Biopolymer additive

US8410194B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture · US

Inventors

• William J. Orts · Burlingame, US
• Gregory M. Glenn · Bethesda, US
• Syed Hussain Imam · Walnut Creek, US
• Robert E. Sojka · Twin Falls, US
• C. Steven Sikes · Mobile, US
• Mark A. Hochwalt · Chesterfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2013
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K17/32
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The biopolymer additive, in combination with water, functions as a soil conditioner that affects soil erosion and water infiltration. The biopolymer additive is derived from complex galactomannon-rich succulent plants. The succulent-derived (biopolymer) additive (SDA) may be used alone or in combination with polymers and copolymers of polyacrylamide (PAM). The combination of the SDA and PAM has a synergistic effect so that the resulting composition yields unexpected results and is a more effective treatment than either SDA or the PAM alone.