Granulating Patents (Class 71/64.03)
  • Patent number: 11028025
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pelletised mineral product, the method comprising: in a first mixing step, forming a first mixture by mixing the evaporite mineral with non-gelatinised starch under conditions that are insufficient to substantially gelatinise the starch; in a second mixing step, forming a second mixture by mixing the first mixture under conditions that are sufficient to substantially gelatinise the starch comprised within the first mixture; and forming the second mixture into pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: York Potash Ltd
    Inventors: Steve Farnworth, Mike Evans, Jim Evans
  • Patent number: 9174885
    Abstract: A nitrogen fertilizer composition includes urea and a nitrate-based fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and mixtures of ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium in which the urea and total nitrogen are at concentrations of 20 percent by weight or greater and the concentration of ammonium nitrate is at 30 percent or greater by weight. One or both of the urea and nitrate-based fertilizer are coated with an agriculturally compatible material. The fertilizer composition provides significant nitrate nitrogen for legitimate agricultural use yet is not amenable to the production of an explosive by crushing or by aqueous extraction. A pleasant smelling odorant is added to the composition to facilitate detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Darrell Taulbee
  • 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: 8986415
    Abstract: The present media is to be used with a particulate base having particles of a first maximum diameter for growing plants. The media includes granules which are of biodegradable recycled material and have a diameter relative to the first maximum diameter to penetrate further into the particulate base with each watering. The granules include plant nutrients and are of a material which coagulates after watering and adheres to the particulates of the base. The diameter of the granules may be in the range of 1/16 to ? of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hundz Soil LLC
    Inventor: Mofdy Morgan
  • Patent number: 8753416
    Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Specialty Fertilizer Products, LLC
    Inventors: John Larry Sanders, Grigory Mazo, Jacob Mazo
  • Patent number: 8747513
    Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Specialty Fertilizer Products, LLC
    Inventors: John Larry Sanders, Grigory Mazo, Jacob Mazo
  • Patent number: 8747514
    Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Specialty Fertilizer Products, LLC
    Inventors: John Larry Sanders, Grigory Mazo, Jacob Mazo
  • Patent number: 8734560
    Abstract: The present intention relates to an agricultural blend and a method of forming an agricultural blend. The agricultural blend includes a sulfate source and calcium silicate or a by-product of slag, the slag being selected from the group consisting of steel slag, stainless steel slag, alloy steel slag, carbon steel slag, and phosphate slag. The method includes blending a sulfate source and calcium silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Harsco Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Miranda, Douglas W. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 8702834
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for the manufacture of sulphur-containing fertilizer compositions, said process comprising the steps of: a) providing a slurry of at least one phosphate-based fertilizer material selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphates, ammonium phosphate based nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) compounds, super phosphates and partially acidulated phosphate rocks; b} bringing said slurry into contact with at least one surfactant and elemental sulphur; and c) introducing the mixture obtained in step b) into a granulator unit in order to obtain granules of the fertilizer composition, wherein the elemental sulphur is present in an amount in the range of form 1 to 25 wt. %, based on the total weight of the fertilizer composition The present invention also provides a fertilizer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jany Birgitta Maria Antens, Rafael Alberto Garcia Martinez, Reginald Lambert, Jason Trevor O'Brien, Marinus Johannes Reynhout, Guy Lode Magda Maria Verbist, John Woodruffe
  • Patent number: 8685133
    Abstract: A composition includes a first chelating agent, a second chelating agent, and a plurality of metal ions. In one embodiment, the second chelating agent includes citric acid and is different than the first chelating agent. A method for forming a composition includes mixing a first chelating agent, a second chelating agent, and a metal salt together to form a mixture and processing the mixture to form at least one of a granulated composition and a powdered composition. In some embodiments, the second chelating agent includes citric acid and is different than the first chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Scott G. Williams, LLC
    Inventors: Sherman M. Ponder, Fernando Remigio Munoz
  • Patent number: 8679219
    Abstract: A process for preparing an elemental sulphur-containing fertilizer is disclosed. The process uses a dispersion mill, wherein a rotor turns within a slotted stator, to wet mill elemental sulphur in a liquid (preferably an aqueous liquid), thereby providing a dispersion of milled elemental sulphur in the liquid. The dispersion is combined with further components to provide a mixture of elemental sulphur and further components, and the mixture is granulated in a granulator unit to provide granulated elemental sulphur-containing fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Alberto Garcia Martinez, Klaas J Hutter
