From Sewage Or Night Soil Patents (Class 71/12)
  • Patent number: 11773325
    Abstract: A method of incorporating a peroxide source that produces reactive oxygen species and optionally also incorporating steam with the peroxide source (or other source of heat), into soil as a method of soil remediation, i.e., to destroy or remove chemical contaminants that pose a threat to plant or animal life. The invention also relates to the use of the peroxide source along with optional steam (or other heat source) or hot vaporized peroxide solution to treat soils, in particular those intended for agriculture, as a pesticide for controlling nematodes, pathogenic fungi, insect pests and bacteria. The peroxide source may be applied to the soil using soil cultivation equipment to increase contact between the peroxide source and the soil to be treated. The peroxide source and/or steam or other source of heat or hot vaporized peroxide solution can also be applied with injection wells or infiltration galleries, for instance, for the pesticide use and soil remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Arkema Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Guy Becker
  • Patent number: 10766801
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the treatment of animal waste are disclosed, together with a treated animal waste and fertilizer and growth media products derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: EnviroKure Incorporated
    Inventor: William Blaine
  • Patent number: 10519373
    Abstract: A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Profile Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kevin Scott Spittle, Gary Lane Bowers
  • Patent number: 10450202
    Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for de-toxifing and de-scaling source water. In some embodiments, source water will be mixed with either an aluminum source or an iron source to separate endotoxins from acidic proteins and convert the naturally present bicarbonate in source water to carbon dioxide. Endotoxins and carbon dioxide will then be removed from source water by a stage of hydrophobic membranes to produce de-toxified and de-carbonated source water. Magnesium hydroxide will be mixed with the de-toxified and de-carbonated source water to form precipitates comprising foulants and sulfate. A recoverable and reusable amine solvent will also be used to induce efficient precipitation. Possible reuse applications for the treated source water by the inventive methods that minimize excessive uses of potable water may include hydro-fracturing of shale and sand formations and heavy oil recovery by steam injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventor: Mansour S. Bader
  • Patent number: 10087115
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of processing organic waste, in particular it relates to a method for making fertilizer from organic waste, especially slow release fertilizer. The present invention also relates to fertilizers made by the method of the invention, especially slow release fertilizer. The method of processing organic waste to provide a slow-release fertilizer may comprise at least one hydrolysis step to provide hydrolyzed organic waste and a setting step to provide a slow release fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Elemental Digital Limited
    Inventor: Bruce William Palmer
  • Patent number: 9212075
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of retreating a viscous semi-solid dewatered sludge having a water content of 70-85%, which is characterized by comprising the steps of: (1) adding a desiccant into said dewatered sludge, and stirring the resulting mixture to produce a mixed sludge having a water content of 50-60%; and (2) drying the mixed sludge to produce a dried granular sludge, which has a water content of 45% or less. The method of retreating the sludge of the present invention can decrease the treatment energy consumption, have a simple dry waste gas treatment, greatly reduce the cost for treating the sludge, accomplish the clean production and the sludge's innocuity, stabilization, minimization, and recycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Guangzhou New Extend Rising Environmental Protection Technologies Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huansheng Zhong, Zhimin Sun, Jiacong Wu, Jiayu Chen
  • Patent number: 9194049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of nitrogen-rich effluent and production of struvite comprising introducing the effluent in an electrolytic system and performing a first electrolytic treatment to the effluent in a first electrolytic reactor in order to organic matter that impact on nucleation of struvite, followed by a second electrolytic treatment in a second electrolytic reactor, thereby injecting Mg ions which react with NH4+ and orthophosphates from the effluent to form a struvite precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: E2Metrix Inc.
    Inventor: Abderrazak Berrak
  • Patent number: 9115035
    Abstract: An organic fertilizer and method for making the same. The organic fertilizer comprises a slow release nitrogen source, a nitrogen source, a phosphorous source, a potassium source, a chelator, and a binder. The fertilizer is made by mixing the dry ingredients with water to form a wet mixture. Thereafter the wet mixture is extruded through an extruder and cut to form a pellet. The pelletized fertilizer allows the fertilizer to be more accurately applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: STET ACQUISITION, INC.
