| GB2290290A | 1995-12-20 |
DATABASE WPI Section Ch Week 200107, Derwent World Patents Index; Class C04, AN 2001-050522, XP002296170
DATABASE WPI Section Ch Week 199610, Derwent World Patents Index; Class C04, AN 1996-095843, XP002296171
DATABASE WPI Section Ch Week 198448, Derwent World Patents Index; Class C04, AN 1984-297776, XP002296172
| 1. | A method of converting aquatic plants into liquid fertilizer and solid residue that comprises plant protein, carbohydrates and fiber, the method comprising : placing the aquatic plants in a blending tank together with water ; blending the aquatic plants and water in the tank to produce finely divided plant matter ; forming an alkaline water solution containing the finely divided plant matter ; agitating the solution thereby to dissolve nutrients contained in the plant matter, and, separating the solution containing the dissolved nutrients from remaining finely divided plant matter thereby to produce the liquid fertilizer and the solid residue. |
| 2. | The method of claim 1 adapted to produce a solid fertilizer, comprising : placing the solution after separation from the solid residue in a reacdonvessel ; and, adjusting the water and alkali salt content of the solution to produce a reaction that solidifies the solution in the reaction vessel thereby producing the solid fertilizer. |
| 3. | The method of claim 2 comprising removing the solid fertilizer from the reaction vessel, the removing comprising fracturing the solid fertilizer thereby to produce a particulate fertilizer. |
| 4. | The method of claim 1 composing intermediate steps of : separating the finely divided plant matter from the water in the blending tank ; and, placing the separated plant matter in reaction vessel together with water and alkali salt in predetermined quantities selected to produce a reaction that solidifies the contents of the reaction vessel.'. |
| 5. | The method of claim 4 comprising removing the solidified contents, the removing comprising fracturing the solidified contents to produce a granular fertilizer. |
| 6. | The method of claim 1 comprising : collecting the aquatic plants in a body of water in which the plants grow; and, sucdoning Xe collecting aquatic plants and surrounding water into the blending tank. |
| 7. | The method of claim 6 in which the gathering of the aquatic plants comprises. moving a powered floating vessel in the body of water; and, collecting the aquatic plants during movement of the powered floating vessel with a collecting structure mounted to a forward end of the powered floating vessel; and, moving the collected aquatic plants with the powered floating vessel to a predetermined location where the suction can be applied to the collected aquatic plants. S. |
| 8. | The method of claixn I in which the aquatic plant is hyacinth. |
| 9. | A method of converting hyacinth into liquid fertilizer and solid residue that comprises plant protein, carbohydrates and fiber, the method comprising : collecting the hyacinth ; placing the collected hyacinth together with water in a blending tank ; blending the hyacinth and the water in the blending tank thereby to finely divide the hyacinth ; separating the finely divided hyacinth from the water; and, adding a solution of water and alkali salts to the separated finely divided hyacinth thereby to dissolve nutrients contained in the hyacinth ; and, separating the solution containing the dissolved nutrients from remaining solid plant matter thereby to produce the liquid fertilizer and the solid residue. |
| 10. | The method of claim 9 adapted to solidify e liquid fertilizer in which: the liquid fertilizer is transferred to a reaction vessel ; and, the quantities of water and the alkali salts added to the separated finely divided plant matter are selected to produce a reaction that solidifies the liquid fertilizer in the reaction vesseL 11'The method of claim 10 comprising fracturing the solid fertilizer to produce a granular fertilizer. |
| 11. | The method of claim 11 comprising removing the solidified fertilizer from the reaction vessel, the removal comprising fracturing the solidified to produce a granular fertilizer. |
Background Art Water hyacinth is a free-floating plant whose leaves are located above water surFace and roots below. It multiplies rapidly, clogging lakes, rivers, ponds and seriously obstructing traffic on waterways. Hyacinth is extremity difficult to eradicate and is regarded as a nuisance that must be removed where necessary Disclosure Of The Invention In one aspect, the invention provides a method of converting. aquatic plants, especially hyacinth, into liquid fertilizer (foria) and solid residue that comprises plant protein, carbohydrates and fiber. The method comprises placing the aquatic plants in a blending tank together with water, and blending. the contents of the tank to produce finely divided plant matter. The finely divided plant matter is preferably, though not necessarily, separated from the water in the blending tank and dried to facilitate transport to a processing plant.
An alkaline water solution is formed containing the finely divided plant and agitated to dissolve nutrients contained in the plant matter. The solution which contains the dissolved nutrients is then separated from remaining finely divided plant matter resulting in a liquid fertilizer (the solution) and solid plant residue. The solid residue may be used as animal feedstock or used to produce paper or other products.
The industrial advantage of the process is that aquatic plants, particularly hyacinth, commonly regarded as a nuisance, are converted into useful products. Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the description of best mode of implementation below.
