A particulate material heater consisting essentially of an elongated housing consisting of an outer shell having at least one wall, a first end and a second end. The first end is movable into and out of the housing, and the first end has an opening through a front wall of the first end. There is a heating unit housed in the housing. The heating unit has electrical energy supply conduits from the heating unit to en electrical power source in one embodiment. In addition, the material heater can have a unit for controlling the energy input to the heater.

A particulate material heater consisting essentially of an elongated housing consisting of an outer shell having at least one wall, a first end and a second end. The first end is movable into and out of the housing, and the first end has an opening through a front wall of the first end. There is a heating unit housed in the housing. The heating unit has electrical energy supply conduits from the heating unit to en electrical power source in one embodiment. In addition, the material heater can have a unit for controlling the energy input to the heater.

A method for disposing of fly ash. After the fly ash has been processed using the method contained herein, this fly ash can be disposed of more easily because of the reduced toxicity of the final product. Also, this converted fly ash may be recycled and used as a material or aggregate in concrete. The method includes the treatment of dioxins found in fly ash found in waste incinerator flue from waste incineration power plants which includes collecting the fly ash, putting the fly ash into a hermetic device and treating the fly ash through various heating steps and thereafter lowering an environmental temperature in the hermetic heating device, which results in a significant reduction of dioxins in the fly ash.

A method for disposing of fly ash. After the fly ash has been processed using the method contained herein, this fly ash can be disposed of more easily because of the reduced toxicity of the final product. Also, this converted fly ash may be recycled and used as a material or aggregate in concrete. The method includes the treatment of dioxins found in fly ash found in waste incinerator flue from waste incineration power plants which includes collecting the fly ash, putting the fly ash into a hermetic device and treating the fly ash through various heating steps and thereafter lowering an environmental temperature in the hermetic heating device, which results in a significant reduction of dioxins in the fly ash.

Process for producing a thermally insulating mixture comprising hydrophobic silica, in which a) a pulverulent carrier material selected from the group consisting of precipitated silicas, SiO.sub.2 aerogels, pearlites and mixtures thereof is coated with a liquid silicon compound, where the liquid silicon compound has at least one alkyl group and a boiling point of less than 200° C., and b) the pulverulent carrier material that has thus been coated with the liquid silicon compound is mixed with a composition comprising a pulverulent hydrophilic fumed silica and the mixture is subjected to thermal treatment at more than 40° C. and c) any unreacted silicon compound is subsequently removed from the thermally treated mixture, thus giving the thermally insulating mixture comprising hydrophobic silica.

Process for producing a thermally insulating mixture comprising hydrophobic silica, in which a) a pulverulent carrier material selected from the group consisting of precipitated silicas, SiO.sub.2 aerogels, pearlites and mixtures thereof is coated with a liquid silicon compound, where the liquid silicon compound has at least one alkyl group and a boiling point of less than 200° C., and b) the pulverulent carrier material that has thus been coated with the liquid silicon compound is mixed with a composition comprising a pulverulent hydrophilic fumed silica and the mixture is subjected to thermal treatment at more than 40° C. and c) any unreacted silicon compound is subsequently removed from the thermally treated mixture, thus giving the thermally insulating mixture comprising hydrophobic silica.

A method for preparing a low-air entraining, low viscosity lignosulfonate composition. The method comprises: a) applying heat to the crude lignosulfonate composition under suitable conditions to reduce sugar levels to below 10%, optionally below 5%, optionally below 3%), or optionally below 1%, on a dry basis; b) mixing a crude lignosulfonate composition with an effective amount of a source of trivalent ion to complex air entraining fatty acids and resin acids; c) lowering temperature to prevent viscosity buildup.

A method for preparing a low-air entraining, low viscosity lignosulfonate composition. The method comprises: a) applying heat to the crude lignosulfonate composition under suitable conditions to reduce sugar levels to below 10%, optionally below 5%, optionally below 3%), or optionally below 1%, on a dry basis; b) mixing a crude lignosulfonate composition with an effective amount of a source of trivalent ion to complex air entraining fatty acids and resin acids; c) lowering temperature to prevent viscosity buildup.

The present invention discloses cement mortar containing excavated soil prepared by replacing natural sand with engineering soil, and a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. The preparation method includes drying and grinding waste engineering soil taken from a construction site first, sieving and mixing it to form recycled engineering soil, and putting the recycled engineering soil and natural sand into a mortar mixer according to a certain proportion to form a sandy soil mixture; then pouring water and cement into the mortar mixer, adding a part of the sandy soil mixture and a part of a water-reducing admixture, and evenly stirring; and finally, adding the remaining sandy soil mixture and water-reducing admixture, and evenly stirring to obtain the cement mortar containing excavated soil.

The present invention discloses cement mortar containing excavated soil prepared by replacing natural sand with engineering soil, and a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. The preparation method includes drying and grinding waste engineering soil taken from a construction site first, sieving and mixing it to form recycled engineering soil, and putting the recycled engineering soil and natural sand into a mortar mixer according to a certain proportion to form a sandy soil mixture; then pouring water and cement into the mortar mixer, adding a part of the sandy soil mixture and a part of a water-reducing admixture, and evenly stirring; and finally, adding the remaining sandy soil mixture and water-reducing admixture, and evenly stirring to obtain the cement mortar containing excavated soil.