Abstract: A continuous process for the non-destructive recovery of natural nitrogenous materials as highly available particulate agricultural nutrients, employing natural materials such as poultry waste, waste water treatment sludge, alfalfa meal, hatchery waste, feathermeal, corn gluten meal and bloodmeal in a fluid bed reactor-granulator where basic natural materials are acidified to pHs of 3.0 to 6.5 and formed into hardened particulates during a retention time between 4 and 20 minutes at a temperature between 70.degree. and 120.degree. C. and discharged free of caramelization before nitrogen losses from decomposition amounts to 0.5 percent of the natural nitrogenous materials. The continuous process provides a new natural nitrogenous particulate agricultural nutrient composition free of caramelization.

Abstract: A two step method of preparing fire retardant thermoplastic polymer granules from fire retarding agents and thermoplastic polymers in a stationary granulating cylinder containing mixing elements mounted to a central rotating shaft which fluidizes and throws contained materials toward the center of the cylinder, forcing axial and radial flows simultaneously on the materials thereby forming granules. In the first step, a fire retarding agent is mixed with a fluid thermoplastic polymer at a temperature exceeding the solidification point of the polymer until a homogeneous mixture is formed. In the second stage, the mixture is solidified by cooling while the granulating cylinder continues to operate until the fire retardant agent is bound together in homogeneous granular form by a matrix of solid thermoplastic polymer. Suitable fire retarding agents include alumina, phosphates, borates, melamine, melamine cyanurate, metal cyanurates, and halogenated phenols.

Abstract: A method of preparing fire retardant concentrates wherein a base soluble cyanurate is dissolved in base and mixed with a fluid thermoplastic polymer. An amino-s-triazine is then reacted in-situ with the solubulized cyanurate to precipitate very fine insoluble cyanurate-amino-s-triazine adduct evenly distributed in the polymer. The mixture is cooled below its solidification point, binding the film particles of the insoluble adduct together by a matrix of solid thermoplastic polymer. The solidified matrix bound adduct is comminuted to form particulate thermoplastic fire retardant concentrate. The fluid thermplastic polymer may be a melt or an aqueous dispersion of a stable polymer such as nylon, polyolefin, polycarbonate, polyester, polystyrene, and polybutadiene. The particulate granules may contain concentrations as high as 65 to 95 percent of the adducts produced from soluble cyanurates such as sodium isocyanurate, and base solubulized isocyanuric acid and chlorocyanuric acid.

Abstract: A storage-stable dispersion providing melamine in the form of a concentrated liquid for effective use as an end product or as an ingredient for conversion into other products. The dispersion contains melamine particles finer than about 50 microns in diameter, admixed with a chemically inert suspending liquid, having a specific gravity between 0.9 and 1.3 grams per milliliter, containing between 0.03 and 0.20 percent of a chemically inert thickening agent, which interacts physically with the suspending liquid to increase viscosity to between 250 and 3000 centipoise, thereby substantially maintaining the melamine particles in a stable dispersion and preventing their settling. The dispersion composition is an effective form of melamine for accurate dispensing as an agricultural, pulp and paper, or fire-retardant ingredient. Effective thickening agents include xanthan gums, carrageenans, polyacrylamide, chemically treated cellulose, and clays.

Abstract: A stepwise method of recovering high integrity particulate feed supplement fats free of live pathogens and malodors from abatoir sludge containing substantial fat components in a vacuum evaporating granulator. The method comprises: primary comminuting aqueous abatoir sludge with strong base until a fluid suspension of finely divided particles is formed; evaporatively heating the suspension until the dry matter amounts to more than 70 percent and the strong base has reacted with the fat component and coagulated the fluid suspension to form soft homogeneous solid agglomerates; secondary comminuting the agglomerates with high speed blades until particles are formed with diameters smaller than 5 millimeters; and setting the particles by heating under vacuum until the particles harden, exhibit no malodors, and are free of live pathogens. A chemical agent such as phosphoric acid or uncondensed urea-formaldehyde concentrate may be additively reacted with the abatoir sludge to ameliorate odors and pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of using non-resinous melamine to safen urea formaldehyde-wood composites and the product produced thereby. The method involves incorporation of non-resinous melamine into a urea formaldehyde-wood composite in a manner which leaves most of the melamine free to serve as a flame retardant and formaldehyde scavenger. The non-resinous melamine is incorporated into the urea formaldehyde-wood composite prior to curing the urea formaldehyde resin.

