A method of treating barren earthen areas for inhibiting air and sun spoilation is disclosed, the method comprising forming an aqueous slurry of calcium sulfate hemihydrate with a small amount of defoamer using a quantity of water about 25-56% above normal consistency, the hemihydrate particles having a surface area of about 4,000-16,000 square centimeters per gram; and spraying the slurry onto the barren area to form a set, substantially air-impermeable covering to the barren area that will substantially exclude outside air from the area. The method is particularly applicable to controlling burning coal spoils and inhibiting spontaneous combustion of coal refuse banks.
An admixture for enhancing the durability of concrete to repeated freeze-thaw cycles is disclosed. The admixture comprises as an essential element a natural polymer material derived from millet. The admixture further comprises smaller quantities of naphthenic sulfate salt, triethanolamine and formaldehyde. In addition the admixture can improve concrete's impermeability and chloride ion binding capability.
Particulate gypsum, including phosphogypsum, is used for fire suppression in high fire risk areas such as forests, road sides and areas near railroad lines.
A fire suppressant composition consisting of a slurry of clay slime or sewage sludge is used to extinguish fires in building structures or forest fires.
Apparatus and method for preventing the spontaneous combustion of a stack of stored organic and inorganic substances by injecting a control medium into selected areas of the stack. The apparatus comprises a source of a control medium such as air, steam, combustion gas or a salt solution, and injection nozzles connected to the source of control medium for injecting controlled quantities of the control medium into selected areas of the stack.
