Phosphatic clay products for use as soil wetting agents, and methods of delivery of phosphatic clays to soil
US9512046B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2982
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Phosphatic clays, and the use of phosphatic clays as a soil wetting agent. Phosphatic clays as wetting agents aid in the retention of water in sandy soil, and/or for prevention or reduction of leaching of nutrients. Due to its unique mineralogy, rheology, particle size and shape, phosphatic clay exhibits high water absorbing and retaining qualities as compared to other clay varieties. Further, phosphatic clay is readily available as a by-product of mining of phosphatic ore. The phosphatic clay wetting agents increases the effectiveness of the water applied to the soil, thereby reducing the amount of run-off, and reducing the amount of water needed to accomplish sufficient irrigation. The phosphatic clay wetting agents can be delivered to the soil as a sprinkle-on product, granule product, spray-on product, soil amendment, fertilizer or seed coating, or fertilizer composition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.