Embodiments of the invention provide a portable charcoal system and method of operating thereof, wherein the portable charcoal system comprises a first compartment adapted to burn a material, a second compartment connected to the first compartment and adapted to receive the material from the first compartment, and a third compartment adapted to receive the material from the second compartment, the third compartment comprising an auger adapted to move the material from a back end to a front end, and out of the third compartment. The portable charcoal system further includes a source of air.

The present invention provides for a growing medium having a mix of soil, graphene, and/or graphene oxide. In at least one example, soil is combined with single or few layer graphene. In another example, the soil is combined with single or few layer graphene, including graphene sheets, and graphene oxide. The growing medium has been shown to increase plant growth while providing for growing medium aeration, increased water retention, and increased nutrient loading and release.

The invention relates to a process for producing polymer composites suitable for absorbing and storing aqueous liquids, to the polymer composites obtainable by this process, and to the use of the polymer composites. The process comprises free-radical polymerization of a monomer composition M comprising 50 to 100% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one monomer A having one ethylenic double bond and at least one neutralizable acid group, 0 to 50% by weight of optionally one or more comonomers B which are different than the monomers A and have one ethylenic double bond, and 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one crosslinker C.

A process of biodegradation of hydrocarbons using a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) consortium mixed with the oily sludge, The PGPR consortium is created by inoculating a nutrient broth with pure culture of isolated bacterial strains of Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida and Exiguobacterium at Optical Density 1 at 660 nm and bacterial density of 10.sup.6 cells/ml, and incubating the inoculated nutrient broth in a shaker incubator for forty-eight to seventy-two hours at 150 rpm.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with a treating liquid, where the treating liquid causes the removal of solids from the pores and surface of the biochar, thereby creating a resulting solution comprised of the treating liquid and removed solids; and (iii) collecting the resulting solution.

A cross-linked, water absorbent polymer is mixed with desirable additives and coated to prevent water absorption to create a blend that is added to water injection systems for turf and soil maintenance. The coating is rinsed off the water absorbent polymer resulting in expansion of the polymer into a gel-like substance. The water absorbent polymer has the ability to retain water and nutrients in the soil preventing nutrient runoff and reducing watering frequency. Injection of the water absorbent polymer directly into soil reduces waste and reduces hazard caused by slippery material left on soil surfaces. The method and system for mixing and injection into soil is disclosed.

A Plant Iron Supplement System and method of implementing same, serving as a soil conditioner for the benefit of treating Iron Deficiencies in plants, containing Magnetite (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) and a Beneficial Carrier material.

The present invention provides a bead comprising: i) an external zone comprising a super absorbent polymer (SAP) that is capable of absorbing at least about 5 times its weight in water, surrounding ii) at least one internal zone comprising a core that contains at least one agrochemical, wherein the external zone is permeable to oxygen when hydrated, or the internal zone is formulated to release the at least one agrochemical into the external zone over a period of at least about one week when the hydrogel of the external zone is hydrated. The present invention also provides methods of using beads of the invention.

There is provided an apparatus for extraction of at least one object from a cavity. The apparatus includes a sleeve including an inflatable section configured to surround the at least one object during inflation; a handle configured to enable a user to hold the sleeve, the handle defining a holding edge of an opening at a first portion of the sleeve; and a handle-mount mounted to a peripheral area around the opening, the handle-mount being for attachment of a pump used for inflating the inflatable section. There is also provided a pressure limitation apparatus configured to operate with a birth assistance device when attached via a conduit.

A method and system is provided for using biochar in composting environments to control temperature, moisture, acid and pH levels, odors and bacterial cultures. The method further includes treating the biochar prior to combining it with the compost to further control such parameters.