U.S. patent application number 12/931323 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for concentrated separator by-product based fertilizer.
This patent application is currently assigned to True Organic Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jake Evans.
Application Number | 20110120201 12/931323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39675010 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110120201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans; Jake |
May 26, 2011 |
Concentrated separator by-product based fertilizer
Abstract
A vegetable based fluidic fertilizer derived from concentrated
separator by-products (CSB.) The CSB is heat treated and optionally
filtered to remove suspended particular matter. The heat treatment
is performed in a range of about 150 to 200 degrees F. for about 24
to 96 hours. Filtration is provided using a standard wire mesh size
in a range of about 50 to 200. The fertilizer may then be applied
at about 25 to 200 gallons per acre. The fertilizer may be applied
to agricultural vegetation either directly or by inclusion in an
irrigation stream.
Inventors: |
Evans; Jake; (Monterey,
CA) |
Assignee: |
True Organic Products, Inc.
Spreckels
CA
|
Family ID: |
39675010 |
Appl. No.: |
12/931323 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11670364 |
Feb 1, 2007 |
7901481 |
|
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12931323 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
71/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C05F 5/006 20130101;
Y02A 40/20 20180101; Y02A 40/211 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
71/49 |
International
Class: |
C05B 17/00 20060101
C05B017/00 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) based fertilizer
product comprising: a concentrated separator byproduct (CSB)
solution including; a nitrogen content in a range of about 2 to 3
percent by weight; a phosphate content in a range of about 0.04 to
0.1 percent by weight; and, a potash content in a range of about 8
to 12 percent by weight.
13. The concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) based fertilizer
product according to claim 12 further comprising a specific gravity
in range of about 1.2 to 1.6.
14. The concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) based fertilizer
product according to claim 12 further comprising greater than about
50% dry matter.
15. The concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) based fertilizer
product according to claim 12 wherein the CSB based fertilizer
product is agriculturally applied in an amount of about 25 to 200
gallons per acre.
16. A concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) based fertilizer
product consisting essentially of heat-treated CSB.
17-25. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
RELEVANT INVENTIVE FIELD
[0004] The relevant inventive field is directed toward agricultural
products and more specifically toward organically derived
fertilizers.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Over the years, a number of different types of fertilizer
compositions have been developed and employed in agriculture.
However, there is continued interest in the development of new
fertilizer compositions which do not rely on synthetic chemicals.
Specifically, there is increasing public concern over the potential
link between pesticide use and human disease and/or poisoning
conditions. As such, organic fertilizer compositions, which are
typically derived from natural sources and therefore reduce the
risk of introducing pathogens into the food supply, are in
significantly high demand.
[0006] The desirable chemical nutrients of these organic fertilizer
compositions include, but are not limited to, bioavailable
phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in concentrations beneficial to
the agricultural vegetation to which the organic fertilizer
composition is to be applied. Desirable characteristics of organic
fertilizer compositions include, but are not limited to: the
ability to directly inject the organic fertilizer compositions into
irrigation streams; time-released nitrogen components which become
bioavailable to agricultural vegetation by beneficial microbial
digestion in the soil in which the agricultural vegetation is
planted; and the elimination of crop burning and undesirable runoff
situations.
[0007] Over the years various efforts have been expended to utilize
waste products generated by fermentation and refined sugar
processing as organic fertilizer compositions. These efforts have
included deriving organic fertilizer compositions from malt
extracts and/or spent grain liquor; treating molasses to recover in
solid form potash and nitrogen for use as an organic fertilizer
composition; deriving organic fertilizer compositions from
commercially available molasses; deriving thixotrophic fertilizer
compositions from organic materials including molasses; and
deriving organic fertilizer compositions from yeast/black strap
molasses. However, many of these organic fertilizer compositions
require significant chemical processing and/or the addition of
synthetically derived chemicals.
[0008] Therefore, an environmentally benign and non-pathogenic
fertilizer derived from a natural organic source which does not
require significant processing would be highly desirable in the
relevant art. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches
described in this section are not prior art to the Claims in this
application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in
this section.
SUMMARY
[0009] The various exemplary embodiments described herein address
the limitations in the relevant art and provides in a method for
production of a vegetable based fertilizer product, a fertilizer
product and uses of the fertilizer product thereof. The vegetable
fertilizer product is derived from concentrated separator
by-products (CSB.) The CSB is heat treated and optionally filtered
to remove suspended particular matter. The heat treatment is
performed in a range of about 150 to 200 degrees F. for 24 to 96
hours. Filtration is provided using a standard wire mesh size in a
range of 50 to 200. The fertilizer may then be applied at about 25
to 200 gallons per acre. The fertilizer may be applied to
agricultural vegetation either directly or by inclusion in an
irrigation stream.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Common reference numerals are used throughout the Figure and
the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in
the relevant art will readily recognize that the Figure is only
exemplary and that other treatment arrangements, production modes,
orders of operation and elements/functions can be provided and
implemented without departing from the characteristics and features
of the various inventive embodiments as set forth in the
Claims.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a flow chart of a process for manufacturing a
CSB based fertilizer product in accordance with an exemplary
inventive embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) is the residual
liquid resulting from the desugaring of beet molasses and is
available in bulk tanker-truck quantities. For example, CSB is
commercially available from a number of suppliers including MidWest
Agri-Commdities of Moorhead, Minn. Information concerning this
company is available from the Internet at URL www.mwagri.com.
