Abstract: Geopolymer cement slurries, cured geopolymer cements, and methods of making cured geopolymer cement and methods of using geopolymer cement slurries are provided. The geopolymer cement slurry comprises cement precursor material, Saudi Arabian volcanic ash, and an aqueous solution. The Saudi Arabian volcanic ash comprises SO3, CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and K2O.

Abstract: Methods of preparing cast-in-place geopolymer piles using electrical heating wire (130) to provide heat to cure the piles are described. The heating wire (130) can be associated with a reinforcement cage (120) inserted in the pile shaft. Rod-shaped heating units comprising electrical heating wire (130) can be inserted into a pile shaft and can be reusable. Geopolymer piles with high compressive strength can be prepared from mixtures of class F fly ash and aqueous sodium hydroxide by heating the piles with the heating wire to a stable curing temperature for at least about 24 hours.

Abstract: Methods of delivering reactive components to a geological formation disclosed herein include generating a plurality of microholes along a wellbore, the plurality of microholes comprising one or more openings, and the plurality of microholes are configured to connect the wellbore to the geological formation. Methods further include delivering the one or more reactive components to the plurality of microholes via a carrier fluid, wherein the one or more reactive components are configured to enable one or more chemical reactions to occur, and wherein the carrier fluid is configured to expand, and controlling a flow rate of the one or more reactive components based on whether a volume of the one or more reactive components delivered to the plurality of microholes is greater than a threshold volume.

Abstract: Alkali activated concrete compositions containing natural pozzolan, ground granulated blast furnace slag, alkali activators such as an alkali hydroxide and an alkali silicate, and optionally fine and coarse aggregates. Alkali activated concretes made therefrom and methods of making such concretes are also specified. The inclusion of ground granulated blast furnace slag provides significantly superior mechanical strength (e.g. compressive strength) to the alkali activated concretes within 12-24 hours of curing at 30-60° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fire-resistant cable comprising at least one electrically insulating composite layer based on at least one cementitious material and at least one starch, and the process for manufacturing same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel multifunctional material for workability of geopolymeric system and its process thereof. The viscous characteristics in geopolymeric system are responsible for observed negligible workability of geopolymeric cement concrete system and which limits its broad application spectrum. The novel multifunctional material of the present invention prepared by digestion of siliceous agricultural waste i.e. Rice husk with aqueous alkaline materials involving simultaneous and synergistic chemical reactions among the various constituents of rice husk, aqueous alkaline compounds and optionally adding Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) to obtain in-situ synthesis of desired nano-sized multi functional agents lignin, hemicelluloses, cellulose, sodium silicate necessary for addressing the issue of workability and also improving the engineering properties of geopolymeric system for broad application spectrum.

Abstract: A method is described here for the layerwise construction of models, wherein, in a building region, a particulate material is applied layerwise and selectively cured. These steps are repeated until a desired model is obtained. The material comprises in this case a particulate building material and a spray-dried alkali metal silicate solution. Selective activation of the curing proceeds using a water-comprising solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of tailored precursor materials in a solid powder form, useful for geopolymeric system containing pentavalent silicon complexes in a solid powder form. The raw materials used are fly ash, sodium hydroxide, and rice husk with and without sodium silicate. The tailored precursors so obtained in solid powder need only water at site, instead of highly alkaline solution for obtaining the cementitious geopolymeric materials.

Abstract: A method for making a low-alkali fly ash cement includes forming a mixture of class C fly ash and an aqueous solution and forming low-alkali fly ash cement from the mixture. The aqueous solution has an alkali at a molar concentration between about 0.002 M and about 2 M. A low-alkali fly ash cement includes class C fly ash and an alkali activating agent. The low-alkali fly ash cement contains between about 3×10?4 wt % alkali activating agent and about 2 wt % alkali activating agent. A method for making fly ash cement includes forming a mixture of class C fly ash and water, wet pressing the mixture and forming fly ash cement from the mixture by curing the mixture at a temperature between about 60° C. and about 90° C.

