Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing grinding efficiency of cement, cement clinker, raw materials for cement, and other inorganic particles. Use of biomass-derived polyols such as diols, triols, or mixtures thereof, optionally with a conventional grinding aid, cement quality improver, and/or hexavalent chromium reducer, are believed to provide less risk of sludging when compared to glycerides obtained from fossil fuel sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates, particularly those used for construction purposes, whereby inclusion of fines is maximized due to minimization of clay washing which tends to remove such fines, and whereby performance of the aggregate-containing construction material is enhanced. Exemplary methods comprise introducing to clay a water-soluble, functionalized polyamine comprising a water-soluble polyamine formed by reacting an amine compound with an epoxy compound, the polyamine thus reacted being functionalized through the use of certain halide, sulfate, or epoxy compounds.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit includes a bin for storing at least one of the catalyst and/or additives, and a loading unit in fluid communication with the storage bin and the fluidized catalytic cracking unit on a selective basis. The loading unit is capable of being evacuated so that a resulting vacuum within the loading unit draws the catalyst and/or additive from the bin. The loading unit is also capable of being pressurized so that the catalyst and/or additive is transferred from the loading unit to the fluidized catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproofing membrane that comprises a carrier sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on one surface of the carrier sheet, and a protective coating layer on the adhesive layer. The protective coating layer comprises a highly reflective protective coating layer operative to bond to concrete cast against it, particularly one that is produced from an aqueous coating comprising an acrylic emulsion, a filler, and a white pigment. The pigment volume concentration of the filler plus white pigment is greater than or equal to 55% by volume. The protective coating layer protects the membrane against weather exposure, tolerates foot traffic and strongly adheres to concrete cast against it. Also disclosed is a waterproofing membrane comprising a carrier sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, a protective coating layer, and a highly releasable bonding layer. The preferred highly releasable bonding layer comprises nanoscale silica and a binder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproofing membrane that comprises a carrier sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on one surface of the carrier sheet, and a protective coating layer on the adhesive layer. The protective coating layer is highly reflective (optionally textured) and operative to bond to concrete cast against it. Preferably, the protective coating layer comprises cement, polymer, and white pigment, and may optionally or additionally include a filler, a UV absorber and an antioxidant. The protective coating layer protects the membrane against weather exposure, tolerates foot traffic and strongly adheres to concrete cast against it. Also disclosed is a waterproofing membrane comprising a carrier sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, a protective coating layer (as described above), and a highly releasable bonding layer.

Abstract: Systems for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit are disclosed. Methods of making and using the systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chromatography devices contain chromatography media and methods of making and methods of using chromatography devices. Chromatography devices enable a more efficient, productive and/or environmentally friendly chromatographic operation due to one or more of the following advantages over conventional chromatographic operations: elimination of a device packing step by the user; elimination of clean-in-place (CIP) steps; elimination of clean-in-place (CIP) steps utilizing sodium hydroxide solution; elimination of any validation steps by the user; and use of a chromatography device comprising biodegradable material. The chromatography media includes porous inorganic particles having a functionalized surface and having a median pore size of at least about 300 Angstroms (A), or at least about 300 A up to about 3000 A. The inorganic particles may have a BET surface area of at least about 20 m2/g, or at least about 25 m2/g, or about 30 m2/g, up to about 2000 m2/g.

Abstract: A catalytic cracking catalyst composition is disclosed that is suitable for reducing the sulfur content of catalytically cracking liquid products, in particularly gasoline products, produced during a catalytic cracking process. Preferably, the catalytic cracking process is a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process. The composition comprises zeolite, zinc and at least one rare earth element having an ionic radius of less than 0.95 ? at a coordination number of 6. Preferably, zinc and the rare earth element are present as cations that have been exchanged on the zeolite. The zeolite is preferably a Y-type zeolite.

Abstract: Alumina particles and compositions containing alumina particles are disclosed. Methods of making alumina particles and methods of using alumina particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and compositions of the invention for retarding the surface of a hydratable cementitious composition comprise the use of a non-bituminous cationic emulsion comprising at least one curing compound comprising an acrylic polymer, a paraffin, or a mixture thereof, to hinder evaporation of water; at least one set retarder; and at least one cationic surfactant.

