Semi-Soluble Humate Granulation for Improved Water Solubility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing humic granules result in particulate materials with suboptimal solubility in water, limiting their application effectiveness and safety for plants and workers.
Innovation Solution
A semi-soluble humic granule composition comprising a homogenous mixture of fully-soluble humic acid powder, rock phosphate powder, seaweed powder, and various micronutrients, along with a binder, is formed through blending and granulation to achieve a pH of 3.5 to 8.5, resulting in granules that partially dissolve in water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional extraction processes are used to produce humic granules, then production cost and simplicity are maintained, but solubility in water remains suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines humic acid with multiple auxiliary substances (seaweed extract, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other organic compounds) to create a composite granule formulation. This composite structure enhances water solubility and plant availability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized blending and granulation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the humic acid product by controlling pH levels (3.5-8.5), adjusting particle size distribution (0.8mm to 4.0mm), and optimizing moisture content (5-25%). These parameter changes improve solubility characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture through controlled processing conditions.
2Reliability
If fully soluble humic acid powder is used to maximize solubility, then water solubility improves, but granule stability and nutrient retention may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite granule system where humic acid is combined with seaweed extract, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. This composite structure provides both solubility (from the humic acid and seaweed components) and stability (from the protective granule matrix and synergistic interactions between components).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different components within the granule: highly soluble materials (humic acid, seaweed extract) are combined with more stable materials (minerals, vitamins protected in granule matrix). This local differentiation allows the granule as a whole to exhibit both high solubility and compositional stability.
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 semi-soluble granules enhance crop growth by providing essential nutrients and microbial activity, while ensuring safety and ease of application, with crush strengths between 0.1 psi to 10 psi and sizes ranging from 0.8 mm to 4.0 mm.
Implementation Method 1
The homogenous mixture is granulated to form the semi-soluble humate granule
Implementation Method 2
the binder is bentonite clay
Data Source
AI summary
A semi-soluble humate granule includes a homogenous powder mixture. The homogenous mixture includes a raw humate, a fully soluble humic acid enriched powder, a seaweed powder, a zinc sulfate powder, a sulfur sulfate powder, a magnesium sulfate powder, a manganese sulfate powder, a ferrous sulfate powder, a copper sulfate powder, a borate powder, and a sodium molybdate powder. The homogenous mixture is granulated to form the semi-soluble humate granule having a pH of about 3.5 to about 8.5.