Compressed Straw Material

Abstract

Bedding material for livestock or Hydromulch for soil treatment is produced by extruding straw mixed with bio-char through a conventional cubing system. The cubing process generates friction in turn changing the properties of the straw making the straw particles highly absorbent while binding the bio-char and any dust into the mixture. The mixture can be used for bedding where the bio-char acts as an absorbent. The mixture can also be used in soil remediation by spreading over the soil in dry or Hydromulch where the bio-char acts to filter contaminants and can act as a binder for an fertilizer admixed into the mixture for seeding.

1 . A combination material comprising:
 a base material formed of cellulosic material which is chopped to form a mass of material for application to the ground;   and particles of bio-char intermixed with the base material and carried thereby.   
     
     
         2 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material is crop material. 
     
     
         3 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material is compressed with the bio-char admixed so that the Bio-Char is crushed into the cellulosic material so that the cellulosic material acts as the carrier for the Bio-Char. 
     
     
         4 . The combination material according to  claim 1  including seeds. 
     
     
         5 . The combination material according to  claim 1  including fertilizer. 
     
     
         6 . The combination material according to  claim 5  wherein the fertilizer is contained in pores in the Bio-char particles. 
     
     
         7 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the base material comprises an extruded body of a compressed mass of cellulosic material, the body having a constant cross sectional shape along its length and containing the bio-char therein, the body being broken transversely at spaced positions along its length into pieces at least some of which form flakes. 
     
     
         8 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein at least some of the flakes have a transverse dimension matching that of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the cellulosic material is shredded to less than 6 inch length. 
     
     
         10 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the cellulosic material is extruded using a square die. 
     
     
         11 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the cellulosic material is shredded so as to contain at least some pieces which are greater than 1.0 inch length 
     
     
         12 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the moisture content is below 15%. 
     
     
         13 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the flakes have a bulk density of 12-35 lbs/cu ft. 
     
     
         14 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein dust particles in the cellulosic material are compacted into the cellulosic material during the compaction. 
     
     
         15 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the body has a transverse dimension in the range from 0.25 to 2.25 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The combination material according to  claim 7  wherein the flakes have a transverse dimension equal to or below the longest cross section dimension of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the flakes are less than 0.5 inch in thickness. 
     
     
         18 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material includes crop material which is blended with shredded paper and/or cardboard. 
     
     
         19 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material includes crop material which is blended with wood shavings and/or sawdust. 
     
     
         20 . The combination material according to  claim 1  including added salt. 
     
     
         21 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material comprises more than 50% switch grass. 
     
     
         22 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the Bio-Char is provided in particles having a transverse dimension less than 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         23 . The combination material according to  claim 1  wherein the Bio-Char forms between 10% and 25% by volume. 
     
     
         24 - 91 . (canceled)