Fermentation Patents (Class 71/8)
  • Publication number: 20120103037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selectively obtaining phosphorus from solids containing heavy metals and phosphate. In this method, the solid is treated under acidic aerobic conditions using microorganisms comprising leaching microorganisms and polyphosphate-accumulating microorganisms, so that the heavy metals and the phosphates are released from the solid and the released phosphates may be taken up by the polyphosphate-accumulating microorganisms. The phosphorus-enriched biomass that is obtained in this manner is separated and may be utilized, e.g., as organic fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Jennifer Zimmermann, Wolfgang Dott
  • Patent number: 8137955
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for heat treatment of a biomass includes allowing biomass in a pretreatment reactor to undergo a pre-treatment reaction process. The pre-treatment reaction process yields pretreated biomass along with soluble components. A first liquid having a first temperature is transported into the pretreatment reactor and the pretreated biomass elevates the first temperature to a second temperature. At least a portion of the soluble components are captured in the first liquid, and the at least a portion of the soluble components in the first liquid and the first liquid are removed from the pretreatment reactor. A second liquid having a third temperature is transported into the pretreatment reactor and the pretreated biomass elevates the third temperature to a fourth temperature, the fourth temperature being less than second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Cesar B. Granda
  • Patent number: 8133716
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for treating municipal solid waste, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for treating and recycling municipal solid waste not separately collected, and also for minimizing the amount of final waste to be buried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Biocon, Inc.
    Inventor: Dae-Kyun Shin
  • Patent number: 8129177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated, rapid composting are disclosed. An air-tight housing prevents odors from leaking out. The housing is thermally insulated to enable the compost to achieve sufficient temperatures for rapid composting. A chambered system, generally including an optional hopper, a reactor, and a cure tray, physically shields odorous material from the external environment. A mixing wand mechanically mixes and/or breaks up the compost material and enhances air flow therethrough. A drip tray segregates liquid byproducts from the solid compost material. An air pump draws in air, while a carbon filter may absorb odors before returning the air to the external environment. A motor provides mixing, and facilitates opening and closing of the two trap doors separating the chambers. An electronic controller automates the composting process while allowing certain settings to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nature Mill, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell S. Cohn
  • Publication number: 20120047974
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new resource processing method of kitchen waste, in particular, provides a method of preparing biochemical humic acid from kitchen waste and biochemical humic acid product prepared therefrom. The kitchen waste treated by technical solution of the present invention has a high conversion rate of organic matter, reaching over 90%. Meanwhile, the biochemical humic acid product prepared by the invention is nutritious, the amount of the total humic acid, free humic acid and water soluble humic acid in the product reach up to 38-42%, 35-40% and 14-16%, respectively; it contains not only the major elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but also the trace elements such as zinc, iron and manganese as well as other active substances. Thus the product is suitable for fertilizer in agricultural production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Qian Huang, Yu Haiyan
  • Patent number: 8124401
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for producing biofertilizers, from sludge that are stabilized, dried, and rich in fertilizing matters originating from high load effluent treatment method. Such solution may be integrated into an already existing treatment facility for industrial, municipal, or agronomical organic effluents (100), and is based on recovering the thermal energy created during the treatment steps of such system in bioreactors (120), air suppression units (122), biodrying units (500), drying units (600), and other units. Such recovery of energy creates a synergy that allows the increase of efficacy and yield of bioreactors (120) due to a greater stability from the temperature regulation, thus ensuring an important energy saving for the final drying step in producing biofertilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Institut de Recherche et de Développment en Agroenvironnement Inc.
