The present application relates to reaction mixtures comprising biomass, a solid acid catalyst and celluloytic enzymes or organisms expressing such enzymes for converting biomass to useful feedstocks and methods of forming products via fermentation using the said reaction mixture.

The invention relates to a new concrete admixture based on metal silicate hydrates and ettringite for improving the strength development at both early and longer ages of low-carbon cementitious compositions based on Portland cement and supplementary cementitious materials SCMs, including fly ash, slag, natural pozzolans, silica fume, calcined clays and fillers, such as limestone powder.

Mineral fines reduce OPC content in concrete, mortar and other cementitious compositions, typically in combination with a pozzolanically active SCM. Mineral fines can replace and/or augment a portion of hydraulic cement and/or fine aggregate. Mineral fines can replace a portion of cement binder and fine aggregate as an intermediate that fills a size void between largest cement particles and smallest fine aggregate particles. Supplemental lime can enhance balance of calcium ions in the mix water and/or pore solution. Supplemental sulfate can address sulfate deficiencies caused by high clinker reduction, use of water reducers and/or superplasticizers, and SCMs containing aluminates. Concentrated or pure carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) can be used to passivate alkaline values in highly alkaline materials, such as concrete washout fines, CKD, class C flyash, incinerator ash, bottom ash, or biomass ash. CO.sub.2 passivation or sequestration can be carried out before, during or after forming an initial concrete mix.

Mineral fines reduce OPC content in concrete, mortar and other cementitious compositions, typically in combination with a pozzolanically active SCM. Mineral fines can replace and/or augment a portion of hydraulic cement and/or fine aggregate. Mineral fines can replace a portion of cement binder and fine aggregate as an intermediate that fills a size void between largest cement particles and smallest fine aggregate particles. Supplemental lime can enhance balance of calcium ions in the mix water and/or pore solution. Supplemental sulfate can address sulfate deficiencies caused by high clinker reduction, use of water reducers and/or superplasticizers, and SCMs containing aluminates. Concentrated or pure carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) can be used to passivate alkaline values in highly alkaline materials, such as concrete washout fines, CKD, class C flyash, incinerator ash, bottom ash, or biomass ash. CO.sub.2 passivation or sequestration can be carried out before, during or after forming an initial concrete mix.

A compressive strength improving, water uptake reducing additive composition comprising: an alkyl silane or its hydrolysate or mixture thereof comprising a silicon resin comprising units of the formula (Ia) thereof along with an additive composition and an antifoam composition; wherein the composition is used before, or during the grinding process in the cement plant not only reduces the energy consumption during grinding but also eliminates any further addition of the hydrophobic additive material to render hydrophobicity along with the improved compressive strength of the constructed structure. Such hydrophobicity along with the improved compressive strength of the constructed structure is achieved even when the composition is used after the grinding process.

A compressive strength improving, water uptake reducing additive composition comprising: an alkyl silane or its hydrolysate or mixture thereof comprising a silicon resin comprising units of the formula (Ia) thereof along with an additive composition and an antifoam composition; wherein the composition is used before, or during the grinding process in the cement plant not only reduces the energy consumption during grinding but also eliminates any further addition of the hydrophobic additive material to render hydrophobicity along with the improved compressive strength of the constructed structure. Such hydrophobicity along with the improved compressive strength of the constructed structure is achieved even when the composition is used after the grinding process.

Composition comprising a polyphosphate, an amine and an inorganic sulfate compound for enhancing the workability and/or the strength development of hydraulic binders comprising a cement and a high water demand supplementary cementitious material and/or a high water demand filler.

Composition comprising a polyphosphate, an amine and an inorganic sulfate compound for enhancing the workability and/or the strength development of hydraulic binders comprising a cement and a high water demand supplementary cementitious material and/or a high water demand filler.

A method for producing a pozzolanic product by hydrothermal treatment of a feedstock including silicate, aluminate, and/or aluminosilicate materials, and a source of calcium ions, wherein the feedstock has a molar ratio of Ca:(Si+Al) from 0.4 to 1.2 and a maximum content of hydrated cement paste of 10 wt.-%, to provide a hydrate product, and subsequent carbonation of the hydrate product to provide a pozzolanic product including calcium carbonate and silica gel, alumina gel and/or silica-alumina gel. A pozzolanic product is obtainable by the method. The pozzolanic product is used as a supplementary cementitious material for manufacturing a composite cement including the pozzolanic product and a hydraulic cement.

The invention relates to dispersants for inorganic particles, preferably for hydraulic binders, which comprises the following structural units: i) at least one triazine structural unit, ii) at least one polyalkylene glycol structural unit, and iii) at least two phosphoric ester structural units on at least one carbon atom of one or more aromatic triazine rings of the formulae (IIa) and/or (IIb):
N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OPO.sub.3H.sub.2).sub.2,(IIa)
and
NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OPO.sub.3H.sub.2.(IIb) The invention also relates to a process for preparing the dispersants, to building material mixtures comprising one or more dispersants and one or more inorganic binders. The invention relates to the use of the dispersants as a water reducing agent, as a means for reducing the viscosity and for enhancing the early strengths of aqueous inorganic binders, and also to the use as a grinding aid in the production of cement.