Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material comprises unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (b) a treatment zone in heat transfer communication with a source of heat and in fluid communication with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is directly or indirectly contacted by heat within the treatment zone; and (c) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material comprises unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (b) a treatment zone in heat transfer communication with a source of heat and in fluid communication with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is directly or indirectly contacted by heat within the treatment zone; and (c) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat in-situ during manufacture of a cementitious composition or article, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further includes an admixture therefor. A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition or article includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of the cementitious composition to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the pre-wetted, expanded polymeric microspheres with cement and water to form the cementitious composition, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further comprises an admixture therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam in-situ during manufacture of a cementitious composition or article. A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition or article includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of the cementitious composition to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the pre-wetted, expanded polymeric microspheres with cement and water to form the cementitious composition.

Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam in-situ during manufacture of a cementitious composition or article, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further includes an admixture therefor. A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition or article includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of the cementitious composition to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the pre-wetted, expanded polymeric microspheres with cement and water to form the cementitious composition, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further comprises an admixture therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam in-situ during manufacture of a cementitious composition or article, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further includes an admixture therefor. A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition or article includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of the cementitious composition to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the pre-wetted, expanded polymeric microspheres with cement and water to form the cementitious composition, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further comprises an admixture therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.