Multi-purpose lignin-carbohydrate binding system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel, dual purpose binder formulation or system. The invention also relates to a process of agglomerating dispersed particles or fines into substantially spherical and crush resistant granules. The invention further relates to a method of covering a seed and binding the seed with a material mixture beneficial for seed germination. The invention also relates to an all-in-one seed agglomerated by the dual purpose binder formulation.

1 . A granule comprising (i) particles comprising an active agent and (ii) a binding agent comprising a lignin-derived material and a mixture of polyols, wherein the ratio of said lignin-derived material to said mixture of polyols is sufficient to generate granules which are substantially spherical and/or crush resistant; and wherein the active agent is an agriculturally active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent, or a food product. 
     
     
         2 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein said ratio is about 5:1 to about 20:1 when the solubility of the particle is about 10 g/100 ml in water at 20° C. or in a ratio of about 1.5 to about 4:1 when the solubility of the particle is about 0.3 g/100 ml in water at 20° C. 
     
     
         3 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises a ratio of lignin-derived material to a mixture of polyols of about 5:1 to 20:1 when the solubility of the particle is greater than 10 g/100 ml of water at 20° C., or wherein the binding agent comprises a ratio of lignin-derived material to a mixture of polyols of about 1.5:1 to 4:1 when the solubility of the particulate material is less than 0.3 g/100 ml of water at 20° C., with the proviso that the binding agent does not comprise formaldehyde, petroleum based chemicals, carbonate, sulfate, or silicate strengthener. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent includes fertilizers, micronutrients, pesticides, seeds, granulated food, pharmaceutical materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises about 10-20% by weight of the lignin. 
     
     
         12 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises an amount of up to about 15% monosaccharides, an amount of up to about 20% disaccharides, and at least an amount up to about 50% hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH). 
     
     
         13 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the agriculturally active agent is a fertilizer 
     
     
         20 . The granule of  claim 19 , wherein said fertilizer comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The granule of  claim 7 , wherein said micronutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, chloride, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the particles and binding agent are in an effective amount to chelate a micronutrient. 
     
     
         24 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A crush resistant granular fertilizer comprising fertilizer particles, micronutrients, lignosulfonate, and polyols, wherein the lignosulfonate and polyols are each in a concentration capable of generating a population of the granules of  claim 1 , wherein each granule has a sphericity of at least 85%, has an aspect ratio of at least 0.78, and has a hardness of 2 lbs/force. 
     
     
         28 . The fertilizer of  claim 27 , wherein lignosulfonate and polyols are in a ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 16:1, with a solubility of 0.3 g/100 ml of water at 20° C. 
     
     
         29 . The fertilizer of  claim 27 , wherein the mixture of polyols includes 15% sorbitol, 20% maltitol, and 65% HSH. 
     
     
         30 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A binding formulation comprising a lignin, a mixture of polyols in a ratio sufficient to form a the crush resistant and/or substantially spherical granule of  claim 1 , and a fertilizer
 wherein the fertilizer comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, or combinations thereof;   wherein said micronutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, chloride, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or combinations thereof;   wherein the ratio of lignin to the mixture of polyols is in the range of about 1.5:1 to about 16:1;   wherein the crush resistance of the granule is capable of withstanding at least 2 lbs/force; and   wherein the granule has a sphericity of at least 85%.   
     
     
         33 . The formulation of  claim 32 , wherein said lignin comprises calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate, magnesium lignosulfonate, aluminum lignosulfonate, chromium lignosulfonate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The formulation of  claim 32 , wherein the mixture of polyols includes monosaccharides, disaccharides, HSH, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The formulation of  claim 32 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises at least 10-20% of the dry weight of the lignin. 
     
     
         36 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of making spherical and crush resistant granules comprising admixing:
 a. a particle;   b. a lignosulfonate; and   c. a mixture of polyols;   in a sufficient ratio to generate an agglomerated particle, wherein each particle is at least 85% spherical, has an aspect ratio of 0.78, and is crush resistant at 2.0 lbs/force;   wherein the particle includes fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, micronutrients, seeds, soil conditioners, inert carriers, plant growth hormones, plant growth regulators, soil moisture enhancers, seeds, and wetting agents or combinations thereof; and   wherein the lignosulfonate includes calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate, magnesium lignosulfonate, aluminum lignosulfonate, chromium lignosulfonate or combinations thereof;   wherein the mixture of polyols includes monosaccharides, disaccharides, HSH, or combinations thereof; and   wherein the lignosulfonate and mixture of polyols is premixed into a binder solution.   
     
     
         41 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method of preparing highly spherical and crush resistant granules comprising the steps of:
 d. admixing particulate material to form a homogeneous blend, wherein the particulate materials are herbicides, pesticides, micronutrients, seeds, or combinations thereof;   e. incorporating at ambient temperatures and humidity, the blend of (a) and a binding solution into a mixing apparatus to produce granules, wherein said binding solution comprises lignin-derived material and a mixture of polyols, which is incorporated as an atomized solution; and   f. recycling granules back into the mixing apparatus.   
     
     
         47 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . The granule of  claim 1 , further comprising a bulk density material. 
     
     
         67 - 75 . (canceled)