CA1172870A - Soil product - Google Patents
Soil productInfo
- Publication number
- CA1172870A CA1172870A CA000386897A CA386897A CA1172870A CA 1172870 A CA1172870 A CA 1172870A CA 000386897 A CA000386897 A CA 000386897A CA 386897 A CA386897 A CA 386897A CA 1172870 A CA1172870 A CA 1172870A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- straw
- formaldehyde resin
- urea formaldehyde
- soil
- product
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A soil product is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture, which uses a base material that is abundant and economical, which is light in weight and thus easy to handle, store and ship, which has desired moisture retention qualities, which decomposes at a relatively slow rate, and which releases a nutrient as it decomposes. The base material is straw and is coated with a water urea formaldehyde resin, to provide slow decomposition of the straw and also providing slow nutrient release as it decomposes. After applying the coating, the coated product is formed into blocks for handling and storage and subsequently ground into particles to provide a soil-like texture for use as a potting soil or nursery bed soil.
A soil product is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture, which uses a base material that is abundant and economical, which is light in weight and thus easy to handle, store and ship, which has desired moisture retention qualities, which decomposes at a relatively slow rate, and which releases a nutrient as it decomposes. The base material is straw and is coated with a water urea formaldehyde resin, to provide slow decomposition of the straw and also providing slow nutrient release as it decomposes. After applying the coating, the coated product is formed into blocks for handling and storage and subsequently ground into particles to provide a soil-like texture for use as a potting soil or nursery bed soil.
Description
2~70 S~RAW SOIL PRODUC~
ackground of the Invention This invention relates to an improved soil product and methods of making the same.
Various types of soil mixtures are used commercially and for retail such as for potted plants, nursery beds, etc. These mixtures include a minimum of actual soil since good natural soil is difficult to obtain and has other disadvantages such as for example it is heavy to handle, it has poor moisture retention qualities, etc.
One mixture that is popularly used as a soil additive or conditioner is barkdust since it has good moisture retention qualities and it decomposes at a slow rate.
However, barkdust is now being used extensively in other products, such as structural board, adhesive, etc., and the demand thereof has made it too expensive for mass usage as a soil conditioner. S-traw has been used as a soil conditioner and has some attractive Eeatures, namely, it is abundant and inexpensive and also makes a good mulch when decomposed. Straw, however, has the disadvantage that it decomposes at a fast rate and thus is not feasiblé for commercial use. Artificial soil mixtures have also been used but such mixtures are too expensive at least for commercial use.
72~
Summary of the invention According to the present invention and forming a primary objective thereof, a soil product is provi,ded which is inexpensive to manufacture, which uses a base material that is abundant and economical, which is light in weight and thus easy to handle, store and ship, which has desired moisture retention qualities, which de-composes at a relatively slow rate, and which releases a nutrient as it decomposes.
In the formation of such a product, a base material of straw is used. Such straw is coated with a water insoluble material providing slow decomposition of the s-traw and also providing slow nutrient release as it decomposes. The water insoluble material comprises urea formaldahyde resin. After applying the coating, it is preferred that the coated product be formed into blocks for handling and storage and subsequently ground into particles to provide a soil-like texture for use as a potting soil or nursery bed soil.
The invention will be better understood and addi-tional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawing.
, -2~
srief Description of the Drawing The drawing comprises a flow diagram of one embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodimen _ In brief, the product and a preferred manner of forming the same comprises first reducing a straw to shorter lengths than that which it is supplied from the fields, for example, to lengths of about l/4 inch to 4 inches. The straw used can be almost any type, such as for example, wheat straw, oat straw, grass straw,rice straw, or others, and its reduction to the shorter lengths can be by any suitable machine or method. A
conventional hammer mill will provide the desired re-duction, the output screen thereof being pre-selected in size to provide the desired reduction of the straw.
A hammer mill is very effective since it not only re-duces the length of the straw stems but it also breaks up some of the tubular structure of the straw for maxi-mum coverage by a water insoluble material as will now be described.
Such water insoluble material comprises urea formaldahyde resin. This resin is mixed with the straw by any conventional means such as by an auger mixer.
The mixing step is accomplished in a short time such as from l to 2 minutes, more or less, and thoroughly coats the straw surfaces with the urea formaldahyde resin.
, ' , 7~
Even the interior sur-face of the straw pieces that re-main tubular after reduction thereof is coated.
The mixture is then formed into blocks. Preferably the blocks are formed under pressure, such as from 200 to 3000 psi. The shape and size of the blocks is not important, although it is desired that they be of a shape and size which make them easy to handle, store, and ship. A hay cuber known by the trade-mark John Deere works efficiently in the formation of these blocks. If the straw is not thoroughly coated with resin after the mixing step, thorough coating is insured by the pressured formation of the blocks. The blocks are allowed to cure into solid form and when thusly cured have a density of approximately 40 to 60 pounds per cubic foot. A suitable catalyst is used with the urea formaldehyde resin, the rate of curing depending upon the ratio of catalyst used.
