There is provided herein a process for the compaction of Polyhalite, comprising: mixing a feed of polyhalite with an inorganic binder in a mixer to yield a mixture; compacting said mixture in a compactor to yield masses; crushing said masses in a crusher to yield particles; and screening said particles in a screener to yield particles in three different sizes: oversized fine particles which undergo a second crushing process and are retuned to said screener for screening, undersized fine particles which are transferred to said mixer for further mixing and compacting, and desired size fine particles which are transferred to a polish screener for glazing and oiling.

Biochars and methods for producing biochar aggregate particles where the method for producing the aggregate particles comprise the steps of (i) producing or collecting biochar fines; (ii) adding a binding agent to the biochar fines; and (iii) forming the biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles.

Biochars and methods for producing biochar aggregate particles where the method for producing the aggregate particles comprise the steps of (i) producing or collecting biochar fines; (ii) adding a binding agent to the biochar fines; and (iii) forming the biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles.

A method of immobilizing contaminants disposed in an aqueous medium comprising contacting the aqueous medium with a particulate crystalline nanocomposite for a sufficient contact time to permit adsorption of the contaminants. The particulate crystalline nanocomposite includes: a tetragonal (CaMoO.sub.4) crystalline phase; a (CaSiO.sub.3) crystalline phase; and, a graphitic-(C.sub.3N.sub.4) crystalline phase, wherein at least a fraction of the graphitic-C.sub.3N.sub.4 is in the form of mesoporous nanosheets.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.