Abstract: A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising a first alkyl sulfate surfactant, optionally a second alkyl sulfate surfactant, and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate. The first and second alkyl sulfate surfactants have Formula (1): R1—OSO3?+M1??(1) and the alkyl ether sulfate has Formula (2): R2—(OCH2CH2)yOSO3?+M2??(2) in which R1 and R2 are independently selected linear or branched alkyl or a combination thereof having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, y has an average value from 0.1 to 5, and M1 and M2 are cations independently selected from sodium, calcium, ammonium, or a combination of two or all of these. Use of the composition as a foaming agent for gypsum slurries, and of the gypsum slurries for formation of gypsum boards, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods of analysing and manufacturing gypsum panels, for example, suitable for use as building surface products. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a method of forming a gypsum panel. The method includes forming a porous slurry layer on a receiving surface using a plurality of operating parameters, and allowing the porous slurry layer to set to form a gypsum core of a gypsum panel. The panel is then cut to form a cut surface that extends through the gypsum core, and an image of a region of the cut surface is captured. The image is analysed to identify bubbles intersecting the cut surface. A measure of bubble contact in the gypsum core is then calculated from the identified bubbles in the image. Based on the measure of bubble contact, an operating parameter used for forming the porous slurry layer is modified.

Abstract: The application describes a slurry spread quantification system (200) comprising a forming table including a forming area and at least one slurry outlet (120) configured to, in use, dispense a slurry (130) into the forming area, a sensor (210) trained on the forming area and configured to capture an image of the forming area; and a processor (220) operable to: analyse the image to identify the slurry (130); determine at least one characteristic of the slurry (130); and output at least one indication of the at least one characteristic of the slurry (130). A method, a computer implemented method and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions, that when executed on a computing device cause the computing device to control a system (200) as described are also discussed.

Abstract: A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising a first alkyl sulfate surfactant, optionally a second alkyl sulfate surfactant, and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate. The first and second alkyl sulfate surfactants have Formula (1): and the alkyl ether sulfate has Formula (2): in which R1 and R2 are independently selected linear or branched alkyl or a combination thereof having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, y has an average value from 0.1 to 5, and M1 and M2 are cations independently selected from sodium, calcium, ammonium, or a combination of two or all of these. Use of the composition as a foaming agent for gypsum slurries, and of the gypsum slurries for formation of gypsum boards, are disclosed.

Abstract: Lightweight construction panels, such as plasterboard, (e.g. gypsum plasterboard) are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings. Sheets of plasterboard are typically carried and positioned by hand. Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce the weight of plasterboard. It is known to include an aqueous foam in the stucco slurry used to produce plasterboards. However, prior known mixers have been found to destroy foam bubbles. The present invention provides a stucco slurry mixing apparatus (100) including an inlet (130) for the introduction of foam into a mixing chamber (110), wherein the inlet (130) includes an inlet aperture (132) in a wall of the mixing chamber (110) and an inlet conduit (134) extending therefrom such that a relative angle between a longitudinal axis (136) of the inlet conduit (134) and a tangent (140) to a mixing path (124) defined by a mixing member (120) is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A hose (200) is described, the hose comprising a first section (210) comprising a cross sectional area A? and a second section (220) comprising a cross section area kj. The first section is in fluid communication with the second section and, in use, the first section is located upstream of the second section. Additionally, Axis at least twice the size of A2. Use of the hose and a method of dispensing slurry are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for the production of a plaster slurry is described, the apparatus (100) comprising a mixer (102) for mixing at least plaster and water to form a plaster slurry, the mixer (102) comprising an outlet conduit (122), a foam generator (106) for mixing at least air, a foaming agent and water to produce a foam, the foam generator (106) in fluid communication with the mixer (102) via a fluid pathway (116) comprising a foam conduit (117); and a mass flow meter (124), wherein the mass flow meter (124) is configured to measure the density and mass flow rate of the foam within the foam conduit (117) or the plaster slurry within the outlet conduit (122). Additionally, a method of manufacturing a plaster slurry is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gypsum composition comprising recycled gypsum and a foam former comprising at least one alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalt, to a process for production thereof and to an article comprising the gypsum composition of the invention. The present invention further relates to the use of a foam former comprising at least one alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalt for reducing the wet density of an aqueous gypsum composition having a recycled gypsum content of at least 0.5% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gypsum composition comprising recycled gypsum and a foam former comprising at least one alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalt, to a process for production thereof and to an article comprising the gypsum composition of the invention. The present invention further relates to the use of a foam former comprising at least one alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalt for reducing the wet density of an aqueous gypsum composition having a recycled gypsum content of at least 0.5% by weight.

Abstract: A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising a first alkyl sulfate surfactant, optionally a second alkyl sulfate surfactant, and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate. The first and second alkyl sulfate surfactants have Formula (1): R1—OSO3?+M1(1) and the ether sulfate has Formula (2): R2—(OCH2CH2)yOSO3?30 M2(2) in which R1 and R2 are independently selected linear or branched alkyl or a combination thereof having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, y has an average value from 0.1 to 5, and M1 and M2 are cations independently selected from sodium, calcium, ammonium, or a combination of two or all of these. Use of the composition as a foaming agent for gypsum slurries, and of the gypsum slurries for formation of gypsum boards, are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a gypsum product comprising a mixer for mixing gypsum and water and two foam feeds into the system wherein the foam feeds each comprise foam of different bubble size distributions.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a gypsum product comprising a mixer for mixing gypsum and water and two foam feeds into the system wherein the foam feeds each comprise foam of different bubble size distributions.