Abstract: Wallboards, as well as other building materials, are produced by methods which use significantly reduced embodied energy, generating far less greenhouse gases when compared with the energy used to fabricate gypsum wallboard. A novel cementitious core, consisting in one embodiment of post-industrial waste such as slag and combined with pH modifiers, provides a controlled exothermic reaction to create a gypsum-wallboard-like core which can be wrapped in a selected material such as recycled paper and manufactured on a conveyor system to appear, weigh and handle similar to gypsum wallboard, but without the large amounts of energy required to make gypsum wallboard. The manufacturing process results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than the processes used to make gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: A method of producing a geopolymer product, which comprises: preparing an activated geopolymer premix by addition to a geopolymer premix of an activator compound that initiates a condensation reaction in the geopolymer premix; forming the activated geopolymer premix into a desired configuration to form a geopolymer structure; and curing the geopolymer structure to produce the geopolymer product, wherein the characteristics of the activated premix are controlled and the condensation reaction allowed to proceed for a period of time prior to forming such that when formed the activated premix forms a self-supporting geopolymer structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid rheology modifier containing compounds (A) and (B) selected from combination (1) of compound (A) selected from cationic surfactants and compound (B) selected from anionic aromatic compounds and combination (2) of compound (A) from cationic surfactants and compound (B) selected from brominated compounds; and dicarboxylic acid (C).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing, starting from a slag material, a filler for construction materials which contain bitumen or a hydraulic binding agent. The slag used to prepare the filler contains ?-dicalcium silicate. The process comprises the step of removing from the slag material a finer fraction formed by particles of a size between 0 and at least 0.75 mm so as to reduce the ?-dicalcium silicate content of the slag material; and the step of finely milling at least a portion of the remaining coarser fraction of the slag to obtain the filler. The invention also relates to the obtained filler, to the use thereof for preparing construction materials and to concrete or mortar compositions and asphalt compositions containing the filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alkali-activated binder which can be used as a binder for replacing cement, and more particularly, to an alkali-activated binder, and to mortar, concrete, concrete products, and wet loess paving material comprising the binder, in which inorganic sodium-free alkaline materials are contained to reduce the total amount of Na2O and K2O in concrete, thus improving the workability and the strength stability and inhibiting the alkali-aggregate reaction.

Abstract: A geopolymer concrete formed by mixing about 3% to about 43% by weight incinerator fly ash, about 3% to about 35% by weight coal fly ash, about 7% to about 38% by weight alkaline activator liquid, and about 31% to about 70% by weight aggregate. The incinerator fly ash may be derived from a solid waste incinerator facility. The alkaline activator liquid may include a sodium hydroxide solution and sodium silicate. The aggregate may include a fine aggregate, such as sand, and a coarse aggregate, such as gravel.

Abstract: A method of making a lightweight cementitious binder composition with improved compressive strength for products such as cementitious panels is disclosed. The method mixes fly ash, alkali metal salt of citric acid, alkali metal silicate, foaming agent for entraining air, water and in the preferred embodiment a foam stabilizing agent. Compositions which include fly ash selected from the group consisting of class C fly ash, class F fly ash and mixtures thereof, alkali metal salts of citric acid, alkali metal silicates, foaming agents, and preferably a foam stabilizer, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and do not require use of set retarders. Compositions containing class F fly ash can optionally contain Type III Portland cement.

Abstract: Hydraulic cements, such as Portland cements and other cements that include substantial quantities of tricalcium silicate (C3S), dicalcium silicate (C2S), tricalcium aluminate (C3A), and/or tetracalcalcium alumino-ferrite (C4AF), are particle size optimized to have increased reactivity compared to cements of similar chemistry and/or decreased water demand compared to cements of similar fineness. Increasing hydraulic cement reactivity increases early strength development and release of reactive calcium hydroxide, both of which enhance SCM replacement and 1-28 day strengths compared to blends of conventional Portland cement and one or more SCMs, such as coal ash, slag or natural pozzolan. Decreasing the water demand can improve strength by decreasing the water-to-cement ratio for a given workability. The narrow PSD cements are well suited for making blended cements, including binary, ternary and quaternary blends.

Abstract: A novel binder system comprising at least one latent hydraulic binder, at least one amorphous silica, optionally at least one reactive filler and at least one alkali metal silicate is proposed. It was surprisingly found that the binder system according to the invention hardens in the form of a hybrid matrix which is acid-resistant, water-resistant and alkali-resistant. The binder system can be used for the production of a hydraulically setting mortar which, after setting, hardening for seven days and subsequent storage for three days in acid, base and/or water, has compressive strengths of more than 15 N mm?2, preferably more than 20 N mm?2 and in particular more than 25 N mm?2, according to DIN EN 13888.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel type of noncorrosive geopolymer cement in which said cement comprises a metakaolin or a mixture of metakaolin and non-thermally activated aluminosilicate, in a weight ratio comprised between about 40:60 and about 80:20, and an alkaline silicate solution having a molar ratio M2O:SiO2 comprised between about 0.51 and 0.60, M representing Na or K, and to the use of a superplasticizer comprising a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer in the manufacture of geopolymer cement.