  • Patent number: 8668759
    Abstract: Process for the manufacture of sulphur-containing fertilizer compositions, comprising the steps of: a} providing a slurry of at least one phosphate-based fertilizer material selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphates, ammonium phosphate based nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) compounds, super phosphates and partially acidulated phosphate rocks; b) bringing said slurry into contact with at least one anionic surfactant and elemental sulphur; c) introducing the mixture obtained in step b} into a granulator unit in order to obtain granules of the fertilizer composition, wherein the at least one phosphate-based fertilizer material is present in an amount in the range of at least 50 wt. %, the elemental sulphur is present in an amount in the range of from 1 to 25 wt. % and the anionic surfactant is present in an amount in the range of from 0.001 to 3 wt. % based on the overall weight of the fertilizer composition. The present invention also provides a fertilizer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jany Birgitta Maria Antens, Sunil Ashtekar, Rafael Alberto Garcia Martinez, Reginald Lambert, Jason Trevor O'Brien, Marinus Johannes Reynhout, Guy Lode Magda Maria Verbist, John Woodruffe
  • Patent number: 8465680
    Abstract: Provided is a method for pelleting spherical fine particle of sodium nitrate, which comprises the following steps: 1) melting industrial sodium nitrate in a salt melting furnace, introducing into a high-level insulation buffer tank, placing in an atomizer located on top of the pelleting tower, atomizing to obtain fog droplets with size of 30 ?m-0.5 mm; 2) introducing freeze-dried high-pressure air into the pelleting tower in a tangent direction from the upper inlet pipe of the tower, so that the sodium nitrate fog droplets obtained in step 1) fall spirally along the wall in the pelleting tower, to obtain sodium nitrate particle; 3) collecting the cooled sodium nitrate particle at the bottom of the tower, and packaging. Sodium nitrate particle with lower water content, higher roundness, and smaller size can be obtained, and continuous production can be realized by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Liangyu Dai, Wangfa Wu
  • Patent number: 8419819
    Abstract: A solid urea fertilizer prepared by mixing a solid, flowable, urea formaldehyde polymer with a urea source, such as molten or solid urea to form a fertilizer that has favorable crush strength characteristics, low biuret content, and/or desirable storage and handling properties. The urea fertilizer may contain additionally, an aqueous urea formaldehyde solution or mixture. Optionally, the fertilizer may contain a urease inhibitor and/or a nitrification inhibitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
    Inventor: Allen R. Sutton
  • Patent number: 8375629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel precision customized control release fertilizers such as seed encapsulation nutrients, liquid formulation treatment for roots of seedlings before transplantation or for soil application or for foliar application and fertilizer granules or tablets for effective enhancement of crop yield. The fertilizer comprises a crop specific enstornized fertilizer and/or a normal fertilizer, an agropolymer made by—reacting an alkaline or hydrogen peroxide with plant material and a transition metal silicate or an amorphous silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bijam Biosciences Private Limited
    Inventor: Durga Yandapalli Prasad
  • Publication number: 20120272702
    Abstract: A process for preparing an elemental sulphur-containing fertilizer is disclosed. The process uses a dispersion mill, wherein a rotor turns within a slotted stator, to wet mill elemental sulphur in a liquid (preferably an aqueous liquid), thereby providing a dispersion of milled elemental sulphur in the liquid. The dispersion is combined with further components to provide a mixture of elemental sulphur and further components, and the mixture is granulated in a granulator unit to provide granulated elemental sulphur-containing fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Rafael Alberto Garcia Martinez, Klaas J Hutter
  • Patent number: 8221515
    Abstract: An agronomic carrier coated with an acidifying agent and a method for preparing same is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wolf Trax Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Goodwin
  • Patent number: 8211200
    Abstract: A controlled release nitrogeneous fertilizer composition system, comprising (a) a tannin selected from the group consisting of purified tannins, purified modified tannins, condensate tannins, and mixtures thereof; (b) a nitrogeneous fertilizer component selected from the group consisting of an ammonia fertilizer, an ammonium fertilizer, a urea fertilizer, a nitrogen containing fertilizer, a natural nitrogen containing organic fertilizer, a nitrogen containing waste product fertilizer, a slow and control release fertilizer, and mixtures thereof; and optionally (c) a carrier. Also disclosed is a method for making such fertilizer composition systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mitanic, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Gres
  • Patent number: 8202342