Heat may be applied in this step to speed up ~he cure, but such is not necessary.
After the blocks are cured into a solid ~orm, they are reduced to a usable particle soil-like usable size, such as from l/16th inch to 3/4 inch, or of course any other size that may suit a particular use as a potting ~ ~ ~ 7~87~
soil or a bedding soil. A conventional hammer mill is readily adaptable to provide the desired re~uction.
The product can be stored in block form and ground into the soil-like particle form as needed.
The soil product of the invention may be used alone or in combination with other material such as natural soil and has many advan~ages in its use as a potting soil or bedding soil mixture. A first advantage of the straw base material is that straw is very abundant in supply and inexpensive to purchase. Also, by the combination of straw and urea formaldahyde resin, there is an ad-vantage that since the urea formaldahyde resin coats the entire sur~ace of the straw particles and since the -formaldehyde causes the mixture to be water insoluble, the coating protects the straw from decompositionj at least for a time. Although the mi.xture is substantially water insoluble, moisture and microbial action ~rom the soil or atmosphere will cawse decomposition to occur, such being at a relatively slow rate. The procluct thus will. have some water retention qualities from the be-ginning and such retention qualities increase as de-composition progresses.
~ s the urea formaldahyde molecules break down, the urea releases nitrogen as a nutrient into the mixture.
Thus, the soil product has gradual decomposition by moisture and microbial action and as it decomposes it 7~
provides one of the main fertilizersto the plants.
Other nutrients may be added as desired. The decomposi-tion and nutrient feeding process will have a span as least as long as a growing season for most plants. The rate of decomposition and consequent release of nitrogen will increase with a raise in temperature and thus more nitrogen is released during the times that the plants are the rnost active.
The soil product of the invention is thus inexpensive to manufacture in view of the abundant supply and the small cost of straw. The product is light in weight and easy to handle either in its final particle form or in its block form prior to final grinding. The block form allows it to be easily handled for movement and storage ~5 and if kept dry it can be stored for long periods of time. The product when used for plant growth retains sufficient moisture for good root growth and for causing decomposition to release nitrogen. It can be used strictly as a soil itsel~ or can be mixed with natural 0 soil or other material to serve as a conditioner.
EXAMPLE I
A supply of oat straw was reduced in a hammer mill and passed through a screen which reduced the straw to lengths of from 1/4 inch to 3 inches in length. This reduced straw was mixed with 5 lbs of urea formaldahyde resin and catalyst per cubic foot of straw and then mixed for about 2 rninutes. The mixture was then formed into blocks at about 200 psi and allowed to cure. After hardening of the mixture, it was reduced in a hammer mill to a particle size of from l/16th inch to 3/4 inch in diameter.
EXAMPLE II
A supply of wheat straw was reduced in a hammer mill and passed through a screen which reduced the straw to lengths of from 1/2 inch to 4 inches in length, This reduced straw was mixed with 15 lbs, of urea formalda-hyde resin and catalyst per cubic foot of straw and then mixed for one minute. The mixture was then formed into blocks at about 3000 psi and allowed to cure. A~ter hardening of the mixture, it was reduced in a hammer ', mill to a particle size averaging l/8th inch in diameter, ____________________ f The exact initial size of reduction of the straw in the above example,s is not too critical, Also, the proportions of resin to straw as well as -the proportions of urea to formaldahyde in the urea Eormaldahyde resin will vary but the different proportions only serve to vary the extent of insolubility and the rate of decomposition, By using a strong catalyst to change the pH of the resin, the blocks can be cured in a very short time. Although mixing of the resin with the straw under atmospheric pressure is preferred, it is to be understood that such may be accomplished at elevated pressures, Having thus described my invention, I claim:
ackground of the Invention This invention relates to an improved soil product and methods of making the same.
Various types of soil mixtures are used commercially and for retail such as for potted plants, nursery beds, etc. These mixtures include a minimum of actual soil since good natural soil is difficult to obtain and has other disadvantages such as for example it is heavy to handle, it has poor moisture retention qualities, etc.
One mixture that is popularly used as a soil additive or conditioner is barkdust since it has good moisture retention qualities and it decomposes at a slow rate.
However, barkdust is now being used extensively in other products, such as structural board, adhesive, etc., and the demand thereof has made it too expensive for mass usage as a soil conditioner. S-traw has been used as a soil conditioner and has some attractive Eeatures, namely, it is abundant and inexpensive and also makes a good mulch when decomposed. Straw, however, has the disadvantage that it decomposes at a fast rate and thus is not feasiblé for commercial use. Artificial soil mixtures have also been used but such mixtures are too expensive at least for commercial use.
