U.S. patent application number 16/201763 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-28 for method and apparatus for solubilizing humic acid granules.
This patent application is currently assigned to Humic Growth Solutions, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Humic Growth Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kevin Merritt, Andrew Vincent Renyer.
Application Number | 20190092703 16/201763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64736544 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190092703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merritt; Kevin ; et
al. |
March 28, 2019 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOLUBILIZING HUMIC ACID GRANULES
Abstract
Improved methods and apparatus (10, 74) for the solubilization
of initially solid humic acids include a large-volume
mixing/agitation tank (12, 76) for water and solid humic acids,
together a recirculation assembly (14, 78) for continuously
recirculating the water/humic acids mixture while reducing the size
of the humic acids. Properly used, the apparatus (10, 74) is
capable of providing relatively stable, solubilized humic acid
solutions or dispersions.
Inventors: |
Merritt; Kevin; (St.
Augustine, FL) ; Renyer; Andrew Vincent; (Sabetha,
KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Humic Growth Solutions, Inc. |
Jacksonville |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Humic Growth Solutions,
Inc.
Jacksonville
FL
|
Family ID: |
64736544 |
Appl. No.: |
16/201763 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14948480 |
Nov 23, 2015 |
10167240 |
|
|
16201763 |
|
|
|
|
62084864 |
Nov 26, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 15/0235 20130101;
B01F 13/0032 20130101; B01F 7/00141 20130101; B01F 1/0022 20130101;
C05G 5/23 20200201; B01F 7/00133 20130101; B01F 1/0011 20130101;
B01F 7/18 20130101; B01F 7/00633 20130101; C05F 11/02 20130101;
B01F 5/10 20130101; B01F 15/00785 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C05F 11/02 20060101
C05F011/02; B01F 7/22 20060101 B01F007/22; B01F 1/00 20060101
B01F001/00; C05G 3/00 20060101 C05G003/00; B01F 15/02 20060101
B01F015/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for reconstituting humic acid in solid form in
aqueous form, comprising: a fixed-dimension tank having inlet
structure for water and solid humic acids in the form of granules
and/or powders, and a liquid outlet, said tank having a volume of
at least about 300 gallons, and a lower section with said liquid
outlet being adjacent the bottom of the lower section; a
recirculation assembly operable to withdraw a water and humic acid
mixture from said liquid outlet and to recirculate the mixture to
said inlet structure and into the confines of said tank, said
recirculation assembly including a pump equipped with an impeller
and capable of moving said mixture at a rate of at least about 125
gallons per minute from said liquid outlet to said inlet structure
while reducing the size of said solid humic acid, said
recirculation assembly providing a humic acids solids residence
time of at least about 2 minutes within said tank for said mixture
during said recirculation; and a motor-driven mixing shaft
extending into the confines of said tank and operable to agitate
said mixture during recirculation thereof by the recirculation
assembly.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, said pump rate being about 150 gallons
per minute.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, said tank having a frustoconical lower
section.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, said residence time being 2.3
minutes.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, said volume being about 345
gallons.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, including a discharge tube within said
tank and extending downwardly from said inlet structure a distance
so that said mixture is discharged below the level of liquid within
the tank.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, including a reinforced conduit between
said tank outlet and the inlet of said pump, which prevents
contraction of the conduit during operation of the apparatus.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, said agitation assembly including an
upright shaft and mixing elements secured to said shaft, and a
drive operable to rotate the shaft at a rate of at least about 45
rpm.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus operable to create an
aqueous solution of humic acid solids having an average size of
less than about 400 microns.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus operable to create an
aqueous solution of humic acid solids which exhibits no more than
about 10% by weight sedimentation of the humic acid content of the
solution for at least about one week.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, said inlet structure including
separate inlets for said solid humic acid and water, respectively.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.
14/948,480 filed Nov. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/084,864, filed Nov. 26,
2014;
[0002] both of these applications are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is broadly concerned with methods and
apparatus for reconstituting solid humic acids as relatively stable
aqueous dispersions suitable for field application without undue
sedimentation of the humic acids. More particularly, the invention
is concerned with such methods and apparatus wherein a relatively
large capacity water/solid humic acids mixing tank is provided, and
equipped with an internal agitation assembly and an external
recirculation assembly. These system components are operated so as
to assure rapid and effective solubilization of humic acids.
Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Humic acids have long been used by gardeners and farmers as
fertilizers and soil amendments. These materials are naturally
occurring and thus organic, and have a number of beneficial
effects: [0005] Improves the uptake of nutrients [0006] Assists in
soil remediation [0007] Improves root structure and development
[0008] Increases microbial activity [0009] Boosts seed germination
[0010] Increases yields [0011] Reduces fertilizer runoff [0012]
Promotes healthier crops [0013] Improves water retention [0014]
Increases antioxidant activity [0015] Stimulates plant enzymes
[0016] Prevents disease and heat stress [0017] Enhances soil
fertility.
[0018] Large-scale agricultural uses of humic acids generally
require that the acids be delivered in solid form, typically either
as powders or granules. If humic acids are sold as liquids in such
contexts, shipping costs can be prohibitive. Nonetheless, it is
often most convenient to apply humic acids in solubilized form
using conventional agricultural spraying equipment. Accordingly,
the ideal situation is that the humic acids be sold and shipped in
solid form, and then solubilized on-site by a dealer or farmer
prior to application thereof. Another requirement is that the
resultant liquid be relatively stable, without undue sedimentation
of the humic acids over extended storage periods.
[0019] In practice, it has been found that solubilization of such
initially solid humic acids can be difficult and sometimes
impossible to achieve. This is especially the case where relatively
small volumes of solubilized product are required. There is
accordingly a real and unsatisfied need in the art for improved
methods and apparatus whereby initially solid humic acids may be
quickly and efficiently solubilized to yield relatively stable
final products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above
and provides apparatus for reconstituting and hydrating humic acid
originally in solid form as aqueous, relatively stable solutions or
dispersions; in certain embodiments, the resultant solutions or
dispersions have humic acid solids with average sizes of less than
about 400 microns. As used herein, "humic acids" is a general term
which embraces a variety of specific acids including fulvic acids,
which are generally lower molecular weight species of humic acids.
Therefore, "humic acids" should be taken as a generic term
encompassing all such acidic species.
[0021] The apparatus includes a water/solid humic acids tank having
a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a solid humic acid inlet, a
volume of at least about 300 gallons, and a frustoconical lower
section with the liquid outlet being adjacent the bottom of the
lower section. A recirculation assembly also forms a part of the
apparatus and is operable to continuously withdraw the water/humic
acid mixture from the tank liquid outlet and to recirculate the
mixture to the liquid inlet. The recirculation assembly includes a
pump equipped with an impeller and capable of moving the mixture at
a rate of at least about 125 gallons per minute from the liquid
outlet to the liquid inlet while reducing the size of the solid
humic acid, and provides a mixture residence time of at least about
2 minutes within the tank during recirculation. The tank is also
equipped with an internal agitation assembly operable to agitate
the mixture; this assembly has an upright shaft and mixing elements
secured to the shaft, and a drive operable to rotate the shaft at a
rate of at least about 45 rpm.
[0022] The invention also provides methods of reconstituting humic
acids comprising the steps of forming a mixture comprising water
and solid humic acid in a tank having a liquid inlet and a liquid
outlet, a volume of at least about 300 gallons, and a frustoconical
lower section with the liquid outlet being adjacent the bottom of
the lower section. The mixture is continuously recirculated from
the liquid outlet and to the liquid inlet using a recirculation
assembly having a pump equipped with an impeller and capable of
recirculating the mixture at a rate of at least about 125 gallons
per minute from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet. Moreover,
the recirculation assembly is designed to allow the mixture to
reside within the tank for a residence time of at least about 2
minutes during the recirculation step. During recirculation, the
mixture is also agitated within the tank using an agitation
assembly including an upright shaft and mixing elements secured to
the shaft, and rotating the shaft at a rate of at least about 45
rpm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus
useful in the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;
[0026] FIG. 4 is another side elevational view of the apparatus,
illustrating the side opposite that shown in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus;
[0028] FIG. 6 is an exploded view depicting the components of the
preferred agitation assembly forming a part of the overall
apparatus;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another preferred apparatus
useful in the invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the FIG. 7 apparatus,
viewing from the opposite side thereof illustrated in FIG. 7;
and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment of FIGS. 1-6
[0032] Turning now to the drawings, an apparatus 10 for
reconstitution of solid humic acids as aqueous dispersions is
illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and broadly includes a mixing/agitation
tank 12, a recirculation assembly 14, a control station 16, and
support structure 18 for the aforementioned components. The
apparatus 10 is designed to quickly and efficiently solubilize
solid humic acids, typically in the form of granules and/or
powders, to yield humic acid aqueous dispersions which are
relatively stable and can be field-applied using conventional
agricultural spraying equipment for fertilization and/or soil
remediation purposes.
