Beneficial use structures are disclosed that include coal combustion residuals (CCR) mixed with water and a binder to form a structural material, and adapted to be compacted for use in the formation of the beneficial use structure. Various structures having beneficial uses are described, including compressed air storage facilities and a pumped hydroelectric facility, including such a facility adapted for use with a lock system of a waterway.

Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurry contains water, a cement precursor material, an alcohol surfactant having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and a carboxylic acid comprising an aliphatic chain having from 16 to 18 carbons. In some embodiments, the alcohol surfactant may comprise the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 10 to 20 carbons and x is an integer from 1 to 10. The cured cement contains water, cement, an alcohol surfactant having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and a carboxylic acid comprising an aliphatic chain having from 16 to 18 carbons. In some embodiments, the alcohol surfactant may comprise the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 10 to 20 carbons and x is an integer from 1 to 10.

Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurries have, among other attributes, improved rheology, such as improved flowability and pumpability and may be used, for instance, in the oil and gas drilling industry. The cement slurry contains water, a cement precursor material and a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10. The cured cement have improved strength and density properties due to reduced fluid loss and even placement during curing. The cured cement contains a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10.

Anti-bit balling drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The anti-bit balling drilling fluid contains water, a clay-based component, and at least one of a surfactant having the formula: R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH, where R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10, or a polyethylene glycol having the formula: H(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nOH, where n is an integer from 1 to 50. Methods of making and using these drilling fluids are also provided.

Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurries have, among other attributes, improved rheology, such as improved flowability and pumpability and may be used, for instance, in the oil and gas drilling industry. The cement slurry contains water, a cement precursor material and a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10. The cured cement have improved strength and density properties due to reduced fluid loss and even placement during curing. The cured cement contains a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10.

There is provided a gypsum composition for a drying type coating material, the gypsum composition, when made into a gypsum-based coating material by addition of water, capable of forming a coating film in which color unevenness is suppressed even though the coating film is thin and smooth. This gypsum composition for a drying type coating material contains hemihydrate gypsum having a mean particle diameter of 50 m or less, calcium carbonate having a mean particle diameter of 50 m or less, and a setting retarder, wherein the gypsum composition has a content of calcium carbonate of 100 to 400 parts by mass and a content of the setting retarder of 0.1 parts by mass or more each based on 100 parts by mass of the hemihydrate gypsum.

Drilling fluid compositions include a base fluid, at least one additive chosen from an emulsifier, weighting material, fluid-loss additive, viscosifier, or alkali compound, and from 0.1 wt. % to 1 wt. %, based on total weight of the drilling fluid composition, of an ethoxylated alcohol compound having the formula R(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.7OH, in which R is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms. The base fluid may be an aqueous base fluid. Methods for drilling a subterranean well include operating a drill in a wellbore in the presence of a drilling fluid composition including the base fluid, the additive, and the ethoxylated alcohol compound.

In one embodiment, a retarded acid system comprises an aqueous acid and a retarding surfactant. The aqueous acid may comprise from 5 wt. % to 25 wt. % of a strong acid, that is, an acid having a K.sub.a greater than or equal to 0.01. The aqueous acid may further comprise from 75 wt. % to 95 wt. % water. The retarding surfactant may have the general chemical formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbon having from 11 to 15 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 6 to 10. The retarding surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from 8 to 16.

Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurries have, among other attributes, improved rheology, such as improved flowability and pumpability and may be used, for instance, in the oil and gas drilling industry. The cement slurry contains water, a cement precursor material and a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10. The cured cement have improved strength and density properties due to reduced fluid loss and even placement during curing. The cured cement contains a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10.

Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurries have, among other attributes, improved rheology, such as improved flowability and pumpability and may be used, for instance, in the oil and gas drilling industry. The cement slurry contains water, a cement precursor material and a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10. The cured cement have improved strength and density properties due to reduced fluid loss and even placement during curing. The cured cement contains a surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH where R is a hydrocarbyl group comprising from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10.