72~
Summary of the invention According to the present invention and forming a primary objective thereof, a soil product is provi,ded which is inexpensive to manufacture, which uses a base material that is abundant and economical, which is light in weight and thus easy to handle, store and ship, which has desired moisture retention qualities, which de-composes at a relatively slow rate, and which releases a nutrient as it decomposes.
In the formation of such a product, a base material of straw is used. Such straw is coated with a water insoluble material providing slow decomposition of the s-traw and also providing slow nutrient release as it decomposes. The water insoluble material comprises urea formaldahyde resin. After applying the coating, it is preferred that the coated product be formed into blocks for handling and storage and subsequently ground into particles to provide a soil-like texture for use as a potting soil or nursery bed soil.
The invention will be better understood and addi-tional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawing.
, -2~
srief Description of the Drawing The drawing comprises a flow diagram of one embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodimen _ In brief, the product and a preferred manner of forming the same comprises first reducing a straw to shorter lengths than that which it is supplied from the fields, for example, to lengths of about l/4 inch to 4 inches. The straw used can be almost any type, such as for example, wheat straw, oat straw, grass straw,rice straw, or others, and its reduction to the shorter lengths can be by any suitable machine or method. A
conventional hammer mill will provide the desired re-duction, the output screen thereof being pre-selected in size to provide the desired reduction of the straw.
A hammer mill is very effective since it not only re-duces the length of the straw stems but it also breaks up some of the tubular structure of the straw for maxi-mum coverage by a water insoluble material as will now be described.
Such water insoluble material comprises urea formaldahyde resin. This resin is mixed with the straw by any conventional means such as by an auger mixer.
The mixing step is accomplished in a short time such as from l to 2 minutes, more or less, and thoroughly coats the straw surfaces with the urea formaldahyde resin.
, ' , 7~
Even the interior sur-face of the straw pieces that re-main tubular after reduction thereof is coated.
The mixture is then formed into blocks. Preferably the blocks are formed under pressure, such as from 200 to 3000 psi. The shape and size of the blocks is not important, although it is desired that they be of a shape and size which make them easy to handle, store, and ship. A hay cuber known by the trade-mark John Deere works efficiently in the formation of these blocks. If the straw is not thoroughly coated with resin after the mixing step, thorough coating is insured by the pressured formation of the blocks. The blocks are allowed to cure into solid form and when thusly cured have a density of approximately 40 to 60 pounds per cubic foot. A suitable catalyst is used with the urea formaldehyde resin, the rate of curing depending upon the ratio of catalyst used.
Heat may be applied in this step to speed up ~he cure, but such is not necessary.
After the blocks are cured into a solid ~orm, they are reduced to a usable particle soil-like usable size, such as from l/16th inch to 3/4 inch, or of course any other size that may suit a particular use as a potting ~ ~ ~ 7~87~
soil or a bedding soil. A conventional hammer mill is readily adaptable to provide the desired re~uction.
The product can be stored in block form and ground into the soil-like particle form as needed.
The soil product of the invention may be used alone or in combination with other material such as natural soil and has many advan~ages in its use as a potting soil or bedding soil mixture. A first advantage of the straw base material is that straw is very abundant in supply and inexpensive to purchase. Also, by the combination of straw and urea formaldahyde resin, there is an ad-vantage that since the urea formaldahyde resin coats the entire sur~ace of the straw particles and since the -formaldehyde causes the mixture to be water insoluble, the coating protects the straw from decompositionj at least for a time. Although the mi.xture is substantially water insoluble, moisture and microbial action ~rom the soil or atmosphere will cawse decomposition to occur, such being at a relatively slow rate. The procluct thus will. have some water retention qualities from the be-ginning and such retention qualities increase as de-composition progresses.
~ s the urea formaldahyde molecules break down, the urea releases nitrogen as a nutrient into the mixture.
Thus, the soil product has gradual decomposition by moisture and microbial action and as it decomposes it 7~
provides one of the main fertilizersto the plants.
Other nutrients may be added as desired. The decomposi-tion and nutrient feeding process will have a span as least as long as a growing season for most plants. The rate of decomposition and consequent release of nitrogen will increase with a raise in temperature and thus more nitrogen is released during the times that the plants are the rnost active.
The soil product of the invention is thus inexpensive to manufacture in view of the abundant supply and the small cost of straw. The product is light in weight and easy to handle either in its final particle form or in its block form prior to final grinding. The block form allows it to be easily handled for movement and storage ~5 and if kept dry it can be stored for long periods of time. The product when used for plant growth retains sufficient moisture for good root growth and for causing decomposition to release nitrogen. It can be used strictly as a soil itsel~ or can be mixed with natural 0 soil or other material to serve as a conditioner.
