Process and installation for oxygen enrichment of water used for animal watering or for irrigation

Abstract

Installation for doping water with oxygen, water intended for irrigating plant crops or for watering animals (40), comprising means for supplying water to the animals for their watering or for said plant crops, supply means comprising: an injector (7, 8) for injecting a gas into the water; a water inlet line (20) and at least one gas inlet line (3, 4, 5, 6), reaching the injector; and at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or of a gas mixture comprising oxygen, capable of delivering oxygen into the gas line, a water tank (17) at atmospheric pressure, the injector being supplied with water from the water located in this tank, tank which can also be supplied with new water (20); a coil (10) capable of receiving water loaded with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil thanks to a pump (9), coil which makes it possible to create a water / oxygen contact time;where said source is an oxygen concentrator (60) supplying oxygen-enriched air; characterized in that the installation comprises a water pressure sensor (90) at the pump discharge, as well as a water flow sensor (80), preferably installed at the pump discharge, the flow sensor authorizing, when the pump is started, the electrical activation of the concentrator, while when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction. Abstract figure: Fig. 3;

Description

Title of the invention: Method and installation for enriching with oxygen water used for watering animals or for irrigation

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and installations for enriching with oxygen water used for watering animals or for irrigation.

[0002] In the field of watering, it is particularly interested in poultry and pig farming and even rabbit farming.

[0003] We will return later in this description to the case of irrigation water and will focus below on the case of livestock farming. We can recall here, for example, that for a chicken to reach a weight of 1.5 kg, it took approximately 120 days in 1920, approximately 44 days in 1980 and only approximately 33 days in 1998.

[0004] According to various studies, experimental surveys in such farms show that at the same age (49 days), the average weight of a broiler chicken doubled between 1967 and 1996. Furthermore, in recent years, consumer demand has shifted towards less fatty animals and pre-cut poultry meat.

[0005] These production objectives have been achieved thanks to the evolution of nutritional programs and breeding conditions, associated with the genetic selection of fast-growing animals, with a low consumption index, low fattening and increased development of muscle mass.

[0006] Genetics, hygiene, prophylaxis and the improvement of breeding conditions have, over the past twenty years, considerably reduced poultry mortality in farms.

[0007] And nevertheless, it is necessary to take into account the following aspects that appear in all the studies launched on the subject: - rapid body growth increases oxygen requirements and heat production. - the increase in pectoral mass yield accentuates the imbalance between the development of muscle mass and that of other tissues such as the kidney, heart and lungs. In current breeding, the evolution of growth characteristics is sometimes accompanied by an increase in the frequency of failures of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, characterized by an increase in "heat stroke", "sudden death" syndromes and ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity).

[0008] The available studies in this area can be summarized by the fact that oxygen is a limiting factor that can help explain the frequency of cardio diseases. Vascular and respiratory disorders in broiler chickens. Comparison of genotypes with varying growth rates shows that high ascites incidence and growth rate are associated with low oxygen pressure and high CO2 pressure in venous blood. Insufficient oxygen availability therefore appears to be a major cause of cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction in fast-growing chickens.

[0009] The above demonstrates the need to re-establish a balance between the metabolic needs imposed by selection for rapid growth, and the ability of the respiratory system, the supplier of oxygen, to respond to them.

[0010] One possible approach would be to increase the oxygen content in the environment of the farmed chicken, unfortunately intensive farming requires strong ventilation to evacuate the heat and humidity produced by the birds, and thus the oxygen consumption to go from 20.9 to 27% for example would be prohibitive and would definitely penalize the solution on an economic level.

[0011] The Applicant has carried out numerous works on this question, we will be able to in particular refer to document EP-3 709 793 (WO2019097142), which proposed a new installation allowing the oxygen doping of the drinking water of such livestock.

[0012] The Applicant subsequently, in document FR-3 134 682, proposed improvements to the installation which was proposed in this earlier document EP'793.

[0013] To better explain the situation in this technical field, we can refer to the attached [Fig.l] which illustrates the contents of a watering installation in accordance with the prior document WO2019 / 097142 cited above.