    Inventor: Rod Bradbury
  • Patent number: 9034070
    Abstract: A method and system for treatment of biological wastes for preparation of fertilizers is provided. The method and system involves mixing a biological waste with a dilute sulfuric acid in a predetermined ratio. The mixture of the biological waste and the dilute sulfuric acid is then filtered to obtain an organic slurry and an acidic liquid. Thereafter, the organic slurry is thermally cracked at an elevated temperature to obtain at least one of an ammonia gas, one or more flue gases, and char and ash. The method and system further involves utilizing the ammonia gas, the char and ash, and the acidic liquid for preparation of the fertilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KACST)
    Inventors: Mazen Abdullah Ba-Abbad, Ali Abdullah A Aljaloud, Ahmed Mohammed Alabdulkader
  • Patent number: 9028580
    Abstract: Methods are provided for processing municipal human waste such that the processed material is is greater than 99% free of pathogenic organisms. The processed material can be used as an organic fertilizer or a “Class A” organic fertilizer. The methods include reducing the moisture content of human sludge free of polymeric flocculant to less than about 30% moisture and processing the sludge through an extruder under conditions having a minimum temperature of about 140° C., a residence time of about 30 seconds, and an atmospheric pressure differential of about 40 atmospheres. The methods are economical and have numerous advantages including reduced use of fossil fuel, fast processing time, and production of an odor free organic fertilizer free of many land use restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: William L. Andrews
  • Patent number: 9011701
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for the treatment of liquid material based on organic waste products, in particular sludge from sewage disposal plants and the like, wherein the sludge material is added and mixed with chemicals, in particular sulphuric acid, nitric acid, and/or ammonia, during the vaporization and degasification of liquid from the material to increase the solids content thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Conterra Technology AS
    Inventor: Ove Blomkvist
  • Publication number: 20150101374
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Publication number: 20150096343
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for pre-treating sewage sludge in a sewage treatment works (STW) to facilitate anaerobic digestion. These methods include (a) passing sewage sludge through one or more pre-treatment devices, wherein each pre-treatment device comprises (i) a passage of substantially constant diameter having an inlet in fluid communication with the STW and an outlet; and (ii) a transport fluid nozzle communicating with the passage and adapted to inject high velocity transport fluid into the passage; (b) passing the sewage sludge treated in step (a) to an anaerobic digester; and (c) collecting methane produced in step (b). Other methods are also provided for pre-treating a bio-degradable waste flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Bart Pieper, Michelle Gina Elizabeth Gothard
  • Patent number: 8992654
    Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacture of fertilizer having commercial levels of nitrogen supplemented with organic substances. The process treats organic matter with acid causing hydrolysis of organic polymers after which the mix is injected with nitrogen. The resultant sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for the production of granules. Because the process allows for the controlled addition of acids and ammonia, desired levels of components can be achieved. The process is scalable, odor controlled and safe thereby allowing for the location of biosolid processing facilities in most any location. Further, the fertilizer of the invention provides a dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops. After application to soil, fertilizer of the invention releases an immediate bolus of nitrogen, similar to traditional ammonium sulfate, followed by continued slow release of nitrogen typically over a season.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: VitAg Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Dahms, James P. Carr, Jeffrey C. Burnham, Barry R. Jarrett
  • Patent number: 8968440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fertilizer utilizing the inexpensive waste and by-product materials of biosolids, gypsum, and/or other phosphorus binding agents, such as iron or aluminum chemicals or by-products with elevated levels of iron and aluminum. The combination of biosolids, gypsum and other phosphorus binding agents, such as iron or aluminum chemicals or by-products with elevated levels of iron and aluminum produces a fertilizer that provides for soil nitrogen needs while limiting the availability of phosphorous to minimize environmental pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Phosfix Fertilizer & Soil Amendment LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Toft, Lisa L. Williams, Calvin O. Miller, William K. Blanchet
  • Publication number: 20150027180
