Techno-soil, its preparation method, and installation container

Abstract

and a pore-forming agent is added to form a first mixture; a spray granulation step, wherein the first mixture is brought into contact with hot air to evaporate moisture, thereby forming a powdery second mixture ; a sintering and solidifying step, wherein the second mixture is sintered at high temperature to form a third mixture with a porous structure; and an organic addition step, wherein the third mixture is mixed with an organic liquid to produce the techno-soil. The disclosed techno-soil offers excellent porosity, water retention, and nutrient-carrying capacity, making it suitable for agricultural cultivation. By utilizing recycled materials such as reservoir sludge, it promotes environmental sustainability and has potential applications in land remediation and circular resource utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention discloses a technological soil, a preparation method thereof, and a container for installing the same, particularly a technological soil, a preparation method thereof, and a container for installing the same using highly porous materials and reservoir sludge. Prior Art

[0002] Traditional agricultural soils rely heavily on natural resources. However, due to factors such as climate change, urbanization, and industrial pollution, farmland in some areas is gradually losing its original value. This leads to soil hardening, a breakdown of pore structure, and insufficient organic matter, which in turn affects plant root development and microbial ecosystem stability. Furthermore, existing agricultural substrates often rely on imported materials such as peat moss or coconut fiber, which are costly and hinder local resource utilization.

[0003] With environmental sustainability and the circular economy gaining increasing attention, how to effectively recycle waste materials and develop artificially modified soils with water retention, aeration, and nutrient carrying capacity has become a key issue in agricultural engineering, environmental remediation, and green technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main purpose of this disclosure is to solve the problem of poor tillage properties of traditional soils due to pollution, hardening, loss of organic matter, or destruction of pore structure, and to provide a technological soil modified and reconstructed using reservoir silt, a preparation method, and a container for its installation.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for preparing technological soil, comprising the following steps: a mixing and grinding step: a highly porous material, reservoir sludge, and water are mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1 by weight, and a pore-increasing agent is added at a weight percentage of 2% to 5% based on the weight of the highly porous material, followed by mixing and grinding to form a first mixture; a spray granulation step: the first mixture is sprayed in hot air at 100°C to 450°C, causing the first mixture to suspend in the air. After evaporation of the water, a powdered second mixture is formed; a sintering and curing step: the second mixture is subjected to high-temperature solid-phase sintering at 800°C for 3 hours to form a third mixture having a porous structure; and an organic matter addition step: an organic liquid material is added to the third mixture at a ratio of 10% by volume of the third mixture, and the mixture is uniformly mixed to obtain the technological soil.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a technological soil is provided, comprising the following components: (A) 100 parts by weight of a highly porous material; (B) 100 parts by weight of a reservoir sludge material, wherein the reservoir sludge material contains organic matter, inorganic matter, and nutrients suitable for agricultural applications; (C) 2 to 5 parts by weight of a pore-increasing agent; and (D) 4 to 10 parts by weight of an organic liquid material.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a container containing technological soil is provided, comprising a container and the technological soil. The container has an annular sidewall, a base, and an opening. The annular sidewall and the base together define a storage space that communicates with the opening. The annular sidewall is transparent. The technological soil is disposed in the storage space and comprises 100 parts by weight of a highly porous material, 100 parts by weight of a reservoir sludge material, 2 to 5 parts by weight of a pore-increasing agent, and 4 to 10 parts by weight of an organic liquid material.

[0008] The technological soil, preparation method, and installation container disclosed herein promote plant root growth and stabilize the microbial ecosystem by creating a porous, highly water-retaining, and nutrient-carrying technological soil, thereby enhancing the agricultural value of damaged land. This approach balances environmental sustainability and the circular economy, and complies with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) development goals, demonstrating significant potential for industrial application. Simple diagram description

[0009] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the process of preparing the soil according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] is a schematic diagram of the composition of the technological soil disclosed herein. FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a container equipped with technological soil according to the present disclosure. Implementation Method

[0010] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein should have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates. Furthermore, although specific methods and samples are described herein, similar or equivalent methods are also within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, all numerical values ​​listed herein should be construed as including the meaning of "about." The publications and other references referenced herein are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0011] 1 to 3 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for preparing technological soil 10, the steps of which are as follows:

[0012] A mixing and grinding step S1: High-porous material, reservoir sludge, and water are mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1 by weight. A pore-increasing agent is added at a weight percentage of 2% to 5% based on the weight of the high-porous material, and mixed and ground to form a first mixture. The weight percentage of the pore-increasing agent may be 2.0%, 2.2%, 2.4%, 2.6%, 2.8%, 3.0%, 3.2%, 3.4%, 3.6%, 3.8%, 4.0%, 4.2%, 4.4%, 4.6%, 4.8%, or 5.0%. The purpose of mixing and grinding step S1 is to thoroughly mix the raw materials. The addition of the pore-increasing agent increases the porosity and specific surface area of ​​the final product, thereby facilitating the formation of a porous structure in subsequent processes. By using reservoir sludge as a raw material source, the benefits of resource recycling and environmental sustainability are balanced.