[0014] We recognize in this [Fig.l] the following elements: - an injector 61, for example of the Venturi type, for injecting a gas into water; - on this injector 61 arrive a water inlet line (“WATER”) and a gas inlet line (“GAS”), gas line here connected in its upstream part to an oxygen storage (represented by a bottle), or a mixture of gases comprising oxygen, for example a mixture of 70% oxygen and 30% CO2. - a 62 regulator; - an adjustment valve 63 (gas adjustment valve allowing, due to its calibration, to inject a chosen quantity of gas into the injector); - a 64 coil: the length of the coil allows a chosen gas / water contact time, generally preferably greater than 10 seconds, and generally more preferably located between 10 and 30 seconds; - a water circulation pump 65: the water pump makes it possible to achieve high water speeds in the coil; - a spillway 66; - a float valve 67; - a tank of water at atmospheric pressure (68).

[0015] And this previous installation proposal had already, in itself, given entirely advantageous results in limiting investments, since it avoids the (expensive) use of an oxygen analyzer.

[0016] The “WATER” line arriving from the right supplies the bath with “fresh” or new water, thus allowing the tank to be first filled with water before starting, the float valve 67 (for example of the WC flush type) allows a constant water level to be maintained in the tank.

[0017] The use of a water tank at atmospheric pressure makes it possible both to maintain a low pressure towards the drinking network and to maintain a high pressure in the coil to dissolve the oxygen.

[0018] The overflow valve always maintains the same pressure in the circuit regardless of water consumption.

[0019] The oxygen injection system operates when the drinking network is supplied with water, and in the event of a shutdown the system is cut off.

[0020] From the pond comes a "suction water" line which sends water from the pond to the injector, it is therefore a mixture of recycled water and fresh water. In other words, except when the animals do not consume water the injector receives 100% recycled water (remember that the animals always consume water, to stop them you have to turn off the light).

[0021] Via the pump 65 and the dissolution coil 64, the water can be directed towards the watering zone, it passes outside the tank 68 as will have been understood, passing through the overflow 66. The overflow is also located outside the bath but it may happen that for reasons of space / accommodability the overflow must be positioned in the water of the tank.

[0022] As seen in [Fig.l], the installation allows, if necessary, to discharge part of the water coming from the coil into the tank and another part towards the watering.

[0023] We can now explain in connection with the attached [Fig.2] the improvements which had been made by the Applicant subsequently within the framework of document FR-3 134 682.

[0024] The nomenclature of the elements present in [Fig.2] is as follows: 1: gas bottle 2: gas regulator (expand the gas to a pressure higher than the water network pressure) 3: suction flow meter (allows adjustment of the oxygen flow at the suction of pump 9) 4: discharge flow meter (allows adjustment of the oxygen flow at the discharge of pump 9) 5: suction solenoid valve (controlled by the pump being switched on and by a flow detector) 6: discharge solenoid valve (controlled by the pump being put into service and by a flow detector and by a level switch with time delay) 7: suction venturi (allows a low flow of gas to be injected into the water at the pump suction without creating cavitation) 8: discharge venturi (allows gas to be injected into the water at the pump discharge, at the flow rate corresponding to the water in addition to the suction flow rate) 9: pump (allows the water pressure to be increased and a water flow rate to be established, preferably between 1 and 2.5 m / s) 10: coil (allows oxygen to dissolve in water, with a water flow rate preferably between 1 and 2.5 m / s and a contact time preferably between 10 and 20 seconds) 11: water inlet solenoid valve (maintains the water level in the tank and triggers oxygen injection by activating mark 6) 12: overflow valve (maintains the water flow and therefore the speed in the coil, and thus provides the desired outlet pressure to the user site) 13: Solenoid valve (Normally Open (NO), allows the system to be bypassed in the event of a pump or control system shutdown, thus ensuring that the animals will never be deprived of water) 14: level switch (allows you to manage the water level in the tank and trigger the injection of oxygen at high flow rate, reference 6) 15: water flow regulator, regulating the flow rate of new water inlet 16: filter 17: water tank 20: fresh water supply 30: recirculation / bypass 40: water network of the breeding site 50: watering stations (pipettes)

