Abstract: A slurry distribution system can include a feed conduit and a distribution conduit in fluid communication therewith. The feed conduit can include a first feed inlet and a second feed inlet disposed in spaced relationship thereto. The distribution conduit can extend generally along a longitudinal axis and include an entry portion and a distribution outlet in fluid communication therewith. The entry portion is in fluid communication with the first and second feed inlets of the feed conduit. The distribution outlet extends a predetermined distance along a transverse axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slurry distribution system can be placed in fluid communication with a gypsum slurry mixer adapted to agitate water and calcined gypsum to form an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A cementitious slurry mixing and dispensing system includes a mixer, a discharge conduit, and a pulser assembly. The discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the mixer. The pulser assembly is adapted to periodically compress a portion of the discharge conduit. The pulser assembly can include a compression member adapted to contactingly engage the portion of the discharge conduit and a drive mechanism adapted to selectively move the compression member into compressing engagement with the discharge conduit such that the part of the interior wall surface underlying the compressed portion is flexed.

Abstract: A discharge gate is provided for a gypsum slurry mixer, and includes a lower member having an inlet opening configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. An upper member is attached to the lower member, at least one of the upper and lower members having at least one opening for accommodating insertion of an injection port for introducing the foam to the slurry. A cavity is configured for mixing the foam and slurry, and is defined by inner surfaces of the lower member and the upper member.

Abstract: A slurry distribution system can include a feed conduit and a distribution conduit in fluid communication therewith. The feed conduit can include a first feed inlet and a second feed inlet disposed in spaced relationship thereto. The distribution conduit can extend generally along a longitudinal axis and include an entry portion and a distribution outlet in fluid communication therewith. The entry portion is in fluid communication with the first and second feed inlets of the feed conduit. The distribution outlet extends a predetermined distance along a transverse axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slurry distribution system can be placed in fluid communication with a gypsum slurry mixer adapted to agitate water and calcined gypsum to form an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A discharge gate is provided for delivering a mixed slurry from a gypsum slurry mixer, and includes a first extractor port configured for generating a first density slurry for a first gypsum layer, and a second extractor port configured for generating a second density slurry for a second gypsum layer. A channel is defined by a front panel and a side panel of the discharge gate for delivering the first and second density slurries from the slurry mixer. The first extractor port extends semi-tangentially from the front panel of the discharge gate, and is connected in fluid communication with the front panel via the channel and a first slurry passageway disposed within the first extractor port for delivering the first density slurry.

Abstract: A discharge gate for a gypsum slurry mixer is provided, and includes a gate adapter having an inlet opening configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. The gate adapter has two different transitioning cross-sectional geometries at opposite ends. Specifically, the gate adapter includes an inlet section having a quadrilateral inlet opening; an outlet section having a substantially circular outlet opening; and a transition section sandwiched between the inlet and outlet sections.

Abstract: A slurry distribution system can include a feed conduit and a distribution conduit in fluid communication therewith. The feed conduit can include a first feed inlet and a second feed inlet disposed in spaced relationship thereto. The distribution conduit can extend generally along a longitudinal axis and include an entry portion and a distribution outlet in fluid communication therewith. The entry portion is in fluid communication with the first and second feed inlets of the feed conduit. The distribution outlet extends a predetermined distance along a transverse axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slurry distribution system can be placed in fluid communication with a gypsum slurry mixer adapted to agitate water and calcined gypsum to form an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A discharge gate is provided for delivering a mixed slurry from a gypsum slurry mixer, and includes a first extractor port configured for generating a first density slurry for a first gypsum layer, and a second extractor port configured for generating a second density slurry for a second gypsum layer. A channel is defined by a front panel and a side panel of the discharge gate for delivering the first and second density slurries from the slurry mixer. The first extractor port extends semi-tangentially from the front panel of the discharge gate, and is connected in fluid communication with the front panel via the channel and a first slurry passageway disposed within the first extractor port for delivering the first density slurry.

