Abstract: The present invention describes a sulfur-coated urea slow release granular fertilizer having a uniform, durable polymeric coating over the sulfur-coating. The polymer coating is formed by the direct in situ co-polymerization of diethylene glycol-triethanolamine polyol and a diisocyanate on the surface of the sulfur-coated urea granule. The polymeric coating provides improved impact resistance of the composite coated granule.

Abstract: A method for producing a soil enhancing compound is provided, comprising the steps of mechanically mixing a portion of composted agricultural waste consisting essentially of plant by-products, with a portion of bio-solid waste consisting essentially of sludge from waste water treatment, to form an organic compost mixture, and mechanically mixing with the organic compost mixture, a portion of industrial waste consisting essentially of calcium sulfate and phosphorous to form a final soil enhancing mixture, wherein a gelatinous, nutrient-containing substance is formed within the soil enhancing mixture by the interaction of the composted agricultural waste and the industrial waste. Alternatively, the agricultural waste can be used alone with the industrial waste. Either the agricultural waste, the bio-solids or the industrial waste may be acidic or alkaline, as long as the final soil enhancing mixture has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5.

Abstract: Plant growth stimulants containing compounds which increase intracellular carbon dioxide as the main active component and optionally supplemented with specific nutrients have been found to enhance productivity of plants. Exemplary compounds include lower alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol, and amino acids, such as glycine, glutamate, and aspartate. Such growth stimulation appears to result, in part, from inhibition of stress induced photorespiration according to a previously unrecognized photosynthetic pathway. Exposure of the plants to sunlight or other sufficient illumination following treatment with the compositions results in enhanced fixation of carbon dioxide and turgor. Stimulant compositions may comprise from 5% to 50% by volume aqueous solutions of methanol or 0.1% to 10% by weight amino acids and are preferably applied by foliar spraying of plants and plant shoots.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of porcine excrement, to transform it into fertilizer. To a liquid solution of porcine excrement, a solution of phosphorus pentoxide and potassium oxide is added in suitable proportions to obtain in the final product the desired ratio between nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and as a function of the nature of the soil and of the type of application, after which the obtained solution is mixed with a product adapted to retain water, having the desired shape of the final product, so as to obtain a shaped and conditioned fertilizer, which is subjected to a drying treatment. Preferably, the water-retentive product is in the form of granules of polyacrylamide, which swell in water to a number of times their size when dry. The granules absorb the liquid very quickly but release it only slowly, so that they can swell and dry over and over and so have a long effective life.

Abstract: A process for reducing solid waste includes the steps of (1) preparing the waste for shredding; (2) shredding the waste; (3) preparing the waste for anaerobic decomposition; (4) decomposing the waste anaerobically; (5) preparing the waste for aerobic decomposition; (6) decomposing the waste aerobically; (7) separating the inorganic waste from the organic waste; (8) reducing the plastic with solvents; and (9) reducing the metal with acids. The apparatus used in carrying out the above steps comprise a cylindrical container having front and rear end caps, seal bearings and support plates with central openings for waste to flow through is driven by a motor and directional vanes inside the container provide mixing and steer the waste. Fluid and gas are made to flow through a front support plate and seal bearing as the container rotates. Directional vanes rotationally journaled in the wall of the cylindrical container regulate the flow of waste through the chamber.

Abstract: A process for the removal of oxides or hydrated oxides of carbon or sulfur from an acid waste gas stream in which a bed of moist particulated solid waste material is formed, the bed particles are coated with alkaline earth oxides or alkaline earth carbonates and a catalyst to promote the reaction of the oxides or hydrated oxides of carbon or sulfur with the alkaline earth oxides or alkaline earth carbonates in the presence of the moisture and in which the bed is contacted with the waste gas stream whereby the oxides or hydrated oxides or carbon or sulfur react with the alkaline earth oxides or alkaline earth carbonates in the presence of the moisture and are absorbed on the bed particles. The bed particles resulting from the process may be used as agricultural soil amendments alone or in combination with fertilizers and the like.

Abstract: Compositions for and method of degrading organic chemicals in soil. The composition is a nutrient medium serving as a substrate for micro-organisms in the soil, preferably containing a major proportion of a source of carbon skeleton and energy, a macronutrient component preferably including nitrogen and other macronutrients, and a micronutrient component, preferably also a complexing agent and a vitamin/co-factor component. This nutrient material is added to soil, e.g. soil contaminated by a pesticide, to cause proliferation of micro-organisms which are effective, or which develop effectiveness to degrade the organic chemicals. Preferably the micro-organisms are those naturally present in the soil but useful micro-organisms may be added with the nutrient medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a caking inhibitor for mono-and diammonium phosphates which is water soluble and effective at small concentrations rendering the phosphates acceptable in most utilities without separation of the inhibitor. The inhibitor is sodium sulfate. Effective amounts of this salt range from about 0.5 percent to about 1 percent by weight in the ammonium phosphates. It is particularly advantageous that this salt is useful in both types of ammonium phosphates.