Bxief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood with reference to drawings in which : fig. lisa diagrammatic representation from above of a power boat adapted to gather hyacinth growing in a body of water; fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of equipment for preliminary processing of the harvested hyacinth to produce finely divided plant matter; and, fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of equipment for converting the finely divided plant matter into liquid fertilizer and solid plant residue and optionally converting the liquid fertilizer into granular foin.
Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention Reference is made to fig. 1 which shows apparatus for collecting hyacinth in a body of water. The apparatus comprises a power boat adapted for -gathering of the hyacinth. The boat contuses a forward collecting structure which may be a simple tubular frame attached to a forward end of the boat and typically having a horizontal span of about 10 meters. The structure may comprises hinges and optionally motor mechanism that permits the structure to be folded into a compact form and extended for purposes of harvesting <BR> <BR> hyacinth. The forward collecting structure essentially pushes hyacinth plants forward of the boat. A folding rear collecting structure is inclined slightly downward into the water to collect and drag hyacinth plants. Hyacinth in the waters may be cut in advance of collection by the boat or the boat may be fitting with a cutting mechanism comparable to a horizontally oriented chain saw and disposed just below water level to reduce the plants to a more manageable form.
The plants collected by the boat are delivered to a loading area just off shore. There the collected plants are suctioned together with water through a pipe fitted with propelling mechanisms and delivered to a blending tank. A conventional valve control the displacement of water and other materials through the pipe.
The blending tank has an inlet, controlled by an upstream flow. valve, where the plants and entraining water are received. It also contains a blade assembly rotated by an electric motor that finely divides the plants.
Adequate water should be delivered to the blending tank to permit the plant materials to be finely divided into near-particulate matter. To that end ; a sensor detects the level of water in the blending tank, and actuates a pump that introduces additional water until an appropriate volume is achieved. The tank may be provided with a glass viewing port to permit visual inspection of water levels and manual actuation of the pump. The blending tank has an outlet controlled by a downstream flow valve. During blending, the inlets and outlet are closed. The outlet can be opened and an air flow producer operated to pressurize the interior of the blending tank and discharge the finely divided plant matter and water to a drying tank. Typical blending time might be 30 minutes depending on the exact nature of the blade assembly and motor.
The drying tank has an inlet through which the water and finely divided plant material are received. A filter mechanism drains water from the bottom of the tank, and an air flow producer can be operated to pressurize the intefior of tie dlying tank to assist in discharging the wvater. A hot airfiow producer is used to agitate the finely divided plant matter, and a vent controlled with a How valve discharges the heated, damp airflows. When the plant material has dried sufficiently, a downstream valve is opened and the air flow producer is operated to expel the dried materials through an outlet to particulate handling machinery.
The handling machinery includes a reservoir that accumulates the discharged dry materials. The materials are then discharged to a mill that contains a rotary blade assembly operated with an electric motor. The blade assembly may be configured in a conventional manner to produce air flows that entrain the dried plant matter from the reservoir into the mill and then expel the materials through a discharge port controlled by a downstream valve. The discharge port may be coupled to conventional bagging equipment to penmt the dried materials to be delivered to a central plant for further processing.
The processing plant comprises a storage tank in which the. dry particulate matter is loaded. An air How producer is configured to discharge the particulate matter with entraining air flows into a processing tank. The processing tank also receives water through a port and granulated chemicals, specifically alkali salts, through a port. Although not shown, level controls may be provided to avoid overfilling. The water and alkali salts form a solution that extracts soluble nutrients from the particulate plant matter. A stirring assembly comprising a rotary blade and electric motor agitate the contents of the processing tank to encourage dissolving of plant nutrients in the liquid within the processing tank. Typical processing time might be 10-15 minutes depending on the exact nature of the equipment used. The solution is then essentially a liquid fertilizer, and the solid residue contains plant proteins, carbohydrates and fiber that can be used in livestock feed or used for paper production. The liquid fertilizer is discharged from the processing tank through an outlet controlled by a valve to a storage tank. The solid residue is then entrained with additional water flows from the storage tank through another outlet and directed to a drying facility, such as the drying tank described above.
Liquid fertilizer is desired can be discharged through a specific outlet associated with the storage tank. If quantities of the alkali, water, and plant material have been preselected to cause the fertilizer solution to solidify, the liquid fertilizer is discharged to a reaction vessel. The reaction between dissolved nutrients and the alkali salts is then allowed to continue until the contents of the reaction vessel solidify. Selection of appropriate quantities of reactants simply involves analysis of their constituent materials and conventional calculation of quantities required to completely react the constituent materials. Since fertilizer and feedstock are being produced, the selection of appropriate quantities of reactants is not particulariy critical. The solid material is expelled from the reaction vessel with a worm drive that fragments the materials and delivers them to a conventional granulator to produce fine particulate material. That material may then be used as fertilizer or bound with water and sand to produce materials resembling arable soil.
