US010683243B2

United States Patent (10 ) Patent No.: US 10,683,243 B2

Saputra (45 ) Date of Patent: Jun . 16 , 2020
(54 ) PROCESS FOR PRODUCING COAL -BASED (56 ) References Cited
FERTILIZER AND THE PRODUCTS
PRODUCED U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2009/0209423 A1 * 8/2009 Slabbekoorn CO5F 5/004
(71 ) Applicant: R. Umar Hasan Saputra , Jakarta (ID ) 2013/0090236 A1 * 4/2013 Smith
504/101
AOIN 63/02
504/117
(72 ) Inventor: R. Umar Hasan Saputra , Jakarta (ID ) 2017/0020132 A1 * 1/2017 Erro Garces AOIN 43/16
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
( 73 ) Assignee : R. Umar Hasan Saputra , Jakarta (ID )
CN 101033153 A 9/2007
CN 103553795 A 2/2014
( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
U.S.C. 154 (b ) by 134 days .
Halasova , G., et al. “ Saccharides composition in amaranth grains.”
(21) Appl. No.: 15 /418,516 Bulletin Potravinarskeho Vyskumu (CSFR ) ( 1992 ).*
Thailandunique. “Edible Silkwork Pupae — Bombyx Mori” < https : //
www.thailandunique.com/edible-silkworm-pupae > Jun. 7, 2014.*
(22) Filed : Jan. 27, 2017 Gunstone, A. F. “ Typical Fatty -Acid Compositions of Some Com
mon Fats. web . pdx . edu /~ wamserc." C336512 / fat. pdf (accessed
Sep. 21 , 2015 ).*
(65 ) Prior Publication Data
US 2017/0233302 A1 Aug. 17 , 2017 * cited by examiner
Primary Examiner - Jennifer A Smith
(74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm North Weber & Baugh
(51) Int. Ci. LLP
C05D 9/02 ( 2006.01 )
C05G 3/00 ( 2020.01) (57) ABSTRACT
C05F 11/02 ( 2006.01) This invention is connected with the products and the
C05G 5/12 ( 2020.01) process of coal-based fertilizer , the process of which starts
(52 ) U.S. CI.
with coal crushing , filtering, mixing with other substances
CPC
such as salt and essential nutrientsmaturing and forming the
C05D 9/02 (2013.01 ); C05F 11/02 fertilizer into granules or prills (granulation ). The processes
( 2013.01); C05G 3700 (2013.01 ); C05G 5/12 of crushing and filtering will make the coal change into a
(2020.02 ) simple form so that it can more easily be used by plants,
(58 ) Field of Classification Search while the granulation process will make this coal fertilizer
CPC .. C05D 9/02; C05F 11/02; CO5G 3/00 ; CO5G easier to use when the application of fertilizing has to be
3/0058 done .
See application file for complete search history. 14 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
300

330 335
305
Raw coa Nutrient Biostimulant

~ 310 - 340
Crushing Mixing

-315 Mixture of nutrients and 350

Grinding biostimulants

355 365
Salt as source of
Cyclone mixing Mixing minerals

360 370
Packaging QC Distributing
U.S. Patent Jun . 16 , 2020
9 Sheet 1 of 3 US 10,683,243 B2
100

