Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

An apparatus for producing a non-woven product is disclosed. The apparatus is located substantially within an enclosure and includes a mold or former and at least two moveable material application heads. A controller controls various elements located within or connected to the enclosure. The footprint of the enclosure is smaller than 2 m2 m.

An apparatus for producing a non-woven product is disclosed. The apparatus is located substantially within an enclosure and includes a mold or former and at least two moveable material application heads. A controller controls various elements located within or connected to the enclosure. The footprint of the enclosure is smaller than 2 m2 m.

A process for manufacturing a mat of mineral fibers, wherein fibers are formed and a binding compound resulting from the mixture of a binder composition with dilution water is applied on the fibers, the fibers impregnated with the binding compound are collected on a perforated receiving device equipped with a fiber-receiving surface and, below the surface, at least one suction duct, and the mat is heat treated. The process includes determining an optimal amount of dilution water as a function of the humidity of the air in the fiberizing station, of the humidity of the intake air and of the intake air flow rate in the at least one suction duct, and of the desired amount of water in the mat at the outlet of the receiving chamber, and adjusting the amount of dilution water as a function of the optimal amount thus determined.

A process for manufacturing a mat of mineral fibers, wherein fibers are formed and a binding compound resulting from the mixture of a binder composition with dilution water is applied on the fibers, the fibers impregnated with the binding compound are collected on a perforated receiving device equipped with a fiber-receiving surface and, below the surface, at least one suction duct, and the mat is heat treated. The process includes determining an optimal amount of dilution water as a function of the humidity of the air in the fiberizing station, of the humidity of the intake air and of the intake air flow rate in the at least one suction duct, and of the desired amount of water in the mat at the outlet of the receiving chamber, and adjusting the amount of dilution water as a function of the optimal amount thus determined.