[0033] In more detail, the tank 12 is formed of synthetic resin
material, has a capacity of 345 gallons, and includes an upper
cylindrical section 20 and a lower frustoconical section 22
terminating with a downwardly extending outlet valve 24. A top
cover assembly 26 is positioned atop cylindrical section 20 and
includes an apertured cover plate 28 supporting an infeed funnel
30, and a recirculation inlet fitting 32. The assembly 26 further
includes a support channel 34 having an agitation drive motor 36
and gear box 38 with a one-inch output shaft, and a removable
inspection lid 40 covering an inspection opening (not shown)
through the cover assembly. Internally, the tank 12 is equipped
with an agitation assembly 42 (see FIG. 6), which includes an
elongated, upright shaft 44 and a plurality of outwardly extending
blade-like mixing elements 46. Although the blades as shown are
essentially flat and angularly oriented, such blades could also be
provided with downwardly concave surfaces. The shaft 44 is
connected via coupler 50 to the output shaft 52 of gear box 38. As
best seen in FIG. 3, the shaft 44 is substantially centrally
located within tank 12, extending from the connection with the
output shaft of gear box 38 downwardly into proximity with outlet
valve 24.
[0034] The recirculation assembly 14 includes a pump 54 having a
cast iron centrifugal pump head and an internal metallic impeller
blade (not shown) powered by means of drive motor 56. An elongated,
two-inch, reinforced conduit hose 58 is secured to the inlet 60 of
pump 54 and to a tee connector 62. The valve 24 is a full-port,
three-way, two-inch ball valve, and is secured to the frustoconical
section 22 of tank 12. Additionally, the assembly 14 includes an
upwardly extending output conduit 64 having an intermediate two-way
valve unit 66. The lower end of conduit 64 is secured to the output
68 of pump 54 and to the recirculation inlet fitting 32 supported
by cover assembly 26. Finally, a delivery tube 69 is secured to
fitting 32 and extends downwardly into the confines of tank 12
(FIG. 2).
[0035] The control station 16 includes an upstanding channel 70,
which supports a rotatable operating handle 72 as well as
push-button electronic controls 74. The handle 72 is operably
connected with the valve unit 66 in order to permit manual
operation thereof between recirculation and discharge positions,
whereas the controls 74 are electrically connected to conventional
sensors forming a part of apparatus 10.
[0036] The support structure 18 includes a lowermost metallic base
76 equipped with forklift tongue openings 78. A series of upright
support posts 80 extend upwardly from base 76 with lateral
reinforcing elements 81 interconnecting the posts. Four oblique
struts 82 also extend upwardly from the base 76 and are secured to
a collar 83. The collar 83 is equipped with four obliquely upwardly
extending tank supports 83a. In this fashion, the support structure
18 presents a cradle designed to removably support the tank 12. As
also shown, the base 76 supports channel 70, pump 54, and motor 56.
In this fashion, the entire apparatus 10 is portable and can be
moved within a plant as needed in order to mix and solubilize solid
humic acids.
[0037] In the operation of apparatus 10, water and solid humic
acids are delivered to tank 12 via funnel 30, and motor 36 is
energized to rotate the shaft 44, thereby agitating the humic
acid/water mixture within the tank. After a suitable period of
mixing, the recirculation assembly 14 is actuated by energizing
pump motor 56 and opening the valve unit 66 to the "recirculation"
position. This causes the humic acid/water mixture within tank 12
to be drawn through hose 58, pump 54, and conduit 64, so that the
mixture is ultimately delivered through the tube 69 within the
confines of the tank. These agitation and recirculation operations
are continued until the initially solid humic acids are
substantially solubilized. At this point, during continued
operation ofthe recirculation assembly 14, the operating handle 72
is moved to the "discharge" position, whereby the solubilized humic
acids are delivered via an output conduit (not shown) operably
coupled with the remaining end of valve unit 66.
[0038] In the development of the invention, it has been found that,
in order to efficiently solubilize humic acids and create stable
dispersions, at least some important parameters outlined below
should be employed in the use of apparatus 10. Otherwise, humic
acid solubilizations proceed at unacceptably slow rates and/or the
humic acids never become satisfactorily solubilized.
