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 pertains to the discovery that short chain aliphatic fatty acids, such as potassium sorbate, can be used in liquid-additive grinding compositions in the amount of at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, and most preferably at least 30%, to mill carbonate materials into smaller particle size. The carbonate material can optionally be combined with another inorganic material in the grinding operation, such as limestone, lime, dolomites, talc, titanium dioxide, alumina, and kaolin, ceramics, and cement clinker. The use of the particularly described grinding additive composition are food-grade or food-contact approved, and are believed by the present inventors to resist the humectant behavior of the resultant ground particles which could in herently otherwise decrease efficiency of the particulate grinding process.