GB1570710A

GB1570710A - Process for obtaining binders

Info

Publication number: GB1570710A
Application number: GB5439776A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Association pour la Recherche et le Developpement des Methodes et Processus Industriels
Current assignee: Association pour la Recherche et le Developpement des Methodes et Processus Industriels
Priority date: 1976-01-05
Filing date: 1976-12-31
Publication date: 1980-07-09
Also published as: JPS52101699A; DK1677A; DE2700186A1; IT1104156B; FR2362095B1; FR2362095A1

Description

(54) PROCESS FOR OBTAINING BINDERS (71) We, ASSOCIATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT DES METHODES ET PROCESSUS INDUSTRIELS (A.R.M.I.N.E.S.) a body corporate organised under the laws of France, of 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel 75272 Paris Cedex 06 France, do hereby declare this invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention, which is the result of work done at the Engineering Geology Centre of the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines of Paris, relates to a process for producing hydraulic binders, particularly at low temperatures; it also relates to the hydraulic binders produced by this process.

In the present description, use will in general be made of the conventional symbols used in the cement industry, that is to say silica (SiO2) will be designated "S", calcium oxide (CaO) will be designated "C", and aluminium oxide (A1203) will be designated "A", while the designation "S" will be given to SO3.

It is known that hydraulic binders are products capable of hardening under water. Among the conventional hydraulic binders mention may be made of Portland cement, which is the hydraulic binder most generally used. In the case of Portland cement the hardening is due essentially to the rapid hydration of tricalcium silicate C3S, which imparts considerable mechanical strength to the paste. Dicalcium silicate C2S, which is also present in the Portland cement, however, hydrates only very slowly, that is to say in a matter of months or years; nevertheless, this mineral is also capable of providing the paste with great mechanical strength, but only in the long term. On the other hand, the aluminates in Portland cement, which are generally essentially C3A, hydrate rapidly but impart only low mechanical strength to the paste.

Quick-setting hydraulic cements are also known. In this connection mention may be made of cements which contain at least about 20% by weight of C3A3CS, at least about 10% by weight of chemically unbonded CaSO4, and C2Sp. Such cements are described in French Patent No. 2186442.The process for producing the cements which is described in French Patent No.2186442 consists in calcining at a temperature between 1200 and 1600"C, and for a period of about 1 to 5 hours, a mixture of respective sources of CaO, SiO2, A1203, and SO3 in effective proportions of about 1 to 3 moles of CaSO4 to about (0.5 to 2) + 2n moles of CaCO3 per mole of Al203nSiO2 (n = about 1.5 to 2.5); the cement obtained in this manner has a compressive strength of at least about 204 kg/cm2 within 24 hours from commencement of hydration.

British Patent No. 1,067,858 also describes a hydraulic cement; this cement is composed a) of at least one silicate of the type present in Portalnd cement and having the properties of a hydraulic cement, and b) of a stable calcium aluminosulphate in the form of a ternary compound of formula C4A3S; in this cement the component a) is present in a sufficient amount for the composition to be of the Portland type, and the compound b) is present in an amount such that in the presence of CaO and CaSO4 it compensates for the shrinkage by drying of the product obtained by mixing the cement with a mineral aggregate and water. This cement is produced at a temperature of the order of 1350 to 16000C.

Furthermore, in the case of aluminous cements it has been noted that the active mineral is monocalcium aluminate CA, which hydrates rapidly, imparting excellent mechanical strength to the paste.

It is therefore of particular interest to have available cements composed essentially of tricalcium silicate C3S or monocalcium aluminate CA. These compounds are generally obtained by firing suitable mixtures of compounds containing oxygen, calcium, and silicon, or containing oxygen, calcium, and aluminium, at temperatures between 1400 and 1600"C for about an hour. The raw materials used for producing these compounds, that is to say the compounds containing oxygen, calcium, silicon, or aluminium, are usually selected from the limestones, clay, schists, and bauxite.In order to obtain a firing temperature of 1400-1500"C it is necessary to use a so-called "high temperature" source of energy, for example a source of energy of the fuel oil type; the consumption of energy generally represents from 30 to 60%of the cost of the hydraulic binder.

It is already known that the clinker formation temperature can be reduced by adding nitrites and nitrates of Ca and of NH4; the reduction of this temperature is however only of the order of from 30 to 400C (Ceramic Abstracts vol. 57, No. 7, July 1974 p. 144).

It has now been found that it is possible to obtain hydraulic binders, particularly at low temperatures, which taking into account the present energy situation may constitute a considerable economy and make it possible to use so-called "low temperature" sources of energy.

The present invention therefore has as its object a process for producing, particularly at low temperatures, hydraulic binders composed essentially of oxides of calcium and silicon in the form of a crystalline silicate. It also relates to hydraulic binders produced by this process, these binders having properties similar to or comparable with those of present cements.

The process of the present invention for the production of hydraulic binders composed essentially of a mixture of calcium and silicon oxides in the form of a crystalline silicate comprises adding, to a mixture of starting compounds containing oxygen, calcium, silicon and optionally other elements which are normally found in conventional raw materials, but not containing any significant proportion of magnesium, at least one agent capable of modifying the crystallinity of the silicate normally formed by the firing of the said mixture at the temperature required for the formulation of silicates, this agent being referred to hereinbelow as a crystal lattice disturbing agent, firing this mixture containing the disturbing agent, and recovering a silicate possessing hydraulic properties.

According to the invention it is possible in particular to effect firing of the mixture containing the disturbing agent at low temperature, that is to say at temperatures below 1000"C and more particularly temperatures between 600 and 950 C.

More precisely, the process of the invention can thus be utilised with the addition of a disturbing agent and by firing the mixture containing the disturbing agent at a temperature above 900"C.

In another embodiment, which is advantageous from the point of view of energy economy, firing of the mixture containing the disturbing agent is effected at a temperature between 600 and 900"C, in which case there is added to the starting mixture at least one component capable of reacting under the aforesaid temperature conditions with the component of the starting mixture which carries the Ca ion to form a calcium salt which is fusible and decomposable at that temperature.