    Inventors: Camil Dutil, Dan Zegan, Jocelyn Douhéret, Rock Chabot
  • Patent number: 8097280
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for producing an enhanced fertilizer, comprising the step of mixing a granular fertilizer with a ferment comprising active bacteria in a fermentation medium, to obtain an enhanced fertilizer. The ferment is used at a rate of at most 3 liters of ferment per ton of fertilizer. In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided an enhanced fertilizer comprising a fertilizer and bacteria chosen for their specific properties on crops or vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: EVL Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandre Blais
  • Patent number: 8066793
    Abstract: Dry fertilizers of biologically degraded crushed minerals such as limestone, rock, or rock phosphate together with micro-organisms, including one or more selected supplementary trace elements, are described. Minerals, some sawdust, an inoculum, and nutrients or other protein material, including bound selected micro-elements or trace elements are stored under aerobic conditions for some weeks during thermophilic biological degradation. The resolution fertilizer releases the macro-elements and micro-elements over a long period of time. The microelements are include within a biomass of micro-organism (5-6% carbon in the resulting fertilizer) and are more effective in remedying plan or animal deficiencies than if administered as inorganic salts. Furthermore this fertilizer avoids leaching of mineral including phosphate (phosphorus) and microelements into groundwater, streams, rivers or lakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kagree Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Clive Prebble Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20110265532
    Abstract: The invention describes a new method for treating sludge, which can result in the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal sludges or 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 takes advantage of the thixotropic property of dewatered biosolids or organic sludge to create a pumpable paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is then treated with an oxidizer to reduce odorant effects and an acid. This mix is then interacted with concentrated sulfuric and or phosphoric acids and an ammonia source or alternatively a hot or molten melt or salt of ammonium sulfate/phosphate to form a fertilizer mix. The present invention controls the heat, atmospheric pressure and retention time of the fertilizer mix in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Publication number: 20110247378
    Abstract: Novel low-carbon fertilizers and processes useful for the production of the novel low-carbon fertilizers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Paul V. Begley, J. Scott Dyer, Louis R. Gervasi, James W. Muzzy
  • Patent number: 8034148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to agriculture and waste management. In particular, compositions and methods relating to soil amendments and organic waste management are provided. In certain aspects, soil amendments, and methods of making soil amendments, and methods for improving crop yields are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Heart of Nature, LLC
    Inventor: W. L. Skip Tyler
  • Publication number: 20110239716
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact processing apparatus which can produce useful products efficiently without producing bad odor. There is provided a useful product producing apparatus that is a decomposing apparatus of organic wastes, the decomposing apparatus comprising: a fermentation device including a plurality of processing tanks for decomposing the organic wastes; an air supply device that forcibly supplies air into the plurality of processing tanks; and a deodorizing device that deodorizes gases evacuated from each processing tank, in which useful products are produced from the organic wastes in the fermentation device by a thermoduric bacteria flora, and the gases are deodorized by passing through an acid pickling tank, a rinsing tank, and a microbial deodorizing tank, successively, the acid pickling tank, the rinsing tank, and the microbial deodorizing tank configuring the deodorizing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Koji Miyanouchi
  • Publication number: 20110214464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocontrol strain against the wilt of continuous cropping cucumber and watermelon as well as its microbial organic fertilizer, which belongs to the technology for agricultural intensive production. The present invention separates Trichoderma harzianum SQR-T037, which has a remarkable biocontrol effect against wilt of cucumber and watermelon. Microbial organic fertilizer was produced from this biocontrol strain and organic compost. In this fertilizer, the content of the strain is above 1×108 cfu/g, the content of total nitrogen is 3˜5% (above 90% of the nitrogen is organic nitrogen), total nitrogen-phosphorus-kalium nutrient is 6˜10% and organic matter is 30˜35%. As indicated by the experiments, after this microbial organic fertilizer is applied to soil, it will enable rapid multiplication of biocontrol strain into a dominant microflora in the soil and achieve more than 85% of biocontrol rate of wilt in the soil suffering from serious cucumber and watermelon wilt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qirong Shen, Lihua Chen, Xingming Yang, Yangchun Xu, Wei Ran, Qiwei Huang, Biao Shen
  • Publication number: 20110214463
