Soil Conditioner Patents (Class 71/903)
  • Patent number: 5451240
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of compositions for stimulating plant growth whereby coal ash is fused with a humic acid-bearing ore, and more particularly fusing fly ash with leonardite ore; compositions produced by such a process; and methods for use thereof for stimulating plant growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 5451242
    Abstract: A synthetic soil/fertilizer for horticultural application having all the agronutrients essential for plant growth is disclosed. The soil comprises a synthetic apatite fertilizer having sulfur, magnesium and micronutrients dispersed in a calcium phosphate matrix, a zeolite cation exchange medium saturated with a charge of potassium and nitrogen cations, and an optional pH buffer. Moisture dissolves the apatite and mobilizes the nutrient elements from the apatite matrix and the zeolite charge sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Douglas W. Ming, Donald L. Henninger, Earl R. Allen, Dadigamuwage C. Golden
  • Patent number: 5443612
    Abstract: Methods of making agricultural materials for aiding and facilitating the growth of plants and crops are based on the combination of waste paper and other materials and the formation of such combinations into pellets. Where the agricultural material is for use in the casing layer of a mushroom tray, the agricultural material is made from a combination of waste paper and a pH adjusting material, which is preferably lime. Where the agricultural material is for general use in agricultural and horticultural applications, it is made from a combination of waste paper and compost material, the ratio of the compost used in the combination being between about 90% to 40% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Terry L. Havens
  • Patent number: 5436218
    Abstract: The invention relates to agglomerates which are permeable to gas, absorbs and stores liquids and comprises:A) a mineral carrier material,B) a water-insoluble polymer which absorbs and stores liquids,C) an adhesive andD) optionally appropriate additives and adjuvants.The agglomerates are outstandingly suitable for reclaiming uncultivated soils, in particular slopes, landfill sites, arid areas as well as golf courses and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Egbert Hausberg
  • Patent number: 5435819
    Abstract: A low-labor method of treating wood-containing or other cellulosic wastes to form a plant growth product. The wastes are formed into mounds containing soil or sand. Plants are allowed to grow on top of the mounds. When the wood becomes crumbly, the wastes are screened to form the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventors: William S. Andrews, Jr., William S. Andrews, III
  • Patent number: 5430237
    Abstract: A method of solidifying oil base shale cuttings and used drilling mud on site by thoroughly mixing the shale cuttings and drilling mud with an activated lime mixture to form a uniform dispersion of the lime mixture throughout the composite. Water from the drilling mud or from water added as needed activates the admixed lime causing a reaction which generates substantial heat and steam. The generated heat will dry the mixture and neutralize its acidic components producing an environmentally safe end product which may be cultivated into a ground surface without the need for special storage pits or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Terry F. Sharp
  • Patent number: 5413616
    Abstract: A method of immobilizing a contaminant comprising mixing the contaminant with a reaction partner that is capable of chemically interacting with the contaminant to form a water-insoluble reaction product, the reaction partner being mixed in the form of a hydrophobic solid preparation, which is either obtained by grinding the reaction partner with an inert material and treating it with a hydrophobing agent or which contains the educt or reaction product of a dispersion by chemical reaction preliminarily treated with a hydrophobing agent, the mixing being conducted to form a soil or soil-like material with cohesive constituents of a clay-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Friedrich Bolsing
  • Patent number: 5413432
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a landfill and sludge processing system. The landfill system comprises a first facility for disposing sludge with waste in a landfill, a second facility for forming a compost pile of yard waste mixed with sludge, a third facility for pelletizing sludge for ultimate use as a fuel, and a fourth facility for processing sludge for use in land enhancement applications. Preferably, there is a generator facility for producing energy from the pelletized sludge. The present invention is also comprised of a method for operating a landfill system. As shown in flow chart form in FIG. 6 , the method includes the steps of transporting sludge to the landfill system disposing a first portion of the sludge with waste in a landfill, disposing a second portion of the sludge with yard waste to form a compost pile, forming a third portion of the sludge into pellets for ultimate use as a fuel and processing a fourth portion of the sludge for land enhancement applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Chambers Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5405425