As previously indicated, the hydraulic binders according to the invention are essentially composed of a mixture of calcium and silicon oxides in the form of crystalline silicates.

The compounds containing oxygen, calcium and silicon but not containing any significant proportion of magnesium which are used in the process of the invention are selected from the compounds usually employed in the production of conventional hydraulic binders; among these compounds mention may be made of calcium carbonate, silica, silicates, silicoaluminates, and natural or artificial substances containing such compounds, for example the limestones, clays, the various forms of silica, and sands.

It should be noted that in the starting material the silica may be in the free state or in the bonded state. Thus, the invention may be applied to mineral materials such as quartz, cristobalite, tridymite, opal, or silica in the bonded state, such as clays which are alumina silicates.

Similarly, with regard to the sources of calcium, calcium carbonate, which is available in various mineralogical forms, can advantageously be used. This calcium carbonate is substantially pure, or in forms in which, in addition to calcium, other elements normally found in conventional raw materials, or strontium, are contained.

Thus, the mixture of starting compounds, containing oxygen, calcium, and silicon, may optionally contain certain other elements which are normally found in conventional raw materials; this mixture may in particular contain aluminium when the compound containing silica is a clay such as bentonite.

The crystal lattice disturbing agents capable of modifying the crystallinity of the silicates normally formed by firing the said mixture at high temperatures are integrated in the crystal lattice which is formed in the course of the firing.

They vary in dependence on the nature af the constituents of this mixture; for example, in cases where the mixture of starting compounds, containing oxygen, calcium, and silicon, is composed of calcium carbonate and silica in a molar ratio of CaO: SiO2 equal to 2, it has been found that a hydraulic binder is obtained which has different crystallinity from that or pure C2S (X-ray diffractometry peaks which are less pronounced, wider, and poorly separated) if a sulphate, for example calcium sulphate, is added to the mixture defined above in an amount sufficient to disturb the regularity of the crystal lattice of the C2S, and if this mixture is then fired at low temperature, particularly after adding to the starting mixture a compound capable of reacting with calcium carbonate to form a calcium salt which is fusible and decomposable at the aforesaid low temperature. The compound thus obtained has excellent hydraulic properties. Without wishing to be restricted to any one theory, it is thought that this action takes place as if the S6+ ions replaced Si4+ ions; study of the X-ray diffraction diagrams of the product thus obtained show in fact that the calcium sulphate peaks appear only after the firing.

The quantity of agent capable of modifying the crystallinity of the mineral normally formed by the firing of the said mixture at high temperatures is very important for the application of the process of the present invention; it depends on the absorption capacity of the crystal lattice which would be formed in the absence of such an agent.

Those skilled in the art will be able to select the disturbing agent to be used in accordance with the invention and to determine its quantity in dependence on the starting products, the properties expected in the final product, and in particular the mechanical strength measured by the crushing of test pieces after hardening at different ages and under different treatment conditions, making sure that all the disturbing agent has completely or practically disappeared in the final product (which can be determined by X-ray diffractometry) at the end of the firing.

By way of indication it will be mentioned that the amount of disturbing agent is usually less than 15% by weight in relation to the total weight of the starting compounds.

As has been previously indicated, the best results are obtained when the mixture of starting components is partially fused and fired at "low temperature", that is to say at least one of the components must have a melting temperature lower than the minimum firing temperature according to the invention; this makes it possible to compensate for the harmful effect of the low temperatures applied on the speeds of reaction while increasing the distortion of the crystal lattices for the same amount of disturbing agent added.By way of example it will be indicated that is possible for calcium nitriate to be used advantageously as compound containing calcium; calcium nitrate in fact melts at 5610C and is decomposed starting from that temperature, forming calcium oxide and nitrous vapours essentially in the form of NO and NO2; at the temperatures at which the process of the invention is applied, for example about 750"C, calcium oxide is thus obtained which is capable of reacting with the compounds containing silicon and/or aluminium.

In a variant of the invention the compound containing calcium used may be calcium carbonate or a substance containing the latter, this carbonate then being initially converted into calcium nitrate either by the action of nitric acid in the cold state or by the action of ammonium nitrate under heat, that is to say at the temperature of the kiln.The reaction which takes place may be indicated in the following manner: a)Attack by nitric acid in the cold state

Ca(NO 3)2 at the temperaturf CaO + x + x NO2 of the kiln p +jr3xO2 b) Attack by ammonium nitrate

A CaCO3+ 2 NO3NH4 at the temperature C02+2NH3+Hz0OM Z of the kiln

According to another variant of the process of the invention, it is particularly advantageous to operate in the presence of a flux additive; according to the invention any conventional flux additive normally used in the field of cement may be employed; sodium or potassium hydroxide and calcium or sodium chloride may be mentioned as conventional flux additives.

The amounts of flux additives to be used are generally of the order of from 0.5 to 5% by weight referred to the final product.

The firing time for the mixture of starting compounds, containing oxygen, calcium, silicon, and optionally certain other elements which are normally found in conventional raw materials, is for example between 20 and 30 minutes for firing temperatures of 750 and 700"C respectively.

In order to illustrate the invention still further, but without thereby limiting its scope, reference will now be made to the particular mixture of the mineral constituents, calcium carbonate and silica, in which the molar ratio of CaO: SiO2 is about 2, and the characteristics of performance of the process of the invention applied to this mixture will be described in detail.

It is known that the mixture based on calcium carbonate and silica in which the molar ratio of CaO : SiO2 is equal to 2 leads to dicalcium silicate C2S by firing at a temperature between 900 and 1600"C. Dicalcium silicate C2S is a hydraulic binder in its beta form, but its speed of hydration is very slow, amounting to months or years.

A binder has now been found which has better hydraulic properties than those of pure C2S beta by firing at a temperature between 600"C and 950"C a mixture of mineral constituents based on CaO and SiO2 such that the molar ratio of CaO: SiO2 is about 2, in the presence of a predetermined amount of calcium sulphate, at least one of the constituents of the mixture being fusible at the firing temperatures.