    Abstract: Convening dewatered heterogeneous sludge containing organic waste materials into a homogenous extract of carbon and amino acids for fertilizer production by adding sulfuric acid to the sludge; pumping the mixture through a blending mixer to mix the sludge with the sulfuric acid; adding conditioning chemicals to the mixture: pumping the mixture through a shearing mixer to mix the conditioning chemicals into the mixture; and mechanically agitating the mixture to create the homogenous extract. Optionally, the extract is pumped into a pipe reactor for reaction with an acid and a base to form a melt, which is rolled onto fertilizer particles to form accreted granules. The accreted granules are dried to form a granular fertilizer. Also described is an organically-enhanced granular nitrogen-phosphorous-sulfur fertilizer having at least about 0.5% by weight total carbon and amino acids, and accreted granule size greater than or equal to about 1.7 mm. The fertilizer is noncombustible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Roger E. Tuttle, David A. Weber, W. Dennis Moran
  • Patent number: 8940958
    Abstract: Method for the stabilization of contaminants within a material selected from soils, mining tailings and by-products, sludge wastes and industrial wastes, by mixing the material with an alum sludge composition. The composition includes one or more aluminum compound(s) and/or complex(es) together with a reactive carbon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ziltek Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Michael John McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20150020560
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for treating organic-containing sludges and converting such sludges to high value fertilizers containing both inorganic and organic fertilizer components, which creates an inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The invention describes methods to create a thixotropic or paste-like material via the application of mixing energy to the organic sludge followed by an alkaline treatment and a subsequent ammoniation. The invention further describes a method to increase the plant nutrient content in the organic containing product to a level which permits the finished granular fertilizer product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace. Further, the invention reduces odors associated with said organic-containing sludges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffery C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20150000358
    Abstract: In order to render sewage sludge suitable for beneficial purposes, it must be disinfected and stabilized. EDC deactivation is rapidly becoming a desirable result of any sludge or biosolids treatment process. Disclosed herein is a process of treating sewage sludge so as to stabilize the sludge that involves the presence of an iron-containing compound during dewatering of the sludge. Process embodiments described also achieve biosolid samples that have reduced EDC activity, Other embodiments disclosed involve use of a combination of iron salts ferrate and ferric chloride that are added to wastewater sludge in the dewatering step before heat drying. The biosolids resulting from sludge treated with aniron-containing compound are able to resist putrefaction for more than two to three weeks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND
    Inventors: Robert S. REIMERS, Andrew J. ENGLANDE, JR., Norman K. MURRAY, Yue XU
  • Publication number: 20140352378
    Abstract: The invention provides for methods, devices, and systems for pyrolyzing biomass. A pyrolysis unit can be used for the pyrolysis of biomass to form gas, liquid, and solid products. The biomass materials can be selected such that an enhanced biochar is formed after pyrolysis. The biomass can be pyrolyzed under specified conditions such that a selected biochar core is formed. The pyrolysis process can form a stable biochar core that is inert and/or resistant to degradation. The biochar or biochar core can be functionalized to form a functionalized biochar or functionalized biochar core. Functionalization can include post-pyrolysis treatments such as supplementation with microbes or physical transformations including annealing and/or activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: David Shearer, John Gaunt, George Vernon Cordner Peacocke
  • Patent number: 8864868
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for treating organic-containing sludges and converting such sludges to high value fertilizers containing both inorganic and organic fertilizer components, which creates an inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The invention describes methods to create a thixotropic or paste-like material via the application of mixing energy to the organic sludge followed by an alkaline treatment and a subsequent ammoniation. The invention further describes a method to increase the plant nutrient content in the organic containing product to a level which permits the finished granular fertilizer product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace. Further, the invention reduces odors associated with said organic-containing sludges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: VitAg Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8858671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new method for treating domestic waste and the like by the combination of two compositions, one containing lime and the other containing urea, to the combinations, to the products obtained by the method and to uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Michel Mazon
  • Publication number: 20140250962
