Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.

A curing accelerator composition for building chemical mixtures comprises a mineral constituent and a polymeric water-soluble dispersant. The mineral constituent comprises a semi-ordered calcium silicate hydrate having an apparent crystallite size of 15 nm or less and less than 35% by weight of crystalline phases other than the semi-ordered calcium silicate hydrate. The composition displays a more pronounced accelerating effect than comparative compositions in which the mineral component comprises a calcium silicate hydrate having a higher degree of crystallinity.

A curing accelerator composition for building chemical mixtures comprises a mineral constituent and a polymeric water-soluble dispersant. The mineral constituent comprises a semi-ordered calcium silicate hydrate having an apparent crystallite size of 15 nm or less and less than 35% by weight of crystalline phases other than the semi-ordered calcium silicate hydrate. The composition displays a more pronounced accelerating effect than comparative compositions in which the mineral component comprises a calcium silicate hydrate having a higher degree of crystallinity.

A green concrete and mortar compositions free of Portland cement are disclosed. The compositions comprise Natural pozzolan, nanosilica particles, and alkaline activator. The green concrete produced from the composition of the invention is cured at ambient temperature and has higher compressive strength than that of concrete made with Portland cement.

A green concrete and mortar compositions free of Portland cement are disclosed. The compositions comprise Natural pozzolan, nanosilica particles, and alkaline activator. The green concrete produced from the composition of the invention is cured at ambient temperature and has higher compressive strength than that of concrete made with Portland cement.

A cementitious blend composition and a concrete mix composition preferable for making concrete resistant to high temperatures and alkaline conditions, particularly for making durable concrete for constructing an alumina digester tank in an aluminum smelter. The cementitious blend composition includes at least one hydraulic cement, silica fume (SF), and natural pozzolan (NP), wherein a weight percent ratio of at least one hydraulic cement:SF:NP in the cementitious blend composition lies in the range of (24-63):(5-44):(32-40) with the sum of the weight percentages of the at least one hydraulic cement, the SF, and the NP not exceeding 100%. The concrete mix composition comprises water and the cementitious blend composition, wherein a weight ratio of the water to the cementitious blend composition is 0.2-0.5, and wherein the concrete mix composition has a content of the cementitious blend composition of 400-550 kg/m.sup.3.

A cementitious blend composition and a concrete mix composition preferable for making concrete resistant to high temperatures and alkaline conditions, particularly for making durable concrete for constructing an alumina digester tank in an aluminum smelter. The cementitious blend composition includes at least one hydraulic cement, silica fume (SF), and natural pozzolan (NP), wherein a weight percent ratio of at least one hydraulic cement:SF:NP in the cementitious blend composition lies in the range of (24-63):(5-44):(32-40) with the sum of the weight percentages of the at least one hydraulic cement, the SF, and the NP not exceeding 100%. The concrete mix composition comprises water and the cementitious blend composition, wherein a weight ratio of the water to the cementitious blend composition is 0.2-0.5, and wherein the concrete mix composition has a content of the cementitious blend composition of 400-550 kg/m.sup.3.

The invention concerns a polycondensate containing (I) at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety bearing a polyether side chain comprising 9 to 41 alkylene glycol units, (II) at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety bearing at least one phosphoric acid ester group and (III) at least a methylene unit (—CH.sub.2—), the polycondensate having a polycondensation degree of 10 to 75. Also concerned are building material mixtures containing said polycondensates and the use as dispersant for inorganic binders.

The invention concerns a polycondensate containing (I) at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety bearing a polyether side chain comprising 9 to 41 alkylene glycol units, (II) at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety bearing at least one phosphoric acid ester group and (III) at least a methylene unit (—CH.sub.2—), the polycondensate having a polycondensation degree of 10 to 75. Also concerned are building material mixtures containing said polycondensates and the use as dispersant for inorganic binders.

A nano-modified dry-mixed alkali-activated cementitious, or one-part geopolymer cement (OPgC), material with high early strength is provided for rapid repair of cement-based infrastructure components. The OPgC may include an aluminosilicate rich material, an alkali material and a nano-modifier, and optionally include other functional admixtures and fibers. The OPgC can be freshly mixed with water to obtain a repairing material. The OPgC may mix with water and fine or coarse aggregate to form mortar or concrete. The OPgC can be an alternative binding matrix for the development of an environmentally friendly and cost effective rapid repair material.