[0013] A spray granulation step S2: The first mixture is remixed with a coating agent in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:3. The mixture is then sprayed in hot air at 100°C to 450°C, causing the first mixture to suspend in the air. After the water evaporates, a surface-coated powdered second mixture is formed. The weight ratio of the first mixture to the coating agent can be 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5, or 1:3. The primary purpose of spray granulation step S2 is to convert the wet first mixture into a dry, surface-coated powdered second mixture. Spray drying rapidly removes moisture from the first mixture, preventing material agglomeration and facilitating structural stability during subsequent sintering. The coating agent pre-coats the first mixture particles and enhances granulation and sintering stability. The coating agent can be selected from natural polymers, organic binders, silicates, starches, or other materials with surface coating properties.

[0014] First, a sintering and curing step S3: The second mixture is subjected to high-temperature solid-phase sintering at 800°C for 3 hours to form a third mixture with a porous structure. The purpose of sintering and curing step S3 is to sinter and bond the particles in the second mixture through high-temperature solid-phase sintering. High-temperature sintering helps control pore size distribution and strengthen the structure, establishing a stable three-dimensional pore structure, effectively extending its functional life, ensuring that the pores maintain good water retention and ventilation properties, and improving the mechanical strength and durability of the material.

[0015] An organic matter addition step S4 is performed: an organic liquid material is added to the third mixture at a ratio of 10% by volume and uniformly mixed to obtain the technological soil 10. The purpose of the organic matter addition step S4 is to act as a pore-increasing agent. During the sintering process, the organic matter decomposes or volatilizes under heat, creating a porous structure. This increases the specific surface area and porosity of the sintered particles, helping to simulate the physical structure of natural soil, facilitate subsequent fertilizer penetration and retention, and promote the expansion of crop roots.