For this purpose the procedure was in accordance with one of the modes of operation described previously, that is to say attacking the carbonate component with nitric acid in the cold state or with ammonium nitrate under heat, that is to say at the temperature of the kiln.

It has been found that if an amount of calcium sulphate less than about 6%by weight of the total mixture (CaCO3, SiO2, CaSO4) is used, after firing a product is obtained which has an X-ray diffraction diagram in which the specific lines of calcium sulphate do not appear. On the other hand, if more than 6% by weight of calcium sulphate is used the lines of the latter appear in the X-ray diffraction diagram of the product obtained after firing; the higher the percentage, the more intense these lines will be. By way of comparison, tests were carried out by adding the calcium sulphate after the firing; examination of the X-ray diffraction diagram of the product thus obtained makes it possible to show the presence of calcium sulphate in the product thus obtained.These results as a whole make it appear that the calcium sulphate is integrated in the crystal lattice of the C2S when the latter is used before the firing and in an amount less than 6% in relation to the total weight of the mixture. The lower limit of the amount of calcium sulphate to be used according to the invention is not critical. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to operate near the maximum absorption of the disturbing agent by the crystal lattice of the hydraulic binder which is to be formed.

It has in addition been noted that the introduction of calcium sulphate into the C2S under the above conditions brings about a widening of the lines of C2S, a great reduction of their intensity, and the fusion of a number of neighbouring peaks; this shows that the crystal lattice of the C2S is greatly disturbed by the introduction of calcium sulphate.

On the other hand, the intensity of the sio2 -CaO reactions does not appear to be weakened by the presence of calcium sulphate, all other operating conditions being identical.

The results obtained with gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate) are the same as those obtained with anhydrous calcium sulphate; the gypsum in fact is dehydrated at about 163"C.

In the above tests the mixture based on calcium carbonate and silica was composed of lime and quartz.

It has been found that without nitric attack the reaction between the quartz and the lime was very slow. At 950"C it was practically complete only at the end of about 2 hours in the presence of from 2 to 4% of sodium hydroxide or sodium chloride. With a molar ratio of CaO : six2 equal to 2, dicalcium silicate C2S beta is formed under these conditions. Even if as the result of rapid cooling on leaving the kiln the C2S beta has not been converted into C2S gamma, the hardening after hydration imparts to the product obtained in this manner very mediocre mechanical strength during the first few weeks (see Example 1). On the other hand, if about 6% of CaSO4 of 3% of CaSO4 and 3% of Na2SO4 (Example 2) are added to the starting mixture, the mechanical strengths begin to be at least adequate after 28 days hardening (Re = 250 to 300 kg/cm2), but remain very poor after 7 days.

Furthermore, tests have been carried out with quartz and lime in the presence of ammonium nitrate and a flux additive such as NaOH, KOH, NaCl, or Cacti2; it has been found that the reaction was practically complete at the end of the liberation gas, whatever the temperature between 600 and 800"C; the peaks of quartz and lime in fact practically disappeared at the end of 45 minutes at 6000 C, after 30 minutes at 7000C, or after 20 minutes at 750"C. Below 700"C non-hydraulic C2S gamma was obtained even in the case of cold air quenching; above 700"C C2S beta, often mixed with C2S gamma, was obtained, the respective proportions of these two products varying with the nature of the additives and the quenching conditions.

The tests show that when no disturbing agent is used in a process which in other respects is as contemplated in the case of the invention, a binder having excellent hydraulic properties similar to the well known properties of Portland cement is not obtained. Furthermore, when operating under the conditions of the invention with the exception that there is no addition of a disturbing agent before the firing, but adding calcium sulphate after firing and before homogenisation by grinding, a binder was obtained which hardened slowly and gave only a difficultly measurable mechanical strength after a few weeks.

On the other hand, when the critical conditions of application of the process of the invention are respected, and particularly when a disturbing agent and nitric attack are both employed, a hydraulic binder is obtained which hardens rapidly and has good mechanical strength after a few days, as is shown by the illustative examples given below (see Examples 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 20, 23, 24).

The calcium sulphate may be totally or partially replaced by sodium sulphate in the process of the invention (see Example 20).

The conditions of hydration of the binder according to the invention can be modified by utilising conventional setting and hardening additives used in the cement industry; thus it is for example possible to use calcium chloride as setting accelerator or gypsum as setting regulator; the latter must of course not be confused with the disturbing agent used according to the present invention.

By way of new products, the invention also relates to the minerals obtained by the process described above and possessing hydraulic properties.

A particular mineral consists of partially sulphated C2SP obtained from calcium carbonate and a siliceous product, which are mixed before firing with calcium sulphate and/or sodium sulphate, in an amount less than 15% by weight referred to the total starting weight.

A mineral compound according to the invention and in particular having hydraulic binder properties corresponds to the formula (a): Si 1-xSxO4 Ca2-x (a) in which 0 < x < 0.1.

Another mineral compound according to the invention which possesses hydraulic properties corresponds to the formula (b): Sil-ySy 04 Ca2(1 y) Na2y (b) in which 0 < y < 0.2.

The invention also includes the products resulting from the combination in any proportions of the compounds corresponding respectively to formulae (a) and (b).

The invention will now be illustrated in greater detail by the following non-limitative examples.

EXAMPLE A: Preparation of modified C2S by the process of the invention.

Starting materials used a) Sources of silicon Ground Fontainebleau sand (granulometry below 40 ); this sand is composed of Dumont silica, which is practically pure quartz (SiO2 = 990/4).

Spongolith from Baudres (Indre) This is a rock which contains cristobalite, tridymite, and opal as preponderant minerals, and quartz, illite, and montmorillonite as accessory minerals; its composition by weight is approximately as follows: SiO2 = 89.40%; Al203 = 4.70%; Fe203 = 1.80%; CaO = 0.36%K20 = 0.39%; H20 = 3.26%.

