Biochars and biochar treatment processes
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a porous carbonaceous material having a plurality of pores for use for facilitating plant growth, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the porous carbonaceous material in a vessel capable of sustaining pressure change, where the vessel has an original pressure;
adding a treating liquid to the vessel at the vessel'"'"'s original pressure, where the treating liquid is water; and
varying the pressure in the vessel where such pressure in the vessel is varied for a predetermined period of at least 60 seconds before ceasing such pressure variation and returning the pressure in the vessel to its original pressure or to atmospheric pressure without removing the porous carbonaceous material or treating liquid from the vessel, wherein the pressure in the vessel is changed using a mechanism other than exclusively through the use of steam, and where at least a portion of the treating liquid is forced into the pores of the porous carbonaceous materials when the pressure in the vessel is varied to wash the pores of the porous carbonaceous material and remove phytotoxic compounds from the pores of the porous carbonaceous material.
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Abstract
Treated biochar and methods for treating biochar are provided. The method for treating the biochar includes forcing, assisting or accelerating the movement of an infiltrant into the pores of the biochar, whereby the treatment affects properties of the biochar that provide for a more reliable and predictable biochar for use in various applications, including, but not limited to, agricultural applications.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for treating a porous carbonaceous material having a plurality of pores for use for facilitating plant growth, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing the porous carbonaceous material in a vessel capable of sustaining pressure change, where the vessel has an original pressure; adding a treating liquid to the vessel at the vessel'"'"'s original pressure, where the treating liquid is water; and varying the pressure in the vessel where such pressure in the vessel is varied for a predetermined period of at least 60 seconds before ceasing such pressure variation and returning the pressure in the vessel to its original pressure or to atmospheric pressure without removing the porous carbonaceous material or treating liquid from the vessel, wherein the pressure in the vessel is changed using a mechanism other than exclusively through the use of steam, and where at least a portion of the treating liquid is forced into the pores of the porous carbonaceous materials when the pressure in the vessel is varied to wash the pores of the porous carbonaceous material and remove phytotoxic compounds from the pores of the porous carbonaceous material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for treating a porous carbonaceous material having a plurality of pores, the method comprising combining the porous carbonaceous material with an infiltrant and then forcing, assisting or accelerating the movement of at least part of the infiltrant into the pores of the porous carbonaceous material by applying a vacuum or positive pressure to the environment surrounding the porous carbonaceous material and the infiltrant for a predetermined time to wash the pores of the porous carbonaceous material with the infiltrant and then ceasing the application of the vacuum or positive pressure while the porous carbonaceous material is still combined with the infiltrant, and where the method does not include the exclusive use of steam to force, assist or accelerate movement of the infiltrant into the pores of the porous carbonaceous material, and where at least 10% of the pores by volume are filled by the infiltrant remaining in the pores of the porous carbonaceous material after the vacuum or positive pressure is applied for such predetermined time;
- and drying the porous carbonaceous material to a moisture content of 10-50% by weight.
- View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for treating a porous carbonaceous material having a plurality of pores for use for facilitating plant growth, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing the porous carbonaceous material in a vessel capable of sustaining pressure change, where the porous carbonaceous material has an initial pH; adding a treating liquid to the vessel, where the treating liquid is an acidic or alkaline water based solution water; and changing the pressure in the vessel after the treating liquid is added to the vessel through a mechanism other than exclusively through the use of steam in order to infuse at least part of the treating liquid into the pores of the porous carbonaceous material in the vessel, wherein infusing the treating liquid into the pores of the porous carbonaceous material changes the initial pH of the porous carbonaceous material in the vessel and then adjusting the moisture of the porous carbonaceous material to 30-50% by weight by removing at least part of the treating liquid infused into the pores of the porous carbonaceous material using a centrifugal dewatering system. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification