A soluble alkali metal compound for adjusting, in particular reducing, the viscosity of an aluminum sulfate suspension, the alkali metal being selected from among sodium, potassium and/or lithium.

A soluble alkali metal compound for adjusting, in particular reducing, the viscosity of an aluminum sulfate suspension, the alkali metal being selected from among sodium, potassium and/or lithium.

Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a board core and a concentrated layer of substantial thickness (e.g., at least about 0.02 inches). The concentrated layer includes a higher weight percentage of an enhancing additive than the hoard core. The board core has a thickness greater than the thickness of the concentrated layer and forms the bulk of the board volume. The concentrated layer has a higher density (e.g., at least about 1.1 times greater) than the density of the board core. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a composite gypsum board.

Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a board core and a concentrated layer of substantial thickness (e.g., at least about 0.02 inches). The concentrated layer includes a higher weight percentage of an enhancing additive than the hoard core. The board core has a thickness greater than the thickness of the concentrated layer and forms the bulk of the board volume. The concentrated layer has a higher density (e.g., at least about 1.1 times greater) than the density of the board core. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a composite gypsum board.

The present disclosure relates to methods that transform high salinity brine into a non-toxic, CO.sub.2-absorbing cementitious aggregate composition and a lower salinity water component which can each be recycled to the desalination facility, further processed to produce fresh water, and/or added to a body of water and without harming the local flora and fauna. The present disclosure provides methods comprising steps of: (a) combining (i) a high salinity brine, (ii) CO.sub.2, and (iii) a pozzolan and/or a latently hydraulic material; and (b) permitting the combination obtained in step (a) to persist under conditions sufficient to transform the combination into a cementitious aggregate composition and a reduced salinity water component. In some case, an activator, as disclosed herein, is added to the combination. The present disclosure further a cementitious aggregate compositions and shaped cementitious compositions, each obtained by herein-disclosed methods.

Some embodiments are directed to a new castable cement based material containing a special admixture based internal curing system to reduce the shrinkage and avoid the formation of cracks, and method of producing the same.

Some embodiments are directed to a new castable cement based material containing a special admixture based internal curing system to reduce the shrinkage and avoid the formation of cracks, and method of producing the same.

An admixture for mineral binder compositions, especially for concrete, the admixture includes at least one kinetic regulator selected from esters of hydroxy carboxylic acid, especially citric acid esters, tartaric acid esters, lactic acid esters, gluconic acid esters, malic acid esters, glycolic acid esters, and/or mandelic acid esters, optionally an accelerator for the hydration of cement, and optionally water. Admixtures reduce the maximum heat flow from mineral binder composition, especially concrete, without unduly retarding setting and/or curing thereof.

An admixture for mineral binder compositions, especially for concrete, the admixture includes at least one kinetic regulator selected from esters of hydroxy carboxylic acid, especially citric acid esters, tartaric acid esters, lactic acid esters, gluconic acid esters, malic acid esters, glycolic acid esters, and/or mandelic acid esters, optionally an accelerator for the hydration of cement, and optionally water. Admixtures reduce the maximum heat flow from mineral binder composition, especially concrete, without unduly retarding setting and/or curing thereof.

A molded three-dimensional insulator that is suitable for use in an end cone region of a pollution control device and a method of making the insulator are described. The insulator includes ceramic fibers that have a bulk shrinkage no greater than 10 weight percent. The ceramic fibers can contain alumina and silica and can be microcrystalline, crystalline, or a combination thereof.