Low-Rank Coal Applications in Agriculture Humic Analyses, Products, and Performance

Low-Rank Coal Applications in Agriculture explores the commercialization and marketing potential of low-rank coal, which is rich in organic matter and humic substances. The author--a noted expert on the topic--clearly shows from a practical perspective, that rather than using it as an energy source, this material can be applied for the agricultural sector.

The author investigates low-rank coal;s potential as used in dry and liquid humic products. This book discusses both raw materials and commercial products, and provides data on improved soil quality, crop yields, and livestock productivity.

This groundbreaking book:

• details how this material can benefit agriculture; thus positioning coal in the more "green sector" type of industry
• presents original data collected from laboratories and agricultural fields, and summarizes literature on the science and regulation of low-rank coal and humic substances

Written for field practitioners, end users, marketers, operators, regulators, researchers, and academics, Low-Rank Coal Applications in Agriculture is the first book on the market to explore the real-life use of low-rank coal for the agricultural sector.

L. Edwin Liem has a PhD degree in civil-environmental engineering. He has been working with low-rank coal since 2001, including its commercial applications in oil/gas drilling, mining remediation, and agriculture. 

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 LOW-RANK COAL 9

2.1 OVERVIEW 9

2.2 MATERIAL QUALITY 13

2.3 MATERIAL SAFETY 16

2.4 SAFETY DOCUMENTATION 26

2.5 CLOSURE 29

3 HUMIC ANALYSES 39

3.1 OVERVIEW 39

3.2 EXTRACTION AND ANALYSES 43

3.2.1 Extraction 44

3.2.2 Physical Properties 46

3.2.3 Gravimetric 48

3.2.4 Colorimetric 50

3.2.5 Combined Colorimetric and Gravimetric 54

3.2.6 Organic Carbon 55

3.2.7 Reactive Functional Groups 56

3.2.8 Comparison Among Analytical Methods 58

3.2.9 Further Studies on Analytical Methods 59

3.2.9.1 Effects of pH on Colorimetric Method 60

3.2.9.2 Modified ISO 19822 63

3.2.9.2.1 Background 63

3.2.9.2.2 Materials and Methods 65

3.2.9.2.3 Laboratory Work 68

3.2.9.2.4 Results 71

3.2.9.2.5 Discussion 77

3.2.9.2.6 Conclusion and Recommendation 79

3.3 COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS COMPARISON 81

3.4 CLOSURE 95

4 APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURE 107

4.1 OVERVIEW 107

4.2 BENEFITS OF HUMIC SUBSTANCES 109

4.3 DISADVANTAGES OF HUMIC SUBSTANCES 119

4.4 PRODUCT EFFICACY RESULTS FOR SOIL AND CROPS 120

4.5 PRODUCT EFFICACY RESULTS FOR LIVESTOCK 151

4.6 PRODUCT REGISTRATION 157

4.6.1 Regional Registration for Crops 159

4.6.2 Organic Registration for Crops 167

4.6.3 Registration for Livestock 171

4.7 CLOSURE 175

5 MATERIAL AND PRODUCTS 199

5.1 OVERVIEW 199

5.2 RAW MATERIAL 200

5.3 DRY HS 203

5.4 LIQUID HA 206

5.5 LIQUID FA 209

5.6 ENHANCED LIQUID PRODUCTS 210

5.7 PELLETIZED HS 212

5.8 DRY SOLUBLE HS 214

5.9 PRODUCT HANDLING 216

5.10 CLOSURE 218

6 PRODUCT PERFORMANCE 223

6.1 OVERVIEW 223

6.2 APPLICABILITY OF DRY AND PELLETIZED HS 224

6.3 APPLICABILITY OF LIQUID HA 229

6.4 APPLICABILITY OF LIQUID FA 233

6.5 APPLICABILITY OF DRY SOLUBLE HS 235

6.6 SOIL AND CROP PRODUCT EFFICACY PROJECTS 237

6.6.1 Rice 238

6.6.2 Wheat (1) 240

6.6.3 High Salinity Soil (1) 243

6.6.4 High Salinity Soil (2) 247

6.6.5 Lettuce 251

6.6.5.1 Materials and Methods 252

6.6.5.2 Results and Discussion 255

6.6.5.3 Conclusion 259

 6.6.7 Lentil 262

6.6.8 Soil Compaction 265

6.6.9 Barley 270

6.6.10 Wheat (2) 273

6.6.11 Other Soil and Crop Product Efficacy Projects 275

6.7 LIVESTOCK PRODUCT EFFICACY PROJECTS 284

6.8 COST-BENEFIT STUDY 289

6.9 CLOSURE 296

7 CONCLUSION 305

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