Organic Ash and Digestate Soil Conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective soil conditioning agents that maximize resource utilization, reduce waste, and minimize carbon emissions, particularly by utilizing waste products and enhancing carbon storage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the admixture of ash from organic sources with anaerobic digestate, optionally including nitrate and sulfate ions, and subsequent contact with carbon dioxide, to create a soil conditioning agent that enhances carbon storage and provides nutrients for plant growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If waste products are utilized to produce soil conditioning agent, then resource utilization is maximized and waste is reduced, but the complexity of the production process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste reductionVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple waste streams (anaerobic digestate and organic ash) into a single integrated production process. The digestate from anaerobic digestion is mixed with ash from incinerated organic waste, creating a composite soil conditioning agent that simultaneously utilizes both waste materials through a unified admixing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The produced soil conditioning agent serves multiple functions: it acts as a fertilizer providing nutrients (N, P, K, calcium, magnesium), a soil conditioner improving structure and aeration, and a carbon sequestration medium. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the waste-derived product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If carbon dioxide is contacted with the admixture, then carbon storage is enhanced, but the processing time and steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon storageVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary carbonation by contacting the admixture with carbon dioxide during the production process itself, rather than as a separate post-processing step. The carbon dioxide is introduced during mixing, allowing carbon to be stored in the soil conditioning agent as it is being manufactured, thereby integrating carbon sequestration into the core production workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If ash from organic sources is admixed with anaerobic digestate, then nutrient bioavailability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient bioavailabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the waste materials through controlled processing. The anaerobic digestate undergoes anaerobic decomposition to stabilize organic matter, while the organic ash provides alkaline conditions and additional nutrients. The admixing process optimizes moisture content, particle size distribution, and nutrient concentration ratios to enhance bioavailability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

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 method produces a soil conditioning agent with high bioavailability of nutrients, improved soil aeration, and reduced nitrogen loss, effectively storing carbon and improving soil quality while utilizing waste products.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the admixture with carbon dioxide, to create a soil conditioning agent that enhances carbon storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbonation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

component (b) comprises an anaerobic digestate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnaerobic digestion: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 3

the admixture of ash from organic sources with anaerobic digestate... produces a soil conditioning agent with high bioavailability of nutrients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMineralization: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS20230303462A1Method for producing a soil conditioning agent

Publication Date: 2023.09.28 CCM RES

AI summary

A method of producing a soil conditioning agent, the method comprising (i) admixing (a) ash from an organic source with (b) an anaerobic digestate.