Abstract: A settable composition suitable for coating surfaces; e.g., walls of a mine comprises (i) a cementitious composition comprising the following components: (a) at least 25% preferably at least 40% of a reactive cement having a C to A or (A+X) ratio of greater than 1:1 preferably greater than 1.2:1, where X is S* or S or F (b) from 0 to 10% of lime and (c) from 5 to 70% preferably 10 to 40% of calcium sulphate, and where the sum of (b) and (c) is at least 15% the % being by weight based on the combined weight of (a), (b) and (c) and where the proportions of the components are such that the composition on hydration is capable of absorbing at least its own weight of water and (ii) an aqueous emulsion of an organic polymer, the amount of (ii) in relation to (i) being such as to provide a weight ratio of polymer solids to combined weight of (a), (b) and (c) of from 0.5:1 to 10:1, preferably 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a component (A) containing, an aqueous alkali silicate solution and a primary amino-alcohol as a catalyst, and a component (B) containing a polyisocyanate. The present invention further relates to organo-mineral products which can be obtained by the transformation of polyisocyanates and aqueous alkali silicate solutions in the presence of a primary amino-alcohol as a catalyst. The organo-mineral products can be used as building, coating, sealing or insulating materials, or as a cement or adhesive.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of elastic, fire resistant, organo-mineral systems based on water-glass in which, to the water-glass, compounds, having terminal amino groups are added, in which at least one free hydrogen atom on at least one amino group and at least one alkylene group interrupted by one oxygen and/or sulphur atom are present as well as the products and the two component systems which can be obtained therewith. The latter can be applied in mining for filling and/or the agglutination of anchors.

Abstract: An inflatable bag for use in a mine support has an inlet for the admission of a pumpable load bearing material such as a cementitious grout and an outlet for the air. The outlet is provided with a valve comprising a porous element the pores of which are capable of being blocked by the grout or similar load bearing material whereby the valve is closed by the grout and the pressure in the bag increased. The porous element can comprise a sponge. The bag is preferably made of a heat sealable material such as a synthetic plastics material e.g. polyethylene. The bag is used with a tube in which it is placed with the inlet in alignment with an aperture in the wall of the tube and grout pumped into the bag to inflate the bag against the floor and roof of the mine.

Abstract: A substantially water-free hardener composition suitable for admixture with a cement to give a product capable of reaction with a silicate to form a hardened mass, comprises: (a) from 5 to 99.9%, preferably 75 to 99.8%, of an organic carbonate hardener for the silicate; (b) from 0.01 to 20%, preferably 0.02 to 10% of an organic retarder, preferably an organic acid retarder such as citric acid for the cement, the % being by weight based on the total weight of (a) and (b). The organic carbonate hardener is preferably a mixture of ethylene and propylene carbonates in proportions of from 3:1 to 1:3 by weight. The hardener may include a cement such as Portland cement. Suitable amounts are (a) organic carbonate hardener from 10 to 60%, (b) organic retarder is from 0.05 to 10% and (c) cement from 20 to 85%.

Abstract: A method and kit for installing a stopping in a mine opening includes securely fixing in the mine opening a screen of a size of about 2 to 24 mesh, preferably about 10 to 20 mesh, most preferably about 12 to 16 mesh, and applying a mortar to the screen to form a coating on the screen; and continuing the application of the mortar until the stopping is airtight. Preferably the screen is composed of steel wire of a diameter from about 0.010 to 0.030 inches (about 0.025 to 0.075 cms). Preferably the mortar is ready-to-use-mortar. The kit comprises as a first component, a screen of mesh size of about 2 to 24 suitable for installation in an opening in the mine and receiving a mortar and supporting the mortar (having a tensile strength of at least 150 lbs/inch) and, as a second component, a mortar, preferably a ready-to-use mortar, for application to the screen to provide a stopping.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical realkalization of reinforced concrete comprises passing a direct electric current between an anode associated with a layer of alkaline electrolyte applied to an external surface of the concrete and a cathode which is located internally in the concrete. The process causes the internal pH of the concrete to increase and a surface layer of the concrete to be impregnated with the electrolyte solution and which comprises a solution of potassium carbonate of concentration at least 0.3 Molar. The process may be applied to concrete a zone of which has a pH of less than 10.0 and the process continued until the pH reaches a level of at least 10.5, preferably at least 11.0.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for the removal of chloride ions from reinforced concrete includes passing a direct current between (i) an anode in electrical contact with the adherent coating containing a water retaining adhesive material, and an aqueous electrolyte applied to an external surface of the concrete and (ii) a cathode which is located internally in the concrete. According to the process, chloride ions are caused to migrate to the anode. In order to reduce the production of chlorine gas, the coating contains, as a chlorine scavenger, solid calcium hydroxide or barium hydroxide, or mixtures thereof. The chlorine scavenger is most preferably present in an amount of at least 8%, and more preferably 20 to 50%, by weight based on the dry weight of the water retaining material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for installing a mine support (pillar, or pillar and grout bag) in a mine. The following are practiced: Locating a form in the mine where it is desired to provide support, the form being composed of a plurality of engaging parts shaped to produce a pillar when filled with a settable material, and the parts being disengageable to permit subsequent removal. Filling the form with a settable cementitous material and allowing the material to set to produce a pillar in the mine which is cuttable with a coal shearer. And, removing the form. When there is a gap between the top of the pillar and the roof of the mine a bag of yieldable grout is inserted in the gap. After use the support may be removed by cutting through the pillar and the bag of yieldable material, and the form may be reused to make a second pillar.

