Abstract:
A method and composition for cementing a well by combining water, blast furnace slag and sodium pyrophosphate to form a cement slurry, displacing the cement slurry into a well and allowing the cement slurry to set.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to the optimization of methods and formulations for zonal isolation for vertical, deviated, and horizontal oil and gas wells using blast furnace slag cement. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The general procedure of drilling an oil or gas well includes drilling a borehole using a drilling fluid. Subsequent to drilling the borehole, casing is run into the well and a cement slurry is placed in the annulus between the outside of the casing and the borehole wall. Typically, the cement slurry is placed in the annulus using a successive fluid displacement technique. In this technique, the cement is first pumped into the casing. Another fluid, often drilling fluid or water, is pumped behind the cement to space it out the bottom of the casing and up into the annulus between the casing and the borehole wall. The cement slurry is usually raised to a point above the uppermost section of the formations to be isolated and may be raised into the annulus between the casing string being cemented and a previously cemented casing. 
     Once placed, the purpose of the cement slurry is to harden in the annulus and provide an effective seal between the casing and the borehole. The hardened cement sheath prevents or inhibits communication of fluids between the various formations penetrated by the wellbore. Conditions providing zonal isolation of the cement is in contact with the casing and provides mechanical support and resistance to axial movement through the shear bond developed between the interfaces of cement and pipe and cement and formation. 
     Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,679 dealt with an improvement in the bonding of the cement to the casing and borehole surfaces. This improvement was realized through the use of a cement comprising drilling fluid and blast furnace slag. This has proven to be an effective cementing technique and is rapidly gaining commercial acceptance. However, the formulation and design methodology for blast furnace slag cement and drilling fluid-blast furnace slag cements are presently not well defined. Requirements for slurry and hardened material properties are generally the same as Portland cement for a specific set of well conditions. The most effective way to formulate blast furnace slag cements or drilling fluid-blast furnace slag slurries and to obtain the desired properties is not completely understood by the art. Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward overcoming these and other problems in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary purpose of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for optimizing the use of blast furnace slag cement and drilling fluid-blast furnace slag cements for cementing oil and gas wells. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a composition and method for cementing a well by combining constituents comprising water and blast furnace slag having a particle size within the range of 2,000 cm 2  /g to 15,000 cm 2  /g, and an activator comprising sodium pyrophosphate to form a cement slurry; displacing the cement slurry into the well; and allowing the cement slurry to set. 
     Other purposes, distinctions over the art, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon review of the following. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows the total impact of activator on set time of slag formulations, rate of early compressive strength development immediately after set time, and final or total compressive strength of the formulations. 
     FIG. 2 shows sodium carbonate as the preferred carbonate when the basic formulation is blast furnace slag plus 50% distilled water by weight of slag. 
     FIGS. 3-5 show the effects of the ratios of different components in the total activator on compressive strength, early compressive strength development rate and set time. 
     FIG. 6 shows data suggesting that sodium hydroxide has greater impact on set time of the formulation while sodium carbonate has greater impact on the compressive strength of the formulation. 
     FIG. 7 shows ratios of components controlling set time, compressive strength and early compressive strength development rate. 
     FIG. 8 shows similarity of benefits from sodium oxalate and sodium citrate. 
     FIGS. 9-10 are comparisons of the combination of citrate with phosphate and citrate, phosphate and sodium hydroxide. 
     FIGS. 11-12 show the effect of component ratios when other activators were used. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following preferred embodiments of the invention, together with the following Examples, explain the principles of the invention. 
     The present invention provides unique methods and formulations which are devised to provide optimum zonal isolation for vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells. The invention centers around the optimized solidification of oil or water-based muds in combination with blast furnace slag to compressive strengths well in excess of that required for casing support, zonal isolation, and borehole stability. 
     Water-based drilling fluids typically include water and several other additives such as viscosifiers, thinners, dissolved salts, solids from the drilled formations, solid weighting agents to increase the fluid density, formation stabilizers to inhibit deleterious interaction between the drilling fluid and geologic formations, and additives to improve the lubricity of the drilling fluid. The term &#34;water-based&#34; means that water is the continuous phase of the drilling fluid. The water for water-based drilling fluids can be fresh water, brackish water, brine, seawater or other water containing fluids. 
     Oil-based drilling fluids typically include oil, water, organophilic clay, primary and secondary emulsifiers and wetting agents. Oil may be diesel, mineral oil, vegetable oil, fish oil, synthetic oils (polyalphaolefins), and esters thereof. 
     Many different additives and dispersants have been utilized that provide the desired properties in drilling fluids. Exemplary of those additives are barium sulfate (barite), bentonite, low and medium yield clays, salt water clay, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, starch, carboxymethylcellulose, acrylonitrile, natural gum, molecularly dehydrated phosphate, tannin compounds, quebracho, mined lignins, lignosulfonate, mica, sugar cane fibers, and granular materials. Bentonite is an especially common additive which gives the drilling fluid a thixotropic or a gel structure. Bentonite is also a common additive which is added to the drilling fluids to control fluid loss; phosphate and lignosulfonate additives which deflocculate colloidal solids and thin the drilling fluids are also common. 
     Solidification of drilling fluid is accomplished by the addition of blast furnace slag along with additives for the control of setting time and rheological properties of the slag-treated fluid. The term &#34;blast furnace slag&#34; refers to the refuse from the melting of metals or reduction of ores in a furnace. Most notably, blast furnace slag is a by-product of the manufacture of steel in a blast furnace. In steel making, the blast furnace slag is discharged from the service as a molten stream at a temperature typically between 1400° C. and 1600° C. Rapid quenching of the slag results in its conversion into a material which has hydraulic properties. The rapid quenching of the slag converts it into a glassy state and it is generally recognized that the hydraulic quality of the slag depends upon the effectiveness of the process used to rapidly cool the slag and freeze it into the granulated, glassy state. The preferred blast furnace slag of the invention is a high glass content slag produced by quickly quenching the molten slag through intimate contact with large volumes of cool water. Slags produced by air quenching may be used in the invention provided they are determined to have cementitious properties. However, these are less desirable. The finest of the slag particles should be between about  2,000 cm 2  /g and 15,000 cm 2  /g, more preferably between 3,000 cm 2  /g and 9,000 cm 2  /g, most preferably between 4,000 cm 2  /g and 6,500 cm 2  /g. A commercially available blast furnace slag which fulfills the requirements of the invention is marketed under the trade name &#34;NEWCEM&#34; by the Blue Circle Atlantic Company. This slag is obtained from the Bethlehem Steel Corporation blast furnace at Sparrow&#39;s Point, Md. 