[0016] The technological soil 10 produced through the above process can be used as a planting medium for agricultural cultivation. It possesses an excellent pore structure and water-retention properties, helping to promote the development of crop roots and support the establishment of a microbial ecosystem. Furthermore, the technological soil 10 is sourced from recycled resources such as reservoir sludge, offering potential for resource reuse. It is suitable for the improvement and restoration of contaminated or degraded soil, helping to restore the land's agricultural productivity.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, during the mixing and grinding step S1, the highly porous material is first pulverized to adjust the particle size of the highly porous material to 100 to 250 micrometers (µm). The particle size can be 100µm, 110µm, 120µm, 130µm, 140µm, 150µm, 160µm, 170µm, 180µm, 190µm, 200µm, 210µm, 220µm, 230µm, 240µm, or 250µm. This step increases the surface area of ​​the highly porous material, helping to enhance its reactivity with pore-increasing agents and reservoir sludge, thereby improving pore formation efficiency and subsequent sintering quality stability. It also enhances overall grinding and granulation efficiency.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, in the mixing and grinding step S1, the reservoir sludge is first dried to a moisture content of less than 20 wt% before being mixed with the highly porous material and water to improve moisture control stability and grinding efficiency. By pre-reducing the moisture content of the reservoir sludge, problems such as excessive moisture during mixing, such as over-wetting of the first mixture, uneven grinding, and difficulty in granulation, can be mitigated. This also helps stabilize the granulation humidity conditions.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, in the spray granulation step S2, a two-stage drying is adopted, wherein the granules are pre-dried at a relatively low temperature of 100°C to 200°C, and then rapidly dried at a relatively high temperature of 250°C to 450°C. The relatively low temperature may be 100°C, 110°C, 120°C, 130°C, 140°C, 150°C, 160°C, 170°C, 180°C, 190°C, or 200°C; the relatively high temperature may be 250°C, 260°C, 270°C, 280°C, 290°C, 300°C, 310°C, 320°C, 330°C, 340°C, 350°C, 360°C, 370°C, 380°C, 390°C, 400°C, 410°C, 420°C, 430°C, 440°C, or 450°C. Pre-drying at a relatively low temperature removes surface moisture from the first mixture, reducing droplet aggregation and preventing deformation or cracking of particles that have yet to form a complete surface coating due to concentrated surface tension or excessive wettability. If the temperature is too low (<100°C), water evaporation efficiency may be insufficient, reducing overall drying efficiency. If the temperature is too high (>200°C), the particle surface may dry and harden rapidly, trapping internal moisture and compromising subsequent pore formation and structural integrity. The subsequent rapid drying stage at a relatively high temperature is primarily intended to rapidly remove residual moisture from the particles, ensuring a uniform pore structure and good drying integrity when the second mixture is formed. If the temperature during the high-temperature stage is too low (<250°C), internal moisture may not fully evaporate, compromising drying uniformity and pore stability. If the temperature is too high (>450°C), premature sintering or embrittlement of the surface material may occur, leading to uneven hardening and decreased mechanical properties.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a staged heating process is employed in the sintering and curing step S3, including a pre-sintering process from 200°C to 600°C at a heating rate of 5°C per minute, followed by a high-temperature sintering process at 800°C for three hours. This enhances the stability of the pore structure and mechanical strength of the third mixture. This heating strategy prevents particle explosion or pore collapse in the second mixture caused by rapid heating, promotes uniform gas release within the material, and makes the sintering process more controllable. The resulting pore structure is more stable, and the particles of the third mixture are more tightly bonded.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, during the sintering and curing step S3, a foaming agent is added at 1 wt% to 3 wt% to create uniform pores within the second mixture. The foaming agent may be present in an amount of 1.0 wt%, 1.2 wt%, 1.4 wt%, 1.6 wt%, 1.8 wt%, 2.0 wt%, 2.2 wt%, 2.4 wt%, 2.6 wt%, 2.8 wt%, or 3.0 wt%. The foaming agent releases gas during the sintering process, forming pores within the material before the solid phase is fully densified, thereby enhancing the porosity and water retention of the finished product. Furthermore, the uniform distribution of pores facilitates the establishment of a microbial habitat and increases space for plant root growth.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, in the sintering and solidification step S3, 5 wt% to 15 wt% of reservoir sludge is added. [,] creates uniform pores within the second mixture. The reservoir sludge can be 5.0 wt%, 5.5 wt%, 6.0 wt%, 6.5 wt%, 7.0 wt%, 7.5 wt%, 8.0 wt%, 8.5 wt%, 9.0 wt%, 9.5 wt%, 10.0 wt%, 10.5 wt%, 11.0 wt%, 11.5 wt%, 12.0 wt%, 12.5 wt%, 13.0 wt%, 13.5 wt%, 14.0 wt%, 14.5 wt%, or 15.0 wt%. During high-temperature sintering of the reservoir sludge, some organic or unstable components can vaporize and escape, forming internal pores that effectively introduce pore structure. Compared to using a simple foaming agent, this method also balances material reuse and environmental protection, improving resource sustainability and material functional integration within the process.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 1 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a technological soil 10 comprising the following components: (A) 100 parts by weight of a highly porous material; (B) 100 parts by weight of a reservoir sludge material, wherein the reservoir sludge material contains organic matter, inorganic matter, and nutrients suitable for agricultural applications; (C) 2 to 5 parts by weight of a pore-increasing agent; and (D) 4 to 10 parts by weight of an organic liquid material.

[0024] The composition ratio of the technological soil 10 disclosed herein can effectively provide the technological soil 10 with good structural stability, porosity, and nutrient carrying capacity, while maintaining water regulation and microbial habitat functions to promote plant root development and restore soil activity.

[0025] The highly porous material is selected from one or a combination of fly ash, blast furnace slag, waste glass, papermaking sludge, red mud, silica fume, electric arc furnace ash, recycled concrete, waste clay, waste ceramics, waste tiles, sanitary ceramics, recycled bricks, construction ash, and waste gypsum. Highly porous materials are often sourced from stable industrial byproducts or recycled building materials, possessing both a good pore structure and chemical stability. They can improve the spatial distribution of air, water, and root systems in the soil, and offer environmentally friendly reuse value.