    Abstract: A system and process for drying biosolids and wherein nutrients and/or minerals are blended into partially dried biosolids. Further, the system and method compresses the mixture of biosolids and nutrients into a selected form and this is followed by completion of the drying process. In the end, a more uniform and higher value dried biosolids product is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: I. Kruger Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Smith, J. Jason Boyd
  • Patent number: 8808419
    Abstract: A method of integration of concentration-dehydration and aerobic air-drying of sewage sludge comprises the following steps: (a) conditioning by an organic agent (3); (b) gravitationally concentrating (5) the residual sludge conditioned by the organic agent; (c) conditioning by inorganic agents (7); (d) mechanically dehydrating (8); (e) crushing and dispersing (10); and (t) aerobically air-drying (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Guangzhou New Extend Rising Environmental Protection Technologies Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huansheng Zhong, Xuewei Wu, Jiacong Wu, Zhimin Sun, Haiying Yang
  • Publication number: 20140223979
    Abstract: A nutrient enriched biosolids fertilizer product including dried granules or pellets of a homogeneous mixture of biosolids and nutrients selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds resulting in a NPK assay of 4 to 15 N-1 to 10 P-4 to 15 K, and a process for producing a fertilizer including the following steps: 1) mixing wet sewage sludge cake with nutrients selected from nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds, in a mixer together with recycled dried granules or pellets of biosolids fertilizer product to form a dryer homogeneous mixture; 2) granulating or pelletizing the dryer homogeneous mixture to result in granules or pellets; 3) drying the granules or pellets of homogeneous mixture to result in dried granules or pellets of the biosolids fertilizer product; and 4) recycling a portion of dried granules or pellets of homogeneous mixture to the mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Terry L. Wiseman, Robert E. Lambalot, JR., Clyde J. Harris, Keith D. Cochran, Timothy G. Holt, Gregory S. Peeden
  • Publication number: 20140216117
    Abstract: The method of reclaiming usable products from sludge is disclosed. A predetermined level of solvent within an extractor is heated, below boiling point, and dried sludge is immersed within the headed solvent. The solvent is a non-polar or polar aprotic solvents, such as ethyl acetate. The non-solid products, an oil/solvent mixture, within the sludge are separated and transferred to at least one evaporator with a concentration of between 5-25% oil in the solvent. The oil and solvent are is separated in one or more evaporators to remove approximately 80%-90%, and preferably 70%-95%, of the solvent. The solids are moved to a desolventizer for removal of the residual solvent and are then dried to a moisture content of below 25%, and preferably between 10 to 15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Nowa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene F. DeShazo, Brian V. Yeh
  • Publication number: 20140202222
    Abstract: A tank or bed has a plurality of sidewalls that create a bed cavity and a Fresnel panel frame that includes at least one Fresnel panel. The Fresnel panel frame may be adjacent to the bed cavity and may cover at least a portion of the bed cavity. An amount of sludge may be contained within the bed cavity. When placed in sunlight, the heat enhanced by the Fresnel panels may heat the sludge sufficiently for the sludge to be used as fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Hammond
  • Publication number: 20140150507
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for treating organic-containing sludges and converting such sludges to high value fertilizers containing both inorganic and organic fertilizer components, which creates an inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The invention describes methods to create a thixotropic or paste-like material via the application of mixing energy to the organic sludge followed by an alkaline treatment and a subsequent ammoniation. The invention further describes a method to increase the plant nutrient content in the organic containing product to a level which permits the finished granular fertilizer product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace. Further, the invention reduces odors associated with said organic-containing sludges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: VitAg Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20140137615
    Abstract: Hydrophobic contaminants are removed from sludge that has been liquidized by violent shearing, by stirring a hydrophobic sorbent substance material into the sludge. After a period of time in which the contaminants are sorbed into the sorbent, the sorbent substance is separated from the sludge by gravity-settling, centrifuging, etc, where the sorbent is a liquid, or by filtration etc where the sorbent is a solid. Some sorbents have a melting point such that the sorbent can be liquid for good dispersal in heated sludge, and then can be solid when the sludge has cooled, whereby the sorbent can be removed e.g by filtration. Liquefaction by violent shearing causes the biosolids in the sludge to go into solution, which leaves the hydrophobic contaminants more available to be sorbed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: LYSTEK INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Owen Patrick WARD, Ajay Singh