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the antagonistic bacteria for controlling the Fusarium wilt of continuous cropping banana and their microbial organic fertilizer. It belongs to technology of intensive agricultural production. The present invention separates two antagonistic bacteria NJN-6 and NJN-11 and produces the microbial organic fertilizer through inoculating the two said strains into pig manure compost and rapeseed cake compost to conduct solid-state fermentation. The microbial organic fertilizer is characterized in that in the fertilizer, the content of each of the antagonistic bacteria NJN-6 and NJN-11 is above 1×108 cfu/g, total nitrogen is 4˜5% (weight percent), above 90% (weight percent) of the total nitrogen is organic nitrogen, total nitrogen-phosphorus-kalium nutrient is 6˜10% (weight percent) and organic matter is 30˜35% (weight percent).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qirong Shen, Xin He, Qiwei Huang, Xingming Yang, Biao Shen
  • Patent number: 8007558
    Abstract: A soil amendment comprising compost and between about 5% and about 30% by weight of an agricultural liming material, wherein at least about 50% of said liming material has an average particle size of about 65 microns or less is described. Methods for using and manufacturing this soil amendment are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Maxeco Organo-Mineral (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques Audet
  • Publication number: 20110154873
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: VitAg Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Publication number: 20110100078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism, a microbial phosphate fertilizer and a method for manufacturing said microbial phosphate fertilizer, wherein said microorganism is Streptomyces cellulosae with Accession number CGMCC No. 2167 or Aspergillus versicolor with Accession number CGMCC No. 2171. The microbial phosphate fertilizer of the present invention comprises a fermentation product of the microbial composition consisting of the following four microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis strain WH2, Bacillus licheniformis strain WH4, Streptomyces cellulosae strain WH9 and Aspergillus versicolor strain WH13. A method for manufacturing said microbial phosphate fertilizer is also provided, wherein the manufacture of said microbial phosphate fertilizer may involve the use of ground phosphate rock having 8%-12% P2O5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: FOSHAN JINKUIZI PLANT NUTRIMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Biu Ho, En-hsiung Huang, Ting Kwok Ho, Ting Wing Ho
  • Patent number: 7932079
    Abstract: A system (1) for producing a dough starter culture is provided which comprises a plurality of reservoirs (15) pre-loaded with a small amount (“mother level”) of a previously obtained starter culture. Into the reservoirs (15) are inoculated the other ingredients required for the preparation of starter culture and the contents are left to ferment for a specified period of time to produce the required starter culture, which is then discharged as required from each reservoir (15). A “mother level” portion is retained in the reservoirs and is used to produce a next batch of starter culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Lifestyle Foods Limited
    Inventor: Mark O'Shea
  • Patent number: 7908765
    Abstract: A continuous granulating and drying apparatus comprises a granulator and a fluid bed dryer. The fluid bed dryer comprises at least two separate processing compartments forming part of a common vessel being provided with radially extending partition walls separating the processing compartments from each other. Each processing compartment has a product inlet and a product outlet. The fluid bed dryer comprises a granulated product supply conduit arranged rotatably to selectively communicate with the product inlet of each separate processing compartment, respectively, and a product discharge conduit arranged rotatably to selectively communicate with the product outlet of each separate processing compartment, respectively. The granulator and the fluid bed dryer are closely coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Collette NV
    Inventors: Michel Simon Waldron, Trevor Gordon Page
  • Publication number: 20110011141
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of oil and/or gas field waste and by product materials, the method comprising composting the waste materials. The present invention is typically suited to the treatment of waste and by-product materials from oil and gas wells that are contaminated by organic compounds, such as hydrocarbon residues, either from oil based drilling muds, or from hydrocarbons produced from the well. The composting is typically accomplished by an endogenous microbial population on the composted mixture, and optionally a feeder material to provide N and C sources for the microbes. The composting operation is typically carried out in a composting chamber, and typically an auger or some other tilling device is used to mix the material within the composting chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Envireneer R&D Limited
    Inventors: Maureen B. Hepburn, John A. Smith, Allister J. W. Phillips, Vernon De Jager
  • Publication number: 20100326151
    Abstract: An enhanced fertilizer product comprised of nutrients and inert solids wherein the nutrients and inert solids are derived from a source material. The nutrients in the source material are collected with a nutrient capture process. The fertilizer product is agglomerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Madigan, Ronald Dean Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20100281935
