The present invention relates to water-soluble modified lignins preparable by enzymatic reaction of at least one water-insoluble lignin with at least one organic compound which possesses at least one group selected from primary or secondary amino group, hydroxyl group and phenyl group and has an average molecular weight in the range from 75 to 2500 g/mol. The water-soluble modified lignins are preparable under mild conditions in a simple process. They can be used as dispersants for mineral binder compositions, where they act as plasticizers and in so doing prolong the setting time to much less of an extent than the water-insoluble lignins used in their preparation.

The present invention relates to water-soluble modified lignins preparable by enzymatic reaction of at least one water-insoluble lignin with at least one organic compound which possesses at least one group selected from primary or secondary amino group, hydroxyl group and phenyl group and has an average molecular weight in the range from 75 to 2500 g/mol. The water-soluble modified lignins are preparable under mild conditions in a simple process. They can be used as dispersants for mineral binder compositions, where they act as plasticizers and in so doing prolong the setting time to much less of an extent than the water-insoluble lignins used in their preparation.

Drilling fluid compositions include invert emulsion fluids having an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase, and an emulsifier composition that includes an ethoxylated alcohol compound and a polyaminated fatty acid compound. The ethoxylated alcohol compound has the formula R.sup.1—(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n—OH, where R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n is from 1 to 8. The ethoxylated alcohol compound has a Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) of less than or equal to 6. The polyaminated fatty acid compound has the formula R.sup.2—CO—NH—CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—N(COR.sup.2)—CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—NH—CO—R.sup.3, where R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkylene carboxylate group having formula —R.sup.4—COOH, where R.sup.4 is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Methods of drilling wells include operating a drill in a wellbore in the presence of drilling fluid compositions.

Drilling fluid compositions include invert emulsion fluids having an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase, and an emulsifier composition that includes an ethoxylated alcohol compound and a polyaminated fatty acid compound. The ethoxylated alcohol compound has the formula R.sup.1—(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n—OH, where R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n is from 1 to 8. The ethoxylated alcohol compound has a Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) of less than or equal to 6. The polyaminated fatty acid compound has the formula R.sup.2—CO—NH—CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—N(COR.sup.2)—CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—NH—CO—R.sup.3, where R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkylene carboxylate group having formula —R.sup.4—COOH, where R.sup.4 is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Methods of drilling wells include operating a drill in a wellbore in the presence of drilling fluid compositions.

Provided is a ceiling tile coated on at least one surface with an acoustically transparent coating which creates pores at the tile surface and comprises a high Tg polymeric binder, titanium dioxide, and particles selected from the group consisting of void latex particles, hollow glass beads, calcium carbonate, calcium magnesium carbonate, calcined clay and any combination thereof. Compositions for acoustically transparent coatings and methods for making a substrate surface acoustically transparent are provided as well.

Provided is a ceiling tile coated on at least one surface with an acoustically transparent coating which creates pores at the tile surface and comprises a high Tg polymeric binder, titanium dioxide, and particles selected from the group consisting of void latex particles, hollow glass beads, calcium carbonate, calcium magnesium carbonate, calcined clay and any combination thereof. Compositions for acoustically transparent coatings and methods for making a substrate surface acoustically transparent are provided as well.

A system and associated methods for processing unhardened concrete are disclosed. It at least one embodiment, the system for processing unhardened concrete includes a means to estimate a quantity of returned concrete; a foam adder to add foam to the quantity of returned concrete; a mixer to mix the added foam and returned concrete together to create treated concrete; a discharger to discharge the treated concrete; a discharge area configured in which to allow the treated concrete to set and harden; a converter to convert the hardened treated concrete into a particulate or aggregate form; and a user to determine the specific utilization of the particulate or aggregate form loose material.

A system and associated methods for processing unhardened concrete are disclosed. It at least one embodiment, the system for processing unhardened concrete includes a means to estimate a quantity of returned concrete; a foam adder to add foam to the quantity of returned concrete; a mixer to mix the added foam and returned concrete together to create treated concrete; a discharger to discharge the treated concrete; a discharge area configured in which to allow the treated concrete to set and harden; a converter to convert the hardened treated concrete into a particulate or aggregate form; and a user to determine the specific utilization of the particulate or aggregate form loose material.

An embodiment comprises a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a kiln dust, biowaste ash, and water; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Another embodiment comprises a method of cementing comprising: introducing a cement composition into a subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises a kiln dust, biowaste ash, and water; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Yet another embodiment comprises a method comprising: providing a spacer fluid comprising biowaste ash and water; introducing the spacer fluid into a well bore to displace at least a portion of a first fluid from the well bore; and introducing a cement composition into the well bore, wherein the spacer fluid separates the cement composition and the first fluid.

An embodiment comprises a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a kiln dust, biowaste ash, and water; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Another embodiment comprises a method of cementing comprising: introducing a cement composition into a subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises a kiln dust, biowaste ash, and water; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Yet another embodiment comprises a method comprising: providing a spacer fluid comprising biowaste ash and water; introducing the spacer fluid into a well bore to displace at least a portion of a first fluid from the well bore; and introducing a cement composition into the well bore, wherein the spacer fluid separates the cement composition and the first fluid.