[0025] And this installation according to the prior art as shown diagrammatically in [Fig.2] in fact proposes to implement TWO simultaneous injections of oxygen or of a mixture comprising oxygen: - one upstream of the pump; - and the other downstream of the pump;

[0026] the flow rate of the injection carried out upstream being lower than the flow rate carried out downstream of the pump, the flow rate of gas injected upstream preferably representing between 5 and 25% of the pure oxygen saturation of the water under the conditions considered, 25% being considered as the limit which can generate a cavitation phenomenon, while the flow rate downstream of the pump represents the complement of the first injection to reach the desired value of overall content.

[0027] If the entire preceding description was aimed at describing the phenomena occurring in the field of animal watering, it must be understood that these systems for doping water with oxygen also find an application for the cultivation of plants and in particular the cultivation of plants in greenhouses and above ground, but more generally to any method of carrying out a cultivation of plants, and in particular a cultivation in a controlled environment: in a greenhouse, in a cellar, protected from light, in above ground mode, and in particular in hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, bioponics or other mode.

[0028] So let's consider the case of greenhouse production, grown in soilless mode. These productions are gaining ground all over the world, in rich countries as well as in poor ones. They are one of the solutions to provide future generations with healthy food without health risks. To do this, they use scarce natural resources such as water and fertilizers, in the most efficient way possible.

[0029] For example, it is generally considered that growing one kilo of tomatoes in the open field uses approximately 60 liters of water, whereas in a greenhouse and grown above ground, water requirements are limited to approximately 15 liters.

[0030] In the case of a latest generation greenhouse, it is even possible to make an additional saving of 4 liters per kilo. These savings are the result of more efficient use of water thanks to the control of the oxygen content of the nutrient solutions.

[0031] Oxygen enrichment of irrigation water for soilless crops has been shown to increase production yield:

[0032] Indeed, we are well aware of the reasons why plant roots not only need water but also need oxygen, and in particular the fact that when the oxygen content in the soil is not sufficient, the absorption of water by the plant is limited and the plant's sensitivity to diseases is increased.

[0033] It is also known that enriching irrigation water with oxygen in the air limits the content to a maximum of 10 mg / L, while enriching it with dissolved oxygen using pure oxygen (O2) makes it possible to achieve much higher contents (typically 40 mg / L).

[0034] Let us now return to document FR-3 134 682, which described an injection configuration which makes it possible to inject oxygen from various sources, and which proposed in particular the implementation of an autonomous production source (on site) such as oxygen “concentrators”, well known and used in the medical field (supplying patients with oxygen-enriched air).

[0035] The suction flow rate of the pump installed in the installation according to this prior document being relatively low, this concentrator technology proved and still proves to be very well positioned to carry out such a supply.

[0036] Since the work reported in this document FR-3 134 682, it has appeared necessary to the Applicant to improve this proposal for implementing such oxygen concentrators in such installations, with the following objectives: - so that the oxygen produced is actually “sucked in” by the pump; - in order to improve system security.

[0037] Below we will explain the need to address these technical objectives.

[0038] In fact, the use of a concentrator does not provide sufficient gas pressure to inject at the discharge of a water circulation pump. The concentrator does not deliver a pressure above 1 bar.

[0039] One could have thought of using a venturi inserted at the pump outlet to suck the gas, but this functionality is very difficult to implement. The design of a venturi is very specific to the factors of water flow, water pressure, and gas flow and pressure, and a change in characteristics during use jeopardizes the very suction process.

[0040] The principle of a water pump is to suck up a liquid and convey it by pressurizing it. So there is suction and we can take advantage of the depression, generated by this suction of water, to introduce a gas at low or even very low pressure.

[0041] Now regarding the question of safety, we know that it is not desirable to inject too much gas at the pump location because the pump "cavities".

