Abstract: A method for applying fibrous cellulose insulation to a wall, ceiling, or floor which includes in at least certain embodiments mixing cellulose fibers with an adhesive without water producing a mixture, and applying (e.g. by blowing or spraying) the mixture to a surface. The method further includes spraying the mixture with a spray nozzle onto the wall by introducing cellulose fibers under pressure through a first hose into the spray nozzle, introducing the adhesive in aqueous solution under pressure through a second hose into the spray nozzle, and spraying from the spray nozzle the mixture onto the wall. In one aspect acid-containing fibers are sprayed with a PVOH adhesive (cooked with or without an acidic medium) to create the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a method for treating cellulose fibers comprising treating cellulose fibers with an acidic medium, and applying an adhesive composition to the cellulose fibers, the adhesive composition including polyvinyl alcohol cooked without addition of an acidic substance. The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a method for spraying with a spray nozzle an insulation composition onto a substrate, the method including introducing cellulose fibers under pressure through a first hose into the spray nozzle, the cellulose fibers treated with an acidic medium, introducing an adhesive composition under pressure through a second hose into the spray nozzle, the adhesive composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol cooked without an acidic medium, and spraying from the spray nozzle the treated cellulose fibers and adhesive composition onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments discloses an insulation composition including polyvinyl alcohol cooked without an acidic medium and cellulose fibers combined with an acidic medium for spray-on insulation. In certain embodiments cellulose fibers and acidic solids are ground together. In one aspect the acidic medium is solid boric acid. In another aspect liquid boric acid is sprayed onto the fibers Systems are disclosed for introducing the fiber acidic composition into a first hose of a spray nozzle while introducing polyvinyl alcohol into a second hose of the spray nozzle. In another aspect an acrylic resin is mixed with the polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for spraying a mixture of fibrous insulating material and an adhesive for the fibrous insulating material. The nozzle has a hollow cylindrical body, a material conditioning chamber with a larger cross sectional area than the hollow cylindrical body, a generally conical spray hood adjacent the material conditioning chamber, a mixing chamber in the spray hood, and an adhesive feed line connected to and extending into the spray hood. The adhesive is homogeneously mixed with the fibrous insulating material in the spray hood.

Abstract: A fiber adhesive is provided which is a mixture of sodium silicate and an acrylic resin, as well as a method for preparing the adhesive and spraying a mixture of the adhesive and the fiber.