[0026] The reservoir sludge material contains both organic and inorganic matter, as well as nutrients beneficial for agricultural applications. Organic matter, such as humus, fallen branches and leaves, microbial remains, plant and animal debris, or their derivatives, helps enhance soil biological activity and nutrient buffering capacity. Inorganic matter, such as clay, silt, minerals, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, silicates, or other soil mineral components, enhances soil structural stability and mineral buffering. Nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and trace elements such as zinc, copper, manganese, and boron, directly provide nutrients necessary for plant growth. In summary, using reservoir sludge as a composite nutrient source and recycled material can achieve the multiple technical goals of soil improvement, resource reuse, and environmental sustainability.

[0027] The pore-increasing agent is selected from wood fiber, lignin, expired flour, starch waste, bean dregs, rice bran, coconut shell powder, bagasse, rice husk powder, corn cob powder, cotton fiber, bamboo fiber, or a combination thereof. Porosity-increasing agents are often natural fibers or organic residues with high volatility or thermal decomposition properties. During the sintering process, they release gases, forming a porous structure within the material, improving soil water retention and air permeability while increasing microbial attachment and root expansion space. Furthermore, they balance low cost and material reuse.

[0028] The organic liquid material is one or a combination of coffee grounds extract, eggshell soaking liquid, fruit peel fermentation liquid, rice washing water, tea soaking liquid, vegetable residue fermentation liquid, bean dregs water, fishy water, molasses dilution, whey liquid, rice bran fermentation liquid, yeast fermentation liquid, kitchen waste compost leachate, bagasse extract, fermented lactic acid liquid, and vinegar lees liquid. Organic liquid materials often contain amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, enzymes, or soluble nutrients. They not only enhance the trace elements and stimulating factors required for initial plant root growth, but also promote the activation and community establishment of soil microorganisms, contributing to the formation of a stable and functional soil microecosystem.

[0029] Referring to Figure 3, another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a container 20 containing an engineered soil 10. The container 20 comprises the engineered soil 10 and the container 20. The container 20 has a sidewall 21, a base 22, and an opening 23. The sidewall 21 and base 22 together define a receiving space 24, which communicates with the opening 23. The sidewall 21 is transparent. The engineered soil 10 is disposed within the receiving space 24. The engineered soil 10 comprises 100 parts by weight of a highly porous material, 100 parts by weight of reservoir sludge, 2 to 5 parts by weight of a pore-increasing agent, and 4 to 10 parts by weight of an organic liquid material. The transparent sidewall 21 facilitates direct visual observation of the moisture content, pore distribution, rooting activity, and microbial activity within the engineered soil 10, facilitating appropriate irrigation or nutrient supplementation decisions. The container is also suitable for use in teaching, experimental, or commercial exhibitions, clearly demonstrating the internal workings of soil and plant growth, enhancing user understanding and interactivity with soil functions.

[0030] The advantages of this disclosure are as follows:

[0031] 1. Effectively improve traditional soil problems: This disclosure aims to improve traditional soil problems such as pollution, hardening, loss of organic matter or destruction of pore structure, thereby enhancing its tillage and agricultural usability.

[0032] 2. Resource Recycling: The production process of the disclosed Technological Soil 10 utilizes recycled resources such as reservoir sludge, industrial byproducts, and agricultural waste as primary raw materials, implementing the principles of a circular economy and waste recycling, reducing reliance on natural soil and peat resources. The overall technology and product address three key aspects: environmental, social, and governance. This addresses contemporary demands for sustainable agriculture, low-carbon processes, and soil restoration technologies, and possesses promising industrial applications.

[0033] 3. Porous structure optimization: Through processes such as adding pore-increasing agents, spray drying, and high-temperature sintering, the pore distribution and structural stability of the soil are precisely controlled to enhance water retention, aeration, and root penetration, which is conducive to plant growth and the establishment of microbial ecology.

[0034] 4. It has both nutrient carrying and microecological promotion functions: Reservoir silt contains a variety of organic matter, inorganic matter and nutrients required by plants, and is combined with a variety of organic liquid materials, which helps to provide plant nutrient sources and activate soil microbial communities, thereby establishing a stable microecological system.

[0035] 5. Modular application design with commercialization potential: The disclosed technological soil 10 can be combined with a transparent container 20 to serve as a modular cultivation system for family farms, urban balconies, teaching displays, green roofs, etc., with high visibility, easy operation, and market promotion potential.

