Abstract: Systems and methods for employing chemoautotrophic micro-organisms to capture carbon from industrial waste are provided. An exemplary system comprises an industrial source, such as a cement plant, and a bioreactor including the micro-organisms. The bioreactor is fed the waste stream from the source, which provides carbon to the micro-organisms, and is also fed hydrogen, from which the micro-organisms derive their energy. Additional or alternative carbon can be provided from a gasifier fed an organic feedstock. The carbon provided to the micro-organisms is converted into chemical products which can be recovered from the bioreactor. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis using electricity generated by a renewable energy source.

Abstract: Method for preparing a concrete mortar which contains a fraction of inorganic grains having a diameter <500 &mgr;m, wherein the fraction containing the inorganic grains is added in the form of a granular material which contains the inorganic grains which, with the aid of a water-soluble polymer, are bound so as to form the granular material. As a result, a homogeneous mortar is obtained.

Abstract: A process of treating dust from a cement manufacturing operation. The process comprises adding carbon bearing material to the dust catch from a cement manufacturing operation to form a mixture, which is formed into nodules and sizing the nodules to obtain a feed material having a selected size range. The nodules are directed as feed material to a fluidized bed which is maintained by passing air for combustion upwardly through a bed of material. The material is thermal processed within the fluidized bed in a reducing atmosphere by supplying fuel for combustion in the fluidized bed to maintain temperatures sufficient to volatilize alkali and sulfur compounds in the feed material and produce a product having an increased concentration of cement forming compounds and reduced alkali and sulfur compounds as compared to the feed material. The reduced clinker is then re-oxidized to minimize/reverse adverse color and mineralogy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulically bonded cement compositions and methods. More particularly, the present invention is directed to novel compositions and methods of hydrating hydraulic cement without mechanical mixing of the cement and water. The present invention includes materials prepared by manipulating under pressure powdered hydraulic cement compositions using known or novel powder packing, casting, or expanding techniques, such that air within the powdered hydraulic cement is substantially removed while the cement is formed into a self-supporting near net final position. Thereafter, the formed hydraulic cement is hydrated without mechanical mixing of the cement and water.

Abstract: Building sheets consisting of cement, inert materials and additives, and reinforced with plastics mesh and alkali-resistant glass fibers of short and/or continuous type, including a number of superposed elementary layers consisting of a mixture of cement, inert materials and additives and each comprising as reinforcement material a plastics mesh or glass fibers. The apparatus for preparing the building sheets includes a frame, a conveyor belt, support rollers and a slide surface for the conveyor belt, an inversion roller and a drive roller, a possible feeder for a continuous support web, a series of plastics mesh feeders, a series of feeders for glass fiber originating from bobbins, a series of cement mix metering pumps, a series of cement mix distributors and a series of smoothing devices.

Abstract: A method for producing building sheets containing cement, inert materials and additives and reinforced with plastic mesh, starting from a cement mix which does not contain more water than that desired in the formed sheet prior to hardening, the necessary fluidity of the cement mix being obtained by adding a fluidiser.The apparatus and method are therefore simplified.