Abstract: A discharge gate for a gypsum slurry mixer is provided, and includes a gate adapter having an inlet opening configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. The gate adapter has two different transitioning cross-sectional geometries at opposite ends. Specifically, the gate adapter includes an inlet section having a quadrilateral inlet opening; an outlet section having a substantially circular outlet opening; and a transition section sandwiched between the inlet and outlet sections.

Abstract: A discharge gate is provided for a gypsum slurry mixer, and includes a lower member having an inlet opening configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. An upper member is attached to the lower member, at least one of the upper and lower members having at least one opening for accommodating insertion of an injection port for introducing the foam to the slurry. A cavity is configured for mixing the foam and slurry, and is defined by inner surfaces of the lower member and the upper member.

Abstract: A cementitious slurry mixing and dispensing system includes a mixer, a discharge conduit, and a pulser assembly. The discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the mixer. The pulser assembly is adapted to periodically compress a portion of the discharge conduit. The pulser assembly can include a compression member adapted to contactingly engage the portion of the discharge conduit and a drive mechanism adapted to selectively move the compression member into compressing engagement with the discharge conduit such that the part of the interior wall surface underlying the compressed portion is flexed.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is provided that includes calcium sulfate hemihydrate; water; a dispersant component comprising at least one of the following a comb-branched polymer with polyether side chains, naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate or melamine sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate; a foaming agent; and a polycondensation component with three polycondensation repeating units. Also provided is a method for making a gypsum slurry with a foaming agent in which the ratio between the dispersant component and the polycondensation component is adjusted to control for the size of foam bubbles in the gypsum slurry. Gypsum products made from the gypsum slurry are provided and methods for making the products are provided as well.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is provided that includes calcium sulfate hemihydrate; water; a dispersant component comprising at least one of the following a comb-branched polymer with polyether side chains, naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate or melamine sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate; a foaming agent; and a polycondensation component with three polycondensation repeating units. Also provided is a method for making a gypsum slurry with a foaming agent in which the ratio between the dispersant component and the polycondensation component is adjusted to control for the size of foam bubbles in the gypsum slurry. Gypsum products made from the gypsum slurry are provided and methods for making the products are provided as well.

Abstract: A panel is provided that includes stucco, water and a dispersant component having dispersing properties and comprising a comb-branched polymer with polyether side chains, naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate or melamine sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate. A polycondensation component is also included in the slurry that includes three repeating units. A method of making the gypsum panel includes combining stucco, water and a first dosage of a first dispersant to form a slurry, the first. A second dosage of a second dispersant is added to the slurry. Properties of the gypsum slurry are tested and it is formed into a product. The product sets and properties of the product are identified. The first dosage or the second dosage is changed based on the properties of the slurry or product.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for introducing a wet gypsum accelerator or other high viscosity production additive to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.

Abstract: A slurry distribution system can include a feed conduit and a distribution conduit in fluid communication therewith. The feed conduit can include a first feed inlet and a second feed inlet disposed in spaced relationship thereto. The distribution conduit can extend generally along a longitudinal axis and include an entry portion and a distribution outlet in fluid communication therewith. The entry portion is in fluid communication with the first and second feed inlets of the feed conduit. The distribution outlet extends a predetermined distance along a transverse axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slurry distribution system can be placed in fluid communication with a gypsum slurry mixer adapted to agitate water and calcined gypsum to form an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry.

Abstract: One or more of these or other problems are improved using a method of making a strong gypsum panel which includes a method for forming a hardened shell structure at the interface of a foamed bubble and a gypsum slurry. A strengthening component is selected from the group consisting of set accelerators, water soluble polyphosphate salts, blends of water soluble polyphosphate salts with starch, boric acid, fibers, glycerin or combinations thereof. The strengthening component is combined with a foaming agent and with water to form an aqueous soap mixture. Foam is generated from the aqueous soap mixture, and added to a gypsum slurry. Allowing the strengthening component to contact the soap bubbles prior to addition of the foam to the gypsum slurry allows the strengthening component to preferentially contact the soap film rather than be dispersed through the entire slurry.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. A gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for introducing a wet gypsum accelerator or other high viscosity production additive to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.