120

110 130
Processing

FIGURE 1
U.S. Patent Jun . 16 , 2020 Sheet 2 of 3 US 10,683,243 B2
200

210

220
230

FIGURE 2
U.S. Patent Jun . 16 , 2020 Sheet 3 of 3 US 10,683,243 B2

300

330 S 335
Raw coal
305
Nutrient
c Biostimulant

310 340
Crushing Mixing

315 350
Grinding Mixture of nutrients and
biostimulants

320 355 365

Salt as source of
Cyclone mixing Mixing minerals

325 360 370

Packaging QC Distributing

FIGURE 3
 US 10,683,243 B2
1 2
PROCESS FOR PRODUCING COAL -BASED TABLE 1
FERTILIZER AND THE PRODUCTS
PRODUCED Type and mineral chemical composition in coal
Major Minerals
5
CROSS -REFERENCE TO RELATED Quartz SiO2
APPLICATIONS Clay Minerals:
Kaolinite Al Si205( OH )4
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. $ 119 , to Illite KALA ( AISI 020 )(OH )4
Indonesian Application No. P00201600589 , filed Jan. 28 , 10 Chlorite
Pyrite
(Mg, A1,Fe) 12 [(Si,Al):O2012(OH )4ºnH20
2016 entitled “ PROCESS FOR PRODUCING COAL FeS2
Calcite CaCO3
BASED FERTILIZER AND THE PRODUCTS PRO Siderite FeCO3
DUCED ,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by refer Minor Minerals
ence in its entirety. 15 Analcime NaAlli206.H20
Apatite Cas(PO4)3 (OH ,F ,CI)
BACKGROUND
Barite BaSO4
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2
Clausthalite PbSe
Crandallite group
Technical Field of the Invention
20 Crandallite CaAl3 (PO4)2 (OH )3 •H2O
Florencite CeAl3(PO4)2(OH )
This invention relates to systems and methods for pro Gorceixite BaAl3(PO4)2(OH )3 •H20
ducing fertilizer and , in particular , coal-based fertilizer . Goyazite
Dolomite
SrAl3 (PO4 )2( OH )3 •H20
CaMg(CO3)2
Feldspars (Ca,K ,Na )AlSiz08
Description of the Related Art 25 Galena PbS
Marcasite FeS2
Monazite ( Ce ,I.a.Y.Th.Nd )PO4
Fertilizer can be used to aid in the growth and develop Rutile /anatase
Sphalerite
TiO2
ment of plants, for example , trees, vegetables, grass, turf, Xenotime
ZnS
YPO4
etc. Application of fertilizer to the soil can increase the 30 Zircon Zr(Si04)
growth and production of certain plants . Trace minerals
Fertilizers can be made from different types ofmaterials Chromite FeCr204
that can be both organic and inorganic. However, one of the Gibbsite Al(OH ) 3
most effective fertilizer materials would be easy for the Gold
Gypsum
Au
plants to absorb . 35
Halite
CaSO4.2H2O
NaCl
If a review ofmeeting the need for the nutrients is only Magnetite Fe304
based on the fit of the nutrients consumed with those needed , Muscovite KAI, (AlSiz010)(OH )2
the best food for a living creature is the creature itself whose
structure has been simplified so that it is easy to absorb. The From table 1 coal contains various minerals that are
best type of nutrients for living plants is a plant-based 40 clearly very much needed by plants so that they have the
structure itself. As an example the best nutrient for fish is fish
meal, because both the protein pattern and the fatty acids are opportunity that coal in
to be used as a plant fertilizer. The problem is
its solid form cannot be used effectively by
relatively the same so that the fish will more easily make use plants as a fertilizer since it cannot readily be absorbed by
of the nutrients from fish meal.
45 the plants .
The same thinking is valid for plants , in that the best
nutrients needed by plants comes from plants, the form of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
which has been simplified . An example often used for this
thinking is compost, in that it is plants whose form has been
simplified by microbial activity . Compost is very good and Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention ,
can be used by all types of plants. The best nutrients for 50 examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying
plants are plants themselves. figures, in which like parts may be referred to by like or
Coal is a fossil fuel substance that originates from plants , tive , not similar numerals. These figures are intended to be illustra
which due to a physical process through pressure and described limiting . Although the invention is generally
in the context of these embodiments, it should be
temperature
stone become stone
, in its chemical . Evenit isthough
structure a plantitsois that
in theit contains
form of 55 understood that it is notintended to limit the spirit and scope
the mineral materials needed by plants . of the invention to these particular embodiments. These
drawings shall in no way limit any changes in form and
In its composition the biggest components in coal are detail that may bemade to the invention by one skilled in the
carbon , in that its anthracite content greater than 98 % , and art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
bituminous content between 68-86 % (> 80 % ). This compo- 60 invention .
sition is different for various types of coal, but whatever the FIG . 1 depicts a block diagram fertilizer production
type carbon is the greatest component, followed by oxygen system according to embodiments in this patent document.
and hydrogen . Besides carbon , oxygen and nitrogen coal has
various mineral compounds which when studied are very FIG . 2 depicts a block diagram fertilizer system according
much needed by plants, such as SiO3, A203, CaO , MgO , 65 to embodiments in this patent document.
Na2O , K , O , Fe2O3, TiO2, P20 , and SO3. The complete FIG . 3 depicts a flowchart fertilizer production method
contents of the minerals in coal are presented in Table 1. according to embodiments in this patent document.
 US 10,683,243 B2
3 4
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED 200 is shown in FIG . 2. Fertilizer system 200 shows a plant
EMBODIMENTS 210 being planted in soil 220. Fertilizer 230 can be applied
to soil 220. Once fertilizer 230 is applied to soil 220 , plant
In the following description, for purposes of explanation , 210 can grow more effectively. Fertilizer 230 can be used on
specific details are set forth in order to provide an under- 5 crops used for food , on crops used for other products, on
standing of the invention . It will be apparent, however, to trees , or other agricultural systems.
one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced The more effective the fertilizer 230 is the better the
without these details. Furthermore , one skilled in the art will growth of the plant 210. In crops , that effectiveness can
