Method for application of biochar in turf grass and landscaping environments

• US 10,392,313 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carbon Technology Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Richard W., Kim, Han Suk, Bontchev, Ranko Panayotov, Wahlgren, Neil Christopher, Traxler, Vern, Thompson, Timothy Alan, Buege, Brian, Jarand, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Langel, Wayne A
• Application Number:
  US15/184,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20170015601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/00 Methods of fertilising , sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/002 Apparatus for sowing fertiliser; Fertiliser drill
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 20/00 Cultivation of turf, lawn or the like; Apparatus or methods therefor hand-held edge trimmers or shears for lawn A01G3/06; edging for lawn A01G9/28; lawn-mowers A01D34/00
• CPC Class Codes: C05D 9/00 Other inorganic fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: C05D 9/02 containing trace elements
• 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 5/12 Granules or flakes
• 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: C09K 17/40 containing mixtures of inorganic and organic compounds
• 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: Y10S 71/903 Soil conditioner

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for applying biochar to turf and landscape to allow the turf and landscape to be effectively maintained under reduced water and/or reduced fertilizer applications.

Claims

1. A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to new turf installation from sod for the purposes of increasing turf survivability and decreasing water use, where at least 75% of the particles of the biochar, measured by weight and volume, have a particle size less than or equal to 10 mm and where the method comprises the steps of:

(i) applying the biochar over the area of soil in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 15 cubic yards per acre; and

(ii) installing the sod on the surface of the area of soil.

2. The method of claim 1 where after applying the biochar, the biochar is incorporated into the area of soil by tilling prior to the sod installation.

3. A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to new turf installation or to existing turf for the purposes of increasing turf survivability and decreasing water use, where at least 75% of the particles of the biochar, measured by weight and volume, have a particle size less than or equal to 10 mm and where the method comprises the step of placing the biochar under the surface of the area of soil in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 15 cubic yards per acre.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprises the step of blending the biochar into the top 1-4 inches of the surface of the area of soil.

5. The method of claim 3 where biochar is placed in the area of soil using a device that injects the biochar into the soil.

6. The method of claim 3 where biochar is placed in the area of soil at a depth of approximately 1-12 inches under the soil surface.

7. The method of claim 3 where the biochar is placed in the area of soil in a manner such that the biochar is evenly spread over the area of soil.

8. The method of claim 3 where the biochar is mixed with other additives prior to application and where the mixture of biochar and additive is placed under the soil surface.

9. The method of claim 3 where the biochar is derived from wood.

10. The method of claim 3 where the biochar is derived from coconut shells.

11. The method of claim 3 where the biochar is treated by infusing an additive into pores of the biochar prior to placing the biochar on the area of soil.

12. The method of claim 11 where the treatment for infusing an additive into pores of the biochar is a vacuum processing treatment.

13. The method of claim 11 where the treatment for infusing an additive into pores of the biochar is a surfactant infusion treatment.

14. The method of claims 4 where the step is repeated periodically until such time as the concentration of biochar in the top 4 inches of soil reaches a concentration of 50% by volume.

15. The method of claim 3 where placing the biochar under the surface of the soil further includes the steps of creating voids in the area of soil;

spreading the biochar over the area of soil and raking the biochar over the voids after spreading.

16. The method of claim 15 where the voids are created by aerating the soil.

17. The method of claim 15 where in the voids created in the area of soil are created such that they are spaced apart approximately 6-12 inches.

18. The method of claim 15 where the voids created in the area of soil have a depth range of approximately 2-12 inches.

19. A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to turf installation for the purposes of increasing turf survivability and decreasing water use, where the method comprises the steps of:

applying the biochar to the area of soil in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 15 cubic yards per acre, where the biochar has been treated by infusing additives into pores of the biochar prior to application; and

installing the new turf.

20. The method of claim 19 where after applying the biochar, the biochar is incorporated into the soil through tilling prior to the turf installation.

21. The method of claim 19 where the treatment for infusing additives in pores of the biochar is a vacuum processing treatment.

22. The method of claim 19 where the treatment for infusing additives in pores of the biochar is a surfactant infusion treatment.

23. A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to sod installation to decrease water use and increase the survivability of the installation, where the method comprises the step of adding the biochar to the top 2-4 inches of the soil in an amount such that the average concentration of biochar in the top 2-4 inches of soil by volume is greater than 0.01% and less than 60% prior to the installation of sod.

24. The method of claim 23 where water is applied to the soil containing the biochar prior to the installation of the sod.

25. A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to installing turf grass seed in order to improve survivability and decrease water use, where the method comprises the step of adding the biochar to the top 1-4 inches of the soil prior to the installation of turf such that the average concentration of biochar in the top 1-4 inches of soil by volume is greater than 0.01% and less than 60%.