    Abstract: Method of conditioning soils, in which copolymers which are composed of acrylamide and/or methacrylamide, a sulphonyl-containing, substituted acrylamide or methacrylamide, a multi-functional, water-soluble vinyl compound and, if appropriate, carboxyl-containing comonomers are added to the soils as soil conditioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Chemie Linz Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Stefan Pieh, Johann Krammer
  • Patent number: 5395419
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of oxygen delivery vehicles, including peroxides of calcium, potassium and magnesium, to treat plant media having a negative reduction oxidation potential. The peroxides are preferably intercalated with phosphate ion which prolongs the period of time during which oxygen is released. The peroxides may be mixed with macronutrients, micronutrients or other beneficial additives or amendments, to provide fertilizers or applied direct to the media. Effective amounts of metals are used as bioactive agents for suppressing or enhancing the activity of microorganisms in the soil, depending on whether such microorganisms are detrimental or beneficial to plants. The formulations are useful in treating anaerobic associated disease states such as black layer in turf. The formulations are also useful in controlling post harvest potato soft rot and other microbial infection and disease states in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Plant Research Laboratories
    Inventors: William A. Farone, Steve Koenigsberg
  • Patent number: 5393312
    Abstract: An agent for the prevention of salt damage of plants for use in intermediate soil comprised of water-repellent particles, and a method of preventing salt damage to plants from salty soil using an agent to establish a water-repellent layer as a layer above the underground water level. An agent for the prevention of salt accumulation in greenhouse soil comprised of hydrophobic particles which are substantially hydrophobic. A salt accumulation prevention layer containing an agent for the prevention of salt accumulation in greenhouse soil which is provided at the surface layer or a prescribed depth from the surface layer of the greenhouse soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Ogawa, Kenichi Ito, Yoichi Hirasawa, Takao Oshima, Seiji Sakai
  • Patent number: 5387271
    Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Crawford, Todd O. Stevens, Ronald L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5387056
    Abstract: A method of treating dredging spoils for salt contamination having the steps of passing the dredging spoils to a containment area, mixing a solution of calcium and nitrate ions with the dredging spoils, reacting the solution with the dredging spoils so as to form sodium chloride, and draining the liquid component and the sodium chloride from the containment area. The containment area is formed for the receipt of the dredging spoils and piping is extended from a dredge to the containment area so that the dredging spoils can be passed to the containment area. The solution of calcium and nitrate ions is pumped into the flow of dredging spoils toward the containment area. The step of draining includes installing a drainage tile into the containment area below a top surface of the containment area and passing the liquid component and the sodium chloride through the drainage tile to a liquid containment area. The liquid containment area may be the body of water from which the dredging spoils were taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: DeLuca Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. DeLuca
  • Patent number: 5366533
    Abstract: Inclusion of a certain finely powdered by-product of the citrus fruit processing industry, notably a waste product consisting of processed peel, stems, seeds, and pulp, with relatively inexpensive, finely-powdered soluble iron sulfate [FeSO.sub.4 or Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 ] significantly improves the efficiency of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils and can maintain supply of available iron to growing plants for substantially extended periods of time. These compositions may be band applied in powdered or granular form in or near the seed row at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Allan D. Behel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5350435
    Abstract: The present invention provides a soil fertilization method which includes a process for producing a fertilyzer by-product from an ammonia filtering media. The method includes the steps of providing a filter media containing phosphoric acid soaked particles. In addition, the method includes providing ammonia laden air. The ammonia laden air is passed through the filter media to remove ammonia from the air which is removed by a chemical reaction which converts the phosphoric acid soaked wood particles to ammonium phosphate coated wood particles. After substantially all of the wood particles are converted to ammonium phosphate wood particles, the filter media is collected and then applied to soil to fertilize and build the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Planet Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gene L. Kamin
  • Patent number: 5346527
