Controlled release rate fertilizers and methods of making same
AssigneeEnersul, Inc.
InventorsZhimin Yu, James B. Hyne, Mark Ernest Grist
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fertilizer granule comprises: i) an elemental sulfur and swelling clay matrix, and ii) at least one additional fertilizer material incorporated into said matrix.
Claims20
A controlled release fertilizer granule comprising:
- i) an elemental sulfur and swelling clay matrix;
- and
- ii) at least one additional fertilizer material dispersed into said matrix.
A process for the preparation of a controlled release fertilizer particle comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a liquefied mixture of sulfur and a swelling clay;
- b) blending an additional fertilizer material into said liquefied mixture;
- c) transferring said liquefied mixture to a granulator;
- d) adding an additional fertilizer material for coating with said liquefied mixture thereby forming coated granules;
- and
- e) collecting said coated granules of a predetermined size.
A method of using a molten sulfur/clay slurry to prepare a matrix for the delivery of an additional fertilizer material, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a liquefied mixture of sulfur and a swelling clay;
- b) dispersing an additional fertilizer material into said liquefied mixture.
A sulfur-based slurry matrix for slowing down rate of release of an incorporated fertilizer component, said slurry comprising:
- i) molten sulfur
- ii) clay, and
- iii) ammonium sulfate fines.
A method of using a sulfur-based slurry matrix to prepare a slow release fertilizer product, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a slurry of molten sulfur and a swelling clay;
- b) adding to said slurry ammonium sulfate fines.
A method of using a sulfur-based slurry matrix in a pastillator to form fertilizer pastilles, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a slurry of molten sulfur and a swelling clay;
- b) dispersing into said slurry ammonium sulfate fines;
- c) delivering said slurry containing ammonium sulfate fines to a pastillator for formation of fertilizer pastilles.
A method of using a sulfur-based slurry matrix in a falling curtain granulating drum to form fertilizer granules, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a slurry of molten sulfur and a swelling clay;
- b) dispersing into said slurry ammonium sulfate fines;
- c) delivering said slurry containing ammonium sulfate fines to a falling curtain granulating drum for formation of fertilizer granules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.