Abstract: A method of reducing the curing time of drywall joint compound, and thereby reducing the time required to finish drywall joints or to repair plaster walls, includes adding a predetermined amount of a drying agent to a conventional ready-mixed drywall joint compound. The drying agent preferably comprises at least one compound selected from the group of compounds consisting of plaster of Paris, calcium carbonate, gypsum, crystallized silicon dioxide (quartz), Portland cement, perlite, lime, hydroxy ethyl ether of cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, starch, wood fiber, potassium naphthalene sulfon, aluminum sulfate, sodium citrate, ammonium tartrate, hydrolyzed protein, monosodium phosphate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, potassium sulfate and various trace materials, or mixtures thereof A sufficient amount of water is added to the drying agent to facilitate mixing the drying agent with the drywall joint compound to form a joint compound mixture.

Abstract: A construction compound of the kind including a hydraulic binder such as cement and natural bast fibers of a length of between 1 and 50 mm in a concentration of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 kg of fibers per cubic meter of compound, said fibers being derived from fully ripened plants including hemp, flax, kenaf and nettle.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the continuous production of gypsum fiber plates in which the fiber component is dewatered and rediluted with water recovered from the gypsum-fiber suspension after it has been spread on a belt, passed over at least two suction boxes and densified on the last suction box by a densifying device engaging the filter cake layer from the top.

Abstract: Deinking by-product from wastepaper recycling operations and pulp mill clarifier sludge are incorporated into drywall or other gypsum-based building products, such as building blocks. The deinking by-product or pulp mill clarifier sludge is diluted and mixed with stucco (calcium sulfate hemihydrate). The resulting slurry preferably is subjected to an initial dewatering, following the on-set of hardening of the gypsum, and drywall or other building product is formed from the dewatered material. A significant loading of fibrous material in the drywall sheet or other gypsum product is achieved using the procedure, imparting improved flexural strength to the product. The preferred procedure also may be used to incorporate virgin or recycled wood pulp into the building product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making productive use of waste products such as spoiled, waste, or surplus paint and ink and waste slurry from pulp products manufacturing includes dewatering the waste slurry to obtain fiber from the slurry, drying the fiber in bulk, and combining the fiber with a mixture of paint and/or ink to create a moldable mixture. The mixture is formed into a utilitarian shape and cured or dried to form a solid object. In another aspect, there is provided a portable, self-contained apparatus for receiving waste and surplus paint and/or waste and surplus ink and fiber waste, and producing molded products using the method described above. The portable apparatus may be located temporarily at a site where such wastes are generated to avoid the transportation of wastes that is made expensive by mandated transportation safety regulations. A further aspect of the invention comprises useful article fabricated from waste materials using the method described above.

Abstract: A fluid loss control additive for use in well cementing operations wherein the downhole temperature ranges from about 200.degree. to about 500.degree. F. The additive is a polymer comprised of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane-3-sulphonic acid, N-vinyl,-N-methylacetamide, in the presence or absence of arcylamide. This additive is also effective in saltwater cement slurries.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method of wetting a cement or gypsum-bonded fibrous mixture of building materials using water is characterized in that the water is added to the mixture of building materials at least partially in the form of a foam containing at least one foam forming surfactant and at least one foam stabilizer, or is added to the mixture of building materials in combination with at least one foam forming surfactant and at least one foam stabilizer prior to foam formation, and then at least partially foamed in situ, such that a sufficient quantity of water is present in the mixture to provide a final mixture exhibiting a powdery-crumbly consistency.

Abstract: Composite materials based on cement or gypsum materials reinforced by mixing with cellulosic fibers grafted with silylating agents. Processes for preparing these reinforced composites are also disclosed.