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: Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. An embodiment includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and a strength enhancer, wherein the strength enhancer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of cement kiln dust, slag, amorphous silica, a pozzolan, and any combination thereof; introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Disclosed are lost circulation treatment fluids and methods of sealing lost circulation zones. Embodiments include a lost circulation treatment fluid comprising pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and water.

Abstract: Methods are provided for drying a particle. Specifically, there is provided a spray-dried diketopiperazine-insulin particle formulation having improved aerodynamic performance and in which the active agent is more stabile and efficiently delivered as compared to that of the lyophilized diketopiperazine-insulin formulation. The dry powders have utility as pharmaceutical formulations for pulmonary delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method and/or composition of environment friendly composite construction material. In one aspect, a method includes providing a mixture of a pozzolanic material and/or a kaolin clay with an activator solution to form an alumino-silicate cementitious material through a resulting geo-polymerization process. The alumino-silicate cementitious material is in the form of a paste. The method also includes processing the alumino-silicate cementitious material to transform the alumino-silicate cementitious material that is in the form of the paste to a form of a powder of the alumino-silicate cementitious material. The method further includes mixing the alumino-silicate cementitious material which is in the form of the powder with water to control a workability of the alumino-silicate cementitious material.

Abstract: Methods are provided for drying a particle. Specifically, there is provided a spray-dried diketopiperazine-insulin particle formulation having improved aerodynamic performance and in which the active agent is more stabile and efficiently delivered as compared to that of the lyophilized diketopiperazine-insulin formulation. The dry powders have utility as pharmaceutical formulations for pulmonary delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulations adapted to form a foamed cementitious composition, the foamed cementitious composition itself, a method of forming a hydraulic binder foam, and a method of conveying and applying the resulting foam to a substrate. A pumpable cementitious slurry is formed, the slurry is mixed with a gas such as air, and is subjected to mechanically created turbulence to generate gas bubbles and create a foam, which preferably is stabilized by a foam stabilizing agent such as polyvinyl alcohol present in the slurry. The foam is then conveyed to a nozzle or other suitable dispense point from which it is applied, for example sprayed, preferably uniformly, onto a substrate to be coated. Prior to dispensing, a set accelerator is preferably injected, which causes the foam to gel, which in turn improves the hangability of the product on a substrate. The spray material adheres to the substrate and hardens to form an insulative coating on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulations adapted to form a foamed cementitious composition, the foamed cementitious composition itself, a method of forming a hydraulic binder foam, and a method of conveying and applying the resulting foam to a substrate. A pumpable cementitious slurry is formed, the slurry is mixed with a gas such as air, and is subjected to mechanically created turbulence to generate gas bubbles and create a foam, which preferably is stabilized by a foam stabilizing agent such as polyvinyl alcohol present in the slurry. The foam is then conveyed to a nozzle or other suitable dispense point from which it is applied, for example sprayed, preferably uniformly, onto a substrate to be coated. Prior to dispensing, a set accelerator is preferably injected, which causes the foam to gel, which in turn improves the hangability of the product on a substrate. The spray material adheres to the substrate and hardens to form an insulative coating on the substrate.

Abstract: An admixed and kneaded material of a mixture of a hydraulic powder, a potentially hydraulic powder, water, and fine and coarse aggregates, if necessary is molded and hardened. Then the hardened body is heat cured to form silicic acid anions of at least a trimer. This molded and hardened body has a compression strength at least 1000 kgf/cm.sup.2 and a bending strength of at least 150 kgf/cm.sup.2 so that hardened cement body having a high mechanical strength can be obtained without using a special reinforcing member or fiber. The hardened concrete product of this invention has a high bending strength, compression strength and modulus of elasticity. A glaze can be applied and fired to obtain beautiful concrete products.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an apparatus for producing cement clinker, in which the cement clinker is first of all burnt in a burning zone and then cooled in a cooling zone, wherein the cooling takes place at least partially by the delivery of fuel and steam, characterised in that in a first cooling phase the delivered fuel is mixed with the cement clinker and initially pyrolysed and the resulting pyrolysis products have a strong endothermic reaction with the steam, so that the cement clinker is quenched in such a way that at least 95%, preferably all, of the liquid phase contained therein is transformed into glass.