Abstract: Controlled release fertilizer compositions which release fertilizer at a controlled rate over an extended period of time are employed in aquaculture treatment methods whereby nutrients are efficiently and effectively released into closed aquatic ecosystems such as ponds, lakes, watersheds and other aqueous environments over a period of time in order to enhance the growth of phytoplanktonic algae populations in the water and to thereby promote marine life populations.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material and a nitrogenous material are mixed in combination with activated carbon ash and perlite fines. The activated carbon and perlite fines serve to limit the loss of ammonia nitrates as well as to lock nitrogen in the biomass and to limit fly larva and odors. The nitrogenous material comprises fish scrap and the carbonaceous material may include wood sawdust, wood pulp or agricultural by-products. All of the ingredients of the product may comprise industrial waste products. The process is conducive to forming large batches of the process comprising depositing an elongated windrow on the ground and making a full length groove in the top surface. The activated carbon and perlite dust are then layered in the groove and the nitrogenous material deposited on the activated carbon and perlite dust. The ingredients are mixed under selected moisture and temperature conditions to form the end product.

Abstract: A disposable fermenter that may be used in the place of a more expensive jar fermenter giving the same performance in a temperature controlled room in place of a sterilized room, with the advantage of not being made of glass which breaks and which may be transported as is, by just sealing the bag.A flat tube made of plastic film is inserted into the bottom of the bag with the tube sealed to the bag, leaving an opening through the tube so the opening may not be closed. Once the addition of liquid, semi fluid or solid media is made, the breather is set and the bag opening is sealed, the bag is sterilized before or after the bag opening is sealed and the aeration is done through the flat tube.

Abstract: A method is provided wherein wood-wastes in the form of stumps, limbs, branches, whole trees and the like are formed in a loose pile on a substantially flat site as a filled landfill or abandoned surface mine. The file is allowed to disintegrate until portions are of a crumbly texture at which stage large whole pieces in the pile are separated from the crumbly texture material which then becomes a useful wood-waste product and groundcover at the site at which the separation takes place. Deep-rooted plants are permitted to grow on the pile accelerate the disintegration.

Abstract: A low-labor method of treating wood-containing or other cellulosic wastes to form a plant growth product. The wastes are formed into mounds containing soil or sand. Plants are allowed to grow on top of the mounds. When the wood becomes crumbly, the wastes are screened to form the product.

Abstract: A method of continuous composting is carried out in a train of composting trays in an elongate enclosed tunnel. Garbage is deposited into the composting tunnel via a blending trough in which blending augers blend the garbage. The trough then tilts to empty the garbage into an inlet in the top surface of the tunnel to fill an upstream one of the trays. A ram shunts the trays stepwise through the tunnel. The tracks may be U-channels, the webs of which are connected to tunnel sidewalls. The trays rest on one of the legs of the U and the other leg of the U extends over the edge of the tray to protect it from being fouled by garbage. During passage of the trays through the tunnel, the garbage may be mixed by mixers for loosening and aeration of the garbage. Such mixing may have directional components in both longitudinal and transverse directions of the tunnel. Water may be added immediately downstream of the mixing for the purpose of optimizing composting conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compression molded tablet fertilizer, possessing an ability to release slowly the active ingredients thereof suited to horticulture and afforestation, excelling in moldability, and revealing only sparing inconstancy of distribution of fertilizer components.The compression molded fertilizer comprises particulate fertilizer ingredients and 0.01 to 8% by weight of inorganic salt of lignin sulfonic acid and 0.01 to 0.8% by weight of inorganic salt of stearic acid both based on the amount of the particulate fertilizer ingredients. A method for the production of the compression molded tablet fertilizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plant growth-enhancing composition comprising a microbial fermentation lysate is described. Also described is an enhanced urea fertilizer comprising the microbial lysate combined with urea or a urea-containing fertilizer. The combination provides a reduced rate of ammonia release by inhibiting urease activity.

Abstract: Composition for and method of stimulating growth of plants, e.g. increase in crop production. The composition comprises a carbon skeleton/energy component, typically a sugar or mixture of sugars; a macronutrient component providing the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, preferably also magnesium and sulfur; a micronutrient component providing zinc, iron and manganese, preferably also copper, boron, molybdenum and cobalt. The composition also preferably contains a vitamin/cofactor component and an enhancement component. The composition may be in the form of an aqueous solution or in a form suitable for coating seeds or coating pollen. It may be applied as a foliar spray, as a soil amendment, as a root dip or as an injectable solution. Preferably where, for example, it is used as a foliar spray it is applied at intervals at different stages of growth.

Abstract: A machine system and process for producing attrition resistant, controlled release fertilizer is described. In the process, a prewet solution is used to initially coat the plant nutrient to be coated followed by the separate application of the individual components used in the coating. The machine system provides an improved means for uniformly applying a single layer or multiple layers of polymer coatings to the plant nutrient.

Abstract: A method of treating biomass material e.g. straw, comprises heating the biomass material to a treatment temperature below a temperature at which the material would undergo combustion, washing the biomass material, and partially redrying the washed material thereby to produce a material which may be used as a substitute for peat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition, comprising a carbon nanostructure having a palladium crystallite encapsulated therein; and more particularly, to worm-like carbon nanostructures attached to a carbon cluster, the worm-like nanostructures being comprised of a plurality of connecting sections of carbon tubes terminating in an end portion which encapsulates a palladium crystallite within its internal cavity.