Abstract: Wallboards, as well as other building materials, are produced by methods which use significantly reduced embodied energy, generating far less greenhouse gases when compared with the energy used to fabricate gypsum wallboard. A novel cementitious core, consisting in one embodiment of post-industrial waste such as slag and combined with pH modifiers, provides a controlled exothermic reaction to create a gypsum-wallboard-like core which can be wrapped in a selected material such as recycled paper and manufactured on a conveyor system to appear, weigh and handle similar to gypsum wallboard, but without the large amounts of energy required to make gypsum wallboard. The manufacturing process results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than the processes used to make gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.

Abstract: Methods of using density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates in subterranean cementing operations are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing comprising: providing a cement composition comprising a cement component, a base fluid, and a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; placing the cement composition in a location to be cemented; and allowing the cement composition to set therein.

Abstract: Density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates, and cement compositions comprising such additives, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cement composition comprising: a cement component; a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; and a base fluid.

Abstract: The invention is an improved cementitious mixture used to form structural components that are strong, lightweight, heat and fire resistant, and very economical to produce. The material includes a mixture of cement, water, ribbon-like virgin polyethylene strips and aggregate materials. The aggregate preferably includes recycled industrial waste products. Examples of these industrial wastes include shredded tires, wood by-products, waste coal combustion by-products, recycled waste gypsum products, recycled industrial foundry sand, and waste foam products such a Styrofoam. This new cementitious material is strong and lightweight. It has a lower thermal conductivity than conventional concrete and therefore improved insulative properties. The use of industrial recyclables not only enhances the performance characteristics of the components made from this material but aids in maintaining the environment by providing a practical use for industrial waste.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided using whey protein as a retarder in a cementing composition for use in cementing operations in a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved foamed well cement slurries, additives and methods. The foamed well cement slurries are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an effective amount of an additive for foaming the slurry comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.

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: The invention relates to the use of polypropylene glycol as a shrinkage-reducing additive in dispersion powder compositions for construction materials containinga) a base polymer from the group consisting of vinyl ester polymers, (meth)acrylate and/or styrene (co)polymers and vinyl chloride polymers, andb) eitherb1) 2 to 20% by weight, based on the base polymer, of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of 85 to 94 mol % and a Hoppler viscosity of 2 to 40 mPa.s orb2) 2 to 20% by weight, based on the base polymer, of alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts of phenolsulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensation products, andc) 3 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of polymeric components, of fine antiblocking agents, whereind) the content of polypropylene glycol is 1 to 20% by weight, based on the base polymer.

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: The addition of ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers containing 5 to 35 weight % of ethylene oxy groups and molar masses of the propylene glycol block between 1500 and 3000 to dry, hydraulic binder materials results in reduced dust formation, improved wettability, and enhanced flow properties of these materials when they are mixed with water.

Abstract: A method for preparing a carbon fiber-reinforced cement material is here disclosed which comprises the step of using, as a reinforcing material, a carbon fiber from which a gas has been removed by replacing the gas captured in the fiber with water. This method permits providing the carbon fiber-reinforced cement material having a large reinforcing effect by the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for recycling wash residue of ready mixed concrete include the steps of condensing used cement sludge to a predetermined concentration, storing the condensed sludge, sampling the stored sludge and determining the unhydration ratio of cement contained in the sludge, and weighing the stored sludge based on the determined unhydration ratio of cement in order to prepare a new batch of ready mixed concrete or mortar.By determining the unhydration ratio of cement contained in the sludge which has been condensed to a predetermined concentration, it becomes possible to accurately know the ratio of cement contributing as cement and its ratio contributing as the aggregate in a new batch of ready mixed concrete. A new batch of ready mixed concrete can be prepared by weighing the amount of the sludge on the basis of the determined unhydration ratio. The ready mixed concrete thus prepared will have a desired hardening strength and drying shrinkage.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for the manufacture of clinker of mineral raw materials, such as cement clinker, according to the wet process and ensuring an almost complete absorption of the SO.sub.2 -emission in the kiln gases from a kiln, such as a rotary kiln working according to this process, the wet process is converted into a semi-dry process in feeding the wet ground raw materials (6, 7) together with a raw mix component such as flyash (5) and/or precipitated filter dust (18, 20) into gas suspension drying unit (4) mounted--seen in the direction of movement of the kiln gases--after a kiln (1) and heated with kiln gases for creating a gas/material suspension in the drying unit (4) thereby preheating and drying the wet raw materials before their returning via an overflow bin (11) and a duct (14) to the kiln inlet (2) and their further treatment in the kiln (1) and thereby simultaneously through an SO.sub.2 adsorption by the dry particles in the unit (4) ensuring the cleansing of the kiln gases.