Lignocellulosic Soil Agent for Aggregate Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil improving agents fail to effectively reduce fine soil particles and enhance soil stability and crushing performance during tilling, which are crucial for efficient agricultural practices.

Innovation Solution

A soil improving agent containing lignocellulosic biomass with a lignin content of 60-80% is developed, which undergoes a hydrophilization treatment to improve its affinity and aggregation properties, allowing for better soil structure and tilling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional soil improving agents are used, then soil aggregation is promoted, but fine soil particles are not effectively reduced and soil stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil stabilityVSAvoidfine particle reduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the lignin content to be 60-80% and the contact angle with water to be 50° or less, transforming the physical and chemical properties of the biomass material to achieve both fine particle reduction and soil stability improvement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the porous structure of lignocellulosic biomass materials to absorb fine soil particles and promote aggregation, where the porous structure provides surface area for particle attachment and water retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If soil improving agents are applied to enhance soil structure, then aggregation is improved, but crushing performance during tilling does not improve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil aggregationVSAvoidsoil crushing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the contact angle parameter to 50° or less, which modifies the surface properties of the biomass material to reduce soil adhesion during tilling while maintaining aggregation stability, thereby improving crushing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses lignocellulosic biomass with specific lignin content (60-80%) as a composite material that combines the benefits of organic matter for aggregation with controlled surface properties for improved tilling characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If biomass material is used to promote soil aggregation, then water retention is improved, but water resistance of soil aggregates is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retention capacityVSAvoidwater resistance of aggregates
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling both the contact angle (≤50°) and lignin content (60-80%), which creates a balanced material that retains water effectively while forming aggregates with sufficient water resistance for agricultural use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 agent effectively reduces fine soil particles, enhances soil stability, and improves crushing performance during tilling, making it suitable for agricultural applications by forming stable soil aggregates with improved water resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the agent is made of a raw material plant-based material including 50 weight % or more of bark... expanding its volume 2 to 100 times when absorbing water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

forming stable soil aggregates with improved water resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

undergoes a hydrophilization treatment to improve its affinity and aggregation properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilization: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 4

a lignin decomposition product having an aldehyde yield by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation of 5% by mass or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 5

lignin decomposition product having a weight average molecular weight of 300 or more and 100,000 or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20230137989A1Soil improving agent
Publication Date: 2023.05.04 KAO CORP

AI summary

A soil improving agent containing (A) a lignocellulosic biomass with a lignin content of more than 60 mass % and 80 mass % or less.