recognize that embodiments of the present invention , translate to more profits or more growth more quickly . It is
described below , may be implemented in a variety ofways, 10 advantageous to have the most efficient fertilizer possible .
such as a process, an apparatus, a system , or a device. As described above, the most effective fertilizer for plants
Components, or modules , shown in diagrams are illustra is one that shares common elements with plants themselves .
tive of exemplary embodiments of the invention and are As described above , coal shares many common elements
meant to avoid obscuring the invention . It shall also be with plants and therefore can provide the most effective
understood that throughout this discussion that components 15 nutrients to the plants.
may be described as separate functional units, which may However, coal in its raw solid form cannot be added to the
comprise sub -units, but those skilled in the art will recognize soil 220 in a usefulway. Therefore, in order to turn coal into
that various components, or portions thereof, may be divided fertilizer, the coal can be processed .
into separate components or may be integrated together, FIG . 3 depicts a flowchart fertilizer production method
including integrated within a single system or component. It 20 according to embodiments in this patent document. FIG . 3
should be noted that functions or operations discussed herein shows starting with raw coal 305 , nutrients 330 , and bio
may be implemented as components. stimulants 335 .
Furthermore , connections between components or sys In embodiments, the coal is crushed 310. In embodiments ,
tems within the figures are not intended to be limited to the crushed coal is then ground 315. The crushed ground
direct connections. Rather , data between these components 25 coal can be then cyclone mixed 320. The nutrients 330 and
may be modified , re - formatted , or otherwise changed by biostimulants 335 can be mixed 340 to make mixture of
intermediary components . Also , additional or fewer connec nutrients and biostimulants 335. The mixture 350 can be
tions may be used . mixed with salt 365 and added to the cyclone mix 320. The
Reference in the specification to “ one embodiment,” resulting product can be packaged 325 and quality con
“ preferred embodiment,” “ an embodiment,” or “ embodi- 30 trolled 360 for distributing 370 .
ments ” means that a particular feature , structure , character In embodiments , the process itself starts with crushing
istic, or function described in connection with the embodi 310 the coal using a coal crusher. It can be ground 315 until
ment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention a fine coal size is reached ( fine coal- 3 mm or 0.12 inches ).
and may be in more than one embodiment. Also, the This fine coal can be mixed with salt 365 whose function is
appearances of the above -noted phrases in various places in 35 as a carrier of the minerals in coal to enter into the plant
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same cells .
embodiment or embodiments . In embodiments, in addition to salt 365 the fertilizer
The use of certain terms in various places in the specifi product produced in this patent nutrients 330 and 335 are
cation is for illustration and should not be construed as also inserted so that the fertilizer produced is a complete
limiting . A service, function , or resource is not limited to a 40 fertilizer so that it is expected to have a positive effect for
single service , function , or resource; usage of these terms plant production .
may refer to a grouping of related services, functions, or Even though the chemical composition of the substances
resources, which may be distributed or aggregated . and minerals in the coal are very beneficial for plants , plants
Furthermore , it shall be noted that: (1 ) certain steps may might not be able to use the substances or minerals if they
optionally be performed ; (2 ) steps may not be limited to the 45 are given in the form of coal lumps. Its form can be
specific order set forth herein ; (3) certain steps may be simplified , and this simplification can be done by microbes
performed in different orders ; and (4 ) certain steps may be since it is already in the form of stone .
done concurrently. The initial simplification process is done by crushing or
Embodiments of the claimed invention are systems and grinding the coal using a coal crusher and then it is filtered .
methods to produce coal-based fertilizer. The coal-based 50 After this filtering, in general we will get a type of coal
fertilizer can be more effectively used by plants than other resulting from the grinding 315 , that is coarse coal ( > 25
forms of fertilizer due to the chemical composition of the mm - 1 inches ), small coal (25-3 mm ), fine coal
coal. However, the coal itself cannot function as a fertilizer mm - 0.12 inches ) and ultra fine coal <0.15 mm - 0.006
without undergoing a process described herein . inches ).
In embodiments described herein , in order to make coal 55 In embodiments , as fertilizer raw material, the finer (fine )
useful as a fertilizer it can be processed . The processing is the size of the coal the better it willbe used for fertilizer. The
described in reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 . size that still can be used for this purpose is a little over 3
FIG . 1 depicts a block diagram fertilizer production mm and below in accordance with the capacity of the
system according to embodiments in this patent document. filtering that can be done . The sizes of the coal particles that
FIG . 1 shows production system 100. In production system 60 have been filtered in various mesh sizes are specified in
100 , raw coal 110 is input into processing 120 and the Table 2 .
product that it is produced is fertilizer 130. Processing 120 Then in processing it, the coal that has been filtered is
is described further with respect to the FIG . 3. Processing mixed with salt 365 at a minimum level of 0.1 % . The
120 makes the solid form or raw coal useable as an effective purpose of this mixing is to provide a mineral or a carrier
fertilizer 130. 65 element for the minerals in the coal. These carriers are very