[0013] In the relevant art, CSB is generally used as a supplement
in ruminant feedstock (see U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,165 to Westberg) but
has not been considered to be useful as a direct application
fluidic fertilizer due to historically low concentrations of the
essential nutrients remaining in the solution from the molasses
desugaring process. Recently, the processing efficiency of sugar
refineries has improved by the advent of chromatographic extraction
techniques. The improved chromatographic extraction also improves
the nutrient concentrations in the remaining CSB solution, known in
the relevant art as raffinate. For purposes of this specification,
the term raffinate is the residual liquid resulting from the
desugaring of beet molasses.
[0014] A discussion of the improved chromatographic separation
process currently practiced by many sugar refiners is provided in
"Raw Juice Chromatographic Separation Process" published in the
Proceedings from the 28th Biennial ASSBT Meeting, Operations, New
Orleans, La., Mar. 8-11, 1995, by Kearney, Kochergin, Petersen,
Velasquez and Jacob of Amalgamated Research Inc.
[0015] The instant inventor, believing the conventional wisdom
regarding CSP nutrient concentrations, attempted to mix seaweed and
fish products into a quantity of CSB to increase the concentration
of bioavailable nitrogen and potassium but was not able to generate
a consistent product suitable for commercial applications.
Moreover, the introduction of fish and kelp required more extensive
processing, increased production costs and raised the probability
of introducing pathogenic organisms into the resulting fertilizer
product.
[0016] In light of the conventional wisdom regarding CSB nutrient
concentrations, and long standing practices in the relevant art,
the instant Inventor attempted to mix seaweed and fish products
into a quantity of CSB to increase the concentration of
bioavailable nitrogen and potassium. However, using this method,
the present Inventor was not able to generate a consistent CSB
based fertilizer product suitable for commercial applications.
[0017] Moreover, the introduction of fish and kelp required more
extensive processing, increased production costs, and raised the
probability of introducing pathogenic organisms into the resulting
CSB based fertilizer product.
[0018] Seeking an alternative to supplementing the CSB with fish
and kelp and/or undesirable synthetic ingredients to create a CSB
based fertilizer product, the present Inventor discovered that
supplementation was unnecessary if the CSB were properly
heat-treated. Apparently, to the present Inventor's surprise, and
contrary to conventional wisdom and practice in the relevant art,
heat-treating the CSB denatures the heat liable vegetable proteins
contained in the CSB sufficiently to allow additional nitrogen to
become bioavailable. Likewise, phosphorous apparently becomes more
available as vegetative nucleosides are broken down by both the
original de-sugaring process and the added heat-treatment
process.
[0019] To his surprise, the present Inventor discovered that the
heat treatment of the CSB resulted in a CSB based fertilizer
product having sufficient bioavailable nitrogen, potassium and
phosphorous for direct application to agricultural vegetation in a
readily pumpable fluid state. These surprising and unexpected
results are shown as analytical concentrations of key nutrients in
Table 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Range of Nutrients in CSB (By weight)
Parameter Range Average Dry matter 50-75% 65.0% Nitrogen (N)
1.4-3.0% 2.4% Phosphate (P) 0.02-0.14% 0.06% Potash (K) 9.0-11.8%
10.8% pH 7.2-9.9 8.4
[0020] The range of nitrogen values was determined by multiplying
crude protein fractions by 6.25 (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,151 to
Grealy et al.)
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, natural proteases may be added
in lieu of, or in conjunction, with the heat treatment; however,
this could increase production costs and potentially allow
pathogens to remain in the CSB based fertilizer product if heat
treatment is not provided.
[0022] In practice, the CSB is offloaded from a tanker-truck and
into a treatment vessel. The CSB being offloaded from the tanker
truck may be filtered as the CSB is being disposed into the
treatment vessel. This step is optional, as the amount of suspended
particular matter has been found to be minimal. If pretreatment
filtration is desired, a stainless steel mesh having a standard
mesh size number between about 50 and 200 may be employed. A
typical standard mesh size number used is 100.
[0023] The treatment vessel is typically an insulated stainless
steel tank having electrically powered heat strips applied thereto.
However, the tank construction and heating mechanism are not
critical to the treatment process. For example, a carbon steel tank
which is heated by steam supplied by a package boiler or
cogeneration facility would work as well. Moreover, the slightly
basic pH of the CSB is not considered particularly corrosive to the
metals commonly used in the construction of metal treatment
vessels. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other
non-metallic treatment vessels may be employed as well.
[0024] Once disposed in the treatment vessel, heat is applied to
the CSB in order to raise the average temperature at or above 150
degrees Fahrenheit (F) and preferably closer to 200 degrees F. This
temperature range is known to inhibit pathogenic bacterial growth
of the most common pathogens. For example, Escherichia coli O157:H7
and Salmonella.
