Water-Soluble Humic Acid Granules via Alkaline Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for creating humic acid granules result in suboptimal solubility in water, limiting their effectiveness as organic aids for crop growth, as they are not fully water-soluble despite attempts to enhance solubility through chemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the extraction of humic acid from carbonaceous substances like leonardite or humalite, followed by alkaline treatment, spray drying, and compaction using a roller compactor to produce granules with a diameter of 0.5 mm to 4.5 mm that are fully water-soluble, dissolving at least 95% within five minutes in water at 25°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical reactions are performed on raw humic materials prior to granulating, then solubility is improved, but the granule still contains insoluble portions preventing full water solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing alkaline extraction and hydrolysis on the raw humic materials before granulation. This pre-treatment converts the insoluble humic substances into water-soluble forms, ensuring that the granules formed subsequently will fully dissolve in water. The extraction process using alkali solutions (such as NaOH, KOH, or Ca(OH)2) breaks down the complex humic structures into soluble humates, which are then granulated without leaving insoluble residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the pH and chemical composition of the humic materials through alkaline treatment. By changing the chemical parameters (adding alkali to convert humic acid to soluble humates) and physical parameters (controlling moisture content at 15-30% and granule size at 0.5-4.5mm), the patent achieves full water solubility while maintaining granule integrity and homogeneity.
2Reliability
If humic acid is extracted and granulated to improve solubility, then water solubility increases to about 85%, but complete solubility is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves complete solubility by changing the chemical parameters of the extraction process. Instead of simple water extraction, the patent uses alkaline solutions (NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2, NH4OH) to convert insoluble humic acid into soluble humates. The pH is adjusted to alkaline levels, and the extraction is performed under controlled conditions (temperature, time, concentration) to ensure complete conversion and solubility exceeding 95%.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified version of the extraction process that achieves better results. Rather than using complex multi-step chemical treatments, the patent employs a straightforward alkaline extraction followed by filtration and granulation. This simplified process copy achieves complete solubility while reducing manufacturing complexity compared to conventional methods that require multiple chemical treatment stages.
3Stability of the object's composition
If dry lignite is used directly, then the material is stable and easy to handle, but it takes longer to break down and become functional in the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the lignite by converting it from a dry, stable form into a water-soluble granule form with controlled moisture content (15-30%). This parameter change transforms the molecular structure from tightly bound to expanded and soluble, enabling rapid dissolution in water and quick activation in the soil while maintaining stability during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large, stable lignite molecules into smaller, water-soluble units through alkaline hydrolysis and extraction. This segmentation breaks down the complex polymeric structures into smaller humate molecules that can dissolve rapidly in water, significantly increasing the activation speed while the granule structure maintains stability for easy handling and storage.
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 resulting fully water-soluble granules effectively dissolve in water, enhancing nutrient chelation, preserving nitrates, and improving crop vigor and yields, addressing the need for a completely soluble humic acid product for agricultural and horticultural applications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the sample with an amount of an alkaline mixture, thereby forming an extraction mixture, the extraction mixture consisting essentially of a sludge component, the sludge component comprising, predominantly, the sample, and an extraction component, the extraction component comprising, predominantly, the alkaline mixture
Implementation Method 2
spray drying the extraction component, thereby forming a plurality of powder particles
Implementation Method 3
compacting, via a roll compactor, at least a portion of the plurality of powder particles, where the at least a portion of the plurality of powder particles, as a result of the compacting, are made into a form of a fully water-soluble granule
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a process for making a water-soluble granule enriched in humic acid. Disclosed also is a water-soluble granule enriched in humic acid. Such a granule is useful as an organic aid to crop growth, particularly in applications where solubility is desirable or necessary.