Gypsum manufacturing process improvement

Abstract

The present application provides a method for analyzing a raw material for manufacturing of gypsum products, analyzing a plurality of gypsum products, and the gypsum products produced therefrom. Desirably, the analyzing of the raw material is conducted using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A plurality of analyzed gypsum products having improved consistency and quality as characterized by a reduced weight variability, an improved content uniformity, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 150 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         22 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 100 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         23 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 50 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         24 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 10 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         25 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±10%. 
     
     
         26 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±5%. 
     
     
         27 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±2%. 
     
     
         28 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±1%. 
     
     
         29 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the gypsum products are calcinated. 
     
     
         35 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 20 , wherein the gypsum products are crushed and/or ground. 
     
     
         36 . A plurality of analyzed gypsum products having improved consistency and quality as characterized by a reduced weight variability of less than about 150 lbs per 1000 ft 2 , an improved content uniformity characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±10%, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 100 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         38 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 50 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         39 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the reduced weight variability comprises a weight variability of less than about 10 lbs per 1000 ft 2 . 
     
     
         40 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±5%. 
     
     
         41 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±2%. 
     
     
         42 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the improved content uniformity is characterized by a calcium sulfate dihydrate concentration variability of less than about ±1%. 
     
     
         43 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the gypsum products are calcinated. 
     
     
         44 . The plurality of gypsum products of  claim 36 , wherein the gypsum products are crushed and/or ground.