Pelletized Organic Soil Amendment Using Protein and Grain Binder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soil amendments not suitable for organic systems pose challenges in storage, transportation, and application, limiting marketability and usability in both commercial and residential settings.
Innovation Solution
A soil amendment composed of a protein ingredient, such as plant-based or animal-based proteins, combined with a grain processing by-product binder, formed into pellets for easier handling and use in organic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manure is used as the most common soil amendment in organic systems, then organic status is maintained, but storage, transportation, and application become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form of organic soil amendment from loose manure to compressed pellet format. This parameter change in physical state maintains the organic composition while dramatically improving storage density, transportation efficiency, and application ease through controlled release mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite soil amendment product combining multiple organic ingredients (blood meal, fish emulsion, kelp meal, seaweed extract) bound together in a pellet format. This composite structure maintains organic integrity while providing improved handling characteristics and controlled release properties
2Ease of operation
If non-organic soil amendments are used, then ease of storage and transportation is improved, but organic approval is limited and marketability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the physical parameters of organic materials into a pellet format that achieves the storage and transportation efficiency of synthetic amendments while maintaining the organic certification required for marketability. The pelletization process creates a handleable form factor without compromising organic status
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a binding agent as an intermediary that allows organic materials to be formed into pellet structures. This binding component enables the organic ingredients to be compacted into transport-efficient forms while maintaining organic integrity and approval status
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 protein-binder pellet composition facilitates easier storage, transportation, and application while maintaining organic status, supporting plant growth and marketability across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a binder binding with the protein ingredient to form a pellet
Data Source
AI summary
A soil amendment for use in an organic system includes a protein ingredient and a binder binding with the protein ingredient to form a pellet. The protein ingredient is at least one of a plant-based protein and an animal-based protein. The binder is a grain processing by-product.