Patents Examined by Wayne A. Langel
  • Process and plant for the production of ammonia make-up gas including production of a hydrogen gas by steam reforming
    Patent number: 10562768
    Abstract: A process and plant for producing a makeup synthesis gas (20) for the synthesis of ammonia, comprising: reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock (10) in a steam reformer (SMR), purification of said gas product obtaining a hydrogen synthesis gas, addition of a suitable amount of nitrogen (19) to said hydrogen synthesis gas, wherein said purification includes separation of hydrogen in a main separation unit (S1), which produces a hydrogen current (14) and a tail gas (15), and wherein further hydrogen is recovered from the said tail gas (15) in an additional separation unit (S2); some embodiments provides that an amount of gas product (24) is also fed to said additional separation unit; a corresponding method for the revamping of a front-end of an ammonia plant is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Raffaele Ostuni
  • Organic liquid fertilizer
    Patent number: 10556837
    Abstract: A fertilizer derived from an organic source and a method of making are provided. The fertilizer of the present invention advantageously has a nitrogen content greater than 4%. The method of making the fertilizer also produces potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Inventor: Denise Crabtree
  • Biochars and biochar treatment processes
    Patent number: 10556838
    Abstract: Treated biochar and methods for treating biochar are provided. The method for treating the biochar includes forcing, assisting or accelerating the movement of an infiltrant into the pores of the biochar, whereby the treatment affects properties of the biochar that provide for a more reliable and predictable biochar for use in various applications, including, but not limited to, agricultural applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ranko Panayatov Bontchev, Han Suk Kim, Richard Wilson Belcher, Mark L. Jarand
  • Biochar coated seeds
    Patent number: 10550044
    Abstract: The present invention provides for biochar coated particles and a method for coating the particles with biochar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vern Traxler, Han Suk Kim, Rajashekharam Malyala, Timothy Alan Thompson, Brian Buege, Mark L. Jarand
  • Microencapsulated nitrification inhibitor compositions
    Patent number: 10544066
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved nitrification inhibitor composition and its use in agricultural applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Hiteshkumar Dave, Lei Liu, Jr., Raymond E. Boucher, Greg Powels, Alex Williams, Miriam Tudyk, Martin C. Logan, Mini Jan
  • Biochars for use with animals
    Patent number: 10543173
    Abstract: Biochars and methods for treating biochars are provided that are useful in various applications, including, but not limited to, applications related to the raising, care, maintenance, disease prevention, disease treatment and odor control of animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy System, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wilson Belcher, Ranko Panayotov Bontchev, Han Suk Kim, Gregory Dean Butler, Brian Buege, Juliette MacKay
  • Organic fertilizer/plant food substance containing natural odor masking ingredients
    Patent number: 10532958
    Abstract: An organic fertilizer/plant food with a natural ingredient providing a desirable smell to mask the unwanted odors of organic fertilizer. The desirable smelling ingredient to be mixed thoroughly throughout the organic fertilizer such that as the outer layers of the organic fertilizer are processed by microorganisms, the desirable smelling ingredient is revealed at each new layer to create a persistent pleasant smell above the unwanted fertilizer smell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KALMBACH FEEDS, INC.
    Inventor: Paul M. Kalmbach
  • Iron-ion supply material
    Patent number: 10526254
    Abstract: An iron-ion supply material capable of efficiently supplying iron ions to plants is provided. An iron-ion supply material that acts as an iron-ion supply source for supplying iron ions contributing to plant growth comprises an iron powder having an iron content of 80% by mass or more, wherein 50% by mass or more of the whole iron powder has a particle size of 100 ?m or more and 10 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Enokido, Akio Sonobe, Hiroshi Sugihara
  • Bark and wood fiber growing medium
    Patent number: 10519073
    Abstract: A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m3 or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: PROFILE PRODUCTS L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kevin Scott Spittle, Gary Lane Bowers
  • Biochar products and method of manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 10518244
    Abstract: A method for producing charcoal particles or pellets which use different additives as binders for the biochar pellets. The method includes producing a mixture with charcoal and additives selected from nanocrystalline cellulose, nanocrystalline fibrils, bentonite, and polyvinyl acetate. The mixture is created by mixing one or more of the additives with charcoal or bentonite. The mixture is then processed in a pelletizer device. While processing, the surface of the mixture is sprayed with a liquid. Once turned into pellets by way of the pelletizer device, the resulting pellets are then dried by applying heat to the pellets. The liquid can be water or a solution of water and sodium borate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Leonard Eddy
  • Bark and wood fiber growing medium
    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
  • Efficiency of man-made and/or natural organic based animal manure fertilizers by liberating the bound nutrients (macro and micro) through the use of organic, non-aqueous liquid delivery formulations containing organic poly (organicacids) and/or their salts
    Patent number: 10513469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the efficacy of man-made and/or natural organic-based animal manure fertilizers by administration of an organic solvent formula containing polyorganic acids and/or their salts. The formulation liberates nutrient(s) that are normally bound in the soil as insoluble salts and complexes. These delivery formulations also provide an environmentally sound and inherently safe solvating system that improves diffusion of polyorganic acids to the granule fertilizer. These delivery formulations enable safe storage, transport and subsequent application or blending with solid or liquid fertilizers. The combined formulation and fertilizer can be applied to soil to provide improved efficacy of fertilizer by liberating nutrients bound in the soil for uptake by plant life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventors: Gary David McKnight, Randall Linwood Rayborn