     Rheological properties of the slag treated drilling fluid can be modified through the use of many conventional chemical dispersants for water-based or oil-based drilling fluids. Examples of such compounds include lignosulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, phenol sulfonates, phosphates, phosphonates, sulfonated styrene maleic anhydride, sulfonated toluene maleic anhydride, sulfonated styrene maleimide, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, blends of polyacrylates and polymethacrylates, acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymers, or blends of any of these classes of materials provided they are chemically compatible to allow their mixing while retaining the ability to disperse particles in the drilling fluid. 
     Selecting General Types of Activators 
     Blast furnace slag is a latent hydraulic material. It must be activated to set in order to form a useful cement. Activation can be either thermal energy (heat) or chemical energy (chemical activation). If there is sufficient thermal energy (high temperature) no chemical activators may be required. However, at low temperatures, chemical activators are almost certainly required to optimize set time and compressive strength. In most cases, it is common and often desirable to use a combination of thermal and chemical activation to optimize the properties of the slag-containing cementitious mixture. 
     Alkali or bases, compounds which increase the pH of the liquid portion of a blast furnace slag/drilling fluid mixture or blast furnace slag cement slurry, are used as chemical activators. However, since thermal energy contributes to the total activation energy, the type of chemical activators and their amount can vary. Strong alkali are required at low temperatures where weak alkali can be used when the temperature is higher. 
     Components of the activator can be a mixture of alkali or alkali in combination of chelating, complexing or sequestering agents. It is desirable in cases where temperatures are low to use strong alkali-containing hydroxyl groups such as alkali earth metal hydroxides. These oxides include lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, as examples. The more soluble alkali earth metal hydroxides are, in general, better activators at low temperature. It is believed that their higher solubility in water at low temperatures is the primary reason they are better low temperature activators. The most commonly applied alkali earth metal hydroxides at low temperature are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and barium hydroxide. These alkali earth metal hydroxides have a greater effect on the set time of the slag-containing cementitious mixture. Concentrations range between 0.01 to 20%wt of slag, more preferably 0.1 to 16%wt of slag, even more preferably between 0.25 to 14%wt of slag, and most preferably 0.5 to 10%wt of slag. 
     It is also common to use a weaker alkali as part of the activator component, in particular, weaker alkali containing a carbonate or phosphate group. The carbonate ion in particular has a beneficial effect on the compressive strength development and overall compressive strength of the slag-containing mixture. Few anion species can replace carbonate as a part of the activator which significantly affects compressive strength. Alkali earth metal carbonates which are most commonly applied as a component in the total activator include lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, sodium potassium carbonate, etc., as examples. Again, as with the alkali-containing hydroxyl groups, greater solubility provides greater effects. The most commonly applied carbonate-containing compounds used include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium potassium carbonate. Typical concentrations are 0.25 to 25%wt of slag, more preferably 0.5 to 20%wt of slag, even more preferably 1.0 to 15%wt of slag, and most preferably 2 to 12%wt of slag. 
     The phosphate anion is an anionic chemical species which can contribute to compressive strength like the carbonate ion. However, the phosphate ion-containing compounds tend to retard the slag hydration much more than the carbonate. Basic phosphates such as sodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, tetrasodium polyphosphate, tetrasodium polyphosphate, etc., have application in formulations to control set time and contribute to compressive strength development. Of these, sodium pyrophosphate has shown the greatest potential. Typical concentrations are 0.001 to 15%wt of slag, more preferably 0.01 to 10%wt of slag, even more preferably 0.1 to 8%wt of slag, and most preferably 0.25 to 6%wt of slag. 
     The citrate ion also can contribute to compressive strength. Alkali earth metal salts of citric acid such as sodium citrate, calcium citrate, potassium citrate, etc., are examples. Of these, sodium or potassium citrate are most preferred. 
     Compounds containing phosphate and citrate have an advantage over carbonate or hydroxyl-containing compounds in rheological properties of the slurry. Phosphate or citrate-containing compounds are effective dispersants for slag and clays in drilling fluid formulations. Thus, less dilution may be required for drilling fluid-blast furnace slurries or better rheological properties may be obtained. 
     Other components of the activator include a chelating, complexing or sequestering agent. These types of compounds include the phosphate and citrate ion-containing compound previously described. Other compounds such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and its salts, phosphonic acids and their salts, glutamic acid and its salts, gluconic acid and its salts, some amines, phosphinic acids and their salts, aminophosphinic acids and their salts, lactic acid and its salts, aspartic acid and its salts, tartaric acid and its salts, etc. It is most desirable to use salts since the acid forms counteract the alkali added for chemical activation. Highly soluble salts are preferred. Sodium and potassium salts are usually quite soluble. Many other types of chelating, complexing or sequestering agents are known and many are listed in the book Organic Sequestering Agents by Stanley Chaberek and Arthur E. Martell, published by John Wiley &amp; Sons, New York. Concentrations typically range between 0.001 to 10%wt of slag, more preferably 0.01 to 8%wt of slag and most preferably 0.05 to 5%wt of slag. 
     Chemical compounds which are chelating, complexing, or sequestering agents for alkali earth metals and transition metals through iron in the Periodic Table of Elements have been found most suitable as components in the chemical activator mixture. Concentrations typically range between 0.001 to 10%wt of slag, more preferably 0.01 to 8%wt of slag and most preferably 0.05 to 5%wt of slag. Chelating, complexing or sequestering compounds with log (base 10) values for the equilibrium stability constants for complexed calcium between 2 and 5 have been most effective in improving strength and dispersing the slag with lowest effect on set time. A broad range for these log values is 0.5 to 11. The lower values tend to be stronger retarders while the higher values (above about 6) have less retarding effect but do not show an improvement in compressive strength development. In general, small amounts of these materials are used. Concentrations typically range from 0.001 to 8%wt of slag, preferably 0.01 to 6%wt of slag, and most preferably 0.05 to 5%wt of slag. 
