Accelerators
Cement setting times can be adjusted with accelerators. Accelerators speed up the time required for a cement slurry to become hardened in a reaction process that shortens WOC (Wait On Cement) time and provides faster drill out, thus saving rig time. This reaction process is known as cement hydration whereby water induces chemical reactions that ultimately lead to bonding. Accelerators essentially speed the reaction with water, which in turn reduces (a) thickening time and/or increases (b) early compressive strength development after set. Accelerators that cause both effects can be considered "total" and those producing only one effect can be called "partial". Most known accelerators are total. A useful partial accelerator would increase strength without altering thickening time.
