Mineral Wool Briquette Cement Curing via Alkaline Neutralization

Solution Overview

Problem

Cement-containing briquettes used in the production of man-made vitreous fibers face inadequate strength development due to the presence of sugar-containing mineral wool binders, which act as curing retarders, leading to intolerable curing times.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an amine component into the sugar-containing mineral wool binder to neutralize the retarding effect on cement curing, resulting in a compacted body or briquette suitable for use as a mineral charge in MMVF production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sugar-containing mineral wool binder is used in the briquette, then the binder provides adequate bonding for the mineral wool waste, but the cement curing time becomes intolerably long due to retarding effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebriquette bonding strengthVSAvoidcement curing time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

An alkaline agent (such as calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide) is introduced as an intermediary substance to counteract the retarding effect of sugar on cement curing. The alkaline agent neutralizes the sugar's interference with the cement hydration process, allowing the cement to cure at normal rates while the sugar-containing binder continues to provide adequate bonding for the mineral wool waste particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical environment of the binder system is modified by adding alkaline agents that change the pH conditions. This parameter change (increasing alkalinity) counteracts the sugar-induced retarding effect on cement hydration, restoring normal curing kinetics while preserving the bonding functionality of the sugar-containing binder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If cement is used as binder in the briquette, then the briquette gains sufficient strength for handling, but the presence of sugar extends the curing time to intolerable levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebriquette handling strengthVSAvoidproduction continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

An alkaline agent (such as calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide) is introduced as an intermediary substance to counteract the retarding effect of sugar on cement curing. The alkaline agent neutralizes the sugar's interference with the cement hydration process, allowing the cement to cure at normal rates while the sugar-containing binder continues to provide adequate bonding for the mineral wool waste particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical environment of the binder system is modified by adding alkaline agents that change the pH conditions. This parameter change (increasing alkalinity) counteracts the sugar-induced retarding effect on cement hydration, restoring normal curing kinetics while preserving the bonding functionality of the sugar-containing binder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the briquette is designed for continuous production, then productivity is improved, but the retarding effect of sugar causes intolerable curing times that disrupt continuity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous production capabilityVSAvoidcuring time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

An alkaline agent (such as calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide) is introduced as an intermediary substance to counteract the retarding effect of sugar on cement curing. The alkaline agent neutralizes the sugar's interference with the cement hydration process, allowing the cement to cure at normal rates while the sugar-containing binder continues to provide adequate bonding for the mineral wool waste particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical environment of the binder system is modified by adding alkaline agents that change the pH conditions. This parameter change (increasing alkalinity) counteracts the sugar-induced retarding effect on cement hydration, restoring normal curing kinetics while preserving the bonding functionality of the sugar-containing binder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves adequate cement curing times, ensuring the briquettes develop sufficient strength for efficient handling and continuous production, even in the presence of sugar components, by balancing the reaction rate between too fast and too slow hardening.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an amine component into the sugar-containing mineral wool binder to neutralize the retarding effect on cement curing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a cured cement binder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2598450B1Compacted body for use as mineral charge in the production of mineral wool

Publication Date: 2019.05.22 ROCKWOOL AS

AI summary

A compacted body, in particular a briquette, suitable for use as mineral charge in the production of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising: (i) recycled waste mineral wool which comprises MMV fibres in contact with a non-cured MMVF binder comprising: (a) a sugar component and (b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an amine component; and (ii) a cement binder.