[0039] For example, these parameters include the volumetric size of
the tank 12, which should be at least about 300 gallons, and more
preferably from about 325-375 gallons. The recirculation pump 54
advantageously has a stainless steel impeller, which is operable to
handle and break down the solid humic acids as they pass through
the pump. The pump is rated at least about 125 gallons per minute,
and more preferably from about 150-210 gallons per minute. The
recirculation apparatus 14 is preferably operated so that the
mixture within tank 12 has a residence time of at least about two
minutes, more preferably about 2.3 minutes. The agitation assembly
42 is preferably operated at a rate of at least about 45 rpm, and
more preferably from about 50-65 rpm. The mixing elements 40 serve
to submerge and agitate the solid humic acids to thereby facilitate
solubilization thereof. The presence of the discharge tube 69,
having its lowermost outlet end below the level of liquid within
the tank 12, prevents foaming of the mixture which may be occur if
the recirculating mixture were simply added to the top of the
liquid within the tank. As noted, the conduit 58 is reinforced so
as to prevent collapse thereof owing to the suction of pump 54. It
is to be understood that not all of these parameters in combination
need be used to achieve satisfactory results, but at least some of
them should be employed for best results.
[0040] Proper use of apparatus 10 yields relatively stable
solubilized humic acid solutions or dispersions which resist undue
sedimentation for at least about three days, and more preferably at
least about one week; as used herein "undue sedimentation" refers
to more than about 10% by weight of the humic acid content of the
products collecting as sediment within a container for the
solutions or dispersions.
Embodiment of FIGS. 7-9
[0041] FIGS. 7-8 illustrate another suitable apparatus 74 for
carrying out the invention, which broadly includes a mixing tank
76, a recirculation assembly 78, a control station 80, and support
structure 82. The tank 76 may be formed of any suitable material,
such as metal or synthetic resin, and includes an upper cylindrical
section 84 and a lower frustoconical section 86. The tank is also
equipped with a tank top cover 88 including a port 90 having a
hinged cover 92, a U-shaped vent 94, and an inlet elbow 95 equipped
with valve 95a.
[0042] The recirculation assembly 78 includes a centrifugal pump 96
coupled to a motor 98. An inlet conduit 100 is operably coupled to
the pump inlet, whereas an outlet conduit 102 extends upwardly from
the pump outlet and extends through tank top cover 88, terminating
in a horizontal delivery pipe 104 within the confines of tank 76.
The conduit 102 includes an intermediate stub pipe 106 having a
valve 108.
[0043] The control station 80 includes an upright standard 110
supporting a programmable digital control box 112 and a sensor
module 114, the latter having a lead 116 attached to a level sensor
118 which passes through tank section 84 to communicate with the
interior of tank 76.
[0044] The bottom frustoconical section 86 of tank 76 has a central
vertically extending outlet tee 120. One leg of the tee 120
includes a valve 122 coupled with the end of conduit 100, whereas
the other tee leg has a valve 124 that may be used to empty the
contents of tank 76 without the need for operation of pump 96.
[0045] The support structure 82 includes four upright legs 126 as
well as a motor/pump stand 128, the latter also supporting standard
110.
[0046] Operation of the apparatus 74 involves continuous
recirculation of water and humic acids through tee 120, conduit
100, pump 96, conduit 102, and outlet pipe 104 until the desired
degree of humic acid solubilization has been achieved.
Advantageously, use of the apparatus 74 involves filling the tank
76 with water to a level indicated by sensor 118, followed by
operation of pump 96 to recirculate the water. Then, an appropriate
quantity of humic acid solids are introduced into the tank 76 via
port 90 and allowed to recirculate with the water for a period of
time to hydrate the solids. Additional quantities of humic acid
solids are then added over time, with increasing pump speeds to
achieve the desired fully hydrated and solubilized, smooth, and
lump-free product.
[0047] The apparatus 74 has the same preferred parameters described
in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, including the tank
size, pump design and throughput rates, and residence time within
the tank. However, it has been found that the embodiment of FIGS.
7-9 does not require a separate agitation assembly. Notwithstanding
the absence of an agitation assembly, the apparatus 74 is capable
of producing the stable solubilized humic acid solutions or
dispersions described previously.
* * * * *