Patents Examined by Wayne A. Langel
  • Method for producing biochar aggregate particles
    Patent number: 10864492
    Abstract: A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Carbon Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rajashekharam Malyala, Vern Traxler, Matthew William Smith, Han Suk Kim, Ranko Panayotov Bontchev, Richard Wilson Belcher
  • Methods and compositions for increasing the yield of, and beneficial chemical composition of, certain plants
    Patent number: 10865157
    Abstract: The present specification describes increasing the Brix degree, nutrient transport and density, and yields of cannabis crops through the application of photoacoustic resonance to a nutrient formulation. An activated nutrient solution is obtained by forming an unactivated nutrient solution and applying to the unactivated nutrient solution ultra-rapid impulses of modulated laser light, from one or more laser systems. An increase of at least 5% in the Brix degree of the crop, relative to an unactivated nutrient formulation, can be achieved. In addition, an increase of at least 5%, relative to an unactivated nutrient formulation, is seen with respect to nutrient density and crop yield through application of the activated nutrient solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: B.K. Consultants, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Frank Ovokaitys
  • Pelletized spent lime and process of making same from wastewater treatment residue
    Patent number: 10865154
    Abstract: Water-dispersible pellets are provided that includes spent lime particles present from 80 to 99.5 total weight percent. A binder component is also present from 20 to 0.5 total weight percent. The pellets have a mean pellet domain size. The spent lime particles, and the binder component present in a form such that contact with water causes pellet dispersion into more than 100 pieces. A process of forming spent lime pellets is also provided that include spent lime being dewatered to a free-flowing powder. A binder is then added under conditions to induce agglomeration of the free-flowing powder to the form the pellets. A process of treating a target crop is also provided based on such pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: PROLIME INC.
    Inventors: Robert V. Rogers, Jason A. Rogers
  • Methods of manufacture for coated granular fertilizers
    Patent number: 10865159
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a coated fertilizer comprising: providing at least partially coated fertilizer granules having an at least partial coating comprising a polymer and a wax; and conditioning the at least partially coated fertilizer granules at a temperature of 40 to 130° C. for a time of 1 minute to 4 hours, to form a coating comprising interpenetrating domains comprising polymer domains and wax domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Ganesh Kannan, Christina Posada, James Haigh, Sabeshan Kanagalingam, Travis Harper
  • Water-absorbing and water-retaining multi-nutrient biodegradable polymeric slow/controlled release fertilizer having a semi-interpenetrating network structure
    Patent number: 10865161
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to water-absorbing and slow/controlled release fertilizer, in particular to a water-absorbing and water-retaining multi-nutrient biodegradable polymeric slow/controlled release fertilizer having a semi-interpenetrating network structure, and preparation methods thereof. The method can comprises the steps of: reacting formaldehyde with urea to obtain a hydroxymethyl urea solution; adding acrylic acid and acrylamide monomers into another reactor, and adding a KOH solution to adjust the neutralization degree of acrylic acid, then adding one of inorganic clay, pretreated crop straw or cellulose, then adding initiator, monopotassium phosphate and the prepared hydroxymethyl urea solution sequentially; allowing to react at temperature after being mixed uniformly to obtain a viscous product; and granulating the viscous product and oven drying the same to obtain the fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NORTH UNIVERSITY OF CHINA
    Inventors: Yaqing Liu, Yang Xiang, Guizhe Zhao
  • Organic fertilizer/plant food substance
    Patent number: 10865156
    Abstract: An organic fertilizer with one or more natural ingredients is provided. The organic fertilizer includes molasses to provide additional nutrients to the soil that are readily available for plant intake such as providing sugars to increase microorganism activity. An aromatic ingredient is provided to mask the unwanted odors of other fertilizer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KALMBACH FEEDS, INC.
