Abstract: A fertilizer composition includes a seed particle spray coated with a fertilizer material including a soluble fertilizer and micronized sulphur particles. A method of producing a fertilizer composition includes the steps of producing a seed particle; preparing a sprayable suspension comprising a solution of a fertilizer material in water, a suspended insoluble fertilizer material, and a dispersant; and using the suspension to spray coat a layer of a mixture of the soluble and insoluble fertilizer material onto the seed particle.

Abstract: A system for coupling a crab pot with another crab pot includes a first receiver mountable to a first crab pot, a second receiver mountable to a second crab pot, and a coupler operable to engage the first receiver and the second receiver to couple the first crab pot with the second crab pot. The first and second receivers, each include a hole. The coupler includes a first holding component operable to hold the first receiver when the first holding component is inserted into the hole of the first receiver, and a second holding component operable to hold the second receiver when the second holding component is inserted into the hole of the second receiver. The coupler also includes an appendage that, while the coupler couples the crab pots, allows a deckhand to grab or stand on to help him/her remain on the pots while he/she climbs on over and/or around the pots.

Abstract: A fertilizer product comprising an acid-carbonized microporous matrix derived from expanded biomass and a fertilizer reaction product of residual acid from the carbonizing process and at least one added fertilizer precursor. The biomass may include steam exploded wood powder. The expanded biomass may be carbonized with a combination of sulphuric and phosphoric acids, followed by ammoniation to produce ammonium sulphate and mono- or diammonium phosphate. The fertilizer reaction product adsorbs onto the carbon matrix, which results in a slow-release when the material is applied to the soil.

Abstract: A fertilizer product comprising an acid-carbonized microporous matrix derived from expanded biomass and a fertilizer reaction product of residual acid from the carbonizing process and at least one added fertilizer precursor. The biomass may include steam exploded wood powder. The expanded biomass may be carbonized with a combination of sulphuric and phosphoric acids, followed by ammoniation to produce ammonium sulphate and mono- or diammonium phosphate. The fertilizer reaction product adsorbs onto the carbon matrix, which results in a slow-release when the material is applied to the soil.

Abstract: Fertilizer pellets may be formed by compressing or compacting a primary fertilizer powder mixed with micronized sulphur.

Abstract: Fertilizer pellets may be formed by compressing or compacting a primary fertilizer powder mixed with micronized sulphur.

Abstract: Fertilizer pellets may be formed by compressing or compacting a primary fertilizer powder mixed with micronized sulphur.

Abstract: A system stacking and retrieving a crab pot onboard a vessel includes a crane having an end and operable to position the end at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck, and an end effector at the end of the crane, operable to hold a crab pot. The crane is used to grab a crab pot stored on the deck and position the pot on a pot launcher, or to grab a pot on the pot launcher and position the pot on the vessel's deck to secure the pot onboard. The system also includes a connector operable to couple a crab pot with another crab pot, and a controller operable to direct the movement of the crane to position the end of the crane at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck. With the system's controller the crane may be automatically controlled and directed without requiring a deckhand to manually direct the crane to the correct position on the vessel's deck. And, with the connector each crab pot may be secured to an adjacent crab pot during storage of the pots without the need of a deckhand.

Abstract: A fertilizer composition includes a seed particle spray coated with a fertilizer material including a soluble fertilizer and micronized sulphur particles. A method of producing a fertilizer composition includes the steps of producing a seed particle; preparing a sprayable suspension comprising a solution of a fertilizer material in water, a suspended insoluble fertilizer material, and a dispersant; and using the suspension to spray coat a layer of a mixture of the soluble and insoluble fertilizer material onto the seed particle.

Abstract: A system for coupling a crab pot with another crab pot includes a first receiver mountable to a first crab pot, a second receiver mountable to a second crab pot, and a coupler operable to engage the first receiver and the second receiver to couple the first crab pot with the second crab pot. The first and second receivers, each include a hole. The coupler includes a first holding component operable to hold the first receiver when the first holding component is inserted into the hole of the first receiver, and a second holding component operable to hold the second receiver when the second holding component is inserted into the hole of the second receiver. The coupler also includes an appendage that, while the coupler couples the crab pots, allows a deckhand to grab or stand on to help him/her remain on the pots while he/she climbs on over and/or around the pots.