Various products may be produced including liquid fertilizer, pelletized or granulated fertilizer, supplementary salts, and solid residue.
Examples of such products are provided below.
LIQUID FERTILIZER The starting formulation in weight percent may typically be as follows : water 0. 1-88. 0; alkali salts such as sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, 0. 1-32. 3 (potassium, ammonia, silver salts are alternatives), and water hyacinth fine powder 01.-5.5.
First an alkaline solution is formed by combing water and alkali salt and mixed with fine water hyacinth fine powder produced. as described above. The mixture is stirred or otherwise agitated vigorously for about 15 to 30 minutes. The solution will typically have a PH of f6-13.25. The liquid fertilizer is then separated from solid plant This results in a solid residue can be used as fertilizer and 10-25% in concentrated liquid fertilizer which may typically have the following with the following characteristics :.
Phosphorus (P202) 0. 0759 Potassium (K2C)) 0. 4999 Nitrogen (N) 2. 341 Calcium (Ca) Trace Magnesium (Mg) 0. 0289 Copper (Cu) ppm 34 Iron (Fe) ppm 2,149 Zinc (Zn) ppm4ll. 50 Ph 1% solution 13. 22 % Sulphur (S) 0. 314% Sodium (Na) 22. 50 Manganese (Mn) ppm 100 GRANULATED FERTILIZER The staging formulation comprises in weight percent: water 0, 1 - 88. 0% ; alkali salts based on sodium, potassium, ammonia, silver salts of 0.1 -32. 3% ; and water hyacinth fine powder of 0.1-5. 5%.
First, the alkaline solution and hyacinth power are combined and stirred vigorously for 45 minutes. The PH may typically range from 6. 2-13. 5.
Solid residue is allowed to settle for 48 hours. The solution is then separated and allowed to complete reaction to produce a fertilizer with the following characteristics, in weight percent unless parts per million ("ppm") are indicated: Phosphorus (P2O2) 0 0569 Potassium (K20) 0. 0903 Nitrogen (N) 2. 099 Calcium (Ca) Trace Magnesium (Mg) 0. 0174 <BR> <BR> Copper (Cu) ppm 34 Iron (Fe) ppm 2243. 5 Zinc (Zn) ppm 377. 50 PH 1% solution 13.57% Sulphur (S) 7. 847 <BR> <BR> % Sodium (Na) 21. 50 Manganese (Mn) ppm 9. 5 SUPPLEMENT SALT The starting formulation comprises in weight percent water Q I- 88 ; alkali salts (sodium, potassium, ammonia silver salts) 0. 1-32. 3 ; hyacinth fine powder of 0. 1-5. 5.
First, an an alkaline solution of sodium salt is made and hyacinth particulates are combined and stir vigorously for 45 minutes. The water hyacinth residue is separate, and the resulting solution contains 75-90% (by weight) supplement salt. Calcium may be added during or after processing to compensate for the low calcium content of hyacinth plant materials. The final product of supplement salt will contain up to 20% water hyacinth residue as an improvement nutrient, which contains up to 8% crude protein. The supplement salt may typically have the following characteristics in weight per cent unless. parts per million are indicated. : Phosphorus (P2O2) 0.0569 Potassium (K20) 0.0903 Nitrogen (N) 2. 099 Calcium(Ca) Trace.
Magnesium (Mg) 0. 0174 Copper (Cu) ppm 34 Iron (Fe) ppm 2243. 5 Zinc (Zn) ppm 377. 50 Ph 1% solution 13. 57 % Sulphur (S) 7, 847 % Sodium (Na) 21. SO Manganese (Mn) ppm 9. 5 COMPOSTED RESIDUE After water hyacinth has been processed, the solid residue may be sun dried or passed through electric dryer. The plant tissue may be further milled into fine powder that can be used as fertilizer, The plant material has the following, characteristics, in weight percent unless parts per million are indicated : Nitrogen (N) % 3. 411 Phosphorus (P) % 0.15 Potassiun (K) % 1.69 Magnesium (Mg) ppm 1. 290 Copper (Cu) ppm 0.00 Manganese (Mn) ppm 2. 105 Iron (Fc) ppm 13. 402 Zinc (Z) ppm 0.458 SOLID RESIDUE After the extraction of liquid fertilizer, the plant residue may serve as fertilizer, raw material to manufacture fodder due to the high content of crude protein, which may typically be in excess of 11 %. The residue may typically have the following characteristics, in weight percent unless parts per million are indicated : Nitrogen (N) % 1. 752 Phosphorus (P) % 0. 01 Potassium (K) % 1.044 Magnesium (Mg) ppm 1. 631 Copper (Cu) ppm 0. 00 Manganese (Mn) ppm 0. 819 Iron, (Fe) ppm 5. 869 <BR> <BR> Zinc (Z) ppm 0. 276 It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the examples above without necessarily departing from the scope of the claims.