[0042] It is recalled that "cavitation" is the formation and rapid implosion of gas bubbles in water as it flows through the pump. Cavitation is a phenomenon caused by boiling water or gas saturation in the liquid, a phenomenon that represents a significant problem that must be monitored when implementing pumps, which can have devastating effects on such pumps.

[0043] Cavitation causes premature wear, but the introduction of excess gas at the suction will also prevent the suction of water, the pump will therefore turn (rotation) in the presence of a gas, it will heat up due to friction, the situation can therefore become critical, particularly in the presence of gases which are not neutral (combustible or oxidizing gases such as oxygen).

[0044] There is therefore a proven safety risk if there is too much gas in relation to the water flow.

[0045] Injecting a gas into a pump that has not reached its cruising speed is take the risk of sending too much gas in relation to the water flow.

[0046] To avoid this risk, a water flow detector could be used, but this equipment indicates a flow rate, it is not capable of indicating whether the pump is at its optimum flow rate.

[0047]

[0048] As will be seen in more detail below, the present invention seeks to propose an improved implementation of such a concentrator in such an installation for doping oxygen into water intended for drinking or irrigation.

[0049] It has therefore been understood from the above that the injection of the gas produced by the concentrator should be carried out at the suction of the pump, because the pressure there is lower than the outlet pressure of the generator, bearing in mind that it is not desirable to use a pump (compressor) to pressurize the gas, which would represent an additional cost and which poses difficulties in terms of compatibility of the materials for oxygen.

[0050] We could then consider installing a valve at the generator outlet to create a small pressure, and thus not suck in air, but according to the present invention we prefer another solution which will consist of installing a water pressure sensor downstream (discharge) of the pump, as well as a water flow sensor, preferably installed at the discharge of the pump, which will allow operation in the following way:

[0051] - When the pump is started, the flow sensor authorizes the in electrical service of the concentrator (as will be clear to those skilled in the art, the flow sensor “sees” the commissioning of the pump more quickly and is therefore able to trigger the electrical commissioning of the concentrator more quickly). - The pressure at the pump outlet then rises to its operating pressure and when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor then authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve located between the concentrator and the pump suction.

[0052] (The concentrator thus has time to start operating before the solenoid valve, which is controlled by the pressure sensor, opens).

[0053] With regard to this pressure setpoint level, it is preferable to express it in terms of % of the maximum pressure generated by the pump, and according to the invention, it is preferable to place the setpoint in the range from 50 to 100% of this maximum pressure.

[0054] The flow sensor is preferably positioned at the pump discharge, but for reasons of space it is possible to consider installing it upstream of the pump.

[0055] Two objectives are favored in this assembly: - Prevent water from entering the concentrator if it is not in use and capable of delivering slight pressure. - Ensure that the pump is at its optimum flow rate before injecting gas into the water pump suction (to avoid the risk of cavitation).

[0056] This assembly makes it possible not to suck in air if the concentrator is not in use.

[0057] In summary, as will therefore be understood in light of the above, the injection of gas from the concentrator is carried out at the pump suction, since a concentrator does not deliver enough pressure to be "raised" to the pump discharge (at the pump discharge, the pressure is typically between 1 and 8 bars).

[0058] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for optimized operation of the installation, two gas circuits are used: - a circuit supplied by the concentrator supplying the upstream (suction) of the pump; and - a circuit supplied by a bottle of oxygen or a gas mixture containing oxygen, bringing the gas preferentially to the pump discharge (even if injection at the suction could be considered).

[0059] This implementation proves to be particularly advantageous in the following cases: • when the concentrator experiences a breakdown, or requires preventive maintenance • when the need to dissolve gas in the water exceeds the pump's capacity (risk of cavitation), it is then possible to consider adding gas, particularly to the pump discharge, via one or more gas bottles equipped with a pressure regulator with a pressure higher than the discharge pressure of the pump in question.

[0060] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention in such a presence of “emergency” bottles, a shut-off valve is provided which makes it possible to switch between different operating modes: - the implementation of the generator alone; - the implementation of one (or more) gas cylinders alone; - the implementation of the two sources generator and gas bottle.