     Selecting Total Activator Concentration 
     There is an optimum amount of activator which provides the maximum compressive strength for a given concentration of slag. The optimum total activator concentration is based upon the weight of slag used in the formulation. Therefore, the optimum weight ratio of total activator to slag is selected. This weight ratio varies with temperature because thermal energy (heat or temperature which is a measure of heat) is an activator for slag. The optimum weight ratio of total activator to slag decreases with temperature. For example, the optimum ratio is about 6 percent or 0.06 percent (activator weight/slag weight) at 125° F. The optimum may be about 8 percent (0.08) at 100° F., 12 percent (0.12) at 80° F., 2.5 percent (0.025) at 175° F. These optimum ratios also may vary with the compounds used as the activators. The ratios cited above are exemplary of mixtures of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. Ranges for total activator concentrations are: 0.01 to 20%wt of slag, preferably 0.1 to 18%wt of slag, even more preferably 0.25 to 14%wt of slag, and most preferably 0.5 to 10%wt of slag. 
     Selecting the Ratio of Components in the Total Activator 
     Within the total activator concentration, there is a ratio of the individual components which provide optimum set time or optimum compressive strength or optimum early compressive strength development rate or optimum rheological properties for the cementing operation. There is also a combination of activators which will produce optimum properties for all these variables for a specific cementing operation. 
     The total activator concentration may be made up of different concentrations of different chemical components. 
     Selecting the Retarder 
     Once the total amount of activator and ratio of activator components has been selected which will optimize compressive strength and compressive strength development, a retarder is usually required to provide adequate fluidity time (sufficiently long set time) in order to place the cement in the well. Retarders are often added in a concentration of 0.001% to 12% by weight of slag, preferably 0.01 to 8%, and more preferably 0.05% to 5%wt of slag. 
     Retarders are of two types: complexing agents and salts of transition metals with atomic numbers above iron or nickel in the periodic chart. In particular, copper, zinc and aluminum salts can be effective retarders for slag hydration. 
     Complexing agents such as lignosulfonates and sulfonated lignins, and sulfonated Kraft lignins, lignin amines, etc., can be effective retarders. These are common retarders for Portland cements. 
     The most desirable retarders are low molecular weight complexing agents because they also contribute to improved compressive strength and early compressive strength development rate. Sodium glucoheptonate, sodium gluconate, sodium citrate, etc. can improve strength in combination with the activators in the formulation. 
     There is a ratio of activator to retarder which provides the greatest early compressive strength development and final strength for a given slag concentration. This ratio depends upon the strength of the retarders and activators used. In general, a combination of activators and retarders which will produce a set time less than about 10 hours, more preferably less than about 8 hours, and most preferably between 3 and 6 hours at the static temperature of the well will provide a high rate of early compressive strength development after setting and high final strength for the selected slag concentration. 
     Dispersion 
     Given two formulations with optimized ratios of slag and activators, activator components and activator-retarder ratio, the formulation which is more dispersed will generally have better compressive strength development after setting. Many of the complexing, sequestering or chelating agents mentioned earlier in this text are good dispersants for slag and drilling fluids containing clays. 
     Control of Sulfide Odors 
     Blast furnace slags contain some sulfur as residue from the iron or steel making process. This sulfur may be in forms which can produce sulfide species. Hydrogen sulfide may form although this is not expected at the alkaline pH of most activated slag cements. 
     However, sulfide scavenging compounds may be included as part of the activator or retarder on the slag-containing cementitious material. Additives such as zinc oxide, zinc carbonate are known scavengers for sulfide. Inclusion of one or more of these scavengers may prevent formation of hydrogen sulfide if a set slag-containing cement is drilled out or otherwise comes into contact with a low pH fluid which would favor formation of hydrogen sulfide. 
     EXAMPLES 
     The data presented in FIG. 1 is based on the following: Test Temperature: 125° F. (52° C.); Base Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34;® blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)--(a) total activator concentration is percent by weight of slag; (b) the weight ratio of sodium hydroxide to sodium carbonate is 1:3 for all total activator concentrations; hence, 1% total activator=0.25% sodium hydroxide+0.75% sodium carbonate (by wt of slag); 2% total activator=0.5% sodium hydroxide+1.5% sodium carbonate (by wt of slag); 4% total activator=1% sodium hydroxide+3% sodium carbonate (by wt of slag). 
     FIG. 1 shows the impact of total activator on the: 
     a) set time of slag formulations, 
     b) rate of early compressive strength development immediately after set time, and 
     c) final or total compressive strength of the formulations. 
     A decrease in set time is seen along the X-axis as the lines showing compressive strength begin to move upward off of the O compressive strength line which is represented as the horizontal line of the X-axis. No activator produced a set time of about 2.5 hours. Increasing the activator concentration to 4% or 6% by weight of slag reduced the set time to less than 1 hour. 
     The rate of early compressive strength development is directly impacted by the activator concentration. The slope of the line from the set time until the strength reaches a plateau, wherein the rate of strength change with time has decreased to a near steady-state rate, is affected by the activator concentration. The slope is gradual without activator and becomes near vertical at 4% to 6% total activator at this temperature. It is desirable to have rapid early compressive strength development in many cementing operations. Slopes as compared in Table 1 labeled Example A-2. 
     The final compressive strength of each formulation increases with the total activator concentration. It is important to remember that the only thing changed is the total activator concentration. The amount of slag in each formulation is constant. 
     Also, there is an upper limit to the total activator concentration. This limit is the dilution effect limit and solubility limit of the activators. 
     Base Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag+50% Distilled Water (by weight of slag) Test temperature: 125° F. (52° C.) 
     a) Total Activator concentration is percent by weight of Slag. 
     b) The weight ratio of sodium hydroxide to sodium carbonate is 1:3 for all total activator concentrations, hence: 
     1% total activator=0.25% sodium hydroxide+0.75% sodium carbonate (by weight of slag) 
     2% total activator=0.5% sodium hydroxide+1.5% sodium carbonate (by weight of slag) 
     4% total activator=1% sodium hydroxide+3% sodium carbonate (by weight of slag). 
