System for the disinfection of agricultural soil

Abstract

System (1) for the disinfection of agricultural soil (2) comprising an electric energy source (4, 6), at least one radiofrequency or microwave generator (10) connected to the electric energy source and arranged to convert the electric energy into electromagnetic power and a plow-like electromagnetic applicator (12) connected to the radiofrequency or microwave generator (10) via wave-guiding lines(14), said plow-like electromagnetic applicator (12) being arranged to be inserted into the soil (2) so as to transmit the electromagnetic power to the soil (2), thus obtaining a disinfection of saidsoil (2).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of agriculture, in particular to a system for disinfecting agricultural soil. Background technique [0002] The technique of disinfecting agricultural soils using microwaves or radio frequencies is now well known. Microwave and radio frequency techniques are potentially more efficient and economical than steam techniques, however the practical use of microwaves has thus far been hampered by their own severe inherent limitations due to the difficulty of efficiently coupling energy into the soil and poor overall energy efficiency . The use of electromagnetic energy to kill soil pathogens has been proposed in various documents, eg US5287818, US6638475, US7601936. [0003] The main disadvantages associated with delivering radio frequency or microwave energy (hereinafter "electromagnetic energy") to soil are the difficulty of efficiently coupling electromagnetic energy into the soil and inherent limitations in the energy...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0003] The main disadvantages associated with the delivery of radio frequency or microwave energy (hereinafter "electromagnetic energy") to the soil are: the difficulty of effectively coupling electromagnetic energy into the soil and the inherent limitations in the energy efficiency of generating radio frequency or microwave energy

[0009] First, the space available for the microwave generator unit is very limited, thus limiting the available microwave power and the energy efficiency of such generators

[0010] Second, the need to protect subsurface microwave generators imposes severe constraints on the mechanical structure of primary agricultural work tools and the efficiency with which they can shape the microwave energy coupled to the soil

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