An activating composition, in particular for concrete or industrial mortars containing hydraulic binder and/or pozzolanic material, comprises at least 40% by weight, preferably at least 50% by weight of calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate particles having a d80 less than or equal to 15 .Math.m, and a d50 less than or equal to 4 .Math.m, and at least 1.5% by weight and up to 60% by weight of at least one alkaline metal salt. A binder composition is also provided, the binder composition comprising the activating composition and a component C comprising at least one hydraulic binder. The binder composition and at least one aggregate are combined to form a dry concrete or industrial mortar composition. Also provided is a process for preparing wet concrete or mortar compositions and hardened concrete or industrial mortar compositions obtained therefrom.

The invention concerns a method for fluidifying wet concrete or industrial mortar compositions comprising: (a) at least one hydraulic binder, (b) at least one water reducing polymer, (c) at least one accelerator in the form of a salt containing at least one kosmotropic ion, (d) water, and (e) possibly one or more supplementary cementitious materials, and (f) possibly one or more filler materials, the method comprising a step of adding at least one salt (ch) including at least one chaotropic ion to the concrete or industrial mortar composition.

The invention concerns a method for fluidifying wet concrete or industrial mortar compositions comprising: (a) at least one hydraulic binder, (b) at least one water reducing polymer, (c) at least one accelerator in the form of a salt containing at least one kosmotropic ion, (d) water, and (e) possibly one or more supplementary cementitious materials, and (f) possibly one or more filler materials, the method comprising a step of adding at least one salt (ch) including at least one chaotropic ion to the concrete or industrial mortar composition.

Provided herein are compositions, methods, and systems related to aggregates, such as e.g., lightweight aggregates, formed from the reactive vaterite cement compositions.

A method for the continuous production of a mineral foam of which the density in the dry state (d) is from 40 to 600 kg/m.sup.3, includes (i) mixing cement; a water reducing agent; 0.5 to 10%, % by weight with respect to the total weight of cement, of ultrafine particles having a liquid-solid contact angle comprised from 30° to 140°, and of which the D50 is from 10 to 600 nm; water, with a water/cement weight ratio from 0.3 to 2.5; (ii) adding to the mixture from 0.5 to 10% of a pore-forming agent, % by weight with respect to the weight of cement; (iii) applying the mixture obtained at step (ii) on a support; (iv) leaving the mixture to expand on the support.

A method for the continuous production of a mineral foam of which the density in the dry state (d) is from 40 to 600 kg/m.sup.3, includes (i) mixing cement; a water reducing agent; 0.5 to 10%, % by weight with respect to the total weight of cement, of ultrafine particles having a liquid-solid contact angle comprised from 30° to 140°, and of which the D50 is from 10 to 600 nm; water, with a water/cement weight ratio from 0.3 to 2.5; (ii) adding to the mixture from 0.5 to 10% of a pore-forming agent, % by weight with respect to the weight of cement; (iii) applying the mixture obtained at step (ii) on a support; (iv) leaving the mixture to expand on the support.

A method for processing incinerator bottom ash (IBA) comprises the steps of carbonating IBA aggregate material by CO.sub.2 sequestration and providing a stabilizing additive for mixing with the carbonated IBA aggregate material, wherein the additive comprises one or more components from group (b1) and one or more components from group (b2), wherein group (b1) consists of aluminium chloride and at least one other metal chloride, and wherein group (b2) consists of silica, zeolite and apatite. When the carbonated IBA and additive is mixed a stabilized IBA composition is formed, the stabilized IBA composition being suitable for use as a substitute for traditional aggregates in the manufacture of concrete and concrete products.

A method for processing incinerator bottom ash (IBA) comprises the steps of carbonating IBA aggregate material by CO.sub.2 sequestration and providing a stabilizing additive for mixing with the carbonated IBA aggregate material, wherein the additive comprises one or more components from group (b1) and one or more components from group (b2), wherein group (b1) consists of aluminium chloride and at least one other metal chloride, and wherein group (b2) consists of silica, zeolite and apatite. When the carbonated IBA and additive is mixed a stabilized IBA composition is formed, the stabilized IBA composition being suitable for use as a substitute for traditional aggregates in the manufacture of concrete and concrete products.

A free-flowing powder composition includes at least one substrate having pores and an external surface between said pores, said surface functionalized with at least one accelerator for a hydraulic setting composition, said accelerator being liquid, hygroscopic, or deliquescent, and wherein after 15 minutes of immersion of free-flowing powder composition in water at 20° C. at least 80% in weight of said accelerator is solubilized, said free-flowing powder composition being immersed in an amount of water sufficient so that the saturation concentration of said accelerator cannot be reached. There is also a method for preparing said free-flowing powder composition. The use of said free-flowing powder composition as an additive for mortar or concrete composition provides an accelerating effect, an anti-ageing effect and an anti-dusting effect. A dry mortar or concrete composition includes a hydraulic binder, said free-flowing powder composition and a granulate, wet mortar or concrete composition and hardened body obtained therefrom.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing the viscosity of a calcium-containing fluid by addition of a modifying agent. The resulting enhanced viscosity fluid may be used in a variety of applications including drilling, to create an enhanced-viscosity fluid, and demolition/mining to create an expansive putty for use in underwater and overhead applications.