  • Granulating ammonium sulfate
    Patent number: 10512886
    Abstract: A device for producing granules that include ammonium sulfate may include a mixing device, an atomizing device and a fluidized bed. The mixing device may be utilized to produce a composition comprising ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate. The atomizing device may be disposed downstream of the mixing device and may be utilized to atomize the composition produced in the mixing device. The fluidized bed may also be disposed downstream of the mixing device. The fluidized bed may be utilized for producing the granules. Further, with respect to a process for producing granules comprising ammonium sulfate, a step of granulating a composition comprising ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate may involve providing ammonium sulfate-containing nuclei, fluidizing the ammonium sulfate-containing nuclei, and atomizing the composition onto the nuclei.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Peter Banik, Jens Mathiak
  • Fertilizer with organic potassium salts
    Patent number: 10508060
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new fertilizer comprising water and an organic potassium source wherein the fertilizer composition has a pH range of from 5.5 to 10.0 and a salt index no greater than about 40 as measured by electrical conductivity methods. The organic potassium source is selected from the group consisting of potassium acetate, potassium formate, potassium citrate, potassium succinate, potassium propionate, and combinations thereof. The fertilizer demonstrates lower phytotoxicity damage compared to other sources of potassium for fertilizer products. The fertilizer composition may further comprise nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, zinc, boron, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, molybdenum, inoculants, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS, CORP.
    Inventors: Tommy Roach, Gregory Bame
  • Composition containing N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide adducts and reaction products
    Patent number: 10501384
    Abstract: Reaction products and methods for making and using such reaction products are provided. For example, a reaction product comprising an adduct formed from two or more of a first nucleophile (e.g., including, but not limited to, a urease inhibitor), a second nucleophile, and an electrophile is described, which can be provided in various forms. Such a reaction product can be in the form of a solid or solution. Such a reaction product can also be combined with one or more additional components, including but not limited to, free urease inhibitor and/or a nitrogen-based fertilizer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Barr, Ethel Garnier, Stanley Freeman
  • Method for the manufacture of a urea-based particulate material containing elemental sulphur
    Patent number: 10501380
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a homogeneous, solid, particulate, urea-based material comprising elemental sulphur. The invention further relates to a homogeneous, solid, particulate urea-based material comprising small elemental sulphur phases in a urea-based base material and formed by an accretion process. The product is in particular suitable as a fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Francois Ledoux, Filip Colpaert
  • Non-aqueous organo liquid delivery systems containing dispersed poly (organic acids) that improve availability of macro and micro-nutrients to plants
    Patent number: 10494311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the efficiency of man-made and/or natural organic-based animal manure fertilizers by administration of formulations containing poly(organic acids), [P(OA)]s, and/or their salts dispersed in a Non-aqueous Organic Solvent Delivery System (NOSDS). Utilizing a NOSDS allows for coating all components in a fertilizer formulation including but not limited to Urea, Manure, mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), solid micronutrients such as lime, zinc chloride, etc.) with a layer of [P(OA)]s and/or their salts that liberates, in a plant available form, the micronutrient metals and macronutrients, that are bound as insoluble salts and complexes in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Gary David McKnight, Randall Linwood Rayborn
  • Acid treatment for fertilizers to increase zinc solubility and availability
    Patent number: 10487016
    Abstract: Methods and system for increasing the water solubility and availability of zinc in granular fertilizers using acid treatments. The treatment of granular fertilizers with an acidic solution increases an amount of water-soluble zinc, which in turn, increases the efficiency of zinc uptake and reduces the costs and equipment otherwise needed to mitigate zinc deficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: The Mosaic Company
    Inventors: Michael John McLaughlin, Jozefien Louisa Elvire Degryse, Roslyn Jane Baird, Rodrigo Coqui da Silva, Bryan Todd Baylor, Lawrence Alan Peacock
  • Process to produce a commercial soil additive prepared from compost and in situ oxidized sulphur and soil additive so formed
    Patent number: 10479735
    Abstract: A process for producing a commercial soil additive comprises mixing a compost composition with elementary (raw) sulphur to form a mixed material and turning the mixed material until it is substantially homogenous and until there is microbial oxidation of elementary sulphur therein to at least one sulphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GFL ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
    Inventors: Charles O'Donnell, Neil Wiens, Jeffrey Thompson
  • Semi-humic composition and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 10472294
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a semi-humic composition comprising one or more humic substance which has been chemically interacted with one or more organic non-humic nitrogenous molecules, methods of use thereof, and a process for obtaining the same. The compositions provided herein are useful for enhancing crop growth, and in particular, in the area of organic farming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Actagro, LLC
    Inventors: Taha Rezai, Qingwen He, Thomas J. Gerecke, John L. Breen, Susan Her, Gregory A. Crawford, Montell L. Bayer