Argonne gaize This rock contains cristobalite, quartz, tridymite, and opal as preponderant minerals, and illite and montomorillonite as accessory minerals; its composition by weight is as follows: SiO2 = 81.80%; Al203 = 7.04%; Fe203 = 7.04%Fe203 = 3.60%; CaO = 1.71%K20 = 1.05% its firing loss is 3.66%.

b) Source of calcium Meudon white (ground chalk) was used; this limestone contained 99% of CaCO3.

C) Disturbing agents according to the invention Gypsum, calcium sulphate, or sodium sulphate was used.

d) Conventional flux additives NaCl; CaCl2; NaOH; KOH.

The mixture of components based on calcium carbonate and silica was brought into a partly fused state by subjecting the compound based on calcium carbonate to nitric attack by ammonium nitrate in accordance with the mode of operation described previously. The firing times were 30 minutes at 7500C in the majority of the tests; it will be noted that these times could probably be considerably reduced in practice, because the evacuation of nitrous vapours is complete after 15 to 20 minutes at that temperature.

The X-ray diffraction spectra of the products obtained according to the invention from mixtures composed of the different starting materials previously mentioned were studied, and the results are given in Tables I to V. In these tables the chemical composition of the crude material has been indicated, that is to say the composition of the starting mixture, utilising the following symbols: Bent = Bentonite Sigel = Silica gel MB = Meudon white Sp = Baudres spongolith G = Argonne gaize Q = Fontainebleau sand NH = NH4NO3.

The intensities of the specific lines of C2S, CaO, SiO2, and CaSO4 have been indicated by using the conventional symbols F, f and m.

EXAMPLE B: Study of the hydraulic properties of the products of the invention.

The hydraulic properties of the products of the invention were studied by measuring the simple compressive strength of the mini-testpieces of paste obtained with the products in question; for this purpose use was made of conventional, that is to say uncompacted mini-testpieces, and also mini-testpieces compacted under pressure and with accelerated setting effected at 40"C with constant porosity n = 0.30.

Record of tests a) Production of uncompacted mini-testpieces The binder of the invention was mixed with a spatula with the water to binder ratio E/C of 0.50, in the presence of absence of a setting additive such as CaC12 or CaSO4.

The paste obtained in this manner was then introduced into a small cylindrical container of plastics material having an inside diameter of 1.25 cm; the only compacting to which this paste was subjected was effected by tapping the bottom of the container several times on the bench so as to obtain a horizontal surface; the container was then stoppered and placed in a receptacle designed to be used as a desiccator, the bottom of which, however, was filled with water; this enabled it to be cured at substantially constant temperature and relative humidity (the temperature of the laboratory was about 20"C). After normal curing for 24 hours the tube was filled with water in order to study setting under water.Just before the simple compression crushing the bottom of the container of plastics material was cut on a lathe, and then in the same manner the upper face was cut on a lathe, and then in the same manner the upper face of the test-piece was trued by cutting it so that the test-piece had a height of about 2 cm. After expulsion from the tube a cylindrical test-piece was obtained which had a height of about 2 cm and a diameter of 1.25 cm, with two parallel faces. According to this technique, which is easy to apply, the exchanges between the test-piece and the external medium are reduced to a minimum during the hardening; the conditions are therefore substantially the same as at the core of a large tube of paste produced by the conventional technique of Laboratoires de Genie Civil (Civil Engineering Laboratories). Strengths were observed after 7 days and after 28 days.It will be noted that for commercial cements the results obtained by this method are comparable with those obtained by the conventional method mentioned above.

Nevertheless, this laboratory method has disadvantages because some bubbles always remain in the paste and because the operation is not carried out with constant porosity. This probably explains the rather considerable dispersion of the results, which is moreover of the same order as that obtained in the crushing of large standardised test-pieces by the previously mentioned conventional method.

b) Compacted mini-testpieces with constant porosity and accelerated setting The principle of the technique developed by J.A. DALZIEL (Cement Technology, July August 1971, pages 105-112) was used.

The cylindrical mini-testpieces were produced in a mould by static compression of the dry binder in a press to a previous selected porosity.

A vacuum was then made in a double inlet desiccator before saturating them with water previously brought to the temperature selected for curing. Hydration was effected under water in a stove at constant temperature.

Crushing strengths were measured after hardening for 0.26 day and 1 day with a constant porosity n=0.30 and a curing temperature T = 40"C.

The simple compressive strength tests for the products of the invention were carried out on uncompacted mini-test-pieces or compacted mini-test-pieces produced by the methods of operation mentioned above; the results are shown in Tables I to V.

The simple compressive strengths of compacted mini-test-pieces of the products of the invention were compared with that of the product known under the trade name "CPA 325' (product marketed by LAFARGE: the word "LAFARGE is a registered Trade Mark) by plotting on a graph of simple compressive strength in dependence on hardening time; this graph is shown in the accompanying Figure 1, on which the strengths are shown in bars on the ordinate and the hardening times in days on the abscissa; the numerals opposite each curve show the number of the example.

The measurements were made on mini-test-pieces with accelerated setting at a temperature of 40"C and with a porosity n=0.30.

On this graph it is found that of the 18 samples tested six have strengths far greater than those of CPA 325, six have equivalent strengths, and six others are distinctly inferior; among these last six samples only one (Example 37) was obtained from.a partially fused mixture, that is to say by nitric attack, but the amount of flux agent (NaCI) was probably too great. The other samples (Examples 35,36 and 38 to 40) were not subjected to nitric attack, as indicated in Table V.

the above examples show that according to the present invention it is possible to obtain binders having hydraulic properties similar to or even distinctly better than conventional binders, while using low-temperature sources of energy, such as coal dust, radioactive waste, and the like.

It must be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above, but that includes all modifications which appear evident to those versed in the art.

Moreover, it should be observed that if the best results are obtained by the combined effect of nitric attack and the disturbing agent, direct firing above 900"C in the presence of the disturbing agent (without nitric attack) already gives results which are of interest and easily obtained in practice.

It may be stated that in the case of nitric attack the nitrous and/or ammoniacal vapours can be recovered and recycled by means of the conventional reactions of the nitric acid industry.

It should also be emphasised that the process of the invention constitutes a general means for obtaining mineral products which in particular have hydraulic binder properties.