    Abstract: Two heretofore bothersome waste products, namely sewage sludge ash and water treatment lime, are mixed together to provide an agricultural soil treatment enhancing the nutrient value and raising the pH of the soil for improved plant growth while simultaneously minimizing the risk of wind blown ash dust. The ash is readily dryable and dusty but this feature is obscured by the water treatment lime which has a tendency to retain water. Mixing of tonnage quantities is conducted at a site near the facility generating the ash; and the mixture is transported to the agricultural soil to be treated and applied at a quantity between 2 and 70 tons of the water-containing mixture per acre of the soil. The application quantity is sufficient to raise the level of the soil-water pH of acid soil to a value of at least 6.5 but not above about 7.5 and insufficient to add to the soil more than the governmental limits for several heavy metals. Many nutrients needed for plant growth are contained in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: L & G Rehbein, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Rehbein, Paul D. Montain
  • Patent number: 5342449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the decontamination of soil and the like and, in particular, soils which are contaminated with metal as a result of the activities of human beings. The invention provides a physical and a chemical means for treating soil aggregate so as to obtain a product aggregate having a relatively low metal content. The physical means is characterized by the classification of a soil aggregate into portions of differing size and metal content. The chemical means is characterized by contacting a soil aggregate with an aqueous lixiviant comprising an organic acid component to lift metal from the aggregate. The physical and chemical means may be used in a combined process for decontaminating soil aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventors: Bruce E. Holbein, Denis K. Kidby
  • Patent number: 5340376
    Abstract: A controlled-release nutrient source is added at a low level to a bioremediation environment to enhance microorganism growth and activity and promote the effectiveness of the bioremediation in removing environmental contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The Sierra Horticultural Products Company
    Inventor: John Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5336290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of recycling contaminated soil so as to form a balanced non-contaminated soil with an increased water-holding capability. More particularly the invention combines two waste products, namely hydrocarbon-affected soil and activated sewage sludge, in order to create a useful non-waste product having high marketability. The combination, or mixing, of those waste products is done either by land farming and/or by composting. In the latter case the hydrocarbon-affected soil also acts as an insulating blanket over the compost, and that blanket itself is subsequently added into the compost after the curative process has dissipated the contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: David B. Jermstad
  • Patent number: 5330552
    Abstract: A method for increasing the yield of rice crop plants by foliar application to the plants during the plant growth stage a granular fertilizer consisting essentially of urea and ammonium sulfate in a urea/ammonium sulfate. The granular fertilizer has a urea/ammonium sulfate weight ratio of about 4/1 and contains at least 40% nitrogen and at least 4% sulfur. The relatively high N-S fertilizer is applied at relatively high rates of about 100 to 150 pounds per acre to ensure that the fertilizer nutrients are always available to the rice plants at several stages of their growing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: John M. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 5328498
    Abstract: A plant substrate, characterized by the fact that it contains 20 to 100% of a granulate consisting of foamed clays or weakly fired ceramic materials, as well as the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Effem GmbH
    Inventors: Rudiger Lang, Jurgen Tonne, Klaus Czempik
  • Patent number: 5317037
    Abstract: A composition of matter comprising at least 2% by weight of a fibrous material and at least 30% by weight of a binding material such that the composition can be melt-molded into articles which have mechanical strength sufficient for their intended uses and which are biodegradable. The binding material is formed of natural substance and may also include up to 30% by weight synthetic, water-soluble polymer. The fibrous material may be cellulose and/or mineral fibers which provide the attributes of reinforcement and degradability. The composition may further include up to 20% by weight liquid or solid plasticizer which serves to lower melt viscosity and add toughness to the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Bio Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey V. Golden, Ronald L. Turner, John A. Elverum, Ray L. Hauser
  • Patent number: 5312474
    Abstract: This invention relates to a plant activator, a mycelial fertilizer, and a method of producing the fertilizer. The essential component of the activator and the fertilizer is purified pyrolignous acid. The plant activator includes 80-97 parts by weight of purified pyrolignous acid and 3-20 parts by weight of saccharide containing glucose. The mycelial fertilizer having purified pyrolignous acid includes predominant thermoactinomyces as mycelium. The mycelium is obtained by incubation and fermentation on a porous carrier while a pH of 7.5-9.5 is maintained. The plant activator revives plants weakened by stress. The mycelial fertilizer and method of producing that fertilizer includes predominant thermoactinomyces which beneficially affect farm products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Ryusuke Iijima
  • Patent number: 5303663