Abstract: Catalytic cracking catalyst compositions and processes for cracking hydrocarbons to maximize light olefins production are disclosed. Catalyst compositions comprise at least one zeolite having catalytic cracking activity under catalytic cracking conditions, preferably Y-type zeolite, which zeolite has low amounts of yttrium in specified ratios to rare earth metals exchanged on the zeolite. Catalyst and processes of the invention provide increased yields of light olefins and gasoline olefins during a FCC process as compared to conventional lanthanum containing Y-type zeolite FCC catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing procatalyst compositions and polymers, i.e., propylene-based polymers, produced therefrom. The present procatalyst compositions improve catalyst selectivity and also increase the bulk density of the formant polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for modifying cementitious materials such as by reducing setting time. Polymer compositions of the invention are derived by polyetherifying mono-glycerols, optionally with alkylene glycols, to obtain polyglycerol homopolymers or copolymers, and then carboxylating the obtained polyglycerol homopolymers and/or copolymers with an organic acid having at least two carboxylic functionalities. The set retardation effect of the carboxylated-carboxylic polyglycerol polymer compositions in cementitious materials is reduced is compared to polyglycerol polymer not having the carboxylated-carboxylic groups, while its water reducing ability is maintained without loss of early compressive strength. Cementitious compositions and methods involving the carboxylated-carboxylic polyglycerol are also covered by the invention.

Abstract: Alumina binder obtained from aluminum sulfate, the process of preparing the binder and the process of using the binder to prepare catalyst compositions are disclosed. Catalytic cracking catalyst compositions, in particularly, fluid catalytic cracking catalyst composition comprising zeolites, optionally clay and matrix materials bound by an alumina binder obtained from aluminum sulfate are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making sand compositions wherein manufactured sand particles are pretreated with a clay-mitigating polycation and blended with natural sand particles that have washed to remove fines such that at least 90% of the natural sand particles are retained on a 75 micron sieve. Methods of the invention also involve the use of the blended pretreated sand for making concrete wherein the sand is combined with cement, a polycarboxylate type dispersant, a further amount of clay-mitigating polycation compound, and at least one hydryoxyl or hydroxyl carboxylic acid or salt compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing procatalyst compositions and polymers, i.e., propylene-based polymers, produced therefrom. The present procatalyst compositions improve catalyst selectivity and also increase the bulk density of the formant polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides ‘thixotropy’ monitoring, by measuring the reversible, time-dependent reduction in viscosity occurring when concrete is subjected to mixing, and employs a mixing drum and conventional slump monitoring equipment as used on ready-mix trucks. In one embodiment, the drum is rotated until concrete is completely mixed; the speed is altered, such as by increasing it to a predetermined level; and the energy required to rotate the drum (ER) is monitored; the maximum (ER-MAX) and minimum (ER-MIN) values are recorded in computer memory; and these values are compared to pre-determined (target) values. Rheology factors (including viscosity, yield stress, and/or thixotropy) can be adjusted accordingly by adding liquid component(s) into the mix. This method, suitable for delivery of highly fluid concrete speed such as SCC, can involve transit and placement rheology targets during monitoring.

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: The present invention provides cement grinding additive compositions and methods which allow a powerful, robust defoamer to be uniformly dispersed throughout a broad concentration range while retaining storage stability even in cases wherein the defoamer is highly diluted. Exemplary cement grinding additive compositions comprise at least one amine cement grinding additive; a tri-iso-butylphosphate defoamer; a biopolymer polysaccharide gum selected from the group comprising Diutan, Whelan, Xanthan, or mixtures thereof; and water in the amount of 0.10 to 95.0 percent based on total weight of composition. Methods for manufacturing cement using the cement grinding additive compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions in which colloidal nano-particles are used for stabilizing a water-dispersible defoamer within a cement-dispersant-containing aqueous additive formulation for modifying hydratable cementitious compositions such as cement or concrete.