Abstract: A method of preparing high integrity natural nitrogenous granules for agriculture by heating natural nitrogenous materials under alkaline conditions until the materials develop adhesive properties, forming the materials into granules by mechanical means, and heating the natural nitrogenous granules until they harden; and the compositions formed by this method. The granules for agriculture include natural fertilizers, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and natural animal feed protein supplements. The method also provides natural based plant food and animal feed supplement granules containing natural or synthetic additive substances which are useful in agriculture. The natural materials used in the method include poultry waste, poultry feather meal, hair meal, seafood meal, blood meal, bone meal, soybean meal, food waste, and grain by-products.

Abstract: A method of preparing high integrity natural nitrogenous granules for agriculture by heating natural nitrogenous materials under alkaline conditions until the materials develop adhesive properties, forming the materials into granules by mechanical means, and heating the natural nitrogenous granules until they harden; and the compositions formed by this method. The granules for agriculture include natural fertilizers, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and natural animal feed protein supplements. The method also provides natural based plant food and animal feed supplement granules containing natural or synthetic additive substances which are useful in agriculture. The natural materials used in the method include poultry waste, poultry feather meal, hair meal, seafood meal, blood meal, bone meal, soybean meal, food waste, and grain by-products.

Abstract: A stepwise method of preparing homogeneous mineral granules for agriculture by coreaction of commodity acids and bases which have properties to chemically form a transient fluid adhesive which will harden to form a strong granule binding cement. Water may be added to improve the effectiveness of the adhesive. The transient fluid adhesive is comminuted by mechanically shearing, then particulate mineral solids are admixed mechanically to form a mass of plastic globules which is rolled to form spheroid granules and the fluid adhesive hardens to form the hardened binding cement. The method provides substantially dust-free and attrition resistant animal feed supplement, and plant food fertilizer and micronutrient granules. The commodity acids and bases include aqueous and anhydrous mineral and alkyl carboxylic acids and alkali and alkaline earth bases.

Abstract: A method of preparing high integrity natural nitrogenous granules for agriculture by heating natural nitrogenous materials under alkaline conditions until the materials develop adhesive properties, forming the materials into granules by mechanical means, and heating the natural nitrogenous granules until they harden; and the compositions formed by this method. The granules for agriculture include natural fertilizers, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and natural animal feed protein supplements. The method also provides natural based plant food and animal feed supplement granules containing natural or synthetic additive substances which are useful in agriculture. The natural materials used in the method include poultry waste, poultry feather meal, hair meal, seafood meal, blood meal, bone meal, soybean meal, food waste, and grain by-products.

Abstract: A one-step method of preparing coated particulate plant nutrients wherein a polyfunctional coupling agent is applied to a mobile mass of plant nutrient particles containing functional groups which are chemically reactive with the functional groups of the coupling agent, while simultaneously applying a second reactive material containing functional groups also reactive with the functional groups of the coupling agent, maintaining the mobile mass at a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 300.degree. C. until a strong, water-insoluble particle. The product of the one-step method is a controlled-release plant nutrient having excellent attrition resistance.

Abstract: An attrition-resistant, controlled release fertilizer comprising a water-soluble central mass containing nucleophilic reactive functional groups surrounded and chemically bonded to a base coating formed by reacting a molecular excess of a coupling agent with the nucleophilic groups of the central particles, and a water-insoluble layer, surrounding and chemically bonded with the base coating, formed by the reaction and polymerization of the excess functional groups of the coupling agent used in forming the base coating is described. A preparation method is provided.

Abstract: A two stage method for preparing clear, storage stable, controlled release polymethylene urea nitrogen fertilizer solution. In the first stage, urea is reacted with a molar excess of formaldehyde, with temperatures of 75.degree. to 100.degree. C., at near-neutral pHs provided by buffers such as sodium bicarbonate, in the presence of ammonium compounds, until the formaldehyde is substantially converted to methylene moeities. In the second stage, the methylene moeities are reacted with additional urea and ammonium compounds, with temperatures of 75.degree. to 100.degree. C., in a near-neutral buffered solution at a pH of between 6.9 and 8.5, until the added urea is substantially converted to water soluble branched chain polymethylene ureas. Optimum urea to formaldehyde mol ratio in the first stage is between 0.483 and 0.518 to 1 and in the second stage optimum ratio is between 1.3 and 1.5 mols urea per mol of formaldehyde.