    Abstract: Disclosed are improvements relating to injection of water-absorbent polymers, including a blend containing fine granules, using one or more air-blown, plowblade applicators. The process creates a "blanket" of moisture-retaining particles for the plant roots. A further aspect of the invention includes drawing a plowblade through the soil at an appropriate shallow angle and speed to establish a wave in the soil, together with the use of a deflector and control over the air pressure, all of which maximizes diffusion and distribution of the injected particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Soil Injection Layering Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Salestrom
  • Patent number: 5302179
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a useful soil product from contaminated soil and sludge is disclosed, and wherein the contaminated soil is heated in a primary treatment unit to a temperature above the vaporization temperature but below the auto ignition temperature of the contaminates, so as to volatilize the contaminates. The volatilized contaminates are then delivered to a secondary treatment unit where they are heated to a temperature sufficient to be converted to non-toxic products, such as carbon dioxide and water. The hot purified soil produced in the primary treatment unit is conveyed to a mixing chamber, and sedimentary sludge is also conveyed to the mixing chamber, and during mixing, heat energy is transferred to the sludge so as to heat and substantially sterilize the sludge, and to thereby produce a useful soil product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry R. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5266096
    Abstract: A microbial hydrocarbon degrader, soil amendment and growth-promoting composition comprising a mixture of bacteria, termed mystic microbes, which is capable of decomposing cellulose, fixing nitrogen, fighting plant pests and disease, and liberating phosphorous into the soil upon application and mixture to soil. The heterotrophic microbial composition further is capable of degrading hydrocarbons in contaminant events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Jeru Ecology, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Slavensky
  • Patent number: 5264018
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decontaminating soil by applying to the soil an oxygen delivery vehicle such as peroxides of calcium, potassium or magnesium or mixture thereof in an amount which substantially increases the population of microorganism in the soil that digest pollutants. Preferably, a surfactant and an oxygen release rate modifier are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Plant Research Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Koenigsberg, William A. Farone
  • Patent number: 5261939
    Abstract: A nitrification-inhibiting agent is described which is characterized in that it comprisesa) dicyandiamide andb) guanylthiourea and/or ammonium thiosulphate and/or ammonium phosphate.This agent is distinguished by an increased activity compared to the individual components and by its low toxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: SKW Trostberg Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Svatopluk Solansky, Werner Goll, Richard Youngman
  • Patent number: 5248327
    Abstract: The soil aggregate stability of a soil, particularly a crusting or compacting soil, is improved by the addition of a coal-derived product which is a humic acid gel, a humic acid salt gel, a humic acid salt which is capable of forming a gel in water or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: National Energy Council
    Inventors: Michael C. Laker, Johannes Dekker, Izak J. Cronje
  • Patent number: 5248326
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the compostability of waste products (i.e., products which have been discarded after use such as diapers) containing one or more propylene polymer materials by exposure to high-energy ionizing radiation in an oxidizing atmosphere, such as air, to improve the rate of the biological degradation of the propylene polymer material(s). The irradiated waste product is then contacted with living microorganisms in the presence of sufficient moisture for their growth and of an oxygen-containing gas to produce a useful compost humus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Himont Incorporated
    Inventor: Lester P. J. Burton
  • Patent number: 5234485
    Abstract: A method of immobilizing a contaminant comprising mixing the contaminant with a reaction partner that is capable of chemically interacting with the contaminant to form a water-insoluble reaction product, the reaction partner being mixed in the form of a hydrophobic solid preparation, which is either obtained by grinding the reaction partner with an inert material and treating it with a hydrophobing agent or which contains the educt or reaction product of a dispersion by chemical reaction preliminarily treated with a hydrophobing agent, the mixing being conducted to form a soil or soil-like material with cohesive constituents of a clay-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Friedrich Bolsing
  • Patent number: 5221312
    Abstract: A water and soil treatment method comprising injecting SO.sub.2 into an aqueous media until substantially all of the bicarbonates are removed and the desired pH is achieved, and applying the SO.sub.2 treated aqueous media to soil until a soil pH of between 6.0 to 6.8 is achieved and approximately 40 to 60% of the soil bicarbonates are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Nutri-Sul International, Inc.