    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 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Vitag Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8197729
    Abstract: A granulator, having a granulation unit having a bottom floor with a perforated plate as its bottom part; an upper air-supplying pipe for supplying a fluidizing air to the bottom floor of the granulation unit; a lower air-supplying pipe; air-spouting pipes, each of which is branched from the lower air-supplying pipe, and has an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, for jetting the air into the granulation unit; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in the center of an air outlet of the air-spouting pipe, or a granulator, having: the bottom floor; the air-supplying pipe; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid each of which are provided in an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, and use a high-pressure atomizing air as an auxiliary gas, wherein, in each granulator, the spray nozzles are provided in a triangular arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kojima, Takahiro Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 8137431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fertilizer granule comprising both a nitrate and urea as the main nitrogen source. A mineral added during production is an important component in the composition, said mineral stabilizing these otherwise poorly compatible nitrogen compounds. A high nitrogen content is thus attained with ammonium nitrate concentrations falling below maximum limit values set by international legislation and classification, while at the same time the explosion risk particularly associated with the use of ammonium nitrate is avoided. The invention is also directed to a process for the production of the fertilizer granule of the above type, said process resulting in a fertilizer granule with excellent resistance properties and a high nitrogen content, wherein said granule may be coated by methods typical in the art, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Yara Suomi Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Hero, Mikko Lylykangas
  • Patent number: 8105413
    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: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Vitag Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8080687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the granulation of a concentrated urea solution whereas the granulation produces a urea granulate and a dust laden air, which is then fed into a dust scrubber which removes the coarser dust with a less concentrated urea solution and which releases a residual air comprising air with ammonia, carbon dioxide water and an aerosol comprising mainly ammonium isocyanate and a part of very fine urea sublimate, whereas the aerosol is then separated off and fed into a isomerisation unit which comprises a stripping where the ammonium isocyanate reacts with steam to form urea which is then redirected into the dust scrubber as a less concentrated urea solution, and the residual air is directed into an acidic scrubber which releases clean air into the atmosphere which finally leads to a recycling of the aerosol of ammonium isocyanate into urea. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the related process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Uhde Fertilizer Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Paul Niehues, Harald Franzrahe, Matthias Potthoff, Roland Monstrey
  • Patent number: 8062405
    Abstract: A value-added granulated organic fertilizer produced from poultry litter and biosolids using agglomeration techniques with a pin mixer. The granulated organic fertilizer includes granules biosolids, a nitrification inhibitor, such as dicyandiamide, and a binding agent, such as lignosulfonate, urea formaldehyde, or water. The nitrogen concentration of the granulated organic fertilizer is increased by being fortified with urea. The poultry litter and biosolids formulated into the granulated organic fertilizer aid in flowability, storage, and spreading, while value-added plant nutrient ingredients provide an environmentally safer fertilizer than fresh poultry litter, municipal biosolids and/or many commercially available products commonly used in urban and agricultural systems. The binding agents change the fertilizer granule water soluble phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations and reduce fines and dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Reiter, Tommy C. Daniel
  • Patent number: 8057569
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for producing a granular nitrogen fertilizer from an organic material comprising adding a metallic salt to said organic material to form a slurry. Preferably the organic material comprises dewatered biosolids and contains water from a scrubber. Metallic salts that can be used comprise a salt of iron, zinc, or a mixture thereof. Preferred iron salts comprises ferric sulfate or ferric oxide, and preferred zinc salts comprises zinc sulfate or zinc oxide. Preferably, the metallic salt is mixed with an acid such as sulfuric acid to form an acidified metal salt. Slurry pH ranges from approximately 2-2.5. The acidified metal salt is added to the organic material in sufficient quantity to lower viscosity of the slurry such that the resulting fluid does not hinder fluid flow during operation. When the metallic salt comprises acidified ferric sulfate or ferrous sulfate, sufficient iron can be present to produce a fertilizer product with 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Unified Environmental Services Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Gary L. Dahms