The invention includes compounds corresponding to a formula similar to formulae (a) and (b) above, in which the partial substitutions of Si and Ca will be due to ions of agents disturbing the crystal lattice other than S and Na.

Thus, the invention covers very generally the mineral compounds which have in particular hydraulic properties and are obtained by the action of an agent disturbing the crystal lattice of any of the mineralogic phases of conventional cements known at the present time, this being achieved with variable reaction temperatures.

In Tables I to IV below the following abbreviations will be used: to: slow cooling in ambient air ta: compressed air quenching te: quenching by immersing the crucible in water FF: very strong; F: strong; m: medium; f: weak ff: very weak; tr; traces Rc: simple compressive strength X = test-pieces broken on removal from moulds.

NH = NH4NO3 TABLE I: Direct firing, without nitric attack, of mixtures of quartz ground to > 40 and ground chalk (Meudon white) (uncompacted test-pieces; setting at 20 C.) Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mineral- Setting and Hardening conditions R juvants ogy after hardening (103pa) added to T C Time firing adjuvants with (kg/cm2) No. lg of quartz and E Medium Time Uncompact = 0.5 + 3.27 g of quench- C (days) ed mini chalk ing (minutes) test-pieces FF ssC2S 7 X Water 28 X 0.05g 950 C 120 ff CaO None 7 X NaOH t. tr quartz air 1 28 X 7 X Water 1.8% 28 95 CaCl2 7 X air 28 X 7 X Water 3.3% 28 130 gypsum 7 X air 28 139 7 13 0.05g FF ssC2S Water NaOH + 28 286 0,15g ffCaO Na2SO4 + 950 C 120 None 7 X 2 0.15gCaSO4 t. tr quartz air 28 234 7 13 1.8% Water 28 175 CaCl2 7 X air 28 175 TABLE I (continued): Direct firing, without nitric attack, of mixtures of quartz ground to < 40 and ground chalk (Moudon white) (uncompacted test-pieces; setting at 20 C.) Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mincral- Setting and Hardening conditions R.

juvants ogy after hardening (10 Pa) No. added to T C Time firing adjuvants Medium Time (kg/cm2) 1 g of quartz and with (days) Uncompacted + 3.27 g of quench-(minutes) E mini-test = 0.5 chalk ing C pieces 7 X 0.05 g FF ssC2S Water NaOH + ffCaO 3.3% 28 252 0.15g 950 C 120 tr quartz gypsum 2 Na2SO4 + t. 7 X 0.15g air CaSO, 28 262 3 0.28g 950 C 30 FFCaO CaSO4 t.F quartz fCaSO4 ffssC2S 4 0.28g 950 C 960 FF ssC2S 7 9 CaSO4 t. f γC2S Water + ffCaO 28 277 0.05g tr quartz none NaOH 7 13 air 28 295 1,8% 7 13 CaCI, Water 28 260 7 13 air 28 286 3.3% 7 X gypsum Water @@ @@@ 28 152 7 X Water 28 265 TABLE II Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mincral- Setting Hardening conditions R. No. juvants ogy after ad (103Pa) added to 1 g. T C Time firing with Medium Time (kg/cm2) of quartz and (minutes) E (days) Uncomparted = 0.5 + 3.27 g of quench- C mini-test chalk + 5.5g ing pieces NH4NO3 5 0.05 g 750 30 F γC2S NaOH t. m ssC2S ffCaO tr quartz 6 0.05g 800 30 F ssC2S None 7 34 NaOH + t. F γC2S Water 0.28g ff quartz 28 181 CaSO4 tr CaO - - 7 X air 28 X 7 0.07g 800 30 F γC2S None 7 X CaF2 + t. m ssC2S Water 0.28g ff quartz 28 17 CaSO4 ff CaSO4 7 X air 28 X 8 0.05g 800 30 F ssC2S None 7 X Na2B4O7 t. f quartz Water + 0.28g ff CaSO4 28 65 CaSO4 tr CaO 7 X air 28 95 9 0,15g 800 30 FF ssC2S None 7 61 0.15g 800 30 FF ssC2S None @ @@ Na2SO4 + t. f γ;C2S air 0.15g ff quartz 28 306 CaSO4 ff CaO TABLE II (conunued) Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mineral- Setting Hardening conditions R. No. juvants ogy after adjuvants (10@Pa) added to 1 g T C Time firing with Medium Time (kg/cm2) of quartz and (minutes) E (days) Uncompacted = 0.5 + 3.27 g of quench- C mini-test- chalk + 5.5g ing pieces NH4NO3 10 0.07g 600 40 FF γC2S None 7 39 NaCl + t. f quartz Water 0.28g f CaSO4 28 X CaSO4 7 X air 28 X 11 0.07g 750 10 F ssC2S None 7 130 NaCl + t.F γC2S Water 0.28g ff quartz 28 266 CaSO4 tr CaO 7 135 air 28 295 12 0.28g 750 30 FF γC2S 7 ## CaSO4 + t. m ssC2S Water 0.05g m quartz 28 X NaOH tr CaO 7 NO air 28 70 TABLE III Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mineral Setting and Hardening conditions R.

No. juvants added ogy after hardening (10@Pa) to 1 g of T C Time firing adjuvants with Medium Time (kg/cm2) quartz + 3.27g and (minutes) E (days) Uncompacted = 0.5 of chalk + quench- C mini test- 5.5g of ing pieces NH4NO3 13 0.28g 750 30 FF ss C2S None 7 118 CaSO4 t. f quartz Water + 0.05g ff CaO 28 X NaOH ff CaSO4 - 7 130 air 28 329 1.8% 7 130 CaCl2 Water 28 329 7 113 air 28 313 3,3% 7 88 gypsum Water 28 243 7 X air 28 234 14 0.28g 750 40 F γC2S None 7 40 CaSO4 t. m ss C2S Water f quartz 28 243 tr CaO 7 X air 28 260 TABLE III (continued) Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mineral- Setting and Hardening conditions R.

No. juvants added ogy after hardening (10@Pa) to 1 g of T C Time firing adjuvants Medium Time (kg/cm2) quartz + and (minutes) with (days) Uncompacted 3.27 g of quench- E mini-test = 0.5 chalk + 5.5g ing C pieces of NH4NO3 14 0.28g 750 40 F γC2S 1.8% 7 X CaSO4 t. m ss C2S CaCl2 Water f quartz 28 191 tr CaO 7 40 air 28 182 3.3% 7 60 gypsum Water 28 165 7 60 air 28 156 15 0.28g 750 30 F γ;C2S None 7 76 CaSO4 + t. m ss C2S Water 0.05g f quartz 28 213 KOH trCaO 7 70 air 28 243 1,8% 7 52 CaCl2 Water 28 194 7 43 air 28 193 TABLE III (continued) Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mineral- Setting and Hardening conditions R. No. juvants added ogy after hardening (105Pa) to 1 g of quartz T C Time firing adjuvants Medium Time (kg/cm2) + 3.27g of and (minutes) with (days) Uncompacted chalk + 5.5g quench- E mini-test = 0.5 of NH4NO3 ing C pieces 16 0.28g 750 30 Ff ssC2S None 7 54 CaSO4 + t. ff quartz Water 0.07g tr CaO 28 295 NaCl 7 52 air 28 256 1.8% 7 91 CaCl2 Water 28 410 7 78 air 28 390 TABLE IV Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray minera- Setting and Hardening conditions R. No. juvants added ogy after hardening (105Pa) to 1 g of T C Time firing adjuvants with Medium Time (kg/cm2) quartz + quench (minutes) E (days) Uncompacted = 0.5 3.27 g of sng C - mini-test chalk + 5.5 B pieces of NH4NO3 17 0.28g 750 30 F γC2S CaSO4 + t. m ss C2S 0.07g ff quartz NaCl ff CaSO4 tr CaO 18 0.28g 750 30 F ss C2S None 7 X CaSO4 + t. m γ;C2S Water 0.17g f quartz 28 207 NaCl ff CaO 7 26 air 28 262 1,8% 7 X CaCl2 Water 28 276 air 7 26 19 0.28g 750 30 F ss C2S None 7 X CaSO4 + t. F γC2S Water 0.15g f quartz. 28 74 Na2SO4 tr CaO 7 X air 28 82 20 0.15g 750 30 F γC2S None 7 100 CaSO4 + t. m ss C2S Water 0.15g f quartz 28 313 Na2SO4 tr CaO 7 134 air 28 329 TABLE IV (continued) Firing of mixtures of ground quartz and ground chalk in the presence of ammonium nitrate Examples Firing ad- Firing conditions X-ray mineral- Setting and Hardening conditions R.

No. juvants added ogy after hardening (105Pa) to 1 g of T C Time firing adjuvants with Medium Time (kg/cm2) quartz + 3.27 g quench- (minutes) E (days) Uncompacted = 0.5 of chalk + ing C mini-test 5.5g of pieces NH4NO3 20 0.15g 750 30 F γC2S 1.8% 7 118 CaSO4 + t. m ssC2S CaCl2 Water 0.15g f quartz 28 365 Na2SO4 tr CaO 7 118 air 28 365 3.3% 7 152 gypsum Water 28 X 7 152 air 28 365 21 0.15g 750 30 FssC2S None 7 X CaSO4 + t. m γC2S Water 0.12g f quartz 28 130 NaCl ff CaO air 28 141 1.8% 7 X CaCl2 Water 28 208 7 X air 28 304 22 0.15g 750 30 F γC2S None 7 X CaSO4 + t.M ssC2S Water 0.08g f quartz 28 212 NaOH trCaO 7 X air 28 158 TABLE V Recapitulative table of results of simple compression rupture tests on "conventional" mini test-pieces and accelerated mini-test-pieces of the synthetic hydraulic products tested.

Ex. T C Firing Chemical composition Result of X-ray Syn- Simple compressive strength time of crude mix (ing) diffraction thesis tests on mini-test-pieces analysis atmos- of "conventional" type (in phere bars) Age Mixing with water only (days) Hardening tiardening water air 23 750 30mn 1Sp + 2.70 BM F C2S. mCaO. fSiO2 nitrous 7 95 74 91 0.25CaSO4 + 5.5NH fCaSO4 28 156 139 121 24 750 30mn 1G + 2.80 BM F C2S.mCaO. nitrous 7 156 312 130 0.25CaSO4 ffSiO2 0.04NaCl+5.5NH 28 230 295 25 750 30 mn 1Sp + 3 BM F C2S. mCaO nitrous 7 277 490 381 0.25CaSO4 ffSiO2 0.10CaCl2+5.5NH 28 499 451 473 26 750 30mn 1G + 2.90 BM F C2S.mCaO. nitrous 7 143 174 169 0.25CaSO4 0.10CaCl2+5.5NH 28 208 239 187 27 750 30mn 1Sp + 3 BM nitrous 7 369 338 325 0.25CaSO4 0.04NaCl+5.5NH 28 468 468 416 28 750 30mn 1Sp + 3 BM FC2S. mCaO nitrous 7 477 303 230 0.25CaSO4 mSiO2 0.04CaCl2+5.5NH 28 351 516 529 TABLE V(condnued) Recapitulative table of results of simple compressive rupture tests on "conventional" mini-test pieces and accelerated mini-test-pieces of the synthetic hydraulic products tested.

