An apparatus (100) for the production of a plaster slurry is described, the apparatus (100) comprising a mixer (102) for mixing at least plaster and water to form a plaster slurry, the mixer (102) comprising an outlet conduit (122), a foam generator (106) for mixing at least air, a foaming agent and water to produce a foam, the foam generator (106) in fluid communication with the mixer (102) via a fluid pathway (116) comprising a foam conduit (117); and a mass flow meter (124), wherein the mass flow meter (124) is configured to measure the density and mass flow rate of the foam within the foam conduit (117) or the plaster slurry within the outlet conduit (122). Additionally, a method of manufacturing a plaster slurry is described.

An apparatus (100) for the production of a plaster slurry is described, the apparatus (100) comprising a mixer (102) for mixing at least plaster and water to form a plaster slurry, the mixer (102) comprising an outlet conduit (122), a foam generator (106) for mixing at least air, a foaming agent and water to produce a foam, the foam generator (106) in fluid communication with the mixer (102) via a fluid pathway (116) comprising a foam conduit (117); and a mass flow meter (124), wherein the mass flow meter (124) is configured to measure the density and mass flow rate of the foam within the foam conduit (117) or the plaster slurry within the outlet conduit (122). Additionally, a method of manufacturing a plaster slurry is described.

A polymer-based compound, useful as a polymer masonry unit is disclosed that can include a polymer added to a quarry byproduct to manufacture a quality brick unit. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of providing a structurally sound brick or concrete alternative without the need for kiln firing, using traditionally unusable waste material. By combining quarry byproduct and a polymer, a polymer masonry unit can be fabricated having compressive strength and architectural utility. In one exemplary embodiment, fiber elements can be added to the byproduct and polymer mixture to increase structural stability. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system itself by providing a basic block or brick unit using an environmentally responsible manufacturing process that reduces cost and waste. The manufacturing process includes a polymer/base material that can be poured into molds that cures over a predetermined period, without the need for kiln firing.

A polymer-based compound, useful as a polymer masonry unit is disclosed that can include a polymer added to a quarry byproduct to manufacture a quality brick unit. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of providing a structurally sound brick or concrete alternative without the need for kiln firing, using traditionally unusable waste material. By combining quarry byproduct and a polymer, a polymer masonry unit can be fabricated having compressive strength and architectural utility. In one exemplary embodiment, fiber elements can be added to the byproduct and polymer mixture to increase structural stability. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system itself by providing a basic block or brick unit using an environmentally responsible manufacturing process that reduces cost and waste. The manufacturing process includes a polymer/base material that can be poured into molds that cures over a predetermined period, without the need for kiln firing.

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.

Some implementations herein described improvements to concrete products and processes for producing concrete products that may provide a positive environmental impact and that can be stronger relative to the percent of cement used. Particular examples include improvements to zero-slump to near-zero-slump concrete mixture design, material storage and handling, batching, mixing, sequencing and curing processes, as well as forming and curing techniques.

Some implementations herein described improvements to concrete products and processes for producing concrete products that may provide a positive environmental impact and that can be stronger relative to the percent of cement used. Particular examples include improvements to zero-slump to near-zero-slump concrete mixture design, material storage and handling, batching, mixing, sequencing and curing processes, as well as forming and curing techniques.

A method may include providing a fluid loss model, providing a fluid loss requirement, generating a cement slurry recipe using the fluid loss model and the fluid loss requirement such that a calculated fluid loss of the cement slurry recipe using the fluid loss model meets or exceeds the fluid loss requirement; and preparing a cement slurry based on the cement slurry recipe.

A method may include providing a fluid loss model, providing a fluid loss requirement, generating a cement slurry recipe using the fluid loss model and the fluid loss requirement such that a calculated fluid loss of the cement slurry recipe using the fluid loss model meets or exceeds the fluid loss requirement; and preparing a cement slurry based on the cement slurry recipe.