  • Patent number: 8025709
    Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Specialty Feritlizer Products, LLC
    Inventors: John Larry Sanders, Grigory Mazo, Jacob Mazo
  • Patent number: 8016907
    Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Specialty Fertilizer Products, LLC
    Inventors: John Larry Sanders, Grigory Mazo, Jacob Mazo
  • Patent number: 7947105
    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: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Vitag Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 7931728
    Abstract: A fertilizer granule contains, as a binder, at least one organic polymer. The organic polymer is a hydrosoluble polymer that is at least partially cationic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: SNF S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jacques Brosse, Stephane Delheur, Eric Philibert
  • Patent number: 7882646
    Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: EarthRenew, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian N. Gorbell, Christianne Carin, legal representative, Alvin W. Fedkenheuer, John S. Jonasson, Alexander Starosud
  • Patent number: 7862642
    Abstract: An improved granular-type urea fertilizer having an extended or slow release nitrogen component in which a non-thermosetting urea-formaldehyde resin concentrate is used to provide the granular fertilizer with an extended-release nitrogen component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
    Inventor: James C. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7824565
    Abstract: Colorfast urea composition having reduced compressibility, cake formation and tendency of re-crystallization of the urea granulate, wherein the granulate further contains at least two different biodegradable polymers, of which at least one polymer is preferably a polyalkenyl amine compound. The other polymer is preferably polyaspartic acid or polyvinyl alcohol. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of such a urea composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Ruud van Belzen, Luc Vanmarcke, Erik Bijpost, John van der Hoeven
  • Patent number: 7789931
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for producing a granular nitrogen fertilizer from an organic material comprising adding a metallic salt to said organic material to form a slurry. Preferably the organic material comprises dewatered biosolids and contains water from a scrubber. Metallic salts that can be used comprise a salt of iron, zinc, or a mixture thereof. Preferred iron salts comprises ferric sulfate or ferric oxide, and preferred zinc salts comprises zinc sulfate or zinc oxide. Preferably, the metallic salt is mixed with an acid such as sulfuric acid to form an acidified metal salt. Slurry pH ranges from approximately 2-2.5. The acidified metal salt is added to the organic material in sufficient quantity to lower viscosity of the slurry such that the resulting fluid does not hinder fluid flow during operation. When the metallic salt comprises acidified ferric sulfate or ferrous sulfate, sufficient iron can be present to produce a fertilizer product with 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Unity Envirotech LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Gary L. Dahms
  • Patent number: 7753985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fertilizing agent containing urea, by means of synthesis step, an evaporation process, and a granulation unit. According to said method, a self-regulating centrifugal pump is used to reduce the dwell time and to optimize the positioning of the components of the method for transporting the product flow of the evaporation process to the granulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Eugen Leopold
  • Patent number: 7700012
    Abstract: Process for the production of urea-comprising particles, wherein the urea-comprising particles are produced in a pelletizer, comprising a feeding device, a belt and a device to remove the formed pellets from the belt, by feeding a urea-comprising liquid to the feeding device from which droplets of the urea-comprising liquid are dosed to the belt, whereon the urea-comprising droplets solidify and cool to a temperature of ?55° C., whereafter the formed urea-comprising particles are removed from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Wiebe J. W. Van Der Werf, Marc Jozeph M. J. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 7691169
    Abstract: Soil dispersible and water dispersible granular nutrients for use in fertilizers include granules having a crystallized saccharide and acid binder with carboxylates (sucrates) of a nutrient embedded therein and a method of preparing the nutrient containing granules is provided. A reducible nutrient compound and citric acid is converted to a nutrient carboxylate (sucrate) and chelate by reacting the reducible nutrient and citric acid with a sprayed stream of a stoichiometric excess of reducing saccharides (sugar cane molasses) containing at least 76% by weight solids and glacial acetic acid at a temperature of 160° to 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Paul E. McCoy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7662205
