A cement slurry suitable for use in the presence of high salt concentrations may include a base fluid and dry components that include: a cementitious material, a pozzolanic material, a salt additive, and a salt-tolerant fluid loss additive. The salt-tolerant fluid loss additive may be at least one of the following zwitterionic polymers: (1) a copolymer of at least one anionic monomer and at least one cationic monomer, (2) a copolymer of at least one anionic monomer, at least one cationic monomer, and at least one zwitterionic monomer, (3) a homopolymer of a zwitterionic monomer, or (4) a copolymer of at least one zwitterionic monomer.

Described is a method of preparing foams, wherein a suspension comprising an aqueous liquid, particles and at least one surfactant is provided, wherein the at least one surfactant at least partially hydrophobizes a surface of the particles, and wherein the suspension comprising the particles having the at least partially hydrophobized surface is foamed. The at least one surfactant is selected from surfactants having a backbone chain comprising at least nine carbon atoms, the at least one surfactant preferably being an amphiphilic molecule consisting of a tail coupled to a head group, wherein the tail comprises the backbone chain comprising at least nine carbon atoms.

Described is a method of preparing foams, wherein a suspension comprising an aqueous liquid, particles and at least one surfactant is provided, wherein the at least one surfactant at least partially hydrophobizes a surface of the particles, and wherein the suspension comprising the particles having the at least partially hydrophobized surface is foamed. The at least one surfactant is selected from surfactants having a backbone chain comprising at least nine carbon atoms, the at least one surfactant preferably being an amphiphilic molecule consisting of a tail coupled to a head group, wherein the tail comprises the backbone chain comprising at least nine carbon atoms.

Admixture for cementitious building materials can provide a self-healing mechanism to improve material longevity. In certain embodiments, the admixture can include the combination of both a quicklime-based replacement for fine and coarse aggregates and an SCM replacement for OPC in standard mortar and concrete.

Admixture for cementitious building materials can provide a self-healing mechanism to improve material longevity. In certain embodiments, the admixture can include the combination of both a quicklime-based replacement for fine and coarse aggregates and an SCM replacement for OPC in standard mortar and concrete.

A filter aid may include acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite. A method of making a high purity filter aid may include acid washing diatomaceous earth to reduce the h in the diatomaceous earth, and combining the acid-washed diatomaceous earth with high purity perlite to obtain to obtain a high purity filter aid. A method of reducing extractable metals from diatomaceous earth may include washing the diatomaceous earth in a first acid, rinsing the diatomaceous earth, and washing the diatomaceous earth in a second acid. The first acid may include an inorganic acid having a first strength, and the second acid may include an organic acid having a second strength different than the first strength. A method of filtering a beverage may include passing the beverage through a filter including a filter aid including acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite.

A filter aid may include acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite. A method of making a high purity filter aid may include acid washing diatomaceous earth to reduce the h in the diatomaceous earth, and combining the acid-washed diatomaceous earth with high purity perlite to obtain to obtain a high purity filter aid. A method of reducing extractable metals from diatomaceous earth may include washing the diatomaceous earth in a first acid, rinsing the diatomaceous earth, and washing the diatomaceous earth in a second acid. The first acid may include an inorganic acid having a first strength, and the second acid may include an organic acid having a second strength different than the first strength. A method of filtering a beverage may include passing the beverage through a filter including a filter aid including acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite.

High-strength concrete-like FG blends and methods for producing them are described. The blend includes FG, hydraulic cement, additional alkali material, and pozzolanic material. The blend further includes an admixture used in the formulation of concrete. The blend further includes an aggregate. The aggregate is a coarse aggregate or a fine aggregate.

High-strength concrete-like FG blends and methods for producing them are described. The blend includes FG, hydraulic cement, additional alkali material, and pozzolanic material. The blend further includes an admixture used in the formulation of concrete. The blend further includes an aggregate. The aggregate is a coarse aggregate or a fine aggregate.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising remediated coal ash, hydraulic cement, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising remediated coal ash, calcium hydroxide (lime), and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising: remediated coal ash, hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, natural pozzolan and water; and allowing the composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising remediated coal ash and any combination of hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, slag, fly ash, and natural or other pozzolan.