Compost granulation method

Abstract

Method of granulating compost for the formulation of fertilizers. In one embodiment, the compost is ground to dust and pan granulated. A variety of ancillary materials may be incorporated into the compost mix for a wide range of possible applications. An embodiment is provided where agricultural seeds may be encapsulated in compost to enhance the quality of seed and reduce wastage during planting.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of encapsulating an agronomic seed with compost material into a granulated pellet, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a source of dried and pulverized compost material, pulverized to dust in a size distribution of 90% of less than −150 mesh;    providing a source of agronomic seeds;    forming a moist mixture of dry pulverized compost and binder containing moisture, said mixture containing up to 11% by weight moisture;    mixing said mixture sufficiently to invert the hydrophobicity of said pulverized compost material, where said pulverized compost material absorbs said moisture from said binder and forms a flowable compound;    providing a granulation pan;    contacting said pan with said agronomic seeds;    contacting said pan with said mixture; and    granulating said mixture about said seeds on said pan by contact of said mixture with said seeds; and    forming pellets of encapsulated agronomic seeds with compost.    
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said seeds comprise agricultural crop seeds.  
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said seeds are in a size distribution of between +35 mesh and −8 mesh.  
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein encapsulated seeds are in a size distribution of between 3 mesh and 12 mesh.  
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein at least 30% of encapsulated seeds contain a single seed.  
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said mixture includes at least one of sulfur, micronutrients, pH buffers, pH modifiers, bacteria, ion exchanging clay, molecular sieves, fertilizer compounds, fertilizer blends, pesticides, fungicides, minerals or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method of granulating compost material, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a source of dried and pulverized compost material, pulverized to dust in a size distribution of 90% of less than −150 mesh;    providing a source of a fertilizer material as a seeding agent;    forming a moist mixture of dry pulverized compost and binder containing moisture, said mixture containing up to 11% by weight moisture;    mixing said mixture sufficiently to invert the hydrophobicity of said pulverized compost material, where said pulverized compost material absorbs said moisture from said binder and forms a flowable-compound;    providing a granulation pan;    contacting said pan with said fertilizer material;    contacting said pan with said mixture; and    granulating said mixture about said fertilizer material on said pan by contact of said mixture with said seeding agent; and    forming pellets of encapsulated fertilizer material with compost.    
     
     
         8 . A granulated compost granule made in accordance with  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . A granulated compost granule, comprising: 
 an agronomic seed; and    compost material granulated therearound.    
     
     
         10 . A composite compost granule, comprising: 
 a central fertilizer core; and    compost material granulated therearound.    
     
     
         11 . A composite granule, comprising: 
 an agronomic seed in a size distribution of between +35 mesh and −8 mesh;    composite material layered thereon forming a granule having a seed encapsulated therein in a size distribution of between 6 mesh and 8 mesh.    
     
     
         12 . The granule as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said seed comprises an agricultural crop seed.  
     
     
         13 . The granule as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said seed comprises an canola seed.  
     
     
         14 . The granule as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said compost material comprises animal compost.  
     
     
         15 . The granule as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said compost material comprises plant compost.  
     
     
         16 . A composite granule, comprising: 
 a homogenous blend of compost and fertilizer.    
     
     
         17 . The granule as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said compost is granulated with seed fertilizer.