Ex. Simple compressive strength tests on Simple compressive strength of accelerated "conventional" mini-test-pieces (in bars) mini-test-pieces (in bars) Age Mixing with water Mixing with water (T = 40 C, n = 0.30) (days) + 3% CaCl2 + 3.3% CaSO4 After 0.26 day After 1 day Hardening Hardening Hardening Hardening Water Air Water Air 23 7 330 208 860 1820 1735 28 260 278 24 7 304 338 260 239 187 165 880 825 1730 1690 28 226 356 338 260 321 - 25 7 238 416 377 264 269 386 740 825 1445 1545 28 620 551 408 585 451 468 26 7 299 343 317 117 134 117 670 860 1360 1385 28 331 312 304 187 187 234 27 7 165 247 338 290 347 364 810 905 1385 1300 28 468 347 373 464 512 447 28 7 434 330 321 316 247 282 1300 1345 1290 1345 28 542 442 442 477 460 529 Ex.T C Firing Chemical compos- Result of X-ray Syn- Simple compressive strength time ition of crude mix diffraction thesis tests on min-test-pieces of (in g) analysis atmos- "conventional type" (in bars) phere Age Mixing with water alone (days) Hardening Hardening Water Air 29 750 30mn 1Sp + 3 BM F C2S. m CaO. nitrous 7 312 0.25 CaSO4 ff SiO2 0.07 CaCl2+5.5NH ff CaSO4 28 529 438 499 30 750 30mn 1 G + 2,70BM FC2S,mCaO,fSiO, nitrous 7 152 104 130 0.20 CaSO4 ff CaSO4 0.10 CaCl2 28 334 256 174 0.04NaCl+5.5,NH 31 750 30mn 1Sp + 2.70 BM F C2S, fCaO nitrous 7 234 230 226 0.25 CaSO4 ffSiO2;; 0.05 NaOH+5.5 NH ff CaSO4 28 252 377 395 32 750 30mn ISp +3BM FC,S,fCaO, nitrous 7 330 0,25 CaSO4 ff SiO2 0,07 NaCI + 5,5 NH 28 521 590 486 33 750 30mn 1Sp + 3 BM nitrous 7 143 156 169 0.25 CaSO4 0.10 NaCl+5.5 NH 28 321 312 330 34 750 30 mn 2 Bent + 3 BM F C2S fCaO, fCS nitrous 0.20 CaSO4+5.5 NH m C3A TABLE V(continued) Recapitulative table of results of simple compressive rupture tests on "conventional" mini-test pieces and accelerated mini-test-pieces of the synthetic hydraulic products tested.

Ex. Simple compressive strength tests on Simple compressive strength of accelerated "conventional" mini-test-pieces (in bars) mini-test-pieces (in bars) Age Mixing with water Mixing with water (T=40 C. n = 0.30) (days) + 3% CaCl2 + 3.3% CaSO4 ------Altcr 0.26 day After I day Hardening Hardening Hardening Hardening Water Air Water Air 23 7 330 208 860 1820 1735 28 260 278 24 7 304 338 260 239 187 165 880 825 1730 1690 28 226 356 338 260 321 - 25 7 238 416 377 264 269 386 740 825 1445 1545 28 620 551 408 585 451 468 26 7 299 343 317 117 134 117 670 860 1360 1385 28 331 312 304 187 187 234 27 7 165 247 338 290 347 364 810 905 1385 1300 28 468 347 373 464 512 447 28 7 434 330 321 316 247 282 1300 1345 1290 1345 28 542 442 442 477 460 529 Ex.T C Firing Chemical compos- Result of X-ray Syn- Simple compressive strength time ition of crude mix diffraction thesis tests on min-test-piecet of (in g) analysis atmos- "conventional type" (in bars) phere Age Mixing with water alone (days) Hardening Hardening Water Air 29 750 30 mn 1Sp + 3 BM F C2S, m CaO, nitrous 7 312 0.25 CaSO4 ff SiO2 0.07 CaCl2+5.5 NH ff CaSO4 28 529 438 499 30 750 30 mn 1G + 2.70 BM F C2S, mCaO,fSiO2 nitrous 7 152 104 130 0.20 CaSO4 ffCaSO4 0.10CaCl2 28 334 256 174 0.04NaCl+5.5NH 31 750 30 mn ISp + 2.70 BM FC2S,fCaO nitrous 7 234 230 226 0.25 CaSO4 ff SiO2;; 0.05 NaOH+5.5 NH ff CaSO4 28 252 377 395 32 750 30 mn 1Sp + 3 BM F C2S, fCaO, nitrous 7 330 0,25 CaSO. ffSiO2 0,07 NaCI + 5,5 NH 28 521 590 486 33 750 30 mn 1Sp + 3 BM nitrous 7 143 156 169 0.25CaSO4 0.10 NaCl+5.5NH 28 321 312 330 34 750 30 mn 2 Bent + 3 BM F C2S fCaO, fCS nitrous 0.20CaSO4+5.5NH mC2A Table V (continued) Recapitulative table of results of simple compression rupture tests on "conventional" min-test-pieces and accelered mini-test-pieces of the synthetic hydraulic products tested.

Ex. Simple compressive strength tests on "conventional" Simple compressive strength of mini-test-pieces (in bars) accelerated mini-test-pieces (in bars) Age Mixing with water Mixing with water (T = 40 C, n = 0.30) (days) + 3%CaCl2 + 3.3%CaSO4 After 0.26 day After 1 day Hardeing Hardening; Hardeing Hardening;; Water Air Water Air 29 7 520 308 1060 1115 28 503 581 607 720 - 529 3(1 7 213 230 334 192 182 187 440 400 920 940 28 516 351 382 260 260 351 31 7 260 304 635 630 845 28 447 373 32 7 460 356 395 495 825 28 421 412 564 603 573 377 33 7 299 234 191 212 - 186 625 540 770 785 28 451 495 464 351 360 390 34 570 590 35 7 39 65 330 145 465 460 28 3(4 286 303 269 269 260 36 7 7() 7(1 60 375 295 28 460 505 500 37 7 26 35 215 290 295 28 186 186 191 191 191 178 38 7 - 8 240 260 28 45 35 50 39 7 7 (3 13 17 / 13 13 17 175 310 28 280 285 320 40 7 220 110 190 28 - 435 580 TABLE V (continued) Recaplulative table of results of simple compression rupture tests on "conventional" mini test-pieces and accelerated mini-test-pieces of the s@@thetie @@@@@@lie @@@du@@@ tested test-piece) and accelerated mini-tvst-pieces of the synthetic hydraulic products tested.

