250 REIBLING AND REYES. 



the cement itself. Therefore, it is possible that the hydration of the 

 lime in Portland cement might be accomplished still more efficiently 

 and at the same time more economically by seasoning the clinker. We 

 have shown that water has no action on the perfectly sintered or fused 

 clinker and that a wet imperfectly burned clinker seasons more efficiently 

 than a comparatively dry one. Conover's work further suggests that the 

 red-hot clinker should be dropped into water as soon as it leaves the 

 rotary kiln rather than after the clinker has become cold. Tliis not 

 only will produce a softer, more easily ground clinker, but it is also 

 certain that the calcium oxide which had been burned at an extremely 

 high temperature will hydrate more quickly in hot or boiling than in 

 cold water. 



The relative efficiencies of these two processes should be carefully 

 investigated. 