    Abstract: System for processing organic was including several separate elements, in which organic waste is embedded at one end of the system, and mature compost is removed from the other end. The separate elements include at the least one grinding mill, one dehumidifier and one compost machine. The system also includes means for adding water before the dehumidifier, and means for ensuring that the liquid leaving the dehumidifier has a temperature above about 25° C., and preferably above 30° C. The invention also relates to a method for producing fertilizer, in which organic waste is ground and supplied with water, the fat- and liquid fractions are separated at a temperature above 25° C., and preferably above 30° C., and the solid mass is dehumidified and composted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: GLOBAL ENVIRO INTERNATIONAL AS
    Inventor: Rune Brandal
  • Patent number: 7811352
    Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of a fertilizer composition. The fertilizer compositions include one or more compounds having a high nitrogen content, which may be measured by a carbon to nitrogen atom ratio. Also provided are methods for increasing nitrogen content in soil, promoting crop production and fertilizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Binder, Philip C. Fass, Steven J. Furcich, John F. Less, Mark G. Matlock, William A. Torello
  • Patent number: 7776124
    Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of a fertilizer composition. The fertilizer compositions include one or more compounds having a high nitrogen content, which may be measured by a carbon to nitrogen atom ratio. Also provided are methods for increasing nitrogen content in soil, promoting crop production and fertilizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Binder, Philip C. Fass, Steven J. Furcich, John F. Less, Mark G. Matlock, William A. Torello
  • Publication number: 20100199734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of stable humus- and nutrient-rich and water-storing soil substrates with properties of anthropogenic soil types (Terra Preta) in which pyrogenic carbon, organic biomass, and/or natural mineral materials are used as initial materials in a fermentation process. The soil produced or treated according to the invention leads to a sustainably high soil yield such that mineral fertilizers are no longer needed for agricultural use. Moreover, the soil is suitable for use as a soil substitute, for use as a soil supplement, for greening developments, for preventing erosion, for improving regional water supplies, for preventing floods, for preventing climate change, for reducing carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere, for waste water cleaning and treatment, for exhaust air cleaning and building air purification, for creating material flow cycles from biogenic waste and/or waste water in order to develop and utilize land use and development systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Böttcher, Haiko Pieplow, Alfons-Eduard Krieger
  • Patent number: 7771504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the production of organic liquid fertilizer from waste using a two-phase process. The first phase comprises a successive extraction process whereby liquid leachate is drained from one plant or storage container and the process subsequently re-started with new fresh water. The second phase comprises an accelerated bio-leaching process wherein plant material is stored in a solid bed similar to a batch process, and a leachate (e.g., water and bacteria) is re-circulated through the solid bed until the process of hydrolysis and acidification results in dissolution of organic material into the re-circulating leachate. The leachate is thus concentrated without losing the nutrient and is subsequently used as an organic fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Zohrab A. Samani
  • Publication number: 20100107711
    Abstract: Dry fertilisers of biologically degraded crushed minerals such as limestone, rock, or rock phosphate together with micro-organisms, including one or more selected supplementary trace elements, are described. Minerals, some sawdust, an inoculum, and nutrients or other protein material, including bound selected micro-elements or trace elements are stored under aerobic conditions for some weeks during thermophilic biological degradation. The resolution fertiliser releases the macro-elements and micro-elements over a long period of time. The microelements are include within a biomass of micro-organism (5-6% carbon in the resulting fertiliser) and are more effective in remedying plan or animal deficiencies than if administered as inorganic salts. Furthermore this fertiliser avoids leaching of mineral including phosphate (phosphorus) and microelements into groundwater, streams, rivers or lakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Ka-Gree Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Clive Prebble Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20100064746
    Abstract: The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: XYLECO