EXAMPLE I
A supply of oat straw was reduced in a hammer mill and passed through a screen which reduced the straw to lengths of from 1/4 inch to 3 inches in length. This reduced straw was mixed with 5 lbs of urea formaldahyde resin and catalyst per cubic foot of straw and then mixed for about 2 rninutes. The mixture was then formed into blocks at about 200 psi and allowed to cure. After hardening of the mixture, it was reduced in a hammer mill to a particle size of from l/16th inch to 3/4 inch in diameter.
EXAMPLE II
A supply of wheat straw was reduced in a hammer mill and passed through a screen which reduced the straw to lengths of from 1/2 inch to 4 inches in length, This reduced straw was mixed with 15 lbs, of urea formalda-hyde resin and catalyst per cubic foot of straw and then mixed for one minute. The mixture was then formed into blocks at about 3000 psi and allowed to cure. A~ter hardening of the mixture, it was reduced in a hammer ', mill to a particle size averaging l/8th inch in diameter, ____________________ f The exact initial size of reduction of the straw in the above example,s is not too critical, Also, the proportions of resin to straw as well as -the proportions of urea to formaldahyde in the urea Eormaldahyde resin will vary but the different proportions only serve to vary the extent of insolubility and the rate of decomposition, By using a strong catalyst to change the pH of the resin, the blocks can be cured in a very short time. Although mixing of the resin with the straw under atmospheric pressure is preferred, it is to be understood that such may be accomplished at elevated pressures, Having thus described my invention, I claim:
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1.
The method of making a straw based soil product comprising coating straw with urea formaldehyde resin, compressing and curing said mixture into solid form to spread said urea formaldehyde resin evenly on substantially all surfaces of the straw, and then reducing said solid form to particles capable of use as a soil product having a decomposition rate slower than untreated straw when subjected to moisture and microbial action.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein said urea formaldehyde resin releases a nutrient into the mixture as the product decomposes.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is reduced to short lengths prior to mixing it with said urea formalde-hyde resin.
4.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is reduced to lengths of from about 1/4th inch to 4 inches prior to mixing it with urea formaldehyde resin.
5.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is mixed with said urea formaldehyde resin under atmospheric con-ditions.
6.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is reduced to short lengths prior to mixing it with urea formaldehyde resin, and said straw is mixed with said urea formaldehyde resin under atmospheric conditions.
7.
A soil product reduced to particle form comprising a base material of straw, said straw having a coating of urea formaldehyde resin which has been applied thereto under pressure and cured to spread said urea formaldehyde resin evenly on substantially all surfaces of the straw, said coated straw having a decomposition rate slower than un-treated straw when subjected to moisture and microbial action.
8.
The soil product of claim 7 wherein said urea formaldehyde resin releases a nutrient into the mixture as the product decomposes.
1.
The method of making a straw based soil product comprising coating straw with urea formaldehyde resin, compressing and curing said mixture into solid form to spread said urea formaldehyde resin evenly on substantially all surfaces of the straw, and then reducing said solid form to particles capable of use as a soil product having a decomposition rate slower than untreated straw when subjected to moisture and microbial action.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein said urea formaldehyde resin releases a nutrient into the mixture as the product decomposes.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is reduced to short lengths prior to mixing it with said urea formalde-hyde resin.
4.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is reduced to lengths of from about 1/4th inch to 4 inches prior to mixing it with urea formaldehyde resin.
5.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is mixed with said urea formaldehyde resin under atmospheric con-ditions.
6.
The method of claim 1 wherein said straw is reduced to short lengths prior to mixing it with urea formaldehyde resin, and said straw is mixed with said urea formaldehyde resin under atmospheric conditions.
7.
A soil product reduced to particle form comprising a base material of straw, said straw having a coating of urea formaldehyde resin which has been applied thereto under pressure and cured to spread said urea formaldehyde resin evenly on substantially all surfaces of the straw, said coated straw having a decomposition rate slower than un-treated straw when subjected to moisture and microbial action.
8.
The soil product of claim 7 wherein said urea formaldehyde resin releases a nutrient into the mixture as the product decomposes.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US24075481A | 1981-03-05 | 1981-03-05 | |
| US240,754 | 1981-03-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1172870A true CA1172870A (en) | 1984-08-21 |
Family
ID=22907819
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000386897A Expired CA1172870A (en) | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-29 | Soil product |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1172870A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109632562A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2019-04-16 | 山东省农业科学院农业资源与环境研究所 | A method of returning to the field straw decomposition rate is measured based on potting simulation crop field |
-
1981
- 1981-09-29 CA CA000386897A patent/CA1172870A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109632562A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2019-04-16 | 山东省农业科学院农业资源与环境研究所 | A method of returning to the field straw decomposition rate is measured based on potting simulation crop field |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |