The present invention relates to additives and, more specifically, the use of biochar, in concrete and other cementitious materials to provide for building materials that have a lower carbon footprint than their traditional counterparts. Traditional methods for production of cement produce large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). When coupled with the massive demand for cement building materials around the world, this means that the cement production has a significant impact on the amount of CO2 produced globally. By including biochar and other additives along with, or instead of some traditional components of cement, one may be able to provide for cementitious building materials that sequester carbon, rather than release it.

A method of designing a cement slurry may include: (a) selecting at least a cement and concentration thereof, water and concentration thereof, and, optionally, at least one supplementary cementitious material and a concentration thereof, such that a cement slurry comprising the cement, the water, and, if present, the at least one supplementary cementitious material, meet a density requirement; (b) calculating a thickening time of the cement slurry using a thickening time model; (c) comparing the thickening time of the cement slurry to a thickening time requirement, wherein steps (a)-(c) are repeated if the thickening time of the cement slurry does not meet or exceed the thickening time requirement, wherein the selecting comprises selecting different concentrations and/or different chemical identities for the cement and/or the supplementary cementitious material than previously selected, or step (d) is performed if the thickening time of the cement slurry meets or exceeds the thickening time requirement; and preparing the cement slurry.

A method of designing a cement slurry may include: (a) selecting at least a cement and concentration thereof, water and concentration thereof, and, optionally, at least one supplementary cementitious material and a concentration thereof, such that a cement slurry comprising the cement, the water, and, if present, the at least one supplementary cementitious material, meet a density requirement; (b) calculating a thickening time of the cement slurry using a thickening time model; (c) comparing the thickening time of the cement slurry to a thickening time requirement, wherein steps (a)-(c) are repeated if the thickening time of the cement slurry does not meet or exceed the thickening time requirement, wherein the selecting comprises selecting different concentrations and/or different chemical identities for the cement and/or the supplementary cementitious material than previously selected, or step (d) is performed if the thickening time of the cement slurry meets or exceeds the thickening time requirement; and preparing the cement slurry.

The invention relates to a hydraulic binder consisting essentially in a hydraulically active amorphous calcium silicate phase, having in its constitution less than 20% in weight of a crystalline material. The said hydraulically active amorphous calcium silicate phase is a continuous matrix that may contain embedded fractions of crystalline material, being the overall C/S molar ratio of this hydraulic binder comprised between 0.8 and 1.25. The crystalline fraction of this material is essentially composed by wollastonite in both of its polymorphic structures, α and β. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of producing the hydraulic binder by liquefying the raw materials, in a specified C/S molar ratio, followed by fast cooling to room temperature. Finally, the invention relates to a building material made by setting the binder or a mixture containing this binder with water and subsequent hardening. The invention enables the production of a hydraulic binder with a significant reduction of CO2 emissions, when compared to OPC clinker, by reducing the amount of limestone in the raw materials while obtaining competitive overall values of compressive strength of the hardened material.

The invention comprises a concrete form. The form comprises a first concrete forming panel having a first primary surface adapted for forming and contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface; a layer of insulating material contacting and substantially covering the second primary surface of the first concrete forming panel; and an insulating blanket adjacent the first concrete forming panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

The invention comprises a concrete form. The form comprises a first concrete forming panel having a first primary surface adapted for forming and contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface; a layer of insulating material contacting and substantially covering the second primary surface of the first concrete forming panel; and an insulating blanket adjacent the first concrete forming panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

An apparatus for recycling fly ash has a quantum energy generator therein. The apparatus recycles fly ash generated as the combustion waste from the burning of coal in thermal power plants, into construction materials such as cement substitutes, environment-friendly cover materials, etc. Unburned pulverized coal is removed while generating carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) through a combustion reaction, in which the unburned pulverized coal of the fly ash contacts the thermal electrons discharged during a thermal decomposition process at a high temperature, the negative electrodes of the thermal decomposition part, which are heated at a high temperature of 500° C., which is an ignition point of the unburned pulverized coal, or higher, and a high-voltage discharge electrode of an electrochemical reaction part, then heated at 500° C. or higher, and then naturally burned under an oxygen atmosphere (oxygen or ionized oxygen ions in air contained in the fly ash).

An apparatus for recycling fly ash has a quantum energy generator therein. The apparatus recycles fly ash generated as the combustion waste from the burning of coal in thermal power plants, into construction materials such as cement substitutes, environment-friendly cover materials, etc. Unburned pulverized coal is removed while generating carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) through a combustion reaction, in which the unburned pulverized coal of the fly ash contacts the thermal electrons discharged during a thermal decomposition process at a high temperature, the negative electrodes of the thermal decomposition part, which are heated at a high temperature of 500° C., which is an ignition point of the unburned pulverized coal, or higher, and a high-voltage discharge electrode of an electrochemical reaction part, then heated at 500° C. or higher, and then naturally burned under an oxygen atmosphere (oxygen or ionized oxygen ions in air contained in the fly ash).

The invention provides compositions and methods directed to carbonation of a cement mix during mixing. The carbonation may be controlled by one or more feedback mechanisms to adjust carbon dioxide delivery based on one or more characteristics of the mix or other aspects of the mixing operation.

The invention provides compositions and methods directed to carbonation of a cement mix during mixing. The carbonation may be controlled by one or more feedback mechanisms to adjust carbon dioxide delivery based on one or more characteristics of the mix or other aspects of the mixing operation.