    Inventor: Balthasar Buhidar
  • Patent number: 5209014
    Abstract: A mold for retaining a seedling during handling and transportation, whereby the mold is formed of turf, water, nutrients and a synthetic molding material. The dried form retaining mold form receives a seedling and then is packaged as needed for further handling prior to being planted and watered. The seedling then grows directly in the mold. The invention also includes the process and device for manufacturing such molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignees: Spuhl AG, Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Teichmann
  • Patent number: 5209768
    Abstract: A method of improving the yield of a germinating sod crop and a method of promoting the root formation and the vegetative growth of transplanted sod utilizing an aqueous gel including a highly-absorbent, crosslinked, mixed salt of homopolymerized or copolymerized acrylic acid. The aqueous gel utilized in the method of the present invention demonstrates an improved sod crop yield and improved sod growth even in the absence of plant nutrients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: American Colloid Company
    Inventor: John Hughes
  • Patent number: 5196043
    Abstract: A method and product for sterilizing and drying waste products such as plant sludge, animal excrement and process wastes wherein the waste material is first settled or dewatered to a moisture content between 4% to 60% and then blended and reacted with alkaline earth metal oxides in the presence of an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, and in the absence of the oxygen. After the sludge is blended with the alkaline earth oxides, the carbon dioxide is removed so that air or oxygen will contact the blended constituents. A violent exothermic reaction takes place between the water in the constituents and the alkaline earth oxides causing a rapid rise in temperature of the constituents and thus sterilizing the constituents to produce a safe and useable end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Willow Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William O. Wurtz
  • Patent number: 5192354
    Abstract: Soil substitute capable of supporting plant growth is produced in quantities suitable for substitution on a large scale, such as in landscaping operations. Shredded treebark is intimately mixed with quarry stone particles and silica sand particles and are then composted while mixed with the quarry stone particles and sand particles. Composting is performed by laying out the mixture in windrows and aerating the shredded treebark by mechanically turning material in the windrows so that composting proceeds within the temperature range 42-60 degrees Celcius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Debco Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Drysdale, David G. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5181951
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the extended infusion of fertilizer and controlled watering of a potted plant, while providing an improved method for preventing the egress of soil through the base of the pot, comprising a gravel/fertilizer packet, including a specially formulated fertilizer mixture, depending upon the type of plant, suspended in a gravel filtering base, the mixture being contained in an enveloping package comprised of a wicking, fluid permeable material, the package having emanating about its edge periphery a flange or skirt for facilitating the retention and controlled, even distribution of water and fertilizer and drainage of excess water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Irvy E. Cosse, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5178661
    Abstract: A composition for use in applying an alkaline earth metal element to an acidic sub soil. The composition includes the element in the form of a water-soluble salt or complex with fulvic acid in an aqueous medium. The fulvic acid is preferably a coal-derived fulvic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: National Energy Council
    Inventors: Hendrik V. H. van der Watt, Robin O. Barnard, Izak J. Cronje, Johannes Dekker
  • Patent number: 5162600
    Abstract: A method of treating lead contaminated soil to reduce the amount of mobile lead contained in the soil, the method which comprises: (a) providing an agent selected from the group consisting of inorganic phosphate compounds, inorganic phosphite compounds and mixtures thereof; and (b) contacting the agent with the soil to react the agent with the lead and form immobilized, acid-insoluble lead compounds, thereby reducing the amount of mobile lead in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Rheox, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Cody, Steven J. Kemnetz, William Bronner
  • Patent number: 5160525
    Abstract: A chemical product and method for accelerated biodegradation of petroleum on water. The chemical product includes a fermentation product portion and a surfactant containing emulsifier portion which has a monosodium glutamate additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventors: Neil W. Stillman, Edward J. Brown
  • Patent number: 5158595
    Abstract: A soil bioremediation material. A material for improvement of soil conditions includes a mixture of about 85-92% by weight water, about 5-9% by weight molasses from raw sugar, about 2-4% by weight unrefined sugar, about 0.5-1.5% by weight malt, about 0.05-0.2% by weight yeast with the malt to yeast ratio being in the range of 8:1 to 12:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: H.sub.2 O Chemists, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil W. Stillman
  • Patent number: 5152820
    Abstract: The composition contains iron EDDHA and for iron EDDHMA in an agriculturally-acceptable organic solvent, preferably ethylene glycol. The composition is used in treating iron deficiency in soils and can have an iron content of up to 40 or 50 g dm.sup.-3. The composition may also contain considerable amounts of water yet still to be stable at room temperature, the aqueous composition having a significantly reduced viscosity relative to the water-free composition. The iron chelate need not be dry when incorporated into the composition. It may also be synthesized in situ in the solvent of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Phosyn plc.