     
                                           TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Set Time and Compressive Strength Data                  Equation for                             Compressive   Total        Test      Line Between                             Strength                                    FinalAdditives and   Activator        Duration             Set Time                  50 psi and 500 psi                             14 hrs after                                    StrengthConcentration   % bwos        Hours             Hours                  Slope                       Intercept                             Set Time                                    psi__________________________________________________________________________None    0    18   2.72  78.44                       -128.72                              723    740None    1    18   1.68 507.51                       -844.57                             1039   1068None    2    18   1.4  741.96                       -1046.07                             1611   1677None    4    18   0.6  1024.55                       -647.00                             2836   2966None    6    18   0.5  794.33                       -417.14                             3824   3924__________________________________________________________________________ Base Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag + 50% Distilled Water (by w of slag) Test Temperature: 125° F. (52° C.) 
    
     FIG. 2 shows sodium carbonate as the preferred carbonate. The basic formulation is: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by weight of slag)+4% total activator (by weight of slag). Test temperature: 125° F. (52° C.). 
     FIGS. 3-6 and Tables 2 and 3 show the effects of the ratios of different components in the total activator on: 
     1) 24 hour compressive strength (FIG. 3) 
     2) early compressive strength development rate (FIG. 4) 
     3) set time (FIG. 5) 
     Each formulation contained 4% total activator. This total activator could be composed entirely of sodium hydroxide or entirely sodium carbonate or any weight ratio in between of these two components. The X-axis of these plots shows the amount of sodium carbonate present in the total activator. Hence, at 0 on the X-axis there is no sodium carbonate in the total activator; the total activator is 4% sodium hydroxide. At 4 on the X-axis only sodium carbonate is used as the total component of the activator; no sodium hydroxide is present in the total activator. At 2 on the X-axis, the total activator concentration of 4% (by weight of slag) is made up of 2% sodium hydroxide and 2% sodium carbonate. 
     The data in FIG. 3 is based on the following: Base Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34;® blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)+4% total activator (by wt of slag). 
     The data in FIG. 3 is based on the following: Base Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34;® blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)+4% total activator (by wt of slag). 
     This data (FIG. 3) shows that higher compressive strengths are obtained (slag concentration is constant for all tests) when the sodium carbonate concentration is slightly in excess of the sodium hydroxide concentration in the total amount of activator. 
     A small amount of sodium carbonate (FIG. 4) in the total activator concentration is beneficial for improving the early compressive strength development rate. 
     A small amount of sodium hydroxide (FIG. 5) in the total activator concentration is beneficial for reducing the set time of the slag cement mixture. 
     This data suggests that sodium hydroxide has greater impact on the set time of the formulation while sodium carbonate has greater impact on the compressive strength of the formulation. This is more clear in FIG. 6. 
     
                                           TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Effects of Ratios of Different Components in Total Activatoron Compressive Strength Development Rate and Set Time                           Elapsed       Weight             Molar         Time in       Ratio of             Ratio of      Minutes       Sodium             Sodium                   Elapsed Time                           BetweenSodium Sodium       Hydroxide             Hydroxide                   in Minutes.sup.1                           50 psi                                Compressive Strength, psi, after                                indicatedHydroxide Carbonate       to Sodium             to Sodium                   to Reach                           and 500                                elapsed time% bwos* % bwos*       Carbonate             Carbonate                   50 psi                       500 psi                           psi.sup.2                                2 hrs                                    4 hrs                                        8 hrs                                            12 hrs                                                24__________________________________________________________________________                                                hrs4     0     4 to 0      13  118 .sup. 105.sup.5                                516  907                                        1272                                            1379                                                15363.27  0.73  4.5 to 1             11.87 to 1                   17  52  35   885 1068                                        1236                                            1339                                                15293.2   0.8   4 to 1             10.6 to 1                   19  51  32   882 1038                                        1204                                            1306                                                15143.12  0.88  3.5 to 1              9.4 to 1                   17  52  35   856  994                                        1136                                            1247                                                14453     1     3 to 1             7.95 to 1                   17  48  32   823  919                                        1038                                            1126                                                13242.85  1.15  2.5 to 1             6.57 to 1                   18  50  32   961 1128                                        1271                                            1376                                                15942.66  1.34  2 to 1             5.26 to 1                   18  49  31   966 1148                                        1310                                            1419                                                16422.4   1.6   1.5 to 1             3.97 to 1                   17  46  29   967 1136                                        1298                                            1407                                                16092     2     1 to 1             2.65 to 1                   16  42  26   1082                                    1269                                        1469                                            1592                                                18202     2     1 to 1      15  36  21   997 1138                                        1315                                            1424                                                16261.6   2.4   0.67 to 1             1.77 to 1                   20  49  29   1374.sup.4                                    .sup. 1657.sup.4                                        .sup. 1921.sup.4                                            .sup. 2084.sup.4                                                .sup. 2356.sup.41.34  2.66  0.5 to 1             1.33 to 1                   25  56  31   1645                                    2011                                        2366                                            2534                                                28301.15  2.85  0.4 to 1             1.07 to 1                   37  75  38   1341                                    1792                                        2132                                            2344                                                26511     3     .33 to 1             0.88 to 1                   42  74  32   1466                                    1861                                        2216                                            2438                                                27580.88  3.12  .28 to 1             0.75 to 1                   43  64  21   1534                                    1870                                        2195                                            2381                                                26560.8   3.2   .25 to 1             0.66 to 1                   .sup. 79.sup.3                       102 23   1121                                    1806                                        2180                                            2399                                                27520.73  3.27  .22 to 1             0.59 to 1                   .sup. 83.sup.3                       107 24   995 1830                                        2241                                            2465                                                27970     4     0 to 4             0.00  134.sup.3                       170 36    33 1566                                        2011                                            2237                                                2631__________________________________________________________________________ *By weight of slag Total Activator concentration was 4% by weight of slag for all tests. Sample Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag + 50% fresh water (bwos) 4% Total Activator (bwos) Test Temperature: 125° F. .sup.1 This is set time. .sup.2 Early compressive strength development rate .sup.3 Sodium hydroxide in small quantity helped reduce this set time .sup.4 Higher strength when carbonate in excess of hydroxide .sup.5 Early compressive strength development rate increased due to carbonate 
    
     