FIG . 2 depicts a block diagram fertilizer system according important, since if they aren't present it will be difficult or
to embodiments in this patent document. Fertilizer system very few of the minerals can be used by the plant.
 US 10,683,243 B2
5 6
TABLE 2 TABLE 3 - continued
The size of the filtered particles in various filter sizes (meshes) Essential nutrition content inserted into the coal fertilizer
US Standard WS Tyler No Analysis Type Content Unit
5
Mesh Inch Millimeter Mesh Inch Millimeter 28 . Lysin 15.874 %
Prebiotics
20 0.033 0.84 20 0.033 0.83
30 0.023 0.59 28 0.023 0.59 29 . Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) 3.448 g /100 g
40 0.0165 0.42 35 0.016 0.42 30 . Galactooligosaccharide (GOS ) 1.108 g /100 g
50 0.0117 0.30 48 0.0116 0.30 10 Vitamins
60 0.0098 0.25 60 0.0097 0.25
100 0.0058 0.149 100 0.0058 0.15 31. Vitamin A 32.65 mcg/ 100 g
140 0.0041 0.105 150 0.0041 0.10 32 . Vitamin C 102.24 mcg/ 100 g
200 0.0029 0.074 200 0.0029 0.074 33. Vitamin E 5.78 mcg/100 g
325 0.0017 0.044 325 0.0017 0.043 34 . Vitamin B1 3.09 mcg/100 g
15 35. Vitamin B2 2.26 mcg/ 100 g
The purpose of this mixing is so that the fertilizer pro
duced is fertilizer with complete nutrition contents, both The coal fertilizer produced from the last process above is
seen from the content ofthe nutrients for the plants and from still in powder form so that in the process of applying it , it
the content of the essential nutrition to accelerate the physi 20
will not be liked by users especially if it is spread by
ological processes in plants . The essential nutrition provided themselves . That is why the next process is the granulation
consists of types ofmonosaccharides (fructose and glucose ), in the coal fertilizer resulting from the above mixings. This
oligosaccharides (FOS and GOS), polysaccharides (starch ), process willmake the fertilizer that was in powder form into
amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins. Table 3 shows the granular form such as in the form of urea prills (bulk ) or
types of essential nutrition mixed in the coal fertilizer 25 NPK fertilizer. When it is in the form of prills or granules it
resulting from the filtering and the addition of the above will be easier to use by users either by spreading it itself or
salts. Overall the percentage of the essential nutrition added mixed with other fertilizer.
is a minimum of 0.01 % of the coal fertilizer by weight. The next process is the packaging 325 process . It differs
One of the other advantages of providing this essential from ordinary chemical fertilizers that consist of only 1
nutrition is that some of them (such as prebiotics) are 30 plastic sack. Packaging the coal fertilizer consists ofdouble
sources of energy for bacteria for the activity of breaking it packing, that is an inside and an outside package. The inside
down so that noting that the size of the coal is very small packing is a plastic bag (polyethylene) while the outside
( fine) the breaking down can occur in the coal and so it can packing is a plastic sack . The purpose of this double packing
make more effective use of the fertilizer itself. is so that the quality of the fertilizer is better guarded and it
35 reduces possible excess oxidation resulting from air entering
TABLE 3 from the plastic sack . Another advantage of this method is
Essential nutrition content inserted into the coal fertilizer if the sack is immersed in water, the condition of the
fertilizer is still safe while the inside packing does not leak .
No Analysis Type Content Unit One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various
Proximate
40 benefits are available as a result of the present invention .
It shall be noted that elements of the claims, below , may
1. Water Content 14.95 % be arranged differently including having multiple dependen
2. Ash Content
Total Protein
3.49 %
%
cies , configurations, and combinations. For example , in
3.
4. Total Fat
47.98
1.25 % embodiments, the subjectmatter of various claimsmay be
5. Carbohydrate 31.37 % 45 combined with other claims.
Fatty Acids It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the
preceding examples and embodiment are exemplary and not
6. Caprylic Acid (C8 :0 ) 0.881 ( g / 100 g fat) limiting to the scope of the present invention . It is intended
7. Capric Acid (C10 :0 ) 1.924 ( g /100 g fat ) that all permutations, enhancements , equivalents , combina
8. Lauric Acid (C12 :0 ) 10.798 ( g / 100 g fat)
9. Myristic Acid (C14 :0 ) 1.711 ( g / 100 g fat ) 50 tions, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those
10 . Palmitic Acid (C16 :0 ) 17.628 ( g / 100
( g /100
g
g
fat)
fat)
skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a
11.
12 .
Stearic Acid (C18 :0 )
Oleic Acid (C18 : 1)
1.799
29.865 ( g /100 g fat )
study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and
13 . Linoleic Acid (C18 :2 ) 7.225 ( g /100 g fat ) scope of the present invention .
14 . Linolenic Acid (C18 : 3 ) 19.667 ( g / 100 g fat)
Amino Acids 55 The invention claimed is :
15 . Aspartic Acid 2.018 % 1. A coal -based fertilizer product comprising: a raw coal
16 . Glutamic Acid 2.519 % product that has been crushed and ground ;
17 . Serine
Arginine
0.299 % a salt product that has been mixed with the raw coal
18 .
19 . Threonine
0.552
6.322
%
%
product; and
20 . Alanine 0.947 %
60 an essential nutrition product present in the coal-based
21. Proline 0.685 % fertilizer in an amount at a minimum of 0.01 % (w /w )
22 . Tyrosine
Valine
0.332 %
%
essentialnutrition product based on the total weight of
23 .
24 . Methionine
0.419
0.835 %
the coal-based fertilizer product,
25 . Isoleucine 2.036 % wherein the essential nutrition product comprises :
26 . Leucine 1.416 % 65 one or more amino acids in an amount ranging from
27 . Phenylalanine 0.351 % 0.299-34.605 % based on the total weight of the
essential nutrition product;
 US 10,683,243 B2
7 8
one or more fatty acids selected from the group con 6. The fertilizer product according to claim 1, further
sisting of caprylic acid , capric acid , lauric acid , comprising one or more polysaccha rides as a mixing
myristic acid , palmitic acid , stearic acid , oleic acid , substance.
linoleic acid , linolenic acid , and combinations 7. The fertilizer product according to claim 6 , wherein the
thereof; 5 one or more polysaccharides comprise starch .

