Method for the bioactivation of biochar for use as a soil amendment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017190633-A1
Application number	US-201615348464-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 10, 2016
Priority date	Jun 6, 2011
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth is described, comprising: grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles; subjecting the ground biomass particles to a biofractioning process including an auger reactor; selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic; exposing the BMF char to microorganisms; and adding the BMF char to soil.

First claim

1 - 21 . (canceled)

22 . A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth, comprising:
subjecting biomass to a biofractioning process; selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the biomass; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; and rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic to produce an agent for enhancing soil growth.

23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising controlling a pH of the BMF char via pH adjustment agents.

24 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising activating the BMF char.

25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein an auger reactor is employed to carry out the biofractioning process.

26 . The method of claim 22 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed gas within char pores.

27 . The method of claim 22 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed hydrocarbons at a temperature above 400° C.

28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed hydrocarbons at a temperature above 700° C.

29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by water infiltration, vacuum suction, ultrasound, or impact.

30 . The method of claim 26 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by introducing a water solution containing soluble plant nutrients.

31 . The method of claim 22 , wherein subjecting the biomass to a biofractioning process comprises:
feeding the biomass into a reactor; conveying the biomass through the reactor; and heating the biomass as the biomass is conveyed through the reactor.

32 . The method of claim 22 , wherein subjecting the biomass to a biofractioning process comprises:
subjecting the biomass to ramps of temperature; and selectively collecting various groups of compounds as they are released from the biomass.

33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the ramps of temperature are incremented over a range of times, pressures, or local working gas compositions.

34 . A method for processing biomass, comprising:
loading biomass into one of a plurality of biomass reaction compartments; heating the biomass in a first heating step to release low boiling point bio-compounds and pyrolysis fragments; selectively collecting various compounds as they are released from the biomass; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; and rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic.

35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed gas within char pores.

36 . The method of claim 34 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed hydrocarbons at a temperature above 400° C.

37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed hydrocarbons at a temperature above 700° C.

38 . The method of claim 35 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by water infiltration, vacuum suction, ultrasound, or impact.

39 . The method of claim 35 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by introducing a water solution containing soluble plant nutrients.

40 . The method of claim 35 further comprising further heating the biomass in a second heating step at a higher temperature than said first heating step to drive off heavier biomass fragments.

41 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the heavier biomass fragments comprise sugar derived furans and lignin derived aromatics.

Assignees

• Cool Planet Energy Systems Inc

Inventors

• Cheiky Michael C
• Sills Ronald A

Classifications

• C05G3/80

  Soil conditioners · CPC title

• C10B57/02

  Multi-step carbonising or coking processes · CPC title

• C10G2400/02

  Gasoline · CPC title

• Y02T50/678

  Aviation using fuels of non-fossil origin · CPC title

• C05F9/04

  Biological compost · CPC title