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for modifying the process of producing dried biosolids pellets or granules into beneficiated inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The present invention describes a method to beneficiate heat-dried biosolids or sludge pellets or granules as presently manufactured by municipalities or companies from a) dewatered municipal wastewater biosolids or sludges within the municipal wastewater treatment plant heat-dried biosolids production facility or from b) finished dry heat dried biosolids pellets or granules in a separate manufacturing facility from the municipal wastewater treatment plant to produce a fertilizer containing sufficient organic and inorganic plant nutrients to be valuable and saleable into the commercial agricultural industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Vitag Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20090181849
    Abstract: The present inventions generally relate to compositions and methods for providing agricultural chemicals comprising active ingredients (A.I.s) combined with a top dressing for application to cultivated areas of turfgrass. Specifically, the compositions are in the form of dry formulations for providing pre-blend concentrates and blends of top dressings comprising active ingredients. Further, the inventions relate to compositions and methods for delivering active ingredients simultaneously with a top dressing composition to golf course turf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: A. Ronald Detweiler, Nancy M. Dykema, Joseph M. Vargas, JR., Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20090151229
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for processing biomass for the production of biofuels, wherein carbon dioxide (CO2) produced as a by-product of such processing is reacted with ammonia (NH3) to produce urea (NH2)2CO, a common agricultural fertilizer. In some such embodiments, the urea so produced can be used as fertilizer for biomass production, such biomass ultimately being channeled back into the systems/methods for conversion to biofuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry M. Rovner
  • Patent number: 7534281
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g. sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross reactor or tubular to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles in a to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g. a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater NPK value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material). The process further includes drawing off the fumes from the granulator, passing them through a dryer with the granulated particles, and subsequently oxidizing the fumes to eliminate volatile organic compounds and/or gaseous hydrocarbon pollutants be converting such into carbon dioxide and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Environmental Technologies Capital Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Dahms, Gary D. Greer
  • Publication number: 20090071213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of sulphur-containing fertilizers comprising the steps of: (a) mixing ammonia, phosphoric acid and water in a reactor unit to obtain an ammonium phosphate mixture; (b) introducing the mixture obtained in step (a) into a granulator unit to obtain granules, wherein a liquid phase comprising elemental sulphur is brought into contact with ammonia, phosphoric acid and water in the reactor unit in step (a) or is introduced in the granulator unit in step (b). The invention further relates to sulphur-containing ammonium phosphate fertilizers, to the use of these sulphur-containing fertilizers to promote the growth of agricultural products and to the agricultural products thus-obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth William KEENAN, William Patrick KENNEDY
  • Patent number: 7498055
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of urea granules in a fluid-bed granulator, by using at least one feeding device to feed a urea melt in the form of a film to a fluidized bed of solid urea nuclei, upon which the nuclei grow by solidification of the urea melt on the nuclei, in which the amounts of biuret and water in the urea melt and in the urea granules fulfill the following relation b m · b g w m · ( w m - w g ) = 0.1 - 20 wherein bm=the % by weight of biuret in the urea melt bg=the % by weight of biuret in the urea granules wm=the % by weight of water in the urea melt wg=the % by weight of water in the urea granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventor: Stanislaus Martinus Petrus Mutsers
  • Patent number: 7468087
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fertilizer containing a sparingly water-soluble phosphatic fertilizer and an urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product. The process for controlling inorganizing speed of urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product comprises adding to the urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product a sparingly water-soluble phosphatic fertilizer having special elution characteristics. The fertilizer of the invention and the process for controlling inorganizing speed of urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product of the invention make it possible to control the inorganizing speed of the condensation product without changing the particle size or form. The fertilizers of the invention or the urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation products can provide nitrogen components to plant in accordance with the periods of culture of desired crops and a pattern of absorbing nutrition. This is effective in saving of the number of additional fertilization or nitrogen components left in soil after the period of culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Chissoasahi Fertilizer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakamoto, Noriaki Harada, Kenji Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20080216536