                                           TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________Effects of Ratios of Different Components in Total Activatoron Compressive Strength                           Elapsed       Weight             Molar         Time in       Ratio of             Ratio of      Minutes       Sodium             Sodium                   Elapsed Time                           BetweenSodium Sodium       Hydroxide             Hydroxide                   in Minutes.sup.1                           50 psi                                Compressive Strength, psi, after                                indicatedHydroxide Carbonate       to Sodium             to Sodium                   to Reach                           and 500                                elapsed time% bwos* % bwos*       Carbonate             Carbonate                   50 psi                       500 psi                           psi.sup.2                                2 hrs                                    4 hrs                                        8 hrs                                            12 hrs                                                24__________________________________________________________________________                                                hrs4     0     4 to 0      12  51  39    998                                    1097                                        1190                                            1255                                                13793.27  0.73  4.5 to 1             11.87 to 1                   12  30  18   1027                                    1178                                        1348                                            1463                                                16993.2   0.8   4 to 1             10.6 to 1                    9  27  18    991                                    1122                                        1287                                            1397                                                16233.12  0.88  3.5 to 1              9.4 to 1                   10  28  18     846                                     955                                        1092                                            1200                                                13893     1     3 to 1             7.95 to 1                   12  32  20    911                                    1027                                        1174                                            1288                                                15112.85  1.15  2.5 to 1             6.57 to 1                   11  29  18   1049                                    1152                                        1317                                            1427                                                16762.66  1.34  2 to 1             5.26 to 1                   10  25  15   1067                                    1173                                        1342                                            1454                                                17332.4   1.6   1.5 to 1             3.97 to 1                    9  25  16   1042                                    1130                                        11275                                            1382                                                16032     2     1 to 1             2.65 to 1                   10  22  12   1078                                    1182                                        1331                                            1422                                                16451.6   2.4   0.67 to 1             1.77 to 1                   12  25  13   .sup. 1657.sup.4                                    .sup. 1870.sup.4                                        .sup. 2055.sup.4                                            .sup. 2200.sup.4                                                .sup. 2455.sup.41.34  2.66  0.5 to 1             1.33 to 1                   16  32  16   1953                                    2237                                        2495                                            2637                                                29071.15  2.85  0.4 to 1             1.07 to 1                   19  34  15   1993                                    2280                                        2543                                            2686                                                29201     3     .33 to 1             0.88 to 1                   21  32  11   1864                                    2131                                        2343                                            2441                                                26500.88  3.12  .28 to 1             0.75 to 1                   21  28   9   1937                                    2186                                        2405                                            2505                                                26830.8   3.2   .25 to 1             0.66 to 1                   .sup. 26.sup.3                       35   9   2065                                    2399                                        2641                                            2792                                                29510.73  3.27  .22 to 1             0.59 to 1                   .sup. 31.sup.3                       40   9   1980                                    2298                                        2565                                            2673                                                29070     4     0 to 4             0.00  .sup. 44.sup.3                       58  14   1593                                    1888                                        2127                                            2274                                                2465__________________________________________________________________________ *By weight of slag Total Activator concentration was 4% by weight of slag for all tests. Sample Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag + 50% fresh water (bwos) 4% Total Activator (bwos) Test Temperature: 175° F. 
    
     FIG. 7 and Table 4 show sodium citrate as a viable replacement for sodium hydroxide. Combinations of sodium citrate, sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide can be made with improved properties. 
     The data in FIG. 7 is based on the following: Base Formulation: &#34;NEWCEM&#34;® blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)+4% total activator (by wt of slag). 
     FIG. 7 shows ratios of components are still important to controlling set time, compressive strength and early compressive strength development rate. 
     Replacing sodium hydroxide with sodium citrate improved total compressive strength while maintaining a high early compressive strength development rate. 
     Table 4 shows incorporation of sodium hydroxide to change the set time and early compressive strength development rate. 
     
                       TABLE 4______________________________________Incorporation of Sodium Hydroxide to ChangeSet Time and Early Compressive Strength Development Rate            0.5% Sodium                       0.5% Sodium                                1% Sodium            Hydroxide  Hydroxide                                Hydroxide  1% Sodium 0.5% Sodium                       1% Sodium                                1% Sodium  Citrate   Citrate    Citrate  CitrateTime   3% Sodium 3% Sodium  2.5% Sodium                                2% SodiumHours  Carbonate Carbonate  Carbonate                                Carbonate______________________________________0        0         0          0         00.8     18        18         15       .sup.  90.sup.41.07    18        18         17       .sup.  263.sup.41.33    16        28        .sup.  46.sup.3                                 .sup.  502.sup.41.6     18       .sup.  92.sup.2                       .sup.  206.sup.3                                  7182.04   .sup.  50.sup.1            .sup.  620.sup.2                        791       9882.4    .sup.  188.sup.1            1116       1170      11723.2     934      1584       1621      14664      1468      1782       1849      16964.8    1762      1930       2003      18365.6    1933      2035       2113      19376.4    2038      2146       2199      20177.2    2149      2234       2290      21008      2207      2326       2353      215812     2526      2628       2660      237216     2704      2816       2811      250520     2857      2935       2970      264724     2978      3059       3054      2721______________________________________ .sup.1,2,3 Show fast early compressive strength development .sup.4 Shows slower early compressive strength development. 
