Biomass-Derived Grinding Aids

Abstract

Compositions and methods for increasing grinding efficiency of cement, cement clinker, raw materials for cement, and other inorganic particles. Use of biomass-derived polyols such as diols, triols, or mixtures thereof, optionally with a conventional grinding aid, cement quality improver, and/or hexavalent chromium reducer, are believed to provide less risk of sludging when compared to glycerides obtained from fossil fuel sources.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method for increasing efficiency of grinding cement clinker particles or limestone particles, comprising:
 introducing to cement clinker particles, limestone particles, or mixture thereof in a process whereby said particles are ground to have finer average particle size the following additives:
 (A) byproduct of biomass-derived oil transesterification in the amount of 2%-80% based on total weight of additives, said byproduct comprising
 (i) 1,2,3-propanetriol in the amount of 51%-92% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 (ii) methanol in the amount of 0.01%-6% based based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 (iii) sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or mixture thereof in the amount of 2%-8% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 (iv) an organic nonglycerin material (“MONG”) in the amount of 0.005%-45% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 
 (B) at least one grinding additive in the amount of 10%-80% based on total weight, the at least one grinding additive being selected from the group consisting of triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, diethanolisopropanolamine, tetrahyroxyethyl-ethylene diamine, an acetic acid or salt thereof, or mixtures thereof; and 
 (C) water in the amount of 0%-65% based on total weight of components A, B, and C being introduced to the particles. 
   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the byproduct of component A is derived from biodiesel fuel production. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein components A, B, and C are introduced together as an additive composition, the additive composition comprising water in the amount of 10%-30% and triethanolamine in an amount of 10%-80%, and the byproduct is derived from biofuel production. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein components A, B, and C are introduced together as an additive composition, the additive composition comprising water in the amount of 10%-30% and triisopropanolamine in an amount of 10%-80%, and glycerol derived from biofuel production in an amount of 10%-80%, and the byproduct is derived from biofuel production. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the 1,2,3-propanetriol within said byproduct is reacted with a monobasic carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the 1,2,3-propanetriol within said byproduct has one or more substituted OH groups. 
     
     
         38 . A particulate composition made by the method of  claim 32 . 
     
     
         39 . A composition for increasing efficiency of grinding particles, comprising:
 (A) byproduct of biomass-derived oil transesterification in the amount of 2%-80% based on total weight, the byproduct comprising
 (i) 1,2,3-propane triol in the amount of 51%-92% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 (ii) methanol in the amount of 0.01%-6% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 (iii) sodium choride, potassium chloride, or mixture thereof in the amount of 2%-8% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
 (iv) an organic nonglycerin material (“MONG”) in the amount of 0.005%-45% based on total amount of said byproduct; 
   (B) at least one grinding additive in the amount of 10%-80% based on total weight of the additive, said at least one grinding additive being selected from the group consisting of triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, diethanolisopropanolamine, tetrahyroxyethylthylene diamine, an acetic acid or salt thereof, or mixtures thereof; and   (C) water in the amount of 0%-65% based on total weight of components A, B, and C.