one or more vitamins in an amount ranging from 8. The fertilizer product according to claim 1, wherein the
2.26-146.02 mcg / 100g essential nutrition product; one or more amino acids comprise one or more of glutamic
and acid, methionine , or proline as a mixing substance .
9. The fertilizer product according to claim 1,wherein the
one or more oligosaccha rides selected from the group 10
one or more amino acids comprise glutamic acid and
consisting of fructoligosaccharides, galactooligosac methionine as a mixing substance.
charides, and combinations thereof as energy sources 10. The fertilizer product according to claim 1, wherein
for bacteria that aid in processing the coal-based the one ormore fatty acids comprise one or more of palmitic
fertilizer. acid , oleic acid , or linoleic acid as mixing substances .
2. Theproduct
fertilizer fertilizerhasproduct accordingintotogranule
been shaped claim 1or,wherein
prill formthe, 15 the11.oneTheor more
fertilizer
fattyproduct accordingpalmitic
acids comprise to claimacid1 ,and
wherein
oleic
crumbs, or powder form . acid as mixing substances.
12. The fertilizer product according to claim 1 , where the
3. The fertilizer product according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vitamins comprise vitamin C and vitamin B1.
fertilizer comprises one or more organic products . 13. The fertilizer product according to claim 1, wherein
4. The fertilizer product according to claim 1, further 20 the raw coal product has been mixed with at least one of a
comprising one or more monosaccharides as a mixing nutrient or a biostimulant.
substance . 14. The fertilizer product according to claim 13 , wherein
5. The fertilizer product according to claim 4 ,wherein the the raw coal product has been mixed with at least one
one or more monosaccharides comprise fructose and glucose non -nutrient product.
as mixing substances.