    Inventors: John M. Dawson, Vivian B. Warne
  • Patent number: 5139555
    Abstract: Process of furnishing slow release nitrogen to field soil comprising inserting and distributing in the soil in particulate or granular form melamine, ammeline, ammelide, cyanuric acid, mixtures thereof, their salts, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Melamine Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Freepons
  • Patent number: 5127187
    Abstract: A soil or soil improver for plants which is characterized by combining a charcoal or activated carbon on which oxygen is adsorbed with a soil or soil improver comprising an inorganic or organic ion exchanger and a porous mineral, and a soil or soil improver which further comprises polyacrylamide. By using the soil or soil improver of the invention, plants can continue to grow for four months to one year without supplying water and fertilizer, and various decoration patterns of plants are possible, such as horizontal decoration, reverse decoration and space decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignees: NKK Corporation, Yamatogiken K.K.
    Inventors: Michinori Hattori, Kazuo Araragi, Teruo Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 5125952
    Abstract: A storage-stable dispersion providing melamine in the form of a concentrated liquid for effective use as an end product or as an ingredient for conversion into other products. The dispersion contains melamine particles finer than about 50 microns in diameter, admixed with a chemically inert suspending liquid, having a specific gravity between 0.9 and 1.3 grams per milliliter, containing between 0.03 and 0.20 percent of a chemically inert thickening agent, which interacts physically with the suspending liquid to increase viscosity to between 250 and 3000 centipoise, thereby substantially maintaining the melamine particles in a stable dispersion and preventing their settling. The dispersion composition is an effective form of melamine for accurate dispensing as an agricultural, pulp and paper, or fire-retardant ingredient. Effective thickening agents include xanthan gums, carrageenans, polyacrylamide, chemically treated cellulose, and clays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Melamine Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Moore, John H. Detrick
  • Patent number: 5120344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a closing layer which improves the water and nutrient retention of soils, particularly of sandy soils, characterized in that a layer of clay mineral/polymer gel capable of binding and releasing water in a reversible manner is introduced into the soil, preferably 20-60 cm below the soil surface, in such a way that a clay mineral is reacted either before or after or during activation in the presence of water, with 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignees: Altalanos Iparfejlesztesi Rt., Vizepitooipari Troszt
    Inventors: Oszkar Libor, Gabor Nagy, Tamas Szekely, Rudolf Mester, Kalman Kazareczki, Tibor Muller, Jeno Kiss, Zoltan Saghi, Adam Hosszu
  • Patent number: 5114457
    Abstract: A soil amendment is disclosed containing, by volume, about 20 to 60% cross-cut redwood grains or ground redwood bark of a particle size substantially in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, about 15 to 50% grape pumice, about 0 to 20% cross-cut fir grains of a particle size substantially in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, about 0 to 20% agricultural pumice and about 0 to 25% aged whole rice hulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: John J. Feehan, III
    Inventor: James R. Evans
  • Patent number: 5114459
    Abstract: Method of enhancing the growth of plants in a soil or soil-like medium during a growing period is disclosed. The method comprises varying the ratio of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen in a fertilizer composition in proportion to the amount of light available to the plant, while maintaining a constant ratio in the composition of the amount of trace elements to the total amount of nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Grace Sierra Horticultural Products Co.
    Inventors: John R. Peters, Robert B. Peters
  • Patent number: 5106405
    Abstract: This invention is a mixed horticultural medium consisting essentially of natural zeolite particles, which has a unique property of capturing ammonium ions, and has a high nitrogen content as compared with conventionally available horticultural media thereby providing a high germentation percentage and having a nitrogen supply potential to meet requirements of plants with the aid of microorganisms in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Soil Conservation Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Itsuo Goto
  • Patent number: 5100455
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of the environment, particularly the soil and ground water, by biological degradation of unwanted chemical and biological entities often finding their way into soils. The process of the present invention utilizes the well known methods of the art of composting but specifically selects the raw plant materials to be composted from plant groups having carbon:nitrogen ratios of approximately 10:1 to 30:1 of carbon and nitrogen content. Examples of said special plant material being from members of the plant family Leguminosae, and specifically Gossypium hirsutum (cotton). By means of certain modifications of the art of composting said special plant materials, disclosed herein, generate a special humic substrate which supports an indigenous microflora and fauna capable of degrading a number of unwanted substances harmful to man, animals and plants; examples being certain petroleum hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbon pesticides and soil borne plant pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventors: Joseph A. Pinckard, Paul E. Gill