    Abstract: A multiple effect plant growth promoting mixture is provided that includes a first plurality of fertilizer granules, each containing a quantity of a bioavailable source of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. A second plurality of granules, each containing an active agent effective in inhibiting an organism interfering with plant growth are intermixed with the fertilizer granules. The fertilizer granules are substantially devoid of the active agent adhering to the fertilizer granule and the active agent granules are substantially devoid of fertilizer. The potential for cross contamination being associated with granule breakage associated with intermixing and transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Patent number: 7108732
    Abstract: The fertilizer of the invention is a fertilizer containing a sparingly water-soluble phosphatic fertilizer and a urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product. The process for controlling inoganizing speed of urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product of the invention comprises adding to the urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product a sparingly water-soluble phosphatic fertilizer having special elution characteristics. The fertilizer of the invention and the process for controlling inoganizing speed of urea/aliphatic aldehyde condensation product of the invention make it possible to control the inorganizing speed of the condensation product without changing the particle size or form, that is, to control development of the efficacy of the condensation product used as a fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakamoto, Noriaki Harada, Kenji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6939387
    Abstract: Compositions for increasing the amount of available silica, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are described herein. The compositions contain calcium silicate (CaSiO2) and magnesium sulfite (MgSO3). Calcium silicate may be in the form of calcium silicate slag. Magnesium sulfite may be a by-product obtained from power plants. In one embodiment, the composition is in granular form and contains 65-90% (wt) calcium silicate slag, 20-30% (wt) magnesium sulfite, 0-5% (wt) expandible clay, and 2-10% (wt) residual moisture (H2O). In a preferred embodiment, the granules contain 31% (wt) silica, 22% (wt) calcium, 3% (wt) magnesium, and 4% (wt) sulfur. In a second embodiment, the composition is non granular and contains 75-90% (wt) calcium silicate slag, 10-20% (wt) magnesium sulfite and 0-10% (wt) H2O. The compositions may be applied to golf courses or residential or commercial lawns to improve the growth of grasses and their resistance to disease and insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Calcuim Silicate Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Elizer
  • Patent number: 6749659
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Enersul, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhimin Yu, James B. Hyne, Mark Ernest Grist
  • Patent number: 6749660
    Abstract: This invention concerns the formulation and preparation of ammonium- and urea-free solid-chemical compositions for the anaerobic bioremediation of environmental contamination using the biological process of denitrification. The composition includes nitrate salts and may also include additional sources of nutrient phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. The use of complex phosphates (i.e., salts of phosphoric acid) is used as a combined binder-nutrient system. The use of complex phosphates in this manner enables the water-based agglomeration of the composition into granular forms in a manner which greatly improves upon the safety of the commonly known “Tennessee Valley Authority” type granulation processes by reducing or eliminating the use of the highly toxic and dangerous chemicals anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Geovation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Christian Hince
  • Patent number: 6656382
    Abstract: Minerals that reversibly fix ions, in particular NO3—, i.e. that can exchange one anion for another anion can be used as fertilizers and soil conditioners, as well as for the purification and treatment of water, particularly for the elimination of nitrate. The minerals used are preferably natural or synthetic mixed value metal-metal-hydroxyl salts, e.g. layered double hydroxides (LDHs) that contain exchangeable fixed anions in the intermediary layers. A method for producing anion-exchanging minerals, particularly suitable LDHs, and their use as fertilizers and soil conditioners and for the purification and treatment of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hydro Agri Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Kuhlmann, Paul Seward, Josef Christian Buhl, Kirstin Beavers, Manfred Schenk, Claus Bull
  • Publication number: 20030172699
    Abstract: Method of granulating compost for the formulation of fertilizers. In one embodiment, the compost is ground to dust and pan granulated. A variety of ancillary materials may be incorporated into the compost mix for a wide range of possible applications. An embodiment is provided where agricultural seeds may be encapsulated in compost to enhance the quality of seed and reduce wastage during planting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Agronomic Growth Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Robin Phinney