Method for the bioactivation of biochar for use as a soil amendment
View Patent ↗A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth is described, comprising: grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles; subjecting the ground biomass particles to a biofractioning process including an auger reactor; selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic; exposing the BMF char to microorganisms; and adding the BMF char to soil.
1. A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth, comprising:
rendering a surface of BMF char hydrophilic; and
exposing the hydrophilic BMF char to microorganisms to produce an agent for enhancing soil growth.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a pH of the BMF char via pH adjustment agents.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating the BMF char.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising modifying a pH of the soil to accept the addition of the agent for enhancing soil growth.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed gas within char pores.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed hydrocarbons at a temperature above 700°.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by water infiltration, vacuum suction, ultrasound, or impact.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by introducing a water solution containing soluble plant nutrients.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein microorganisms include members of at least one of fungi, bacteria or archaea.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein fungi include members of the phyla Glomeromycota.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent for enhancing soil growth contains glomalin structures.
12. A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth, comprising:
subjecting biomass to a biofractioning process, wherein an auger reactor is employed to carry out the biofractioning process;
selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the biomass;
collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char;
rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic; and
exposing the BMF char to microorganisms to produce an agent for enhancing soil growth.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein subjecting the biomass to a biofractioning process comprises:
feeding the biomass into a feeder of the auger reactor;
conveying the biomass through the auger reactor; and
heating the biomass as the biomass is conveyed through the auger reactor.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein conveying the biomass comprises moving the biomass using a transfer screw powered by an external motor.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed gas within char pores.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic comprises removing adsorbed hydrocarbons at a temperature above 700° C.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by water infiltration, vacuum suction, ultrasound, or impact.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein removing adsorbed gas within char pores comprises removing adsorbed gases by introducing a water solution containing soluble plant nutrients.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein microorganisms include members of at least one of fungi, bacteria or archaea.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein fungi include members of the phyla Glomeromycota.
21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the agent for enhancing soil growth contains glomalin structures.