    Inventor: Paul M. Kalmbach
  • Internet of things (IoT) biotower (BloTower#) system and process for recycling food wastes into nutrients for growing organic plants
    Patent number: 10865155
    Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) BIoTower™ for recycling food wastes into nutrients and for growing organic plants is disclosed which includes a food waste disposable tower for receiving food wastes; a multi-leveled carousels connected to the food waste disposable tower, each containing soils infested with earthworms; and an Internet of Things (IoT) irrigation system designed to provide sustainability to the soils and the organic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ton Duc Thang University
    Inventor: Thinh Hoang Do
  • Chemical looping
    Patent number: 10843157
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of chemical looping using non-stoichiometric materials with a variable degree of non-stoichiometry. One application of these methods is in the water gas shift reaction for H2 production. The methods of the invention can overcome limitations, e.g. those associated with chemical equilibria, which prevent chemical processes from proceeding with complete conversion of starting materials to products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
    Inventor: Ian Metcalfe
  • Nutrient rich biologically active soils and horticulture media with predetermined characteristics and method for making
    Patent number: 10829422
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for creating biologically active soil or horticulture media for growing plants, wherein a fibrous carbon source such as coconut coir in a predetermined particulate form is mixed with fertilizers and other biological nutrients, inoculated with a biologically active substance such as worm castings and then aged or cured in an oxygen rich aerobic process. After which additional nutrients can be added to tailor the aged media for a specific use. Various apparatus with which to conduct the aging process are also described. In a variation of the process used soil or horticulture media is recharged by first composting at a high temperature to remove harmful and unwanted items, its contents are evaluated, nutrients are added, and it is then aged in an aerobic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: John Gaunt
  • Bodily remains decomposition
    Patent number: 10822288
    Abstract: An organic composition for decomposing bodily remains including a composite mixture of compost, peat, sulfur, and gypsum. The composite mixture is configured to combine with the bodily remains to decompose the bodily remains. The combined mixture has a reduced pH for reducing the detrimental effects of the bodily remains on the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Verde Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Jenkins, Annette Jenkins
  • Anticaking compositions for solid fertilizers, comprising quaternary ester ammonium compounds
    Patent number: 10815160
    Abstract: Anticaking compositions for solid fertilizers comprising quaternary ester ammonium compounds, the use thereof, methods of preparing solid fertilizers resistant to caking and solid fertilizers obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: KAO Corporation S.A.
    Inventors: Joan A. Riaza Martinez, Miquel Mundo Blanch
  • Microorganisms and their use in agriculture
    Patent number: 10793484
    Abstract: A strain of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd) characterised by the presence of at least one nucleic acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS 1-10 or variants or paralogues thereof and/or the presence of a single plasmid of about 17566 bp in size. Such strains, exemplified by IMI504853, are useful in agriculture, in particular as they are able to colonise plants intracellularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Azotic Technologies LTD
    Inventors: David Dent, Dhaval Patel, Gary Devine
  • Method and system for compounding fertilizer from manure without nutrient emission
    Patent number: 10793483
    Abstract: A system and method for reclaiming nutrients from dairy manure includes a centrifuge for separating a liquid fraction of the manure from a solid fraction comprising organic material; a mechanical vapor recompression evaporator (“MVR”) to receive the liquid fraction from the centrifuge and evaporating the liquid fraction by mechanical vapor recompression to produce ammonia-laden water vapor and a concentrated nutrient slurry; a dryer for drying the nutrient slurry to a selected moisture content to be available as an ingredient in compounded fertilizer; and an ammonia stripping tower assembly to receive ammonia-laden water vapor from the MVR and from it to precipitate ammonium sulphate salt and condense water as separate products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Dari-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: David DeWaard, Josh McCort, Michael Klapper
  • Compounds and compositions for delivery of nutrients and micronutrients to plants
    Patent number: 10793482