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Patent number: 7674310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a biological fertilizer comprising subjecting whey to a first fermentation step and the addition of a carrier material to the fermented whey and a biological fertilizer obtainable by the method. The biological fertilizer can be used as a replacement of the present artificial fertilizers thereby reducing many of the environmental problems associated with these artificial fertilizers. In addition, the biological fertilizer according to the present invention can be used in the field of biological agriculture for which, until the present biological fertilizer, no fertilizers were available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Condit International Limited
    Inventor: Willibrordus Augustinus Van Der Weide
  • Publication number: 20100050719
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of bacterial biocontrol. More precisely, the invention relates to the identification of chemicals which promote the growth of bacteria inactivating NAHL, such as gamma-caprolactone (GCL) and 4-heptanolide (HTN) and their use in soil additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Denis Faure, Amélie Cirou, Yves Dessaux
  • Publication number: 20090249847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant nutrition formulation and method thereof, and more particularly to a plant nutrition formulated by recovery filtrate from non-woody fiber plant biopulping and method thereof. The present invention provides a plant nutrition formulation including steps of providing a culture solution containing a culture medium, a non-woody fiber plant material and microbial suspension, fermenting the culture solution for preparing a biopulping solution, filtrating the biopulping solution for preparing a filtrate, and formulating the filtrate for preparing a plant nutrition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Yuen Foong Yu Paper MFG Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jenn-Wen Huang, Yu-Hsiang Peng
  • Patent number: 7537635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant nutrition formulation and method thereof, and more particularly to a plant nutrition formulated by recovery filtrate from non-woody fiber plant biopulping and method thereof. The present invention provides a plant nutrition formulation including steps of providing a culture solution containing a culture medium, a non-woody fiber plant material and microbial suspension, fermenting the culture solution for preparing a biopulping solution, filtrating the biopulping solution for preparing a filtrate, and formulating the filtrate for preparing a plant nutrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Yuen Foong Yu Paper MFG Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jenn-Wen Huang, Yu-Hsiang Peng
  • Publication number: 20090120147
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced fertilizer. In particular, the invention relates to an enhanced fertilizer comprising fertilizer particles, lactic acid bacteria and bacteria of the Baciliaceae family. The present invention also relates to an enhancer for a fertilizer and a soil additive to enhance plant growth. Also described herein are methods for increasing growth, development or yield of a plant and methods of enhancing a soil for increasing growth, development or yield of a plant. Methods for producing the enhanced fertilizer are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: EVL INC.
    Inventor: Alexandre Blais
  • Patent number: 7497890
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transforming Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into a useful compost material. The method involves both a pre-treatment and a treatment phase. In the pre-treatment phase, a waste stream is processed to remove valuable waste after which the waste is ground to a suitable size. In the treatment phase, heat and pressure are applied to the waste and activators are added to sterilize the waste and transform it into a useful end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Global Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Helge Otto Friedrich Sahl
  • Patent number: 7422617
    Abstract: A system for composting-free disposal of organic waste and method thereof included a heating apparatus, a pretreatment apparatus, and a decomposition apparatus. The heating apparatus heats the pretreatment apparatus and the decomposition apparatus. The organic waste is separated into a slurry and a surface oil-water mixed liquid by the pretreatment apparatus. Microbial enzymes and raw material are added into the slurry to become a mixture. The mixture is then decomposed and sterilized by the decomposition apparatus to become a composting-free organic fertilizer product. All these procedures can be carried out within 3 to 24 hours. The system and the method thereof provides an efficiently fast, space-saving way to deal with organic waste and achieve environmental protection and sanitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Yes-Sun Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Shing Hong Lee
  • Publication number: 20080134737
    Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of a fertilizer composition. The fertilizer compositions include one or more compounds having a high nitrogen content, which may be measured by a carbon to nitrogen atom ratio. Also provided are methods for increasing nitrogen content in soil, promoting crop production and fertilizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
    Inventors: Thomas Pual Binder, Philip C. Fass, Steven J. Furcich, John F. Less, Mark G. Matlock, William A. Torello