    
     
                                           TABLE 5__________________________________________________________________________Evaluation of Phosphates to Replace Sodium Hydroxide in Total Activator 1% Sodium       1% Calcium              1% Trisodium                      1% Sodium                              1% Sodium                                       1% Sodium 1% Tetrasodium Hydroxide       Phosphate              Phosphate                      Pyrophosphate                              Tripolyphosphate                                       Hexametaphosphate                                                 PyrrophosphateTime  3% Sodium       3% Sodium              3% Sodium                      3% Sodium                              3% Sodium                                       3% Sodium 3% SodiumHours Carbonate.sup.1)       Carbonate.sup.2)              Carbonate.sup.3)                      Carbonate.sup.4)                              Carbonate.sup.5)                                       Carbonate.sup.7)                                                 Carbonate.sup.8)__________________________________________________________________________ 0      0     0      0      0       0        0         0 0.5333333  13    22     20     22      18       11        18 1.066667  355   25     23     20      20       13        16 1.6  1207   25     23     22      20       15        16 2.133333 1488   60     25     22      18       17        16 2.666667 1633   440     0     22      16       17        15 3.2  1721  1024     0     22      18       19        16 3.733333 1815  1288     0     22      18       19        15 4.266667 1889  1409    25     22      18       21        15 4.8  1940  1502    531    22      18       21        15 6.4  2103  1644   1577    26      18       21        16 8    2219  1754   1906    26      20       23        16 9.6  2311  1848   2069    26      20       23        1611.2  2408  1922   2216    30      20       25        1612.8  2474  1999   2341    172     18       25        1314.4  2508  2053   2407    786     16       23        1116    2578  2107   2544    1373    34       21        5817.6  2613  2136   2616    1626    155      31        35919.2  2650  2194   2690    1806    506      103       96820.8  2686  2222   2690    1955    931      393       130324    2761  2283   2805    2176    1563     1368      171432    2880         3010            2234     2418      229540    2960         3141            .sup.6) 2593.sup.                                       2849      259348    3044         323356    3088         332564    3131         3374__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1) &#34;Control&#34;- .sup.2) Lower compressive strength than .sup.3) Set time delayed. Slightly higher comp. strength than &#34;Control&#34;. .sup.4) Set time delayed. Lower comp. strength than &#34;Control&#34; at 24 hrs .sup.5) Set time delayed. Lower comp. strength than &#34;control&#34; at 24 hrs .sup.6) Strength increasing, approaching .sup.7) Set time delayed. Lower comp. strength than &#34;control&#34; at 24 hrs .sup.8) Set time delayed. Lower comp. strength than &#34;control&#34; at 24 hrs 
    
     
                                           TABLE 6__________________________________________________________________________Evaluation of Phosphates to Replace Sodium Carbonate in Total Activator     1% Sodium    1% Sodium     Hydroxide           1% Sodium                   1% Sodium                            1% Sodium 1% Sodium  1% Sodium    Hydroxide     3%    Hydroxide                   Hydroxide                            Hydroxide Hydroxide  HydroxideTime    3% Sodium     Calcium           3% Trisodium                   3% Sodium                            3% Sodium 3% Sodium  3% TetrasodiumHours    Carbonate.sup.1)     Phosphate.sup.2)           Phosphate.sup.3)                   Pyrrophosphate.sup.4)                            Tripolyphosphate.sup.5)                                      Hexametaphosphate.sup.6)                                                 Pyrrophosphate.sup.7                                                 )__________________________________________________________________________1   0     0     0       0        0         0          00.5 13    40    9       19       13        14         171.07    355   208   11      21       19        12         1111.6 1207  330   16      42       24        17         4672.13    1488  407   17      323      30        26         6812.67    1633  463   67      551      38        33         8663.2 1721  499   113     751      42        37         10203.73    1815  538   452     943      46        41         11434.27    1889  566   921     1097     49        43         12024.8 1940  587   1331    1199     51        45         12656.4 2103  617   1899    1344     263       51         13828   2219  673   2128    1451     1450      53         14739.6 2311  716   2297    1527     1934      55         153011.2    2408  742   2419    1608     2180      59         159012.8    2474  780   2516    1650     2362      64         165314.4    2508  809   2616    1715     2493      117        169616  2578  829   2721    1760     2632      574        174117.6    2613  849   2794    1806     2705      1303       176319.2    2650  870   2869    1830     2820      1823       180920.8    2686  892   2832    1878     2858      2079       183324  2761  925   2947    1928     3021      2375       190632  2880        3152    2059     3239      2792       200840  2960        3239    2170     3378      .sup.8) 3076                                                 211648  3044        3375    2258     3526                 217356  3088        3420    2319     362664  3131        3467    2382     3733__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1) &#34;Control&#34;- .sup.2) Lower comp. strength than .sup.3) Higher comp. strength than control, but longer set time. .sup.4) Lower comp. strength than control .sup.5),6),7) Larger set time, higher comp. strength .sup.8) Higher strength than control @ 40 hrs 
    
     
                                           TABLE 7__________________________________________________________________________Combination of Phosphate (Sodium Tripolyphosphate),Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Hydroxide to Vary Set Time and Strength(Total and Early Compressive Strength Development Rate    0.5% Sodium    Tripolyphosphate          1% Sodium    0.5% Sodium          Tripolyphosphate                     3% SodiumTime    Hydroxide  1% Sodium Hydroxide                     Tripolyphosphate                                1% Sodium Tripolyphosphate                                               1% Sodium HydroxideHours    3% Sodium Carbonate          2% Sodium Carbonate                     1% Sodium Hydroxide                                3% Sodium Carbonate                                               3% Sodium__________________________________________________________________________                                               Carbonate0   0          0          0          0              00.53    18         16         13         18             131.07    19         20         19         20             3551.6 19         22         24         20             12072.13    19         24         30         18             14882.67    21         24         38         16             16333.2 21         26         42         18             17213.73    21         26         46         18             18154.27    21         28         49         18             18894.8 21         28         51         18             19406.4 23         30         263        18             21038   23         65         1450       20             22199.6 23         884        1934       20             231111.2    23         1465       2180       20             240812.8    61         1830       2362       18             247414.4    352        2035       2493       16             250816  875        2204       2632       34             257824  1984       2701       3021       1563           2761__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
