Additives selected from primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl amines and quaternary alkyl ammonium compounds are added to argillaceous gypsum compositions comprising comb polymers to improve the workability thereof. Regions are formed within the spacer and retaining therapeutic loads, such as radiation sources andor pharmaceutical therapeutic loads, andor any other substances to treat a patient, such as drug liquids, powder or particles, with the particles or powders combined with binders, such as polyacrylamide, that are selected to gradually disperse the powder or particles at a desired rate. Preferably, the composition comprises both an organotitanate or zirconate and a strong acid. The apparatus further comprises a water collection region suitable to receive water from the separation region and direct said water to said at least one container outlet, and an oil collection region, suitable to receive less dense contaminants from the separation region.