The invention relates to a method for producing an expanded granular material from sand grain-like mineral material which comprises a bound blowing agent, for example for producing an expanded granular material from perlite sand, wherein the sand grain-like mineral material is introduced into a feed opening at one end of a furnace shaft, conveyed along a thermal treatment section in a conveying direction, preferably by force of gravity, heated to a critical temperature while being conveyed through the thermal treatment section, starting at which temperature the sand grain-like mineral material plasticizes and begins to expand as a result of the blowing agent, and the expanded granular material is discharged at another end of the furnace shaft. In order to render the expanded granular widely usable, it is provided according to the invention that the sand grain-like mineral material is heated to a second temperature above the critical temperature after being heated to the critical temperature, which second temperature lies below a third temperature, starting at which third temperature the surface of the expanded granular material bursts, and wherein the second temperature is chosen depending on a desired density of the expanded granular material, so that a portion of the blowing agent remains in the granular material in bound form.

The present invention relates to fiber cement products comprising an inner core material, which inner core material is covered by at least one outer surface layer, characterized in that: —said inner core material has a density of between about 0.4 and about 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises cement and between 1 wt % and 70 wt % (with respect to the total dry weight of said inner core material) of a lightweight filler, and—said at least one outer surface layer has a density of between about 0.9 and about 1.4 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises fibers and cement.

A method of cementing may include: mixing at least a cement dry blend, water, and a liquid activated pozzolan additive to form a cement slurry, wherein the liquid activate pozzolan additive comprises a carrier fluid and an activated pozzolan; introducing the cement slurry into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement slurry to set.

A method of cementing may include: mixing at least a cement dry blend, water, and a liquid activated pozzolan additive to form a cement slurry, wherein the liquid activate pozzolan additive comprises a carrier fluid and an activated pozzolan; introducing the cement slurry into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement slurry to set.

A method of cementing in a subterranean formation may include, activating an extended-life cement composition by mixing at least the extended-life cement composition with a liquid activated pozzolan additive comprising a carrier fluid and an activated pozzolan, wherein the extended-life cement composition comprises water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; introducing the extended-life cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the extended-life cement composition to set to form a hardened mass in the subterranean formation.

A method of cementing in a subterranean formation may include, activating an extended-life cement composition by mixing at least the extended-life cement composition with a liquid activated pozzolan additive comprising a carrier fluid and an activated pozzolan, wherein the extended-life cement composition comprises water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; introducing the extended-life cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the extended-life cement composition to set to form a hardened mass in the subterranean formation.

A method of cementing may include preparing a cement slurry by mixing at least water and a cement dry blend, wherein the cement dry blend comprises a cement and an activated pozzolan; and introducing the cement slurry into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement slurry to set to form a hardened mass.

A method of cementing may include preparing a cement slurry by mixing at least water and a cement dry blend, wherein the cement dry blend comprises a cement and an activated pozzolan; and introducing the cement slurry into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement slurry to set to form a hardened mass.

Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a cementitious material, a pozzolanic material, aplite, and an aqueous fluid. Also disclosed herein is a method of servicing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising: placing the composition into the wellbore; and allowing the composition to form a set cement. The composition can develop suitable mechanical properties and permeability after setting in a wellbore and be expansive.

The present invention relates to fiber cement flooring products. In particular, the present invention provides fiber cement flooring products, at least comprising cement and fibers, characterized in that these fiber cement flooring products comprise amorphous silica in an amount of between about 2 weight % and about 15 weight % compared to the total dry weight of the fiber cement composition of said fiber cement flooring product. The present invention further relates to methods for the production of such fiber cement flooring products as well as uses of such fiber cement flooring products in the building industry. The present invention further relates to fiber cement formulations and fiber cement materials, which are suitable for the production of fiber cement products for flooring applications.