Abstract: An attrition resistant controlled release fertilizer comprising: NH.sub.2 -containing water soluble central particles such as urea, surrounded and chemically bonded with a base coating, consisting of substituted ureas, formed by reacting a molecular excess of polyfunctional isocyanate with the NH.sub.2 groups of the central particles, and a water insoluble layer, surrounding and chemically bonded with the base coating, formed by the reaction and polymerization of the excess isocyanate with anhydrous organic polyols. If desired, 1 to 10 water insoluble coatings may surround the sealing layer. The base coating's substituted ureas may be effectively formed with diphenylmethane diisocyanate and the sealing layer, with polyethyleneterephthalate polyester polyols containing triethanolamine or melamine catalyst. Central particles effectively coated include: urea, biuret, ureaform, guanidine, melamine, and ammonium salts. A preparation method is provided.

Abstract: Storage stable liquid plant food compositions are provided exhibiting low saltout temperatures, high nitrogen concentrations, and reduced nitrogen release rates, comprising urea, uncondensed methylolurea, and water, present in particular proportions.

Abstract: A method for producing storage stable ureaform dispersion fertilizers by: reaction of urea and monomethylolurea in aqueous solution at a pH between 3.0 and 4.5 with a temperature between 25.degree. and 75.degree. C. until between 15 and 40 percent of the total nitrogen has been converted to form a dispersion of finely divided water insoluble ureaform particles; neutralizing; and admixing a water-insoluble, film-forming oil until the dispersed ureaform particles are coated with sufficient oil to prevent contact between the ureaform particles and the aqueous solution. The water insoluble, film-forming oils found effective include fatty acids, fatty acid esters, castor oil, castor oil esters, alkoxylated castor oils, and alkoxylated alkyl phenols. The amount of film-forming oil required to coat the ureaform particles is between 0.1 and 1.0 percent of the aqueous ureaform dispersion. To prevent settling of the coated ureaform particles a xanthan gum, or iota carrageenan thickener is added.

Abstract: A method of preserving fodder masses for animal feeding by applying an acid catalyzed coating liquid to the surfaces of the fodder masses. The coating liquid comprises a thermosetting monomer and a nutritive cross-linking agent, which is catalytically polymerized and cross-linked by a mineral acid to form a water insoluble solid barrier to the penetration of moisture, air, and other elements which can cause degradation of stored fodder. Suitable thermosetting monomers include: urea-formaldehyde resins, furfuryl alcohol, and their mixtures. Liquid carbohydrates derived from vegetable sources, particularly molasses, starch, and fermentation by-products, are effective cross-linking agents. Mineral acids found to be effective for the polymerization and cross-linking include: phosphoric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric acids.

Abstract: A method of converting sewage sludge solids into dense controlled release, attrition resistant fertilizer agglomerates is disclosed. The method is carried out by forming a fertilizer premix from dry sewage sludge solids and uncondensed liquid ureaform. Acidic material, preferably phosphoric acid, is distributed throughout the premix to bring the pH to between 4 and 6, and the premix is heated for 5 to 60 minutes to 120.degree. C. The heated premix is compressed between solid surfaces at pressures between 500 and 10,000 pounds per square inch to form agglomerates.The method is preferably carried out on a continuous basis using a heated blender and conveyor for blending and heating the fertilizer premix containing the sewage sludge solids, liquid ureaform, and phosphoric acid. Continuous compacting rollers are used to convert the premix to fertilizer agglomerates which may be readily broken up and screened to any desired fertilizer particle size range.

Abstract: An improved method of producing silage for use as ruminant feed, whereby green fodders are ensiled with about 1 percent of an additive containing methylolurea and methylenediurea in a weight ratio between 1 and 20 to 1, sufficient free urea to prevent reversion to free formaldehyde, a buffering agent to maintain pH, and water. The method preserves contained natural protein, substantially prevents growth of mold, and increases crude protein content, palatability, and feed efficacy. Operative feature of the method is the discovery that a methylolureamethylenediurea-urea solution may be reacted to a point where it will not sterilize the bacteria needed to ferment contained sugars to carboxylic acids, but will protect the silage against mold formation and natural protein degradation. A process for producing the required silage additive from urea, formaldehyde, ammonia, alkali, and water is provided.

Abstract: A clear, storable, aqueous solution of partially condensed urea and formaldehyde substantially free of formic acid supplies non-burning and slow-releasing plant food nitrogen when applied directly to the foliage of living grasses, and agricultural and ornamental plants or to soils having neutral or acid surfaces. The substantially ammonia free solution has a pH between 7.5 and 9.8 and contains added buffering agents so that between 0.05 and 0.30 milliequivalents of phosphoric acid are required to reduce pH of one gram to 7.0; and is prepared by the partial condensation of from 1.5 to 2.0 mols urea with 1.0 mol formaldehyde for 20 to 300 minutes at temperatures between 75.degree. and 90.degree. C. with between 0.05 and 0.3 milliequivalents of alkali hydroxide per gram of solution as catalyst.