[0061] And one could indeed ask the following question: can the "emergency" gas supply be installed at the pump suction? It appears that such an arrangement, although perfectly feasible, is not advantageous, simply because having to lower the gas pressure to a pressure close to atmospheric pressure is expensive in terms of equipment, but also because this avoids the risk of sending pressure into the concentrator circuit.

[0062] The attached [Fig.3] then illustrates by a partial schematic view a mode of realization of the invention.

[0063] The nomenclature of the means present on the installation illustrated in [Fig.3] is as follows: - 1: gas bottle - 2: gas regulator (expand the gas to a pressure higher than the pressure of the water network) - 3: suction flow meter (allows you to adjust the oxygen flow rate at suction of the pump 9) - 4: discharge flow meter (allows the oxygen flow to be adjusted to the pump discharge 9) - 5: suction solenoid valve (controlled by the pump being put into service and by a flow detector) - 6: discharge solenoid valve (controlled by the commissioning of the pump and by flow detector and by level switch with time delay) - 7: suction venturi (allows a low flow of gas to be injected into the water at the suction of the pump without creating cavitation) - 8: discharge venturi (allows gas to be injected into the water at the discharge of the pump, at the flow rate corresponding to the water in addition to the suction flow rate) - 9: pump (allows you to increase the water pressure and put a water flow rate, preferably between 1 and 2.5 m / s) - 10: coil (allows oxygen to dissolve in water, with a flow rate water flow rate preferably between 1 and 2.5 m / s and a contact time preferably between 10 and 20 seconds - 11: water inlet solenoid valve (maintains the water level in the tray and start the oxygen injection by pressing mark 6) - 12: spillway (allows the water flow and therefore the speed to be maintained in the coil, and thus provide the desired output pressure to the user site) - 13: solenoid valve (Normally Open (NO), allows bypassing the system in the event of a pump or control system shutdown, thus ensuring that the animals will never be deprived of water) - 14: level switch (allows you to manage the water level in the tank and trigger the injection of oxygen at high flow rate, mark 6) - 15: water flow regulator, regulating the flow rate of new water inlet - 16: filter - 17: water tank - 20: fresh water supply - 30: recirculation / bypass - 40: water network of the breeding site - 50: watering stations (pipettes) - 60: generator (concentrator) - 70: bottle of oxygen or a gas mixture containing oxygen - 80: flow sensor - 90: pressure sensor

[0064] Practical implementation tests of the present invention (injection at the pump suction, in a location where the pressure is lower than the pressure of the oxygen generator, waiting for the pump pressure to increase to inject the oxygen or the gas containing oxygen), were carried out under the following conditions: - A gas flow rate of 1.51 / min appeared sufficient to meet the demand of a chicken farm, with a consumption rate of 5 1 / min of water, i.e. 3001 / h * 20 h = 6000 1 / d (i.e. the maximum consumption of a building). - It takes 20 minutes to go from water at equilibrium (in air) to 30 mg / l of oxygen. - the generator operated stably for several hours at a consumption of 3001 / h, the content in the equipment remained stable, allowing this test to be validated.

[0065] The present invention then relates to an installation for doping water with oxygen, water intended for irrigating plant crops or for watering animals, comprising means for supplying water to the animals for their watering or to said plant crop, supply means comprising:

[0066] - an injector for injecting a gas into water;

[0067] - a water inlet line and at least one gas inlet line, reaching into the injector; and

[0068] - at least one source of oxygen or of a gaseous mixture comprising oxygen, capable of delivering oxygen into the gas line,

[0069] - a tank of water at atmospheric pressure, the injector being supplied with water from water located in this tank, tank which can also be supplied with new water;

[0070] - a coil capable of receiving water loaded with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil thanks to a pump, coil which allows a water / oxygen contact time to be created;

[0071] - the water from the coil passing through a device such as a spillway, for be able to be directed entirely towards watering or cultivation or partly towards watering or cultivation and partly into the tank;

[0072] where the installation comprises means for carrying out an injection into the water of oxygen or a mixture comprising oxygen from said source, injection carried out upstream of the pump (suction), and where said source is an oxygen concentrator supplying oxygen-enriched air;

[0073] characterized in that the installation comprises a water pressure sensor downstream (discharge) of the pump, as well as a water flow sensor, preferably installed at the discharge of the pump, which will allow operation in the following manner:

[0074] - When the pump is started, the flow sensor authorizes the start-up electrical service of the hub; - The pressure at the pump outlet then rises to its operating pressure and when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor then authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve located between the concentrator and the pump suction.