[0036] The various technical features of the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the various technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0037] 10: Technological soil 20:Container 21: Ring side wall 22: Base 23: Opening 24: Storage space S1: Mixing and grinding step S2: spray granulation step S3: Sintering and curing step S4: Organic matter addition step

Claims

1. A method for preparing technological soil, comprising the following steps: a mixing and grinding step: mixing a high-porosity material, reservoir sludge, and water in a ratio of 1:1:1 by weight, and adding a pore-increasing agent at a ratio of 2% to 5% by weight based on the high-porosity material, followed by mixing and grinding to form a first mixture; a spray granulation step: spraying the first mixture with hot air at 100°C to 450°C to suspend the first mixture in the air, and forming a powdered second mixture after water evaporates; a sintering and curing step: subjecting the second mixture to a high-temperature solid-phase sintering at 800°C for 3 hours to form a third mixture having a porous structure; and an organic matter addition step: adding an organic liquid material to the third mixture at a ratio of 10% by volume of the third mixture, and uniformly mixing the mixture to obtain the technological soil.

2. The method for preparing technological soil as claimed in claim 1, wherein: In the mixing and grinding step, the high-porous material is firstly pulverized to adjust the particle size of the high-porous material to 100 to 250 microns (µm).

3. The method for preparing technological soil according to claim 1, wherein: In the mixing and grinding step, the reservoir sludge is first dried to a moisture content of less than 20 wt %, and then mixed with the high-porosity material and the water.

4. The method for preparing technological soil according to claim 1, wherein: In the spray granulation step, a two-stage drying is adopted, firstly pre-drying at a relatively low temperature of 100°C to 200°C, and then rapid drying at a relatively high temperature of 250°C to 450°C.

5. The method for preparing technological soil according to claim 1, wherein: In the spray granulation step, the first mixture and the coating agent are first mixed again in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:3, and then sprayed in hot air at 100°C to 450°C to suspend the first mixture in the air. After the water evaporates, the second mixture is formed into a surface-coated powder.

6. The method for preparing technological soil according to claim 1, wherein: In the sintering and curing step, a staged temperature increase program is adopted, including pre-sintering at 200° C. to 600° C. at a heating rate of 5° C. per minute, and then heating to 800° C. for high-temperature sintering for 3 hours.

7. The method for preparing technological soil according to claim 1, wherein: During the sintering and curing step, 1 wt % to 3 wt % of a foaming agent is added to generate uniform pores inside the second mixture.

8. The method for preparing technological soil according to claim 1, wherein: During the sintering and solidification step, 5 wt % to 15 wt % of reservoir sludge is added to generate uniform pores inside the second mixture.

9. A technological soil comprising the following ingredients: (A) 100 parts by weight of a highly porous material; (B) 100 parts by weight of a reservoir sludge material containing organic matter, inorganic matter, and nutrients suitable for agricultural applications; (C) 2 to 5 parts by weight of a pore-increasing agent; and (D) 4 to 10 parts by weight of an organic liquid material.

10. The technological soil as described in claim 9, wherein: The high-porosity material is one of fly ash, blast furnace slag, waste glass, papermaking sludge, red mud, silica ash, electric arc furnace ash, recycled concrete, waste clay, waste ceramics, waste tiles, sanitary ceramics, recycled bricks, construction ash, and waste gypsum, or a combination thereof.

11. The technological soil as described in claim 9, wherein: The organic matter is humus, dead branches and leaves, microbial remains or animal and plant remains; the inorganic matter is clay, silt, minerals, iron oxide, calcium carbonate or silicate; the nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and trace elements such as zinc, copper, manganese or boron.

12. The technological soil as described in claim 9, wherein: The pore-increasing agent is wood fiber, lignin, expired flour, starch waste, bean dregs, rice bran, coconut shell powder, sugarcane bagasse, husk powder, corn cob powder, cotton fiber, bamboo fiber or a combination thereof.

13. The technological soil as described in claim 9, wherein: The organic liquid material is one of coffee grounds extract, eggshell soaking liquid, peel fermentation liquid, rice washing water, tea soaking liquid, vegetable residue fermentation liquid, bean dregs water, fishy water, molasses dilution, whey liquid, rice bran fermentation liquid, yeast fermentation liquid, kitchen waste compost leachate, sugarcane bagasse extract, fermented lactic acid liquid, vinegar dregs liquid, or a combination thereof.

14. A container containing an engineered soil, comprising: a container having an annular sidewall, a base, and an opening, the annular sidewall and the base together defining a receiving space, the receiving space being in communication with the opening, the annular sidewall being transparent; and an engineered soil disposed in the receiving space, the engineered soil comprising 100 parts by weight of a highly porous material, 100 parts by weight of a reservoir sludge material, 2 to 5 parts by weight of a pore-increasing agent, and 4 to 10 parts by weight of an organic liquid material.

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