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US 8,317,892 B1Granted
Method for enhancing soil growth using bio-char
AssigneeCool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
InventorsMichael Cheiky, Ronald A. Sills, Mark L. Jarand
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is described for rendering char from a biomass fractionator apparatus (BMF char) suitable for addition to soil in high concentrations, the method relying on multiple processes comprising removing detrimental hydrocarbons from BMF char, removing adsorbed gases from BMF char, introducing microorganisms to the BMF char, and adjusting soil pH.
Claims16
A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth, comprising:
- grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles;
- subjecting the ground biomass particles to sequential or concurrent ramps of temperature and pressure shocks;
- selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles;
- collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char;
- rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic after collecting the BMF char by removing adsorbed gas within char pores by introducing a water solution containing soluble plant nutrients;
- exposing the BMF char to microorganisms after rendering the surface hydrophilic;
- and then
- adding the BMF char to soil after exposing the BMF char to microorganisms.
5 more elements
A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth, comprising:
- grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles having a diameter between about 0.001 inch and about 1 inch;
- dispensing the ground biomass particles into thin sheets whose total thickness is a multiple of the ground biomass particle diameter;
- subjecting the ground biomass particles to sequential or concurrent ramps of temperature and pressure shocks;
- selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles;
- collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char;
- rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic after collecting the BMF char by removing adsorbed gas within char pores by introducing a water solution containing soluble plant nutrients;
- adding the BMF char to soil after rendering the surface hydrophilic;
- and then
- exposing the BMF char to microorganisms.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.