Abstract: The properties of cement matrices are improved by one or more of the three processes, which can be performed individually, sequentially, or in any desired combination. In each instance a supercritical fluid is or includes a solvent for one of two (or more) reactants such as a monomer and a polymer initiator. The resulting mixture is infused into the matrix under supercritical conditions. The other reactant is placed into the matrix; for example, by incorporating it in the wet cement paste prior to curing. When the mixture is infused into the matrix, the reactants react and change the cement matrix in predictable, desired ways. The solvent itself may or may not be supercritical, and if it is not, it is mixed with a supercritical fluid, which might or might not be another solvent. In this manner, the inside of the matrix may be coated and/or sealed with a polymer, for example, or the entire cement matrix may be rendered relatively flexible and ductile.

Abstract: A buffer solution comprising one or more metal salts, preferably monobasic potassium phosphate and/or monosodium phosphate, dissolved in water creates a rinse having a pH near that of human skin. The buffer solution in various concentrations and compositions is adapted for routine use by professional and casual users of cement to rinse their skin and tools, as a spray-on application for skin and clothes, and as a pre-wash for laundry. The buffer solution may include other metal salts, preferably manganese sulfate, further to reduce hexavalent chromium carried into the rinse from cement. A pH color indicator such as phenolphthalein also may be included to signal when the buffer solution becomes ineffective from prolonged use.

Abstract: Cured cement matrices are exposed to dense-phase or supercritical CO.sub.2 which enters the matrix through passages therein to neutralize the natural alkalinity of the cement so that alkali-intolerant materials can be incorporated in the cement. The CO.sub.2 converts calcium hydroxide in the cement to calcium carbonate and water, and the high pressure of the dense-phase or supercritical CO.sub.2 forms rounded, closely packed and aligned crystals with few or no visible pores or capillaries to enhance the homogeneity and strength of the cured cement and its bonding with, for example, uncoated reinforcing glass fibers. The supercritical CO.sub.2 can be used to transport other organic or inorganic materials, including pulverized metal, in solution or suspension into the interior of the cement matrix to alter its chemical and/or physical characteristics. The supercritical CO.sub.

Abstract: In a process for accelerating the setting and hardening of a material which contains a hydraulic binder or which consists of a hydraulic binder there is used a setting accelerator mixture which is free of alkali metals and free of chlorides. Said setting accelerating mixture contains at least one water soluble sulfate of a polyvalent cation and a further constituent which is selected from the group consisting of calcium aluminate, calcium sulfoaluminate, basic aluminum salts, mixtures thereof or mixtures containing at least one of said constituents and a further component. If the water soluble sulfate of the polyvalent cation is aluminum sulfate, then said compound has to contain crystal water in order to provide the water solubility of said product.

Abstract: Cured cement matrices are exposed to dense-phase or supercritical CO.sub.2 which enters the matrix through passages therein to neutralize the natural alkalinity of the cement so that alkali-intolerant materials can be incorporated in the cement. The CO.sub.2 converts calcium hydroxide in the cement to calcium carbonate and water, and the high pressure of the dense-phase or supercritical CO.sub.2 forms rounded, closely packed and aligned crystals with few or no visible pores or capillaries to enhance the homogeneity and strength of the cured cement and its bonding with, for example, uncoated reinforcing glass fibers. The supercritical CO.sub.2 can be used to transport other organic or inorganic materials, including pulverized metal, in solution or suspension into the interior of the cement matrix to alter its chemical and/or physical characteristics. The supercritical CO.sub.

Abstract: Admixtures for spray concrete or mortar which contain silicic acid sol or consist of it, are used for the processing of spray concrete or mortar according to the dry or the wet method. Said admixtures lead to a clear reduction of dust formation and of rebound. With the processing of spray concrete or mortar the addition of the inventive admixtures takes place preferably during the spraying, for example at the spray nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to dredging under harbors and waterways and fabricating building materials and more particularly to an apparatus for dredging that produces no waste and uses the dredged material for useful building products. Furthermore, all off the equipment that is used for the dredging and fabricating building materials from the dredged materials placed upon at least one floating badge.