A process is provided for producing a biomass-derived rheology modifier, comprising: providing a pretreated feedstock comprising cellulose-rich solids; refining the cellulose-rich solids in a first high-intensity refining unit, generating refined cellulose solids; gelling the refined cellulose solids in a second high-intensity refining unit, thereby generating gelled cellulose solids; and homogenizing the gelled cellulose solids in a high-shear homogenizer, thereby generating a biomass-derived rheology modifier. The pretreated feedstock may include kraft pulp, sulfite pulp, AVAP® pulp, soda pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, and/or chemimechanical pulp, derived from wood or lignocellulosic biomass. The pretreated feedstock may be GP3+® pulp, obtained from steam or hot-water extraction of lignocellulosic biomass. These rheology modifiers may be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including water-based or oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations, as gelling agents. These rheology modifiers are biodegradable, and their production does not directly involve chemicals other than biomass and water.

A process is provided for producing a biomass-derived rheology modifier, comprising: providing a pretreated feedstock comprising cellulose-rich solids; refining the cellulose-rich solids in a first high-intensity refining unit, generating refined cellulose solids; gelling the refined cellulose solids in a second high-intensity refining unit, thereby generating gelled cellulose solids; and homogenizing the gelled cellulose solids in a high-shear homogenizer, thereby generating a biomass-derived rheology modifier. The pretreated feedstock may include kraft pulp, sulfite pulp, AVAP® pulp, soda pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, and/or chemimechanical pulp, derived from wood or lignocellulosic biomass. The pretreated feedstock may be GP3+® pulp, obtained from steam or hot-water extraction of lignocellulosic biomass. These rheology modifiers may be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including water-based or oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations, as gelling agents. These rheology modifiers are biodegradable, and their production does not directly involve chemicals other than biomass and water.

Lightweight construction panels, such as gypsum plaster-board, are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings It is known to cover, either partially or fully, the panel with an aqueous material such as gypsum plaster or jointing compound. It has been found that known panels expand when they absorb water. This gives rise to several undesirable results such as the gypsum plaster or jointing compound cracking as the panel expands as moisture is absorbed. The present invention provides a panel comprising a gypsum matrix including fibres in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, a polymeric additive in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, and at least one phosphate additive. A panel having such a composition has been found to have desirable characteristics.

Lightweight construction panels, such as gypsum plaster-board, are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings It is known to cover, either partially or fully, the panel with an aqueous material such as gypsum plaster or jointing compound. It has been found that known panels expand when they absorb water. This gives rise to several undesirable results such as the gypsum plaster or jointing compound cracking as the panel expands as moisture is absorbed. The present invention provides a panel comprising a gypsum matrix including fibres in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, a polymeric additive in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, and at least one phosphate additive. A panel having such a composition has been found to have desirable characteristics.

Lightweight construction panels, such as gypsum plaster-board, are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings It is known to cover, either partially or fully, the panel with an aqueous material such as gypsum plaster or jointing compound. It has been found that known panels expand when they absorb water. This gives rise to several undesirable results such as the gypsum plaster or jointing compound cracking as the panel expands as moisture is absorbed. The present invention provides a panel comprising a gypsum matrix including fibres in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, a polymeric additive in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, and at least one phosphate additive. A panel having such a composition has been found to have desirable characteristics.

A liquid accelerator composition for accelerating the setting reaction of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water and methods of forming a liquid gypsum accelerator are provided. The liquid accelerator composition includes a liquid media in which calcium sulfate dihydrate is less than fully soluble and a ground product of a mill grinding of a mixture comprising calcium sulfate dihydrate.

A liquid accelerator composition for accelerating the setting reaction of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water and methods of forming a liquid gypsum accelerator are provided. The liquid accelerator composition includes a liquid media in which calcium sulfate dihydrate is less than fully soluble and a ground product of a mill grinding of a mixture comprising calcium sulfate dihydrate.

A liquid accelerator composition for accelerating the setting reaction of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water and methods of forming a liquid gypsum accelerator are provided. The liquid accelerator composition includes a liquid media in which calcium sulfate dihydrate is less than fully soluble and a ground product of a mill grinding of a mixture comprising calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Disclosed herein are thermodynamically stable cement systems comprising a curing agent mixed with a CAC. The curing agent can be hydrophilic to attract bound water. In such a manner, the addition of the curing agent can treat the CAC. The treated material can then be cured to form a thermodynamically stable cement material. The curing agent can comprise a natural fiber material that comprises cellulose. Alternatively, or in addition, the curing agent can comprise cellulose nanoparticles, such as cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) or cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Also disclosed herein are methods of making the same.

An air-dry clay moldable and workable for sculptural applications, comprising a formulation of: (1) caulk or caulk base material and (2) a thickening agent and/or a detackifier in sufficient proportions to form a clay that can air dry to a substantially solid form at room temperature. The clay may include both a thickening agent and detackifier. The caulk or caulk base material comprises by weight percent: 40-90%, or 50-80%, or 60-75% of the formulated clay.