Patent Application
20080072793
The present invention provides an environmentally friendly soil and ground treatment compound useful for providing friction to slippery surfaces, and for fertilizing trees and other plants. In general, the compound comprises a wood product particulate, wood ash, and a moisture source.
Sawdust from timber milling or processing operations is an excellent source of wood product particulate. Timber mills and manufacturing facilities produce sawdust as a by-product in the processing or manufacturing of traditional forest products. Sawdust is used in pulp and paper milling, pellets for pellet stoves, animal bedding, and fuel for energy and heat generation, but environmentally responsible disposal of excess sawdust often remains an issue for owners and operators of timber mills and manufacturing facilities. In light of its availability and low procurement cost, sawdust is a preferred wood product particulate according to the present invention.
Wood ash, like sawdust, is generated as a byproduct of an industrial process. Industrial combustion of wood for the generation of power results in production of wood ash, which is often used as a soil amendment or disposed of in landfills. Wood ash is readily available, often at or near sources of wood product particulate such as sawdust.
According to the invention, a quantity of wood product particulate is mixed with a quantity of wood ash. In an embodiment, the wood product particulate is first exposed to a moisture source to lightly moisten the surface of the wood product particulate. The addition of moisture to the wood product particulate results in adhesion of the wood ash to the surface of the wood product particulate, which aids in the homogeneous mixing of the wood ash and the wood product particulate. By way of example but not limitation, moisture treatment of the wood product particulate can be accomplished by briefly exposing the wood product particulate to a vapor or mist source. Excessive exposure to moisture can result in formation of mold on the wood product particulate, while insufficient moisture can lead to non-homogeneous mixing of the wood product particulate and the wood ash. In a preferred embodiment, the wood product particulate is treated at a rate of two gallons of a moisture source to 5.5 tons of wood product particulate (approximately 7.5 liters per 5 metric tons).
In an embodiment of the invention, the moisture source to which the wood product particulate is exposed is water, preferably in the form of vapor or mist. In an alternative embodiment, the moisture source is a dilute solution of turpentine in water. The addition of turpentine to the moisture source improves adhesion of the wood ash to the wood product particulate. A solution containing about three percent to ten percent (3% to 10%) turpentine by volume produces the desired effect. Most preferably, the dilute turpentine solution contains approximately five percent to ten percent (5% to 10%) turpentine by volume.
According to the invention, after the wood product particulate is exposed to a moisture source, it is combined with a quantity of wood ash. Preferably, the moisture treated wood product particulate and the wood ash are mixed in a ratio of approximately eighty percent to ninety percent (80% to 90%) wood product particulate to approximately ten to twenty percent (10% to 20%) wood ash by volume. Wood product particulate and ash mixed in these ratios are effective in producing the desired result of providing improved traction on ice- or snow-covered surfaces, and providing enhanced growth of trees and other plants. The compound is particularly useful as an anti-slip compound when mixed at a ratio of eighty-five percent (85%) wood product particulate to fifteen percent (15%) wood ash. A compound having a ratio of eighty percent (80%) wood product particulate to twenty percent (20%) wood ash has been proven to be particularly effective as a fertilizer.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides an environmentally responsible method for improving traction on ice- or snow-covered surfaces. The method includes the steps of obtaining a wood product particulate; exposing the wood product particulate to a moisture source; mixing the moisture treated wood product particulate with a quantity of wood ash; and applying the resulting compound to ice- or snow-covered surfaces by mechanical or manual means. The anti-slip compound is particularly advantageous when used in environmentally sensitive areas. Because the anti-slip compound consists primarily of plant byproducts, it is harmless to plant growth and wildlife. The absence of inorganic salts is also an advantage, in that use of the anti-slip compound does not result in corrosion of surfaces with which the compound comes in contact.
In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method for improving traction on ice- or snow-covered surfaces and providing a nutrient source for surrounding vegetation. The method includes the steps of obtaining a wood product particulate; exposing the wood product particulate to a moisture source; mixing the moisture treated wood product particulate with a quantity of wood ash; and applying the resulting compound to ice- or snow-covered surfaces and surrounding vegetation by mechanical or manual means.
In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method for fertilizing plants. The method includes the steps of obtaining a wood product particulate; exposing the wood product particulate to a moisture source; mixing the moisture treated wood product particulate with a quantity of wood ash; and applying the resulting compound to the soil surrounding trees and other plants by mechanical or manual means. The inventor has achieved particular success using the compound to promote rapid growth of pine trees in low water areas.
The compound described above, as well as its uses and methods of manufacture, are part of a larger, environmentally sustainable process, as depicted in
According to the process of the invention, the fertilizer 80 is additionally used to promote growth and increase yield of field crops 90 such as wheat and other crops used in the production of renewable fuels 100 such as ethanol and bio-diesel. The production of fuel from plant matter results in the production of a plant matter by-product 110, which is pelletized and dried to create fuel pellets 120. The fuel pellets 120 are distributed and sold, and are also re-introduced in the cycle as a fuel source for the production of power 40.
In compliance with the statutes, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features and process steps. While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in different forms, the specification illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and the disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments and variations of the invention are possible, which employ the same inventive concepts as described above. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited except by the following claims, as appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