         TABLE 8  Effect of Cation of Sulfate Salts on Set Time and Compressive Strength of Blast Furnace Slag Cement Compressive Strength, psi, of Formulations Containing the Indicated Activators  1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium 1% Sodium Elasped Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Hydroxide Time 3% Sodium 3% Sodium 3% Magnesium 3% Calcium 3% Ferrous 3% Ferric 3% Cobalt 3% Nickel 3% Cupric 3% Zinc 3% Aluminum 3% Ammonium Hours Carbonate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate Sulfate   0   0  0   0   0   0   0   0   0 0  0  0   0 1.07  281 150  20  34  13  13  30  121 12  19 17  13 2.13 1505 374  28  109  193   11  332  473 10  17 16  13 4.09 1886 576  275  457 8 2216 703  948 1002  742  419  696 899 10  17 19  95 12.1 2438 770 1294 1053 16 2575 821 1506 1093  968 1510  872 1100 9 13 17 1141 17.6 2610 843 1564 1093  980 1589  894 1129 9 11 17 1261 19.2 2647 854 1604 1106 1018 1695  928 1157 9 11 17 1342 20.8 2683 876 1667 1120 1044 1762  952 1187 8 11 17 1430 22.4 2721 888 1710 1134 1071 1832  976 1217 8 14 17 1504 24 2758 899 1744 1134 1084 1880  964 1202 8 20 17 1562 25.6  911 1800  1098 1930 1001 1233 8 29 17 1602 27.2  935 1823  1127 1981 1026 1249 8 40 17 1665 28.8  947 1871 1141 2034 1039 1265 8 54 17 1708 30.4  959 1895  1155 2061 1052 1265 8 67 17 1730 32  959 1920  1170 2088 1066 1280 8 82 17 1775 33.6  972 1945  1185 2144 1079 1297 8 99 17 1821 35.2  984 1971  1200 2172 1092 1313 8 114  17 1845 36.8  997 1996  1215 2202 1106 1330 8 129  17 1869 38.4 1010  2022  1231 2202 1106 1347 8 141  17 1893 40  1010  2022  1247 2230 1120 1347 8 152  17 1918 41.6  1023  2049  1247 2260 1135 1364 8 163  17 1943 43.2     1263 2291 1149 1364 8 171  17 1969 44.8     1278 2291 1149 1382 8 177  17 1994 46.4     1278 2321 1163 1382 9 186  17 1994 48 1295 2352 1178 1400 10  189  17 2020 56     1345 2416 1208 1435 323  207  17 2101 64     1380 2482 1255 1473 1084   217  17 2157 72       1286 1511 1541    29 80       1319 1530 1820    16 88       1353 1570 1993 16 Base Formulation: NEWCEM Blast Furnace Slag mixed with 50% Distilled Wate (by weight of the slag) plus indicated activator mixtures Test Temperature: 125 F. (52 C.) Curing Pressure: 3000 psi Calcium Sulfate = CaSo.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O Ferrous Sulfate = FeSo4.7H.sub.20 Ferric Sulfate = Fe.sub.2 (So.sub.4).sub.3.H.sub.2 O Cobalt Sulfate = CoSo.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O Nickel Sulfate = NiSo.sub.4.6H.sub.2 O Zinc Sulfate = ZnSo.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O Aluminum Sulfate = Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3.16H.sub.2 O 
    
     
                                           TABLE 9__________________________________________________________________________Set Time and Compressive Strength DataComparisons of Activator:Retarder Ratio with Different Retarder Types andStrengths                           Equation for         Total Test        Line Between         Activator               Duration                    Set time                           50 psi and 500 psi                                     Compressive Strength                                                 Final StrengthAdditives and Concentration         % bwos               hours                    hours  Slope                                Intercept                                     14 hours after Set                                                 psie__________________________________________________________________________None          0     18       2.72                           78.44                                 -128.72                                      723         740None          1     18       1.68                           507.51                                 -844.57                                     1039        1068None          2     18       1.4                           741.96                                -1046.07                                     1611        1677None          4     18       0.6                           1024.55                                 -647.00                                     2836        2966None          6     18       0.5                           794.33                                 -417.14                                     3824        39240.1% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         0     18       3.78                           113.04                                 -470.89                                     867          8690.1% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         1     18       1.93                           574.26                                -1109.86                                     1153        11630.1% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         2     18       1.48                           877.10                                -1311.57                                     1707        17780.1% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         4     18       0.65                           1316.57                                 -931.80                                     2941        30830.1% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M.sup.1)         6     18   .sup.3) 60:1                        0.52                           976.47                                 -519.82                                     3498        35480.2% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         0     22.5     6.15                           130.57                                 -768.22                                      996        10600.33% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         0     18       14.63                           135.26                                -1971.55                                      795         5680.33% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         1     18       2.97                           527.32                                -1561.04                                     1278        12940.33% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         2     18       2.12                           732.72                                -1558.23                                     1655        17140.33% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         4     18   .sup.3) 12.1:1                        0.75                           1652.63                                -1304.50                                     3032        31130.33% &#34;REAX&#34; 100M         6     18   .sup.3) 18.2:1                        0.6                           1455.75                                 -768.60                                     3504        35540.1% &#34;SEQLENE 540&#34;         0     66       34.2                           78.68                                -1674.31                                      939        13650.1% &#34;SEQLENE 540&#34;         1     66       5.78                           434.89                                -2502.49                                     1248        16440.1% &#34;SEQLENE 540&#34;         2     66       3.62                           862.37                                -3138.26                                     1849        24820.1% &#34;SEQLENE 540&#34;         4     66       1.4                           1680.75                                -2407.00                                     3166        39900.1% &#34;SEQLENE 540&#34;.sup.2)         6     68   .sup.3) 60:1                        0.77                           1708.88                                -1369.30                                     3670        45220.1% Sodium Gluconate         0     90       57.72                           55.19                                -3173.07                                      808        14780.1% Sodium Gluconate         1     90       6.88                           460.20                                -3172.23                                     1435        20080.1% Sodium Gluconate         2     90       3.77                           792.32                                -3018.93                                     1873        26550.1% Sodium Gluconate         4     90       1.95                           1239.75                                -2429.60                                     2993        39360.1% Sodium Gluconate         6     90   .sup.3) 60:1                        1.23                           1618.88                                -2000.70                                     3607        45650.33% Sodium Gluconate         0     43       -- --   --   --          --0.33% Sodium Gluconate         1     43       24.5                           147.93                                -3633.58                                     2540        28050.33% Sodium Gluconate         2     43       17.23                           197.88                                -3398.37                                     2919        34830.33% Sodium Gluconate         4     43   .sup.3) 12.1                        8.9                           344.25                                -3079.35                                     3858        45470.33% Sodium Gluconate         6     43   .sup.3) 18.2                        6.05                           633.48                                -3844.71                                     4050        47100.33% Sodium Gluconate         8     43   .sup.3) 24.2                        3.73                           1468.02                                -5457.53                                     3412        4148__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1) &#34;REAX&#34; is sulfonated Kraft lignin .sup.2) &#34;SEQLENE 540&#34; is sodium glucohepatonate .sup.3) Activator:Retarder ratio 
    
     FIG. 8 shows sodium oxalate as giving similar benefits as sodium citrate. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 show comparison of the combination of citrate with phosphate and citrate, phosphate and sodium hydroxide. (Sodium hydroxide can reduce set time.) 