    Abstract: Compounds, including chelated compounds, which may be used for the delivery of nutrients and micronutrients to plants are provided. In addition, processes for preparing such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for delivering nutrients and micronutrients to plants with such compounds are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Spero Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahdi M. Abu-Omar, Basudeb Saha, Ian Klein
  • Process for the preparation of potassic fertiliser from alcohol distillery effluent (spent wash)
    Patent number: 10793480
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of multi-nutrient potassic fertilizer, by recovering potassium from sugarcane molasses based alcohol distillery effluent (commonly known as ‘spent wash’). The process involves pre-treatment of spent wash to clarify the aqueous phase and utilization of the treated spent wash in production of potassic fertilizer. The present invention enables utilisation of spent wash for recovery of value-added product (viz., potash fertiliser of >99% purity) and improves ease of ‘Zero Liquid Discharge’ compliance by subjecting the relatively benign process effluent to industrially practiced techniques for water recovery and salt reclamation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Pratyush Maiti, Soumya Haldar, Subarna Maiti
  • Seed disinfection method
    Patent number: 10779534
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing disinfected seed, a use of a treatment composition, and an apparatus for disinfecting of seed. The method of the invention comprises contacting seed with a treatment composition comprising at least one disinfecting agent and/or a liquid component, and thereafter or at least partly simultaneously, exposing said seed to a treatment atmosphere for an exposure time of at least 1 second, wherein the treatment atmosphere has a relative humidity of at least 50% and a temperature of at least 40° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: THERMOSEED GLOBAL AB
    Inventors: Victor Manuel Sanchez-Sava, Gustaf Robert Forsberg, Abraham Johan Ten Heuw, Arvid Sven Georg Järbel
  • Compositions for enhancing plant nutrient uptake and method of their use
    Patent number: 10781145
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing nutrient uptake in plants are disclosed. The primary ingredients of the disclosed compositions are (a) poly amino acids, such as tri-polyaspartic acid (TPA), and (b) citric acid. Another component, (c) L amino acids may also be included in the composition. The composition may be used to enhance fertilizer efficiency and to promote plant growth and/or yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Bryan D. Evans
  • Process for producing a fuel from lignocellulosic feedstock
    Patent number: 10766826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a composition for use in land application. The method comprises: (a) obtaining a fermentation product by a production process comprising the steps of: (i) treating lignocellulosic feedstock to produce sugar; (ii) fermenting the sugar to produce a fermented mixture comprising the fermentation product; and (iii) recovering the fermentation product from the fermented mixture in one or more stages to produce a concentrated fermentation product and still bottoms; and (b) recovering the still bottoms, the still bottoms comprising organic and inorganic components; and (c) providing the still bottoms for use in a land application. Also provided is a soil conditioning composition for use in land application. The soil conditioning composition contains still bottoms and optionally other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Iogen Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Foody, Robert Glenns
  • Yeast extract having effect of promoting growth of plant and elongation of root and effect of improving added values of plant
    Patent number: 10766829
    Abstract: [Problem] The present invention seeks to provide a composition for plants that is highly safe and that contributes to early harvesting, increasing yield, and increasing added value of crops. Specifically, the present invention provides a yeast extract that, by addition to a foliar surface spray or to soil or water, provides an effect of promoting growth, an effect of root lengthening, an effect of improved taste, and an effect of increased amino acid content of a plant. A substance obtained from yeast that is edible and considered to be safe is preferred as the yeast extract. [Means for Solving the Problem] A yeast extract having a peptide content of 5 wt % or more and an RNA content of 5 wt % or more is sprayed onto or provided as fertilizer to a plant. The yeast extract is preferably derived from Candida utilis, which is edible and considered to be safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KOHJIN LIFE SCIENCES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakagawa, Yoshie Yasumatsu, Naoto Kaji, Kenichi Ason
  • Urea-containing fertilizers and process for production thereof
    Patent number: 10752559
    Abstract: A particulate, urea-containing composition and use of an additive for producing a particulate, urea-containing composition and methods of producing a particulate, urea-containing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP FERTILIZER TECHNOLOGY GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Matthias Potthoff, Thomas Krawczyk, Harald Franzrahe, Luc Albert Vanmarcke