  • Publication number: 20140137614
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: VitAg Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Patent number: 8673046
    Abstract: A process for removing phosphorus from solid poultry or animal wastes involving (a) mixing solid poultry or animal wastes with water and acid at a pH lower that about 5.0 and higher than about 3.0 to form (i) a liquid extract that contains suspended solids of about 3.5 g/L and soluble phosphorus and (ii) a washed solid residue (having a N:P ratio of at least more than 4 expressed on an elemental basis), (b) separating the liquid extract from the washed solid residue to form separated liquid extract and separated washed solid residue, (c) mixing the separated liquid extract with an alkaline earth base to a pH of about 8.0 to about 11.0, (d) mixing the liquid extract with a flocculant to form (i) precipitated phosphorus solids with P2O5 content greater than about 10% and (ii) a liquid, and (e) separating the precipitated phosphorus solids from the liquid to form separated phosphorus solids and separated liquid. The process is conducted at a temperature greater than about 5° C. and less than about 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Ariel A. Szogi, Matias B. Vanotti, Patrick G. Hunt
  • Patent number: 8641797
    Abstract: The method of the present disclosure includes providing an organic compost material, combining the organic compost material with a crop to be grown, heating the organic compost material, combining the organic compost material with water, and extracting an aqueous liquid comprising humic acid and fulvic acid. The organic compost material may include straw and manure and the straw and manure may be subjected to several days and/or weeks of aerobic composting. The crop may include a variety of plants, trees, vegetables, fruits and fungi. In one embodiment, the crop may include mushroom spores, mycelia, or mushrooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Black Dirt Organics Patent Management
    Inventors: Don Calvin Van Dyke, Asa Staples Nielson, Bruce Sutton, Dan Davies, Loyal B. Adams
  • Patent number: 8617281
    Abstract: A cellulosic feedstock composition including an oil content of up to 15% of the composition, a cellulose content of 40-99% of the composition, a hemicellulose content of 2-20% of the composition, a lignin content of less than 15% of the composition, a nitrogen containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a protein containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a mineral content of less than 5% of the composition, a sand content of less than 5% of the composition, and a dirt content of less than 25% of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Cleantech, Inc
    Inventors: Refael Aharon, Israel Biran, Ronny Banker
  • Patent number: 8597394
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for treating organic-containing sludges and converting such sludges to high value fertilizers containing both inorganic and organic fertilizer components, which creates an inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The invention describes methods to create a thixotrophic or paste-like material via the application of mixing energy to the organic sludge followed by an alkaline treatment and a subsequent ammoniation. The invention further describes a method to increase the plant nutrient content in the organic containing product to a level which permits the finished granular fertilizer product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace. Further, the invention reduces odors associated with said organic-containing sludges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: VitAg Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8557013
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: VitAG Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Patent number: 8545777
    Abstract: The method of making an acid-absorbing biosolid composition provides a method for the use of recycled materials to produce an acid-absorbing composition that may then be recycled as a fertilizer after absorbing the acid. The method includes the steps of: collecting sewage sludge; drying the sewage sludge to remove water therefrom to form dried sludge; adding hydrochloric acid to the dried sludge to form a liquid intermediary product; heating the liquid intermediary product to produce a dried porous biomass; and mixing inorganic waste material with the dried porous biomass to produce the acid-absorbing biosolid composition. Thereafter, the acid-absorbing biosolid composition may be placed in a gas flow to absorb an acidic component therefrom; and then recycled for use as fertilizer following absorption of the acidic component from the gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Abdullah A. Al-Yateem
  • Publication number: 20130227997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating the liquid part from the suspended matter in a sludge supplied in a continuous flow at a flow rate of QEB=V/hour. The flow is divided into at least two partial flows which are sprayed on top of one another into a sealed chamber of volume v<V/20, simultaneously injecting air therein at a flow rate d, said chamber being kept under overpressure conditions. The suspended matter of the thus treated flow is then left to decant in a collection container, with the cake or solid part falling to the bottom and separating from the liquid part which is continuously discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: OREGE