Ex. T C Firing Chemical compos- Result of X-ray Syn- Simple compressive strength tests time i@on of crude mis diffraction thesis on mini-test-pieces of "convention (ing analysis atmos- al" type (in bars) phere Age Mixing v ith water only (days) Hardening Hardening Water Air 35 1000 2h 1Sp + 3 BM FF C2S, mCaO - 7 30 0.25CaSO4 ffSiO2 0.05NaOH ffCaSO4 28 234 247 208 36 800 3h 1Sp + 3 BM F C2S, mCaO H2O 7 30 30 30 0.25CaSO4 vapour 0.10CaCl2 28 195 165 175 37 750 30mn 1Sp + 3 BM FF C2S, mCaO nitrous 7 13 0.25CaSO4 ffSiO2 0.28NaCl+5.5NH 28 143 121 139 311 1)1111 2h h 1Sp + 3 BM FC2S,fCaO H2O 7 - 8 0.20CaSO4 vapour 0.10CaCl2 28 17 35 100 39 900 2 Ii ISp + 3 BM FC2S,ffCaO 1120 7 8 8 0,2(1 CaSO, vapour 0,10 NaCI 28 26 17 45 4(1 950 4h ISigel + 3,33BM FFCaO,FC2S, - 7 0.25CaSO4 ffSiO2 0.07CaCl2 28 145 145 EXAMPLE C In this example a hydraulic binder according to the invention was prepared. The nature and the proportion of the starting components used are indicated in Table VI below. The mixture of starting components was fired for 30 minutes at 7500C.

The X-ray diffractogram of the binder obtained in this manner was then studied and compared with that of the product (comparison product) obtaining by heating at 10000C for 2 hours the mixture composed of spongolith (1g), Meudon white (2.7g), ammonium nitrate (4.32g), and CaCl2 (0.11g).

The diffractograms of the above products were obtained with an apparatus having the following characteristics: Copper anticathode tube: line K α # = 1.5405 Generator: 40 kV, 25 mA, Sensitivity: 103, scale 50 mm 500 strokes per second The accompanying Figures 2 and 3 show the diffractograms obtained; Figure 2 is the diffractogram of the comparison product, which shows the characteristic lines of crystallised ssC2S, and Figure 3 is the diffractogram of the binder obtained according to the invention; this is sulphated ssC2S whose crystallinity has been modified. It should be noted that in the X-ray diffractogram of the binder of the invention (Figure 3) the specific lines of calcium sulphate do not occur.

Furthermore, it can be noted that this example illustrates the particular form of application of the process of the invention which makes it possible to work at a relatively low temperature (750 C), whereas when CaSO4 is not used the temperature required for obtaining ssC2S is higher (1000 C) TABLE VI Composition of crude mix used Composition of crude mix used for obtaining the binder of for obtaining the comparison the invention product 1 g spongolity (SiO2) 1 g spongolith (SiO2) 2.7 g Meudon white (CaCO3) 2.7 g Meudon white (CaCO3) 4.32 g ammonium nitrate (NO3NH4) 4.32 g ammonium nitrate (NO3NH4) 0.22 g CaSO4 0.11gCaCl2

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A process for the production of a hydraulic binder comprising essentially a mixture of calcium and silicon oxides in the form of a crystalline silicate, which process comprises adding, to a mixture of starting compounds for the preparation of hydraulic binders, which starting compounds contain oxygen, calcium and silicon but do not contain any significant proportion of magnesium, at least one disturbing agent as defined hereinbefore, said agent being capable of modifying the crystallinity of silicate normally formed by the firing of said mixture of starting compounds the temperature required for the formation of silicates, firing said mixture containing said added disturbing agent, and recovering a silicate possessing hydraulic properties.

2. A process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said starting compounds used comprise a substance containing calcium carbonate and a substance containing silica in proportions such that they lead to the formation of C2S as defined hereinbefore, and wherein said agent disturbing the crystal lattice of said C2S is at least one of calcium sulphate and sodium sulphate in an amount not exceeding 15% by weight of the total mixture.

3. A process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein there is used calcium carbonate and silica in a molar ratio of CaO content: SiO2 content of about 2:1.

4. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein firing of the mixture containing said added disturbing agent is effected at a temperature higher than 900"C.

5. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein firing of the mixture containing said added disturbing agent is effected at a firing temperature between 600 and 900"C, and wherein there is added to said starting mixture at least one component capable of reacting at said firing temperature with a compound of said starting mixture which compound contains calcium, so as to give a calcium salt which is fusible and decomposable at said firing temperature.

6. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the amount of disturbing agent used in less than 15% by weight in relation to the total weight of the starting compounds.

7. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said starting mixture contains at least one of calcium carbonate and a substance containing calcium carbonate in the free or bonded state, and said calcium carbonate is subjected to nitric attack as defined hereinbefore.

8. A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein said nitric attack is effected in the cold state with nitric acid.

9. A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein said nitric attack is effected in the course of said firing with ammonium nitrate.

10. A process as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein at least one fluxing agent is used.

11. A process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one fluxing agent is selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium chloride and sodium chloride.

12. A process as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said mixture of starting compounds includes a compound containing aluminium.

13. A process for the production of a hydraulic binder according to claim 1 substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to any of the specific embodiments of examples A and C, excluding comparative examples.

14. A hydraulic binder composed essentially of calcium and silicon oxides, when prepared by a process as defined in any of the preceding claims.

15. A hydraulic binder composed essentially of calcium and silicon oxides which contains partially sulphated C2S beta as an active mineral of the binder.

16. A hydraulic binder comprising essentially a mixture of calcium and silicon oxides in the form of a crystalline silicate, wherein is included a disturbing agent as defined hereinbefore, so as to modify the crystallinity of said silicate.

17. A mineral compound having hydraulic binder properties and which has the formula: sil~xSx04Ca2~x wherein 0 < x < 0.1

18. A mineral compound having hydraulic binder properties and which has the formula: Si ySyO4Ca2(l-Y)Na2Y wherein 0 < y < 0.2.

19. A hydraulic binder comprising the mineral compounds of claim 17 and claim 18.

20. A hydraulic binder according to claim 16 substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to any of the accompanying example, excluding comparative example.