Abstract: A method utilizing non-reaction fillers in the sealing of mine stoppings, such as concrete block under wet or humid conditions, the method comprising providing (a) from about 10 to about 85% by weight of a water soluble alkali metal silicate, (b) about 0.7% to about 10.0% by weight of a water soluble or water miscible reactant for said alkali metal silicate and (c) about 2 to about 50% of non-reactive fillers, bringing components (a), (b) and (c) together with sufficient mixing to form a sealing composition, applying the composition in a coating to the stoppings and permitting the composition to set while being exposed to wet or humid conditions to form an impervious sealant coating thereby preventing penetration of air and dust through the stoppings.

Abstract: A support between the floor (22) and the roof (24) of e.g. a mine stope, is made by using an inflatable container comprising an inner bag (10), received in an outer bag (12). An inlet valve (14) extends through both bags as does a relatively higher pressure relief outlet valve (16). In use, air is pumped into the container until it is fully inflated, following by a grout, the air escaping via the valve (16) until the inner bag (10) is filled.

Abstract: A void in a mine is backfilled by a backfill slurry comprising water, an inert filler, e.g. mine tailings, and a binder, e.g. cement, lime or slag, to which a gelling agent, e.g. sodium silicate, is added just before placement.

Abstract: A hardened cement is prepared by mixing together two slurries, one comprising water and a cement component and the other comprising water, beta anhydrite and calcium oxide and or calcium hydroxide. According to the invention the cement component of the first slurry comprises ferrite and C.sub.12 A.sub.7 or A.sub.7 A--CX.sub.2 (where X is a halogen atom) and a reactive source of silica.

Abstract: A dry composition comprising an aluminous cement and a calcium sulphate, and preferably an accelerator and a water soluble fluoride may be reacted with water in a wide range of proportions to form a rapid setting material which develops high compressive strength.

Abstract: A gelling agent is added to a fast setting cement slurry comprising water, cement and anti-washout retarder and the mix is injected into a void containing running water and allowed to set to form rapidly a material of high compressive strength.

Abstract: A composition to be mixed with water to form rapidly a lightweight high strength set product, as well as a method of placing such compositions at a desired location and the reaction produced. The composition comprises about 1 to about 10% by weight of a gas producing agent which will release gas under acidic conditions, about 1 to about 15% by weight of a rapid setting agent which will form an acid solution in water, and an effective amount of a particulate pozzolan.

Abstract: A cement composition to be combined with water comprises high alumina cement, beta anhydrite, aluminium sulphate, a source of free lime and a reactive filler, eg. blast furnace slag to form a rapid setting and hardening durable material.

Abstract: Coal fines are agglomerated by mixing together the coal fines, a phenol-formaldehyde resole resin in alkaline aqueous solution and a curing agent for the resin comprising one or more esters selected from esters of polyhydric alcohols, carbonate esters and lactones, forming the resulting mixture into agglomerates and drying and curing the agglomerates. A small proportion of a thermoplastics material such as polyvinyl alcohol or an acrylic polymer may be included to improve the surface hardness of the agglomerates, and a small proportion of a material which will improve the coking property and hot strength of the agglomerates, for example finely ground coking coal or bitumen when the coal fines are anthracite fines, may also be included.

Abstract: A capsule contains in separate compartments the interactive components of a self setting composition which according to the invention comprise as base component a paste of high alumina cement, water and a source of CaO and SiO.sub.2 --e.g. as a single source granulated blast furnace slag; and as a catalyst component a paste of lime, water and a water soluble lithium salt. When reacted the components form a set cement containing hydrated phases typical of an OPC.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of backfill material e.g. slimes, includes a settable material and an activator therefor, e.g. pulverized fuel ash and lime, and a lubricant e.g. clay and a plasticizer, e.g. a lignosulphonate so that the slurry can be pumped over long distances but will then set to develop high early strength.