Method for enhancing soil growth using bio-char

• US 10,093,588 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2016
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carbon Technology Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Cheiky, Michael C., Jarand, Mark L., Sills, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LANGEL, WAYNE A
• Application Number:
  US15/350,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20170152194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/05 Preparation or purification of carbon not covered by groups C01B32/15, C01B32/20, C01B32/25, C01B32/30
• CPC Class Codes: C05D 9/00 Other inorganic fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 11/00 Other organic fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 11/02 from peat, brown coal, and similar vegetable deposits
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 11/08 Organic fertilisers containing added bacterial cultures, mycelia or the like
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 3/00 Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 3/80 Soil conditioners
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 5/40 Fertilisers incorporated into a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 17/02 containing inorganic compounds only
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 17/04 applied in a physical form other than a solution or a grout, e.g. as granules or gases
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 53/02 of cellulose-containing material production of pyroligneous acid C10C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 57/005 After-treatment of coke, e.g. calcination desulfurization
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 57/02 Multi-step carbonising or coking processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/14 Fungi culture of mushrooms A01G18/00; as new plants A01H15/00; Culture media therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/20 Bacteria; Culture media therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/145 the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 71/903 Soil conditioner

Abstract

A method is described for rendering char from a biomass fractionator apparatus (BMF char) suitable for addition to soil in high concentrations, the method relying on multiple processes comprising removing detrimental hydrocarbons from BMF char, removing adsorbed gases from BMF char, introducing microorganisms to the BMF char, and adjusting soil pH.

Claims

1. A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil, comprising:

subjecting a biomass feedstock to a pyrolysis treatment comprising sequential or concurrent ramps of temperature to produce at least one volatile component released from the biomass feedstock during the treatment and a nonvolatile component comprising biochar;

rendering a surface of the biochar hydrophilic by removing adsorbed gases within pores of the biochar using vacuum or ultrasound; and

thereafter exposing the biochar to microorganisms.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pyrolysis treatment comprises a peak temperature in a range of 375-500 C.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass feedstock is used to produce different biochars based on a composition of the biomass feedstock.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a pH of the biochar is controlled via pH adjustment agents.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the biochar is activated.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the microorganisms include members of at least one of fungi, bacteria or archaea.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fungi include one or more members of the phyla Glomeromycota.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the biochar contains glomalin structures.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing a compound selected from the group consisting of bicarbonates, carbonates, hydroxides, amines, nitrates, halides, sulfonates, phosphates, and carboxylates into the biochar.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding the biochar to soil after exposing the biochar to microorganisms.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a pH of the soil is modified prior to the addition of biochar to the soil.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding soluble nutrients to the biochar.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding acidic compounds to the biochar.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the acidic compounds comprise humic acid.

15. A method of enhancing soil health, comprising:

producing a biochar by the method according to claim 1; and

adding the biochar to soil.

16. A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil, comprising:

subjecting a biomass feedstock to a pyrolysis treatment comprising sequential or concurrent ramps of temperature to produce at least one volatile component released from the biomass feedstock during the treatment and a nonvolatile component comprising biochar; and

rendering a surface of the biochar hydrophilic by removing adsorbed gases within pores of the biochar using ultrasound.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising exposing the biochar to microorganisms after removing adsorbed gases.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising adding an acidic compound to the biochar.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the acidic compound comprises humic acid.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising adding soluble nutrients to the biochar.