[0075] According to one of the embodiments of the invention, the installation comprises, in addition to said concentrator, another source of oxygen consisting of one or more cylinders of oxygen or of a gas mixture comprising oxygen, allowing the injection of gas at the suction or discharge of the pump, and in this means are available such as a shut-off valve allowing switching between the following different operating modes: - the implementation of the generator alone; - the implementation of the gas bottle(s) alone; - the implementation of the two sources: generator and gas bottle.

[0076]

Claims

1. Claims Installation for doping water with oxygen, water intended for irrigating plant crops or for watering animals (50), comprising means for supplying water to the animals for their watering or for said plant crops, supply means comprising: - an injector (7, 8) for injecting a gas into water; - a water inlet line (20) and at least one gas inlet line (3, 4, 5, 6), reaching the injector; and - at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or of a gas mixture comprising oxygen, capable of delivering oxygen into the gas line, - a water tank (17) at atmospheric pressure, the injector being supplied with water from the water located in this tank, tank which can also be supplied with new water (20); - a coil (10) capable of receiving water loaded with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil thanks to a pump (9), coil which makes it possible to create a water / oxygen contact time; - the water from the coil passing through a device such as a spillway (12), so that it can be directed entirely towards the watering or cultivation or partly towards the watering or cultivation and partly into the tank (17); where the installation comprises means for injecting oxygen or a mixture comprising oxygen into the water, upstream of the pump, and where said source is an oxygen concentrator (60) supplying oxygen-enriched air; characterized in that the installation comprises a water pressure sensor (90) downstream of the pump, i.e. at the pump discharge, as well as a water flow sensor (80), preferably installed at the pump discharge, which will enable operation in the following manner: - When the pump is started, the flow sensor authorizes the electrical commissioning of the concentrator;

2.

3. - The pressure at the pump outlet then rises to its operating pressure and when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor then authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, in addition to said concentrator (60), another source of oxygen consisting of one or more bottles (70) of oxygen or a gas mixture comprising oxygen, allowing the injection of gas at the suction or discharge of the pump, and in that means such as a shut-off valve are available for switching between the following different operating modes: - the implementation of the generator alone; - the implementation of the gas bottle alone; - the implementation of the two generator and bottle sources of gas. Method for doping water with oxygen, water intended for irrigating plant crops or for watering animals (50), method using an installation which comprises means for supplying water to said plant crop or to animals for their watering, supply means comprising: - an injector (7, 8) for injecting a gas into water; - a water inlet line (20) and at least one gas inlet line (3, 4, 5, 6), reaching the injector; and - at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or of a gas mixture comprising oxygen, capable of delivering oxygen into the gas line, - a water tank (17) at atmospheric pressure, the injector being supplied with water from the water located in this tank, tank which can also be supplied with new water (20); - a coil (10) capable of receiving water loaded with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil thanks to a pump (9), coil which makes it possible to create a water / oxygen contact time; - the water from the coil passing through a device such as a spillway (12), so that it can be directed entirely towards the watering or cultivation or partly towards the watering or cultivation and partly into the tank (17); where the installation comprises means for injecting oxygen or a mixture comprising oxygen into the water, upstream of the pump, and where said source is an oxygen concentrator (60) supplying oxygen-enriched air; characterized by the implementation of the following measures: - The installation comprises a water pressure sensor (90) downstream of the pump, i.e. at the pump discharge, as well as a water flow sensor (80), preferably installed at the pump discharge; - The electrical commissioning of the concentrator is authorized when the flow sensor detects the pump starting; - The pressure at the pump outlet then rises to its operating pressure and when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction.

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