Amino Cellulose Plant Nutrient Composition via Carbonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural fertilizers have a high environmental impact due to energy-intensive production methods, carbon dioxide emissions, and environmental pollution, while organic alternatives are often bulky, expensive, and have variable nutrient content.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the treatment of cellulosic materials with amino compounds and carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide, optionally with additional nutrients, to create a plant nutrient composition that reduces environmental impact and improves agricultural productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inorganic fertilisers are used to maintain agricultural productivity, then nutrient supply is improved, but environmental impact and carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the fertiliser by reacting cellulosic material with amino compounds to form amino cellulose, then carbonating it to create calcium carbonate-bound amino acids. This transforms organic precursors into a stable, slow-release fertiliser form that maintains productivity while reducing environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers and utilises waste cellulosic materials (agricultural by-products) that would otherwise be discarded. By converting this waste into valuable fertiliser components, it reduces environmental impact while maintaining agricultural productivity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If organic fertilisers are used to reduce environmental impact, then sustainability is improved, but bulkiness and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of organic material through chemical reactions (amination and carbonation) that convert bulky cellulosic waste into a concentrated, stable fertiliser product with improved handling properties and reduced bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material structure where amino acids are bound to calcium carbonate within a cellulosic matrix. This composite approach concentrates nutrients while maintaining sustainability, reducing bulkiness compared to traditional organic fertilisers.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If organic fertilisers are used to reduce environmental impact, then sustainability is improved, but nutrient content variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies controlled chemical reactions (amination with amino compounds followed by carbonation) that standardise the nutrient content. The process converts variable organic material into a consistent product with predictable nutrient release characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The amino cellulose structure provides self-regulating nutrient release through its chemical composition. The calcium carbonate-bound amino acids naturally control nutrient availability, reducing variability without requiring precise manufacturing adjustments.
4Productivity
If traditional fertiliser production methods are used to maintain productivity, then nutrient supply is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the production approach from energy-intensive synthetic processes to lower-energy chemical reactions using readily available materials (cellulosic waste, amino compounds, carbon dioxide). The amination and carbonation reactions require significantly less energy than Haber-Bosch or ore processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilises naturally occurring or easily obtained materials (cellulosic biomass, amino compounds from fermentation, carbon dioxide from exhaust gases) that require minimal processing, reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces a plant nutrient composition that enhances soil fertility, reduces carbon footprint, and provides a sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers by utilizing waste cellulosic materials and capturing carbon dioxide from exhaust gases, thereby minimizing environmental harm.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a cellulosic material with a composition comprising an amino compound
Implementation Method 2
contacting the cellulosic material with a composition comprising carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing a plant nutrient composition, the method comprising:(a) contacting a cellulosic material with a composition comprising an amino compound;(b) contacting the cellulosic material with a composition comprising carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and mixtures thereof;(c) optionally, contacting the cellulosic material with a composition comprising a source of one or more elements selected from nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, boron, cobalt, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc and sodium; and(d) optionally, contacting the resultant material with a plant and/or a base growing medium.