    Inventors: Patrice Capeau, Michel Lopez, Pascal Gendrot
  • Patent number: 8518428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the antagonistic bacteria for controlling the Fusarium wilt of continuous cropping banana and their microbial organic fertilizer. It belongs to technology of intensive agricultural production. The present invention separates two antagonistic bacteria NJN-6 and NJN-11 and produces the microbial organic fertilizer through inoculating the two said strains into pig manure compost and rapeseed cake compost to conduct solid-state fermentation. The microbial organic fertilizer is characterized in that in the fertilizer, the content of each of the antagonistic bacteria NJN-6 and NJN-11 is above 1×108 cfu/g, total nitrogen is 4˜5% (weight percent), above 90% (weight percent) of the total nitrogen is organic nitrogen, total nitrogen-phosphorus-kalium nutrient is 6˜10% (weight percent) and organic matter is 30˜35% (weight percent).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu New Ground Bio-Fertilizer Engineering Center Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Qirong Shen, Xin He, Qiwei Huang, Xingming Yang, Biao Shen
  • Publication number: 20130213101
    Abstract: The invention provides for methods, devices, and systems for pyrolyzing biomass. A pyrolysis unit can be used for the pyrolysis of biomass to form gas, liquid, and solid products. The biomass materials can be selected such that an enhanced biochar is formed after pyrolysis. The biomass can be pyrolyzed under specified conditions such that a selected biochar core is formed. The pyrolysis process can form a stable biochar core that is inert and/or resistant to degradation. The biochar or biochar core can be functionalized to form a functionalized biochar or functionalized biochar core. Functionalization can include post-pyrolysis treatments such as supplementation with microbes or physical transformations including annealing and/or activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Full Circle Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Full Circle Solutions, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130180299
    Abstract: The invention describes a new method for the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal biosolids or organic sludges that can compete with traditional fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and urea on the commodity fertilizer marketplace. The method creates a thixotropic paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is blended with hot or molten ammonium salts, especially a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate. The invention can be an add-on to commercial production of ammonium salts or it can stand alone by manufacturing ammonium salts prior to their introduction to the conditioned biosolids. The invention is oriented to be tailored to production facilities for individual municipal waste treatment plants in order to keep manufacturing plants small with a minimization of logistics and liability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: VitAg Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8470065
    Abstract: The invention describes a new method for the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal biosolids or organic sludges that can compete with traditional fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and urea on the commodity fertilizer marketplace. The method creates a thixotropic paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is blended with hot or molten ammonium salts, especially a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate. The invention can be an add-on to commercial production of ammonium salts or it can stand alone by manufacturing ammonium salts prior to their introduction to the conditioned biosolids. The invention is oriented to be tailored to production facilities for individual municipal waste treatment plants in order to keep manufacturing plants small with a minimization of logistics and liability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Vitag Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8460426
    Abstract: A method and system for treatment of biological wastes for preparation of fertilizers is provided. The method and system involves mixing a biological waste with a dilute sulfuric acid in a predetermined ratio. The mixture of the biological waste and the dilute sulfuric acid is then filtered to obtain an organic slurry and an acidic liquid. Thereafter, the organic slurry is thermally cracked at an elevated temperature to obtain at least one of an ammonia gas, one or more flue gases, and char and ash. The method and system further involves utilizing the ammonia gas, the char and ash, and the acidic liquid for preparation of the fertilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
    Inventors: Mazen Abdullah Ba-Abbad, Ali Abdullah A Aljaloud, Ahmed Mohammed Alabdulkader
  • Publication number: 20130123103
