Abstract: Processes for production of a plant growth substrate or a casing soil from sugar cane bagasse, and plant growth substrates produced from these processes are disclosed. The processes generally include biological removal of residual sugars, suppression of the development of cellulose degrading microorganisms so that the resulting mass loss is less than 10% of the original material dry weight, mechanical disintegration to form a disintegrated material with a defined density and porosity, reduction of pH and extraction of potassium to provide a defined electrical conductivity, and blending of the disintegrated material with one or more mineral components and plant nutrients. Additional steps in the process may include fermentation after the mechanical disintegration, and optionally addition of live organisms to add beneficial functions to the substrates. The substrate may find use as potting soil or blending components for soil mixes, or as casing soil for the production of mushroom.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises the following steps: (i) cutting the maize stalks so as the less leafy stalk segments, higher than 70 cm, stay on the field; (ii) cutting the less leafy stalk segments as close to the ground as possible; (iii) harvesting the less leafy stalk segments cut in step (ii); (iv) cutting the in step (iii) harvested less leafy stalk segments into 5-50 mm stalk sections; (v) providing a mechanical impact to the stalk sections of step (iv) to obtain a mix containing: f1. said spongy cores forming the superabsorbent pellets fraction, f2. said elongated fiber pieces forming the fibrous matter fraction, f3. and said leaf matter forming the leafy fraction, (vi) separating the 3 fractions from each other; (vii) recovering the three fractions f1-f2-f3; The invention also pertains to the so obtained products and to their uses in treatments of liquids or gases.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises the following steps: (i) cutting the maize stalks so as the less leafy stalk segments, higher than 70 cm, stay on the field; (ii) cutting the less leafy stalk segments as close to the ground as possible; (iii) harvesting the less leafy stalk segments cut in step (ii); (iv) cutting the in step (iii) harvested less leafy stalk segments into 5-50 mm stalk sections; (v) providing a mechanical impact to the stalk sections of step (iv) to obtain a mix containing: f1. said spongy cores forming the superabsorbent pellets fraction, f2. said elongated fiber pieces forming the fibrous matter fraction, f3. and said leaf matter forming the leafy fraction, (vi) separating the 3 fractions from each other; (vii) recovering the three fractions f1-f2-f3; The invention also pertains to the so obtained products and to their uses in treatments of liquids or gases.

Abstract: A method of producing non-woven elements made from a raw material comprising grass plants. A first intermediate product is made of per-prepared, damp natural fibers having a dry substance concentration of between 30%-50%, more preferably approximately 40%. The invention also relates to the production of a second intermediate product from the first intermediate product according to the following steps. The natural fibers are predried, thermoactive binding fibers are added thereto, additives are sprayed thereon and the order of the step can vary and/or individual steps may be carried out simultaneously with one another. Preferably, the raw material is silated grass and, in order to produce the first intermediate product, the raw material is defibered and the digestible components of the raw material are separated therefrom.

Abstract: A method of producing non-woven elements made from a raw material comprising grass plants. A first intermediate product is made of per-prepared, damp natural fibers having a dry substance concentration of between 30%-50%, more preferably approximately 40%. The invention also relates to the production of a second intermediate product from the first intermediate product according to the following steps. The natural fibers are predried, thermoactive binding fibers are added thereto, additives are sprayed thereon and the order of the step can vary and/or individual steps may be carried out simultaneously with one another. Preferably, the raw material is silated grass and, in order to produce the first intermediate product, the raw material is defibered and the digestible components of the raw material are separated therefrom.

Abstract: Moist vegetable biomass (21) is fed (22, 24) to a mixing zone (26) equipped with stirring means (27) of a conditioning vessel (25). Aqueous juice (30) recycled (40) from a subsequent step (39) is also fed (29) to the mixing zone (26). The mixture is fed (32) to a processing apparatus (33) whose operation involves the generation of a gradient of flow speed within the flowing suspension, which opens cells of the vegetable biomass to liberate their content into the aqueous juice. A slurry (34) is produced that is fed to a separator (35) for partitioning into aqueous juice (36) and mush (37). The mush is removed (38). The aqueous juice is divided (39) into major (40) and minor (41) portions whose ratio provides for balance between water entering and leaving the process, considering that the major portion (40) is recycled to the mixing (26) zone and the minor portion (41) removed. Preferably, the ratio is greater than about 4:1.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering organic and inorganic matter from waste material wherein the waste material is sterilized and solid organic matter becomes soft when subjected to heat and pressure. The process may be carried out by first, feeding the waste material into a perforated container (10) mounted within a closed chamber (14). Next, the waste material is agitated and subjected to heat and pressure which sterilizes it and softens the organic matter contained therein. After heating under pressure, the pressure may be suddenly released from the chamber (10) which forces the softened organic matter outwardly through the perforations (12) of the container, thus separating the organic matter from the solid inorganic matter.

Abstract: A method of switching an electromagnetic actuator which includes an armature movable along a path of travel and two electromagnets having respective solenoids, disposed at opposite ends of the path of travel for alternatingly attracting the armature. The method includes the steps of alternatingly applying a supply voltage to the electromagnets for alternatingly causing a supply current to flow therethrough for effecting a reciprocating motion of the armature; and applying an induced current, generated by an induced voltage appearing across one of the solenoids upon removal of the supply current from the one solenoid, to the other of the solenoids until the supply voltage applied to the other solenoid is greater than the induced voltage and the supply voltage across the other solenoid is capable of maintaining an attained current flow therethrough.