     Other activators were tried and the effect of component ratios is clearly distinguishable in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
     Tables 9 through 12 show that ratio for set time, early compressive strength development rate and final strength varies with retarder strength, temperature and activator strength. 
     
                                           TABLE 10__________________________________________________________________________Base Slurry: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag + 0.1% Sodium Gluconate (bwos*)+ 50% Distilled Water (bwos)Test Temperature: 125° F.__________________________________________________________________________      No   0.10%                0.20%                     0.40% 0.80%                                1%   1.20%                                          1.40% 1.60%                                                     1.80%      Activator           Activator                Activator                     Activator                           Activator                                Activator                                     Activator                                          Activator                                                Activator                                                     Activator__________________________________________________________________________Time to                   33.93 18.1 16   12   11.55 9.72 73750 psiTime to                   43.97 20.63                                17.9 13.55                                          12.93 10.9 8.43500 psiTime from                 10.04 2.53 1.9  1.55 1.38  1.18 1.0650 psi to500 psiActivator:Retarder        4:1   8:1  10:1 12:1 14:1  16:1 18:1Ratio__________________________________________________________________________      2%   2.20%                2.40%                     2.60% 2.80%                                3%   4%   5%    6%   7%      Activator           Activator                Activator                     Activator                           Activator                                Activator                                     Activator                                          Activator                                                Activator                                                     Activator__________________________________________________________________________Time to    6.08 5.38 5.27 5.2   5.17 4.43 3.1  0.93  1.78 1.1550 psiTime to    6.82 6.03 5.97 5.87  5.8  5    3.58 1.28  2.1  1.4500 psiTime from  0.74 0.65 0.7  0.67  0.63 0.57 0.48 0.35  0.32 0.2550 psi to500 psiActivator:Retarder      20:1 22:1 24:1 26:1  28:1 30:1 40:1 50:1  60:1 70:1Ratio__________________________________________________________________________ *bwos = by weight of slag 
    
     
                                           TABLE 11__________________________________________________________________________Base Slurry: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag + 0.1% Sodium Gluconate (bwos*)+ 50% Distilled Water (bwos)Test Temperature: 150° F.__________________________________________________________________________      No   0.10%                0.20%                     0.40% 0.80%                                1%   1.20%                                          1.40% 1.60%                                                     1.80%      Activator           Activator                Activator                     Activator                           Activator                                Activator                                     Activator                                          Activator                                                Activator                                                     Activator__________________________________________________________________________Time to    43.15           22.52                15.7 9.68  4.98 4.53 4.2  4     2.95 2.2750 psiTime to    53.37           28.9 20.35                     12.62 6    5.58 5.28 4.83  3.57 2.63500 psiTime from  10.22           6.38 4.65 2.94  1.02 1.05 1.08 0.83  0.62 0.3650 psi to500 psiActivator:Retarder      0    1:1  2:1  4:1   8:1  10:1 12:1 14:1  16:1 18:1Ratio__________________________________________________________________________      2%   2.20%                2.40%                     2.60% 2.80%                                3%   4%   5%    6%   7%      Activator           Activator                Activator                     Activator                           Activator                                Activator                                     Activator                                          Activator                                                Activator                                                     Activator__________________________________________________________________________Time to    2.23 2    2.1  1.82  1.43 1.5  1.2  1.02  1    0.9750 psiTime to    2.68 2.38 2.45 2.2   1.62 1.75 1.45 1.15  1.15 1.12500 psiTime from  0.45 0.38 0.35 0.38  0.19 0.25 0.25 0.13  0.15 0.1550 psi to500 psiActivator:Retarder      20:1 22:1 24:1 26:1  28:1 30:1 40:1 50:1  60:1 70:1Ratio__________________________________________________________________________ *bwos = by weight of slag 
    
     
                                           TABLE 12__________________________________________________________________________Base Slurry: &#34;NEWCEM&#34; Blast Furnace Slag + 0.1% Sodium Gluconate (bwos*)+ 50% Distilled Water (bwos)Test Temperature: 175° F.__________________________________________________________________________      No   0.10%                0.20%                     0.40% 0.80%                                1%   1.20%                                          1.40% 1.60%                                                     1.80%      Activator           Activator                Activator                     Activator                           Activator                                Activator                                     Activator                                          Activator                                                Activator                                                     Activator__________________________________________________________________________Time to    17.95           10.3 7.37 4.17  2.58 2.1  1.87 1.38  1.48 1.450 psiTime to    22.27           15.12                9.57 5.68  3.45 2.72 2.38 1.68  1.78 1.73500 psiTime from  4.32 4.82 2.2  1.51  0.87 0.62 0.51 0.3   0.3  0.3350 psi to500 psiActivator:Retarder      0    1:1  2:1  4:1   8:1  10:1 12:1 14:1  16:1 18:1Ratio__________________________________________________________________________      2%   2.20%                2.40%                     2.60% 2.80%                                3%   4%   5%    6%   7%      Activator           Activator                Activator                     Activator                           Activator                                Activator                                     Activator                                          Activator                                                Activator                                                     Activator__________________________________________________________________________Time to    1.05 1.17 1.03 1.15  1.22 0.73 0.6  0.62  0.62 0.7250 psiTime to    1.22 1.37 1.27 1.33  1.4  0.83 0.73 0.75  0.7  0.83500 psiTime from  0.17 0.2  0.24 0.18  0.18 0.1  0.13 0.13  0.08 0.1150 psi to500 psiActivator:Retarder      20:1 22:1 24:1 26:1  28:1 30:1 40:1 50:1  60:1 70:1Ratio__________________________________________________________________________ *bwos = by weight of slag