Abstract: Hydraulic cements, such as Portland cements and other cements that include substantial quantities of tricalcium silicate (C3S), dicalcium silicate (C2S), tricalcium aluminate (C3A), and/or tetracalcalcium alumino-ferrite (C4AF), are particle size optimized to have increased reactivity compared to cements of similar chemistry and/or decreased water demand compared to cements of similar fineness. Increasing hydraulic cement reactivity increases early strength development and release of reactive calcium hydroxide, both of which enhance SCM replacement and 1-28 day strengths compared to blends of conventional Portland cement and one or more SCMs, such as coal ash, slag or natural pozzolan. Decreasing the water demand can improve strength by decreasing the water-to-cement ratio for a given workability. The narrow PSD cements are well suited for making blended cements, including binary, ternary and quaternary blends.

Abstract: A geopolymer concrete formed by mixing about 3% to about 43% by weight incinerator fly ash, about 3% to about 35% by weight coal fly ash, about 7% to about 38% by weight alkaline activator liquid, and about 31% to about 70% by weight aggregate. The incinerator fly ash may be derived from a solid waste incinerator facility. The alkaline activator liquid may include a sodium hydroxide solution and sodium silicate. The aggregate may include a fine aggregate, such as sand, and a coarse aggregate, such as gravel.

Abstract: Hydraulic cements, such as Portland cements and other cements that include substantial quantities of tricalcium silicate (C3S), dicalcium silicate (C2S), tricalcium aluminate (C3A), and/or tetracalcalcium alumino-ferrite (C4AF), are particle size optimized to have increased reactivity compared to cements of similar chemistry and/or decreased water demand compared to cements of similar fineness. Increasing hydraulic cement reactivity increases early strength development and release of reactive calcium hydroxide, both of which enhance SCM replacement and 1-28 day strengths compared to blends of conventional Portland cement and one or more SCMs, such as coal ash, slag or natural pozzolan. Decreasing the water demand can improve strength by decreasing the water-to-cement ratio for a given workability. The narrow PSD cements are well suited for making blended cements, including binary, ternary and quaternary blends.

Abstract: The present invention provides a geopolymeric cement formed from a precursor having a relatively high alumina content (Si:Al atomic ratio of less than or equal to 1.3:1) to form an alkaline multiphase alumino-silicate material. The precursor comprises basaltic rock in which kaolinization is at an advanced stage, preferably Interbasaltic material found in Northern Ireland. The present invention also provides structural units for constructing a building, the structural units being manufactured using the geopolymeric cement of the invention. The invention also provides a process for producing a geopolymeric cement comprising a precursor having a relatively high alumina content (Si:Al atomic ratio of less than or equal to 1.3:1) to form an alkaline alumino-silicate geopolymer material for manufacturing geopolymeric structural building units having compressive strengths of greater than 3 N/mm2 and preferably having compressive strengths in the range of 12-25 N/mm2.

Abstract: A novel binder system comprising at least one latent hydraulic binder, at least one amorphous silica, optionally at least one reactive filler and at least one alkali metal silicate is proposed. It was surprisingly found that the binder system according to the invention hardens in the form of a hybrid matrix which is acid-resistant, water-resistant and alkali-resistant. The binder system can be used for the production of a hydraulically setting mortar which, after setting, hardening for seven days and subsequent storage for three days in acid, base and/or water, has compressive strengths of more than 15 N mm?2, preferably more than 20 N mm?2 and in particular more than 25 N mm?2, according to DIN EN 13888.

Abstract: A composition capable of setting to produce a building material is disclosed. The composition can include from 1% to 30% by weight of an activator, from 1% to 55% by weight of a pozzolan, such as fly ash; from 40% to 90% by weight of an aggregate; and liquid landfill leachate in a sufficient amount such that the composition sets to a building material having a compressive strength of at least 2 MPa, wherein all weight percentages are percent by weight of the total composition. The liquid landfill leachate replaces all or part of the tap water in a conventional composition for forming a building material. The liquid landfill leachate can be recovered after a liquid (typically water) percolates through a landfill and contacts at least one landfilled coal combustion product selected from fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization material. The building material can be a concrete, or a masonry unit.