[0025] In an alternate embodiment, the CSB may be pretreated with
proteolytic enzymes to further break down the vegetable proteins
contained in the CSB before the heat treatment is performed. The
quantity of proteolytic enzymes to be included and the length of
treatment will need to be determined experimentally. The
proteolytic enzyme treatment may also be performed in conjunction
with a slow heating of the CSB. Once, the CSB exceeds about 150
degrees Fahrenheit (F), the proteolytic enzymes are denatured and
become part of the fertilizer solution.
[0026] The CSB is maintained in the treatment vessel at or above
150 degrees F. for at least 24 hours to ensure uniform heat
transfer to the CSB. To aid in uniform heat transfer, an agitator
or pumped recirculation flow may be included as part of the
treatment process. If recirculation is used to maintain the uniform
heat treatment of the CSB, filtration may also be accomplished
concurrently by placement of a suitable filter screen as discussed
above, into the recirculation flow path. The heat treatment may be
performed for up to 96 hours if desired. However, for energy
conservation reasons 24 to 48 hours of heat treatment is believed
to be adequate.
[0027] Optionally, water may be blended with the heat treated CSB
to reduce the specific gravity to a range of about 1.2 to 1.6.
Water may also be used to recover losses due to evaporation during
the heat treatment process. However, water blending is typically
not required. Maintaining the specific gravity of the heat treated
CSB to a specific gravity range of about 1.2 to 1.6 allows a broad
range of existing agricultural transfer pumps to be used and
greatly simplifies the application of the CSB to agricultural
vegetation.
[0028] Once the heat treatment has been completed, the CSB is
allowed to cool in the treatment vessel before being transferred in
bulk to a tanker truck and/or disposed into drums for delivery of
smaller quantities of the CSB. The heat treated CSB is then
delivered to farms for application to the agricultural vegetation.
Typically, a quantity of the heat treated CSB is offloaded into
plastic field tanks located at or near the application site. The
plastic field tanks may then be used to feed CSB into the
irrigation stream either by direct injection or by vacuum drawing
from the irrigation flow.
[0029] Depending on the particular agricultural vegetation
requirements, the application rate may be anywhere in a range of
about 25 to 200 gallons per acre. The application of the CSB may
also be directly sprayed onto the agricultural vegetation without
concerns of plant burning as may occur with more concentrated
inorganic fertilizers.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, and in accordance with one exemplary
embodiment, a process for production of a CSB based fertilizer
product 100 is provided where a CSB based fertilizer product that
is environmentally benign, non-pathogenic, is derived from a
natural organic source, and does not require significant
processing. The CSB based fertilizer product is derived from
concentrated separator by-product, hereinafter referred to as CSB,
resulting from the de-sugaring of beet molasses. In the depicted
exemplary embodiment, the process is initiated 101 by obtaining a
quantity of CSB 103. The CSB is transferred to a treatment vessel
105.
[0031] The CSB is then heat treated 107 and, in one exemplary
embodiment, optionally filtered to remove suspended particular
matter 116. The heat treatment is performed in a range of about 150
to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (F) 110 for about 24 to 96 hours 112. In
one exemplary embodiment, filtration may be provided using a
standard wire mesh size in a range of about 50 to 200 116. In one
embodiment, a recirculation flow and/or agitation 108 may be
provided to ensure uniformity in the heat treatment process
107.
[0032] The CSB is then cooled to yield the CSB based fertilizer
product 109. In one exemplary embodiment, the specific gravity of
the CSB based fertilizer product may be adjusted by blending the
CSB based fertilizer product with water to arrive at specific
gravity in a range of about 1.2 to 1.6 118. In one exemplary
embodiment, the CSB based fertilizer product comprises bioavailable
nitrogen in range of about 2 to 3% by weight; phosphorous (as
phosphate) in a range of about 0.04 to 0.1% by weight; potassium
(as potash) in a range of about 8 to 12% by weight; and dry matter
less 75% by weight 114. The CSB based fertilizer product is then
disposed in a container 113 for delivery to a site for application.
In one exemplary embodiment, filtration may be provided at this
point in the process as well 116.
[0033] The CSB based fertilizer product is then delivered to the
application site 115 and applied to agricultural vegetation 119.
The CSB based fertilizer product is then applied to the
agricultural vegetation in quantities in the approximate range of
about 25 to 200 gallons per acre 120. In one exemplary embodiment,
the CSB based fertilizer product disclosed herein may be applied to
the agricultural vegetation either directly or by inclusion in an
irrigation stream 122. Following application of the CSB based
fertilizer product to the agricultural vegetation, the exemplary
process is concluded 121. The foregoing described exemplary
embodiments are provided as illustrations and descriptions. They
are not intended to limit an inventive scope to any precise form or
sequence described. Other variations and embodiments are possible
in light of above teachings, and it is not intended that this
Detailed Description limit the scope of inventive embodiments, but
rather by the Claims following herein.
[0034] It should also be noted that the language used in the
specification has been principally selected for readability,
clarity and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected
to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.
Accordingly, the disclosure of various inventive embodiments is
intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the inventive
scope, which is set forth in the Claims following herein.
* * * * *
References