Abstract: Fertilizer pellets may be formed by compressing or compacting a primary fertilizer powder mixed with micronized sulphur.

Abstract: A fertilizer product comprising an acid-carbonized microporous matrix derived from expanded biomass and a fertilizer reaction product of residual acid from the carbonizing process and at least one added fertilizer precursor. The biomass may include steam exploded wood powder. The expanded biomass may be carbonized with a combination of sulphuric and phosphoric acids, followed by ammoniation to produce ammonium sulphate and mono- or diammonium phosphate. The fertilizer reaction product adsorbs onto the carbon matrix, which results in a slow-release when the material is applied to the soil.

Abstract: A system stacking and retrieving a crab pot onboard a vessel includes a crane having an end and operable to position the end at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck, and an end effector at the end of the crane, operable to hold a crab pot. The crane is used to grab a crab pot stored on the deck and position the pot on a pot launcher, or to grab a pot on the pot launcher and position the pot on the vessel's deck to secure the pot onboard. The system also includes a connector operable to couple a crab pot with another crab pot, and a controller operable to direct the movement of the crane to position the end of the crane at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck. With the system's controller the crane may be automatically controlled and directed without requiring a deckhand to manually direct the crane to the correct position on the vessel's deck. And, with the connector each crab pot may be secured to an adjacent crab pot during storage of the pots without the need of a deckhand.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sulphate or phosphate-based fertilizer from hydrogen sulphide. The method involves feeding a stream containing a substantial volume of hydrogen sulphide and air to a furnace, where it is burned to produce a sulphur dioxide rich gas stream. The sulphur dioxide rich gas stream is then fed to a reactor to produce a sulphuric acid stream and a waste stream comprising carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, trace impurities and trace amounts of unreacted sulphur dioxide. The sulphuric acid stream is finally converted to a sulphate or phosphate-based fertilizer.

Abstract: A water dispersible pellet and method of producing same comprising: micronized elemental sulphur with 80% of particles less than 30 microns, a binder component in the amount ranging from 0.95% to 95% by weight; a surfactant in the amount ranging from 0.05% to 10% by weight; a soluble salt present in the amount ranging from 0.05% to 95% by weight; bentonite clay in the amount ranging from 0.05% to 95% by weight. The pellet having a mean particle domain size and a mean crushing strength, all in a form such that within a few minutes of contact with water the pellet disperses into particles with more than 10% of said particles passing through a 50 mesh (US Standard Size) screen.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sulphate or phosphate-based fertilizer from hydrogen sulphide. The method involves feeding a stream containing a substantial volume of hydrogen sulphide and air to a furnace, where it is burned to produce a sulphur dioxide rich gas stream. The sulphur dioxide rich gas stream is then fed to a reactor to produce a sulphuric acid stream and a waste stream comprising carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, trace impurities and trace amounts of unreacted sulphur dioxide. The sulphuric acid stream is finally converted to a sulphate or phosphate-based fertilizer.

Abstract: A water dispersible pellet and method of producing same comprising: micronized elemental sulphur with 80% of particles less than 30 microns, a binder component in the amount ranging from 0.95% to 95% by weight; a surfactant in the amount ranging from 0.05% to 10% by weight; a soluble salt present in the amount ranging from 0.05% to 95% by weight; bentonite clay in the amount ranging from 0.05% to 95% by weight. The pellet having a mean particle domain size and a mean crushing strength, all in a form such that within a few minutes of contact with water the pellet disperses into particles with more than 10% of said particles passing through a 50 mesh (US Standard Size) screen.

Abstract: A method of designing and the resulting thermally stable heated coating die apparatus, the die apparatus including a die having a die geometry and a heating system with heaters and temperature sensors. The method and resultant apparatus provides minimized temperature gradients, flat die lip faces in a die to roll plane and a flat die in a plane perpendicular to die flat lip faces and parallel to substrate width. The method optimizes simultaneously: die geometry, placement of the heaters, placement of temperature sensors, and shielding from operating conditions, using heat transfer and structural numerical modeling and statistical analysis while considering die functionality characteristics, minimum increment of temperature measurement and control accuracy related to minimum acceptable deviation from flatness, coating die material of construction relative to thermo-structural material properties, and desirable coating die material properties.