Abstract: A method of making a lightweight cementitious binder composition with improved compressive strength for products such as cementitious panels is disclosed. The method mixes fly ash, alkali metal salt of citric acid, alkali metal silicate, foaming agent for entraining air, water and in the preferred embodiment a foam stabilizing agent. Compositions which include fly ash selected from the group consisting of class C fly ash, class F fly ash and mixtures thereof, alkali metal salts of citric acid, alkali metal silicates, foaming agents, and preferably a foam stabilizer, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and do not require use of set retarders. Compositions containing class F fly ash can optionally contain Type III Portland cement.

Abstract: Novel decorative products including interior home decorative products, garden ornaments, building decorative products and the like are disclosed in which the novel decorative products are characterized in having rigid shells of compacted fiber reinforced magnesium oxychloride composite, seam lines of below two millimeters and cores of which densities can be adjusted according to the preferred weight of the products during the product design stage. The aforesaid compacted fiber reinforced magnesium oxychloride composite is characterized in having compacted structures of F-5 MOC phase magnesium oxychloride. A method for producing the novel decorative products is also provided.

Abstract: A low-calcium-cementitious material having a calcium oxide content less than or equal to 10 wt % which is processed at room temperature into a low calcium cement mainly composed of mullite and a method manufacturing of the low calcium cement are provided. The low-calcium-cementitious material includes low calcium fly ash, an alkaline agent, and a congealing agent, wherein the calcium oxide content of the low-calcium-cementitious material is less than or equal to 10 wt %. The low calcium fly ash has a calcium oxide content less than or equal to 10 wt %. The low calcium cement manufacturing method includes providing a low calcium fly ash having a calcium oxide content less than or equal to 10 wt %; providing an alkaline agent; providing a congealing agent; and mixing the low-calcium-content fly ash, the alkaline agent, and the congealing agent and standing the mixture at room temperature to form a low calcium cement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials, and methods for creating materials, that does not require heat to create a functional construction material. One purpose of the materials and methods disclosed herein is, at least, to provide industries, such as the construction industry, with a product that significantly reduces the generation of carbon dioxide during production, unlike Portland Cement and typical geopolymer cements. Further, another advantage of the invention is that it utilizes basic processes and materials that may be incorporated into existing production facilities and methodologies. A further purpose is to increase the quality of the product by reducing damage from, for example, exposures to adverse climatic conditions (such as extreme or variable weather), or damaging chemicals such as chlorides, sulfates, acids, or the like.

Abstract: A slurry rheology modifier comprises a first water-soluble low-molecular compound [referred to hereinafter as compound (A)] and a second water-soluble low-molecular compound [referred to hereinafter as compound (B)] being different from the compound (A), wherein the viscosity of an aqueous solution at 20° C. prepared by mixing an aqueous solution SA (with a viscosity at 20° C. of 100 mPa·s or less) of compound (A) with an aqueous solution SB (with a viscosity at 20° C. of 100 mPa·s or less) of compound (B) in the ratio of 50/50 by weight can be at least twice as high as the viscosity of either aqueous solution before mixed.

Abstract: A precast concrete component material mixture and method of precasting, which is used to manufacture sleepers for transportation tracks, and related precast concrete components, are provided. The precast concrete component material mixture include: 891 to 963 kg/m3 of coarse aggregate(ca); 811 to 876 kg/m3 of fine aggregate(fa); pozzolan material containing 90 to 97 kg/m3 of fly ash and 31 to 34 kg/m3 of silica fume; cementing material containing 235 to 350 kg/m3 of cement and 78 to 117 kg/m3 of blast furnace slag; 122 to 165 kg/m3 of water; carboxylic acid superplasticizer, which is 0.7 to 2.0 wt % of the total usage of the pozzolan and cementing material; and steel fiber accounting for 0.5 to 1.0% of the total volume.