    Abstract: A particle is provided that includes 5 wt % to 90 wt % of agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof. A binder intermixed with the agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof retains the mixture in the form of a particle. The resultant particle creates a use for existing waste streams while also improving soil quality. A process of stabilizing agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof particles is also provided that includes combining agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof with mineral and/or synthetic chemical fragments having a bulk density of greater than about 40 pounds per cubic foot and a sizing of about 100% passing through a 30 mesh screen and about 50% or more passing through a 200 mesh screen. By adding binder, a particle is formed that is deodorized and/or stabilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Anderson, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Patent number: 8435321
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle for delivery of fertilizer to a plant is disclosed. After delivery wetting of the particles causes particle dispersion so as to prevent secondary pick up to the particles. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20130091913
    Abstract: The method of making an acid-absorbing biosolid composition provides a method for the use of recycled materials to produce an acid-absorbing composition that may then be recycled as a fertilizer after absorbing the acid. The method includes the steps of: collecting sewage sludge; drying the sewage sludge to remove water therefrom to form dried sludge; adding hydrochloric acid to the dried sludge to form a liquid intermediary product; heating the liquid intermediary product to produce a dried porous biomass; and mixing inorganic waste material with the dried porous biomass to produce the acid-absorbing biosolid composition. Thereafter, the acid-absorbing biosolid composition may be placed in a gas flow to absorb an acidic component therefrom; and then recycled for use as fertilizer following absorption of the acidic component from the gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: ABDULLAH A. AL-YATEEM
  • Publication number: 20130091914
    Abstract: The method of making an acid-absorbing biosolid composition provides a method for the use of recycled materials to produce an acid-absorbing composition that may then be recycled as a fertilizer after absorbing the acid. The method includes the steps of: collecting sewage sludge; drying the sewage sludge to remove water therefrom to form dried sludge; adding hydrochloric acid to the dried sludge to form a liquid intermediary product; heating the liquid intermediary product to produce a dried porous biomass; and mixing inorganic waste material with the dried porous biomass to produce the acid-absorbing biosolid composition. Thereafter, the acid-absorbing biosolid composition may be placed in a gas flow to absorb an acidic component therefrom; and then recycled for use as fertilizer following absorption of the acidic component from the gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: ABDULLAH A. AL-YATEEM
  • Publication number: 20130067973
    Abstract: Paunch-sludge from an abattoir is mixed with the fatty DAF-float from an abattoir, and placed in a shearing vessel. The mixture of the two material thickens the medium in which the matted strands are contained, enabling shearing to be more effective; so much so that paunch-sludge can now be sheared to a homogeneous liquid. The technique can be used with other sludges and other fatty waste materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: LYSTEK INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Owen Patrick Ward, Ajay Singh
  • Patent number: 8349184
    Abstract: Sewage sludge is dewatered to a cake-like state. The viscosity of the sludge is lowered by admixing a quantity of urea, urea-ammonium-nitrate, or other nitrogen-containing material, in with the dewatered sludge. The treatment also removes pathogens, and renders the product suitable for use as a fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lystek International Inc.
    Inventors: Owen P. Ward, Ajay Singh
  • Publication number: 20120285211
    Abstract: Fertilizer granules and methods of producing fertilizer granules. The fertilizer granules are formed from a fertilizer composition, such as a phosphate fertilizer, includes a fibrous material for the purpose of increasing the granule strength preventing or reducing attrition or dusting formation during storage, transport, and/or handling of the fertilizer. Dust formation can be reduced fifty percent or more. The base fertilizer composition can include a phosphate fertilizer, such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) or diammonium phosphate (DAP), and optionally one or more micronutrients or secondary nutrients, such as elemental sulfur. The fibrous material is pulp or paper sludge, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Kucera, W. Gregory Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20120272700
    Abstract: Animal waste is processed to form a biomaterial that is employed as a coating layer for typical fertilizer particles. The biomaterial coating layer can be used neat or with additives and serves to do one or more or any combination of the following: (a) impart a slow or controlled release property to the fertilizer, (b) prevent or reduce the tendency of the fertilizer particles to cake together, or (c) prevent or reduce the tendency of the fertilizer particles to create dust. The biomaterial coating layer can also release nutrients when used as part of a fertilizer composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: James E. Nevin