  • Publication number: 20080041130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an organo-phosphatic fertilizer that comprises 40% to 90% of treated pig manure and 10% to 60% of a mineral fertilizer. The present invention also relates to a method for managing pig manure. The method of the present invention comprises sequentially or concomitantly treating and dehydrating the pig manure, mixing the treated and dehydrated pig manure with a mineral fertilizer in a proportion of 40% to 90% of pig manure for 10% to 60% of mineral fertilizer and pelletizing the mixture obtained therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Leon-Etienne Parent, Suzanne Allaire, Lotfi Khiari, Antoine Karam
  • Patent number: 7271128
    Abstract: Compositions for increasing valuable agronomic traits in plants are provided comprised of seaweed extract and fish hydrolysate. Methods of preparing compositions of the invention are provided which comprise mixing seaweed extract with fish hydrolysate and fermenting the mixture. Methods of increasing at least one valuable agronomic trait in a plant are provided comprising applying a composition comprising seaweed extract and fish hydrolysate to the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Iceland BioEnhancers, LLC
    Inventor: Kalidas Shetty
  • Patent number: 7029512
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the concentration of vermicompost comprising the steps of liquefying and agitating a vermicompost feedstock; separating large bodies from the liquefied feedstock and further separating the remaining portion into first and second sub-portions; centrifugally separating the first sub-portion into light and heavy portions; returning the light portion to the liquefying and agitating step; separating biological vermicompost components from the second sub-portion and heavy portion using a biological filter; returning the liquid to the liquefying and agitating step; innoculating the biological vermicompost components with food and/or supplements; further enhancing the concentration of the biological vermicompost components by allowing the biological vermicompost components an effective amount of time to multiply and dry; and packaging the biological vermicompost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Wesley M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7014676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transforming Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into a useful compost material. The method involves both a pre-treatment and a treatment phase. In the pre-treatment phase, a waste stream is processed to remove valuable waste after which the waste is ground to a suitable size. In the treatment phase, heat and pressure are applied to the waste and activators are added to sterilize the waste and transform it into a useful end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Global Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Helge Otto Friedrich Sahl
  • Publication number: 20040261480
    Abstract: A composting box includes a main unit and one or two detachable side panels. In a preferred embodiment, the main unit includes two spaced apart main walls attached at diagonally opposite corners with connecting and spacing members. Each of the detachable side panels is adapted to attach to a side of the main unit. After detaching the side panels, the main unit can be separated from a compost pile. The compost pile is then easily re-transferred back into the main unit, and the side panel(s) reattached. This method provides an inexpensive, labor-saving way to maintain and periodically aerate compost piles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Philip John Giesy
  • Publication number: 20040172996
    Abstract: An apparatus of continuous type for producing matured compost-like material comprises: a vertical vessel 1 which is provided at an upper side thereof with an inlet 2 for organic waste and provided at a lower side thereof with an outlet 3 for the material treated with heat; heating panel(s) 4 for heating the material which is disposed within the vessel 1 in multi-stage form or spiral form; and moving means for moving the material within the vessel 1 from the inlet 2 toward the outlet 3. The material within the vessel 1 is heated and dried and is further treated with heat at temperature of 100-200° C., thereby continuously producing compost-like material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Kensuke Matsui
  • Patent number: 6776816
    Abstract: Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), suitable for use as a slow-release fertilizer for example, is produced by mixing animal manure with a pre-specified amount of a magnesium-rich compound. A pre-specified amount of an enzyme, such as an urease or uricase, is added to the resultant mixture. The temperature and pH of this mixture are maintained within a pre-specified range to facilitate precipitation of the magnesium ammonium phosphate. Optionally, the enzyme-supplemented mixture may be inoculated with a pre-specified amount of bacteria, such as Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus globisporus, or Bacillus fusiformis, or a species of Bacillus identified as Bacillus sp. SB1. This bacteria-supplemented mixture is then allowed to incubate for about 14 days to form struvite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David B. Ringelberg, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Philip G. Malone
