the basis for this invention is the production and use of agglomerated volcanic ash , either crude ash ( as it comes from the ground ) or after being expanded . in the form of larger agglomerates , whether composed of crude ash or furnace expanded ash , volcanic ash will be saleable in many markets not currently open to existing fine powdery volcanic ash . expanded and agglomerated volcanic ash may be used as an additive to soils to absorb moisture , thus increasing the moisture - holding capacity of the soil , reducing the rate of evaporation and enhancing the retention of moisture in the soil making additional water available to plants over an extended period of time . the agglomerated volcanic ash has many of the same qualities as other materials , such as perlite and vermiculite , and can be used for many of the same purposes as those materials . expanded or unexpanded volcanic ash is combined with a binder or binders to facilitate the formation of pellets . numerous additives could be used as binders , including but not limited to , liquids , including water , acids , bases , waste liquids , waste liquid / solid mixtures , liquid fertilizers , oils ( both vegetable , mineral , natural and refined ); asphalt ; sugars ; starches ; adhesives ; polymers ; fibers , including cellulose , macerated fabrics , cotton , wool , and polymeric fibers ; clay ; gypsum ; lime ; portland cement ; bentonite ; fuller &# 39 ; s earth ; formaldehyde ; and alkaline sodium or potassium silicate glasses such as sodium silicate . in a preferred embodiment , expanded or unexpanded volcanic ash is mixed with pulped cellulose , corn starch and water . mixers such as pin mixers , paddle mixers or other types of mixers can be used . other materials may also be added to the mixture including , but not limited to , fertilizer , insecticides , herbicides , fungicides , germination enhancers , and / or seeds . when using the agglomerated volcanic ash in a horticultural or agricultural use , it is advantageous to use biodegradable materials in the agglomeration process in order to facilitate the disintegration of the agglomerate and its disbursement into the soil . the mixture is then agglomerated in an agglomeration process , and dried . the agglomeration performed to create the agglomerated volcanic ash is done by either a tumbling / agitation method , such as a pelletizing disc or granulating drum ( possibly best for lower density applications ); a pressure method , such as briquetting ( possibly best for higher density applications ), tableting and / or pressing ; an extrusion method ; a pelletizing method , such as pelletizing discs ; or other agglomeration technology or methods . agglomerates may range in size from less than ⅛ inch in the largest dimension to one inch or greater . they may be virtually any shape , from spherical , to being star - shape in cross - section . an example of how the volcanic ash has been agglomerated with pressure technology is described below : a combination of 40 . 7 % unexpanded volcanic ash ore , 1 . 65 % newsprint ( macerated in a blender ), 1 . 65 % corn starch and 56 % water ( added with the paper and starch ) is mixed by hand . the mixture is then inserted into a cylinder that is closed on one end . pressure is applied to the mixture through the use of a rod of slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the cylinder that is inserted into the cylinder . this causes the mixture to compress into a strong volcanic ash agglomerate . the pellets are then dried . in a preferred embodiment , the volcanic ash agglomerate of the present invention has the following characteristics : relatively dust free ; easily handled / transported ; rapid and easy cleanup if spilled , waste - free . because of the excellent water retention qualities of the expanded volcanic ash agglomerate of the present invention , it can be used in many horticultural or agricultural applications . expanded agglomerated volcanic ash is similar to or superior in performance to products currently available , such as expanded perlite and vermiculite . as a result , agglomerated volcanic ash can be used to absorb and hold water , reducing the amount of water that must be applied to a plant . additionally , when combined with fertilizer , insecticides , herbicides , and / or rodenticides , or a seed germination initiator , enhancer , or promoter such as a butenolide , agglomerated volcanic ash can facilitate improved and accelerated growth of plants . when seeds are included in the mixture of volcanic ash , binders such as cellulose and corn starch , and water , the resulting agglomerate can serve as an optimal aerial seed delivery system . volcanic ash can provide exceptional aeration and moisture retention qualities that aid in superior plant growth . when a seed or seeds are included in a volcanic ash agglomerate , it is automatically placed in ideal growing conditions . if fertilizer is also included in the volcanic ash agglomerate , the growing conditions become even better . because the seeds are encased in the volcanic ash agglomerate , there is also less likelihood that the seeds will be eaten by birds or other animals , again increasing the probability of successful seed germination . additionally , a seed germination initiator , promoter or enhancer such as a butenolide may be incorporated in the agglomerate . the size and weight of the volcanic ash agglomerate provides for more precise placement of the seeds contained therein as well , and ensures that the seed will not be as easily scattered by wind or rain when the agglomerated volcanic ash / seed mixture is used in an aerial reseeding application . expanded , agglomerated volcanic ash possesses qualities similar to currently existing products , such as expanded perlite , that make it suitable for several construction applications . a major use may be as cavity fill thermal insulation . in agglomerated form , the expanded ash would be essentially dust free . additionally , the incorporation of a fungicide in the agglomerates would inhibit the growth of molds . the description of the invention above should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the disclosed embodiment because those who are skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to devise other equivalent forms thereof within the scope of the invention . variations and changes , which are obvious to one skilled in the art , are intended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention . this would include coating agglomerated volcanic ash for certain uses , such as with silicones , silanes , etc ., to render the agglomerates water - resistant .
volcanic ash , which becomes airborne during a volcanic eruption , can be deposited more than a thousand miles from the eruption site . currently , many volcanic ash deposits are virtually unused . the method and product of the present invention converts this unused volcanic ash material , as well as furnace expanded volcanic ash , or the ash expanded and crushed , into a relatively dust free product with numerous new end applications .