Abstract: A method for grinding a solid in a vertical roller mill (VRM), comprising grinding at least one solid in the presence of a grinding stabilizing additive, wherein the grinding stabilizing additive comprises an alkanol amino acid compound or a disodium or dipotassium salt thereof having the structural formula (I): The definitions of variables R1, R2, and R3 are provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary method and system for manufacturing cement in a vertical roller mill (VRM) using humidity sensor readings. This enables adjustment of operational variables such as material feed, water, grinding additives, air flow, temperature, and their combinations. Exemplary embodiments allow manufacturers to predict and to improve cement properties, such as strength and setting time, by monitoring and managing humidity of air in the VRM and/or its air flow system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for manufacturing cement wherein ground particles of cement and calcium sulfate are subjected to infrared sensors, laser sensors, or both, so that emanated, irradiated, transmitted, and/or absorbed energy having wavelengths principally within the range of 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter can be monitored and compared to stored data previously obtained from ground cement and sulfate particles and preferably correlated with stored strength, calorimetric, or other data values, such that adjustments can be made to the mill processing conditions, such as the form or amounts of calcium sulfate (e.g., gypsum, plaster, anhydride), or cement additive levels. The strength and other properties of cement can be thus adjusted, and its quality can be more uniform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for manufacturing cement wherein ground particles of cement and calcium sulfate are subjected to infrared sensors, laser sensors, or both, so that emanated, irradiated, transmitted, and/or absorbed energy having wavelengths principally within the range of 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter can be monitored and compared to stored data previously obtained from ground cement and sulfate particles and preferably correlated with stored strength, calorimetric, or other data values, such that adjustments can be made to the mill processing conditions, such as the form or amounts of calcium sulfate (e.g., gypsum, plaster, anhydride), or cement additive levels. The strength and other properties of cement can be thus adjusted, and its quality can be more uniform.

Abstract: A method of forming a cement composition. The method comprises adding to a hydraulic cementitious material a first strength-enhancing agent and a second strength-enhancing agent, wherein the content of total alkali (Na2O equivalent) in the hydraulic cementitious material is less than or equal to 0.7% by weight of the cementitious material. The first strength-enhancing agent includes a compound represented by structural formula (I): and the second strength-enhancing agent is sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, or a mixture thereof. The example values of the variables in structural formula (I) and the example amounts of the first and second strength-enhancing agents being added are defined herein.

Abstract: Method for grinding a solid in a vertical roller mill (VRM) and a cement composition prepared by the disclosed methods. A method comprises grinding a solid comprising a cement clinker under a water spray in the presence of a grinding stabilizing additive, wherein the grinding stabilizing additive comprises: (i) an alkanol amino acid compound or a disodium or dipotassium salt thereof having the structural formula: (I), (ii) a glycol; or a mixture of (i) and (ii), wherein the water spray level is reduced by at least 5% compared to a control. Cement compositions prepared by the disclosed methods have the pre-hydration level (Wk) equal to or less than 1.5%. The values and preferred values of R1-3 are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for manufacturing cement wherein ground particles of cement and calcium sulfate are subjected to infrared sensors, laser sensors, or both, so that emanated, irradiated, transmitted, and/or absorbed energy having wavelengths principally within the range of 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter can be monitored and compared to stored data previously obtained from ground cement and sulfate particles and preferably correlated with stored strength, calorimetric, or other data values, such that adjustments can be made to the mill processing conditions, such as the form or amounts of calcium sulfate (e.g., gypsum, plaster, anhydride), or cement additive levels. The strength and other properties of cement can be thus adjusted, and its quality can be more uniform.

Abstract: A method of making a cement composition, comprising grinding a cement clinker and a strength-enhancing agent, thereby producing a hydraulic cementitious powder, wherein the strength-enhancing agent is present in the hydraulic cementitious powder in an amount of from 0.001% to 0.09% based on dry weight of the hydraulic cementitious powder. The strength-enhancing agent is a compound represented by the following structural formula (I). The definitions of variables R1, R2, and R3 as well as R10, R20, and R30 are provided herein.

Abstract: A method for grinding a solid in a vertical roller mill (VRM), comprising grinding at least one solid in the presence of a grinding stabilizing additive, wherein the grinding stabilizing additive comprises an alkanol amino acid compound or a disodium or dipotassium salt thereof having the structural formula (I): The definitions of variables R1, R2, and R3 are provided herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for grinding inorganic particles, such as cement, cement clinker, limestone, or other inorganic particles, involving a grinding efficiency enhancing additive comprising a crude glycerin byproduct, obtained through the use of heterogeneous catalyst processes in biodiesel fuel production. The molecules generated through the use of such heterogeneous catalytic processes result in a crude glycerin that confers good additive formulation stability, while avoiding or minimizing large quantities of undesirable compounds such as fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and salts.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement grinding additive compositions and methods which allow a PVC-safe, powerful, and robust defoaming agent to be uniformly dispersed throughout a broad concentration range while retaining storage stability even in cases wherein the defoaming agent is highly diluted. Exemplary cement grinding additive compositions comprise at least one amine cement grinding additive; an air detrainer selected from the group consisting of (i) ethoxylated, propoxylated fatty alcohol or alkylphenol, (ii) polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine, or (iii) a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses cementitious compositions which contain hydratable cement, limestone, or mixture thereof, having improved strength properties due to the presence of calcined clay and certain higher alkanolamines, wherein the calcined clay has an Fe2O3 content of greater than one percent (1%). Also disclosed are exemplary additives and methods for enhancing strength of cement and/or limestone compositions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses cementitious compositions which contain hydratable cement, limestone, or mixture thereof, having improved strength properties due to the presence of calcined clay and certain higher alkanolamines, wherein the calcined clay has an Fe203 content of greater than one percent (1%). Also disclosed are exemplary additives and methods for enhancing strength of cement and/or limestone compositions.

Abstract: A method of forming a cement composition. The method comprises adding to a hydraulic cementitious material a first strength-enhancing agent and a second strength-enhancing agent, wherein the content of total alkali (Na2O equivalent) in the hydraulic cementitious material is less than or equal to 0.7% by weight of the cementitious material. The first strength-enhancing agent includes a compound represented by structural formula (I): and the second strength-enhancing agent is sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, or a mixture thereof. The example values of the variables in structural formula (I) and the example amounts of the first and second strength-enhancing agents being added are defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement grinding additive compositions and methods which allow a PVC-safe, powerful, and robust defoaming agent to be uniformly dispersed throughout a broad concentration range while retaining storage stability even in cases wherein the defoaming agent is highly diluted. Exemplary cement grinding additive compositions comprise at least one amine cement grinding additive; an air detrainer selected from the group consisting of (i) ethoxylated, propoxylated fatty alcohol or alkylphenol, (ii) polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine, or (iii) a mixture thereof.

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 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: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through x-ray diffraction, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through Raman spectroscopy, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A method for improving early strength of cements, comprising introducing into a cement during the grinding thereof (a) at least one water reducer comprising a polyoxyalkylene polymer; (b) a sugar; (c) an alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride; and (d) an amine. Additives and cement compositions are also disclosed.