  • Publication number: 20040123637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for composting organic material, in which method organic material is transported to a bioreactor (1) where it is mixed and where material for regulating the oxygen content and bacteria and/or enzymes for agitation of composting process are added to it, and where organic material may compost, after which the composted material is removed outside the bioreactor to be stabilized. The invention also relates to a device for composting organic material, which device includes a bioreactor (1) with at least one filling and emptying opening (12, 13, 17) in order to fill and empty the bioreactor, and a transporting device (2) mixing the material inside the bioreactor (1) in order to transport the organic material to be composted and to mix it inside the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Claus Rostrom
  • Publication number: 20040110271
    Abstract: A process for treating waste comprising the steps of (i) adding a first innoculum comprising sulfide-utilizing bacteria to a sulfide-rich organic waste to produce a lowered-sulfide waste, (ii) adding a second innoculum comprising organic digesting bacteria to the lowered-sulfide waste to produce a digested waste, and (iii) adding to the digested waste at least one of (a) a third innoculum comprising bacteria capable of converting a nitrogen-containing compound to N2 to produce a lowered nitrogen waste, and (b) a fourth innoculum comprising phosphorous absorbing bacteria to produce a phosphorous enriched bacteria fraction and a phosphorous depleted waste fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory S. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20040087011
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for anaerobic digestion of high-solids waste are provided. The methods may include and the apparatuses may be used for moving the solid waste in a corkscrew-like fashion through a closed container. The method may further include moving the high-solids waste into contact with a heating device to facilitate the corkscrew-like movement. Other methods and apparatuses may use at least one of a partition and a conduit from which liquid or gas is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: GHD, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20040072331
    Abstract: A disposal method and disposal system for sharply reducing the residue and enhancing the sustainability and stability of disposal in disposal of organic waste are provided. The matter inside the solid phase decomposer is transported to a liquid phase decomposer I and is decomposed by land microorganisms at a solid phase decomposer III. The highly viscous products built up at that time are transported to the liquid phase decomposer I where they are dissolved in water and converted to sludge by aqueous microorganisms. The newly introduced organic waste is washed at the liquid phase decomposer I, transported together with the produced sludge to the solid phase decomposer III, and again decomposed by land microorganisms. For the transport of the matter inside the solid phase decomposer to the liquid phase decomposer I and the transport of the organic waste to the solid phase decomposer III, a solid/liquid circulator II having a twin screw structure is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Tatsuki Toda, Norio Nagao
  • Patent number: 6664100
    Abstract: A method for converting organic solid waste into humic products and the corresponding apparatus, in which a preliminary aerobic fermentation of the organic solid waste is performed, followed by a second aerobic fermentation of the organic waste in the presence of specific microorganisms in order to provide a basic precursor on which the selective metabolization occurs of specific bacterial strains to provide the humic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Riccardo Reverso
  • Patent number: 6655530
    Abstract: The household waste treatment requires neither incineration nor disposal in landfills. Two processing sub-systems, first one for combustibles and the other or second one for incombustibles, cooperate with each other as a single system for recycling the waste. The first sub-system deals with combustible waste to yields products for fertilizing and/or conditioning soil. In the process, what are inappropriate to the production of the soil fertilizing and/or conditioning products are sent to the second sub-system, which deals with incombustible waste. This sub-system sorts the incombustible waste materials into various kinds of recyclable products. Combustibles among the incombustible waste materials are sent to the first sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nakamura, Yoshihiko Watanabe, Kazufumi Watabe
  • Patent number: 6613223
    Abstract: A garbage treatment apparatus of the type which includes a cylindrical container formed to store an amount of porous inorganic balls containing microorganism effective for decomposition of garbage and to store an amount of garbage to be treated, a rotation shaft vertically mounted for rotary movement in a central portion of the container, a driving mechanism mounted on the container for driving the rotation shaft, a screw propeller assembly mounted to a lower portion of the rotation shaft for rotation therewith to feed downward the inorganic balls and garbage stored in the container, a flow adjustment plate in the form of a truncated conical plate mounted within a bottom portion of the container concentrically with the rotation shaft and placed in an upwardly expanded condition, and a rotary disk horizontally mounted to a lower end of the rotation shaft for rotation therewith and placed under the propeller assembly, the rotary disk being coupled with the flow adjustment plate to close a lower end opening of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Mitsuru Suzuki, Yukio Araki