Straw Composting Microbial Solution for Organic Fertilizer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The direct return of crop straws to fields is becoming unsuitable due to increased pest and disease issues, and the high costs and inefficiencies of straw-based power generation, while traditional composting faces challenges with rapid decomposition and microbial failure due to high C/N ratios.

Innovation Solution

A method involving stacking straws and spraying a solution composed of composting microbial solution, amino acids, and ammonium sulfate at specific intervals to control temperature and humidity, with turning to ensure oxygen exposure, resulting in a high-quality straw organic fertilizer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If crop straws are directly returned to fields, then chemical fertilizer usage can be reduced, but pest and disease problems in the next season crops worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical fertilizer dependencyVSAvoidpest and disease incidence
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a composting process as an intermediary step between straw and field application. The straw is first composted with microbial agents to produce composted straw, which then serves as the fertilizer material. This intermediary transformation eliminates harmful effects while preserving beneficial nutrients, solving both the chemical fertilizer dependency and pest/disease problems simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the physical and chemical parameters of straw through composting. The high C/N ratio straw is converted into composted straw with lower C/N ratio, altered nutrient availability, and changed physical structure. This parameter transformation makes the straw suitable for field application without causing pest and disease issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If straws are sun-dried before power generation, then energy value increases, but storage costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestraw energy valueVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical drying process with a biological composting process. Instead of sun-drying to increase energy value, the straw undergoes microbial decomposition that transforms it into compost, which has different but equally valuable agricultural properties. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming drying step while achieving the goal of creating a valuable product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful high C/N ratio and low decomposability of straw into beneficial compost through controlled microbial action. The very characteristics that make straw difficult to use directly (high C/N ratio, recalcitrance to decomposition) are transformed through composting into advantages in the final compost product, eliminating the need for preliminary drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If composting microbial solution and water are added to straws, then composting can start, but temperature rises slowly and may lead to microbial failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposting microbial effectivenessVSAvoidtemperature rise rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the straw with a nutrient solution containing nitrogen and other essential elements before adding the composting microbial solution. This preliminary nutrient supplementation ensures that when microbes are introduced, they immediately have the necessary nutrients to proliferate and generate heat, preventing slow temperature rise and microbial failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the straw by adding a nutrient solution that modifies the C/N ratio and provides essential elements. This parameter change creates optimal conditions for microbial activity, enabling rapid temperature rise and reliable composting progression without microbial failure.

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

This method efficiently decomposes straws into a high-quality commercial organic fertilizer, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and improving soil nutrition, while maintaining a stable composting temperature and humidity to enhance microbial growth and fertilizer quality.

Implementation Method 1

the composting microorganisms can decompose the straw rapidly (the composting temperature rapidly rises to 60° C. in 48 hrs)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiological decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

the liquid volume in the second and later sprays is controlled to such an extent that the water content in the pile reaches 55-60%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the composting temperature rapidly rises to 60° C. in 48 hrs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy generation through biological activity: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS10287216B2Method for directly preparing a fertilizer by using straws and prepared straw organic fertilizer
Publication Date: 2019.05.14 NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method for preparing a fertilizer using straws and prepared straw organic fertilizer; the method includes: composting straws, spraying a compositing microbial solution containing amino acids to start decomposition of straws, and adjusting humidity of a straw compost, times of spraying a solution of product nutrients, component of the solution to obtain an up-to-standard commercial straw organic fertilizer; and keeping the composting temperature about 70° C. for long time by adjusting the turning time of the straw compost and collocation time of spraying the solution. The method is based on rich organic matters and nutrients in straws, and need for organic fertilization by soil and the like, and by improving the nutrition condition and growing condition of microorganisms of the straw compost, crop straws are directly prepared into high-quality commercial organic fertilizer in short time, so crop straws are completely utilized, and high-quality commercial organic fertilizer product is provided for fertilization.