Abstract: A filler for reinforcement joint that ensures excellent fluidity and retention thereof, exhibiting appropriate length change ratio and high strength performance; and a method of reinforcement joint filling operation using the same. There are provided a filler for reinforcement joint containing a cement, an expanding material, a pozzolana micropowder, a water reducing agent and a sand, and a method of reinforcement joint filling operation using the same, characterized in that the expanding material is a calcium aluminoferrite expanding material, and that the pozzolana micropowder is a silicious micropowder having a silicon dioxide (SiO2) content of 90% or higher and having a hydrogen ion concentration falling in an acid region, and that the water reducing agent is a polycarboxylic acid water reducing agent. The calcium aluminoferrite expanding material preferably has a value of Brain specific surface area of 2000 to 6000 cm2/g. The sand is preferably a weighty sand of 3.0 g/cm3 or higher density.

Abstract: Organic compounds containing at least one nitrogen atom are particularly suitable as retarders for geopolymeric systems employed as well cements. Preferred compounds include aminated polymers, amine phosphonates, quaternary ammonium compounds and tertiary amines. The geopolymeric compositions are suitable for primary cementing and remedial cementing operations. The preferred temperature range within which the retarders operate is between about 20° C. and 120° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alkali-activated binder which can be used as a binder for replacing cement, and more particularly, to an alkali-activated binder, and to mortar, concrete, concrete products, and wet loess paving material comprising the binder, in which inorganic sodium-free alkaline materials are contained to reduce the total amount of Na2O and K2O in concrete, thus improving the workability and the strength stability and inhibiting the alkali-aggregate reaction.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns cost effective concrete formulations based on an alkali activated binder. The construction material of the concrete type, contains sand, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, water and a binder comprising: from 55 to 80 wt. % of fly ash containing less than wt. 8% of CaO; from 15 to 40 wt. % of blast furnace slag; a chemical activator containing: from 0.8 to 4 wt. % of alkaline silicates; and from 1.5 to 9 wt. % of alkaline carbonates; wherein the chemical activator has an silica to alkali molar ratio from 0.1 to 0.55; and a booster comprising at least one strong base. The disclosure also concerns a method to produce such a concrete construction material.

Abstract: A composition capable of setting to produce a building material is disclosed. The composition can include from 1% to 30% by weight of an activator, from 1% to 55% by weight of a pozzolan, such as fly ash; from 40% to 90% by weight of an aggregate; and liquid landfill leachate in a sufficient amount such that the composition sets to a building material having a compressive strength of at least 2 MPa, wherein all weight percentages are percent by weight of the total composition. The liquid landfill leachate replaces all or part of the tap water in a conventional composition for forming a building material. The liquid landfill leachate can be recovered after a liquid (typically water) percolates through a landfill and contacts at least one landfilled coal combustion product selected from fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization material. The building material can be a concrete, or a masonry unit.

Abstract: Various methods for forming structural composites are disclosed. For example, a particular method may include adding an effective amount of algae extract to an aggregate mixture so as to provide a plasticizer to the aggregate mixture, and processing the aggregate mixture to form a hardened composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to building material mixtures which contain slag sand and zinc salts which have from 0 to 8 carbon atoms in their structure. The invention furthermore relates to the use of zinc salts for preventing discolorations during the hardening of the building material mixtures.

Abstract: An inorganic binder composition has a first constituent which is a poly(sialate) or a poly(sialate-siloxo) admixed with a second constituent which has one or more of: fly ash F, fly ash C, fumed silica, Al2O3, pozzolan, ground slag, nepheline syenite, anhydrous aluminum silicate, hydrous aluminum silicate, hydrous sodium hydroxide, silicic acid, potassium salt, and sodium salt. The binder is used to recycle and reuse revert materials from metal smelting operations.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the development of a simple, multipurpose, low cost, environmental friendly and safe binder formulation and related process, based on high volumes of alkaline activated class F fly ash residue (>760%) without ordinary Portland cement and related products, offering a wide scope of applications. More specifically, the universal binder is based on a very limited number of components (fly ash type F, Blast Furnace Slag and a mixture of alkali silicates and carbonates). The binder allows developing considerable strength at the early stage (at room temperature) and very high resistances at 28 days. The binder applies to pastes, mortars concretes and pre-cast with the same flexibility of an Ordinary Portland Cement.

