The present invention relates to geopolymer compositions, sintered geopolymer articles from the geopolymer compositions and processes for manufacturing sintered geopolymer articles from the geopolymer compositions. The invention provides a process of producing a sintered geopolymer article containing a sintered geopolymer composition, wherein the sintered geopolymer composition comprises a sintered geopolymeric matrix, said process comprising the steps of: (1) forming a geopolymer composition comprising at least one aluminosilicate precursor, an alkali activating agent and water, wherein in the geopolymer article, the aluminosilicate precursor particles are at least partially coated by the alkali activating agent; and (2) firing the geopolymer article to sinter the geopolymer composition, wherein the alkali activating agent is capable of at least partially activating and dissolving the aluminosilicate precursor particles during at least a portion of the firing step, and wherein the firing of the geopolymer article includes a geopolymer composition sintering stage.

The present invention relates to geopolymer compositions comprising additives selected from sugars and derivatives thereof and/or organic acids and salts thereof. The geopolymer compositions of the present invention have sufficient strength to be used for construction purposes. To facilitate the production method of geopolymer paste and concrete compositions the present invention further provides solid and liquid geopolymer activator compositions.

An aluminosilicate having a pozzolanic activity of greater than about 1400 mg Ca(OH).sub.2 per gram of aluminosilicate. An aluminosilicate having a pozzolanic activity of less than about 1400 mg Ca(OH).sub.2 per gram of aluminosilicate and a d.sub.50 of 200 μm or less. Binder compositions, clinker compositions and concrete compositions comprising said aluminosilicates. A method of making said aluminosilicates. A clinker composition comprising a first aluminosilicate (e.g. kaolin) and a use of said clinker composition to make a composition comprising said aluminosilicates.

Methods and systems for fabricating synthetic source rocks with organic materials, for example, using high energy resonant acoustic mixing technology, are provided. An example method includes preparing one or more organic components including kerogen, mixing, by utilizing resonant acoustic waves, the one or more organic components with one or more inorganic components to obtain a mixture, and processing the mixture to fabricate a synthetic source rock. Another example method includes mixing one or more organic components and one or more inorganic components with a kerogen precursor as an organic binder to obtain a mixture including artificial kerogen and processing the mixture to fabricate a synthetic source rock. One or more mechanical or chemo-mechanical properties of the synthetic source rock can be characterized as one or more functions of the one or more organic components and the one or more inorganic components.

Methods and systems for fabricating synthetic source rocks with organic materials, for example, using high energy resonant acoustic mixing technology, are provided. An example method includes preparing one or more organic components including kerogen, mixing, by utilizing resonant acoustic waves, the one or more organic components with one or more inorganic components to obtain a mixture, and processing the mixture to fabricate a synthetic source rock. Another example method includes mixing one or more organic components and one or more inorganic components with a kerogen precursor as an organic binder to obtain a mixture including artificial kerogen and processing the mixture to fabricate a synthetic source rock. One or more mechanical or chemo-mechanical properties of the synthetic source rock can be characterized as one or more functions of the one or more organic components and the one or more inorganic components.

The disclosed subject matter concerns earth based mixtures, methods of preparing mixtures, and a process of forming articles of manufacture, as well as a process of manufacturing articles in molds configured for compression molding of earth based mixtures in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, including mixtures containing one or more of, e.g., sand, silt, clay, minerals, or any combination thereof.

An environmentally friendly cement comprises (1) an active filler comprising waste materials composed of a thermal insulation wool and a waste thereof; (2) an inert filler comprising metakaolin and an aggregate optionally selected from cement, fine sand, gravel, waste to be solidified, and organic resin; and (3) an aqueous solution of sodium metasilicate as an alkaline compound. A method for producing the environmentally friendly cement comprises mixing ingredients (1) and (3) and ingredients (2) and (3) respectively to obtain a slurry A and a slurry B respectively; mixing the slurry A and B; and hardening the final slurry, whereby elements silicon and aluminum in the ingredient (1) are dissolved out in the basic solution of the ingredient (3), and a closed framework structure is formed by bonding silica and alumina as tetrahedrons. The environmentally friendly cement has excellent fire tolerance, heat insulation, acid and alkaline resistance, and mechanical properties.

The present invention relates to improved bentonite barrier compositions having enhanced low permeability over time in containment applications. Of the many embodiments provided herein, one embodiment includes a method comprising: providing a bentonite barrier composition comprising: bentonite; and a polyanionic low molecular weight polymer; and forming a containment using the bentonite barrier composition to provide at least partial separation for a containment from its environment.

The invention relates to a method (100) for selecting the composition of a construction material including an excavated clay soil, said construction material composition to include deflocculating agent and activating agent quantities adapted to the excavated clay soil, said method including a step of receiving (130) a measured value of at least one physicochemical property of an excavated clay soil, and a step of selecting (170) a deflocculating agent quantity and an activating agent quantity adapted to the excavated clay soil. In addition, the invention also relates to a method (200) for calibrating a calculation algorithm for determining the composition of a site construction material, to a construction material formed from an excavated clay soil, and to a system (400) for preparing a construction material including an excavated clay soil.

A method of preparing a unique foundry premix composition that has a low bulk density of 30-45 lbs/ft.sup.3 and contains fine particles with an average particle size of 85-100 μm is described. The unique foundry premix composition is produced by using specially designed assemblies of mechanical equipment with improved efficiency so that the premix can be prepared at a site closer to a foundry. As a result, increase in premix density caused by handling and shipping across a long distance from a traditional premix manufacturing facility to a foundry can be suppressed; transportation cost can be saved; and safety would be of less concern. The use of the foundry premix composition to prepare a sand molding medium for casting molded articles is also described.