Products made from the phosphate cement have a pH of less than about 9 and the product develops a compressive strength greater than 2000 psi in 24 hours.

Abstract: The invention provides an expansive material that allows for large expansion of concrete at a material age of 2 to 7 days after pouring and permits concrete to have higher initial compressive strength and makes sure good storage stability, and a process for preparing that expansive material. The invention provides an expansive material and a process for preparing that expansive material, characterized in that clinker or pulverized clinker containing free lime, a hydraulic compound and calcium sulfate anhydrite is heat treated in a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere to form calcium carbonate in it. Preferably, the expansive material contains a particle in which the free lime, hydraulic compound, calcium sulfate anhydrite and calcium carbonate are all present; the content of calcium carbonate is 0.5 to 10% by mass; and the expansive material has a Blaine's specific surface area of 1,500 to 90,000 cm2/g. The expansive material is blended with cement into a cement composition.

Abstract: A cement mix for preparation of a magnesium silico-phosphate cement (MSPC) with an altered hardening rate is provided. The cement mix comprises on the order of 1% of an [MF6]n? salt or acid. Upon addition of water, the mix produces a final set cement that has similar physical properties to those of a cement prepared from a mix lacking the additive, but with a significantly altered setting time. In some embodiments of the invention, the additive is provided in the form of a coating for the MgO component of the mix. In preferred embodiments, H2TiF6, Na2TiF6 and/or K2TiF6 are used as retarders, while K3AlF6 is used as an accelerant. Other embodiments use M?nMF6 compounds wherein M? is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or H, and M is chosen from inter alia Ti (n=2), Zr (n=2), P (n=1), Al (n=3), and Sb (n=1).

Abstract: A cement composition, and a process for producing a cement composition, wherein the cement composition has the Sr content of 0.065 mass % to 1.0 mass % and the MgO content of greater than 1.0 mass % to 3.0 mass %. The process for producing a cement composition comprises a step (A) of adjusting the basic raw material units of raw materials selected from the group consisting of limestone, silica stone, coal ash, clay, blast furnace slag, soil generated by construction work, sewage sludge, hydrocake and iron sources so that the cement composition has the Sr content of 0.065 mass % to 1.0 mass % and the MgO content of greater than 1.0 mass % to 3.0 mass %, blending the adjusted raw materials and burning to produce cement clinker, and a step (B) of mixing the cement clinker with gypsum and an admixture of limestone and blast furnace slag followed by grinding.

Abstract: Cement compositions containing biowaste ash and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. Examples of suitable biowaste ash include agricultural waste ash, municipal waste ash, waste-water treatment waste ash, animal waste ash, non-human-non-animal industrial waste ash, and combinations thereof.