Abstract: In one aspect of embodiments of the invention is provided a heat-resistant cementitious composition comprising a binder comprising potassium silicate, and at least one filler material, the filler material substantially non-reactive with said potassium silicate; wherein the cementitious composition, in the presence of water, has a ramp flow value of less than about 10 in the substantial absence of vibration; and wherein the cementitious composition, in the presence of water, has both thixotropic flow properties and pseudoplastic flow properties. Also provided are lamp assemblies employing such cementitious compositions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the development of a simple, multipurpose, low cost, environmental friendly and safe binder formulation and related process, based on high volumes of alkaline activated class F fly ash residue (>760%) without ordinary Portland cement and related products, offering a wide scope of applications. More specifically, the universal binder is based on a very limited number of components (fly ash type F, Blast Furnace Slag and a mixture of alkali silicates and carbonates). The binder allows developing considerable strength at the early stage (at room temperature) and very high resistances at 28 days. The binder applies to pastes, mortars concretes and pre-cast with the same flexibility of an Ordinary Portland Cement.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for coating that can form a waterproof siliceous coating film. To impart water resistance to a film formed by binder of alkali silicate, radioactive material is used in combination with the binder. Additionally, inorganic filler, inorganic body pigment, inorganic color pigment, additive, and water are used in combination, thereby attaining a coating film that combines water resistance, acid resistance, and non-flammability.

Abstract: A method of preparing a building material is provided. An aggregate material, water, a hydraulic binder material, and one or more hydraulic activators are mixed. The hydraulic binder material comprises slag material. The mixture is allowed to harden. A building material is also provided. The building material includes a slag material, and one or more hydraulic activators.

Abstract: A method for making a regenerated soil material for the production of a structural unit includes the steps of: a) obtaining a raw soil material containing aluminum and silicon from a natural source; b) adding an active mineral containing aluminum and silicon to the raw soil material; c) cleaving the raw soil material and the active mineral in a base so as to dissociate aluminum monomer and silicon monomer out of the mixture of the raw soil material and the active mineral; and d) polymerizing the aluminum monomer and the silicon monomer so as to form silicon-oxy tetrahedron and aluminum-oxy tetrahedron in the mixture.

Abstract: A composite product comprising a substrate layer and one or more functional layers applied thereto. The slurry is applied to the substrate layer to form a functional layer and the functional layer dewatered through the substrate layer. The functional layers can be repeated to build up a laminated composite product. Functional additives may be included in each layer to provide desired properties to that layer and indeed to the subsequent composite product.

Abstract: An asbestos free, calcium silicate insulating material, suitable for use in applications where a tough, fire resistant, heat insulating, electrical insulating, and corrosion resistant material is desirable. The calcium silicate insulating material is produced by combining Portland cement, blast furnace slag cement, a siliceous component, wollastonite and organic fibrous material in the presence of water to form a slurry. The slurry is then placed under steam pressure, to react the portland cement, blast furnace slag cement, siliceous component and water, dried, and heat treated if necessary.

Abstract: The present invention includes a coating. The coating includes flyash in a concentration of 25 to 70 percent by weight; Portland cement; silica; and a curing agent. The coating optionally includes one or more of chopped nylon fiber; styrene; and, rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of forming a lightweight fly ash aggregate together with the resultant fly ash aggregate. The invention further relates to various aspects of the method of forming the lightweight fly ash aggregate including methods of forming fly ash slurry, briquettes, or lightweight fly ash particles. The general steps involved in forming a lightweight fly ash aggregate are as follows: I. blending fly ash together with a plasticiser and a reduced quantity of water; II. compacting or compressing the resultant fly ash slurry or dough; III. cutting or otherwise forming the dough into briquettes; IV. heating the briquettes to effectively cure the dough; V. firing the briquettes to sinter the fly ash; VI. crushing the sintered briquettes and sizing, preferably screening, the resultant fly ash particles to provide the lightweight fly ash aggregate of a predetermined size range.

Abstract: Disclosed are amorphous precipitated silicas, silica gels, and amorphous carbons derived from biomass and methods of producing them with and without adhered or deposited amorphous carbons produced by acidifying a caustic silicate solution produced by caustic digestion of biomass ash containing silica with and without activated carbon, the ash being obtained from thermal pyrolysis of the biomass, the acidifying effective to produce a slurry of the precipitated silica and silica gels with and without adhered or deposited amorphous carbon, and separated from the slurry the precipitated silicas and silica gels with and without the adhered or deposited amorphous carbons. The properties of the precipitated silica with adhered or deposited carbon being within the range as utilized in rubber compositions thereby avoiding the blending of silica and carbon components for such use.