Method and installation for oxygenating water used for animal watering or irrigation

Abstract

Installation for oxygen doping of water, water intended for the irrigation of plant crops or for the watering of animals (40), comprising means for supplying water to animals for their watering or to said plant crop, supply means comprising: an injector (7, 8) for injecting a gas into water; a water supply line (20) and at least one gas supply line (3, 4, 5, 6), arriving in the injector; and at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or a gaseous mixture containing 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, the tank which can also be supplied with fresh water (20); a coil (10) capable of receiving water charged with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil by means of a pump (9), the coil which allows a water / oxygen contact time to be created;where said source is an oxygen concentrator (60) supplying oxygen-enriched air; characterized in that the installation includes a water pressure sensor (90) at the pump outlet, as well as a water flow sensor (80), preferably installed at the pump outlet, the flow sensor enabling, upon pump start-up, the electrical activation of the concentrator, while when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor enables the opening of a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction. Figure from the abstract: Fig. 3;

Description

Title of the invention: Method and installation for oxygenating water used for animal watering or irrigation

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

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

[0003] We will return to the case of irrigation water later in this description and will now focus on the case of livestock farming. It is worth noting 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 about 33 days in 1998.

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

[0005] These production objectives were achieved through the evolution of nutritional programs and rearing conditions, combined with the genetic selection of fast-growing animals with a low feed conversion ratio, low fattening and increased muscle mass development.

[0006] Genetics, hygiene, prophylaxis and improved rearing conditions have, for the past twenty years, considerably reduced poultry mortality in farms.

[0007] Nevertheless, it is necessary to take into account the following aspects which 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 kidneys, heart, and lungs. In current livestock farming, the evolution of growth characteristics is sometimes accompanied by an increase in the frequency of cardiovascular and respiratory system failures, characterized by a resurgence of heat stroke, sudden death syndromes, and ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity).

[0008] The available studies in this field can be summarized by the fact that oxygen is a limiting factor that can help explain the frequency of heart disease Vascular and respiratory dysfunction in broiler chickens. Comparison of genotypes with varying growth rates shows that the incidence of ascites and high growth rates 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 foregoing demonstrates the need to restore a balance between the metabolic demands imposed by selection for rapid growth, and the ability of the respiratory system, the oxygen supplier, to meet them.

[0010] One possible approach would be to increase the oxygen content in the environment of the farmed chicken, unfortunately intensive farms require strong ventilation to remove 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 definitively penalize the solution from an economic point of view.

[0011] The Applicant has carried out extensive work on this issue; it will be possible to in particular refer to document EP-3 709 793 (WO2019097142), which proposed a new installation allowing oxygen boosting of drinking water for such farm animals.

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

[0013] To better explain the situation in this technical area, one can refer on the one hand to the attached [Fig.1] which illustrates the contents of a watering installation conforming to the earlier document WO2019 / 097142 cited above.

[0014] The following elements can be identified in this [Fig. 1]: - an injector 61, for example of Venturi type, allowing the injection of a gas into water; - on this injector 61 arrive a water supply line (“WATER”) and a gas supply line (“GAS”), the gas line here connected upstream to an oxygen storage (represented by a bottle), or a gas mixture containing oxygen, for example a mixture of 70% oxygen and 30% CO2. - a 62 regulator; - a 63 adjustment valve (gas adjustment valve which, due to its calibration, allows a chosen quantity of gas to be injected into the injector); - a 64 coil: the length of the coil allows for a chosen gas / water contact time, generally preferably greater than 10 seconds, and generally more preferentially located between 10 and 30 seconds; - a water circulation pump 65: the water pump allows high water speeds to be achieved in the coil; - a spillway 66; - a float valve 67; - a water tank at atmospheric pressure (68).

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

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

[0017] The use of a water tank at atmospheric pressure allows both to maintain a low pressure towards the drinking network and to maintain a high pressure in the coil to dissolve 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 case of a stoppage the system is shut off.

[0020] A "suction water" line runs from the basin, sending water from the basin to the injector; this is therefore a mixture of recycled and fresh water. In other words, except when the animals are not consuming water, the injector receives 100% recycled water (remember that the animals always consume water; to stop them, the light must be turned off).

[0021] Via the pump 65 and the dissolving coil 64, the water can be directed to the drinking area, it passes outside the tank 68 as will be understood, passing through the overflow 66. The overflow is also located outside the bath but it may happen that for reasons of space / logability the overflow must be positioned in the water of the tank.

[0022] As can be seen in [Fig.1], the installation allows, if necessary, part of the water from the coil to be poured into the tank and another part towards the drinking trough.

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

[0024] The nomenclature of the elements present in [Fig.2] is as follows: 1: gas cylinder 2: Gas regulator (to reduce the gas pressure to a level higher than the water supply pressure) 3: Suction flow meter (allows adjustment of the oxygen flow rate at the suction of pump 9) 4: Discharge flow meter (allows adjustment of the oxygen flow rate at the pump 9 discharge) 5: Suction solenoid valve (controlled by the start-up of the pump and by a flow detector) 6: Discharge solenoid valve (controlled by pump start-up, flow detector, and level switch with time delay) 7: Venturi suction (allows a low flow rate of gas to be injected into the water at the pump suction without creating cavitation) 8: Venturi discharge (allows the gas to be injected into the water at the pump discharge, at a flow rate corresponding to the water flow rate 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 be dissolved 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 activates oxygen injection by activating marker 6) 12: Displacer (maintains the water flow and therefore the speed in the coil, thus providing the desired outlet pressure to the user site) 13: Solenoid valve (Normally Open (NO), allows the system to be bypassed in case of pump or control system failure, 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 high-flow oxygen injection, item 6) 15: Water flow regulator, adjusting the fresh water inlet flow rate 16: filter 17: water tank 20: Fresh water arrives 30: recirculation / bypass 40: Water network of the livestock site 50: Watering stations (nipples)

[0025] And this prior art installation as schematically represented in [Fig.2] proposes to implement TWO simultaneous injections of oxygen or of a mixture containing 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 preferentially 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] While the entire preceding description focused on describing the phenomena occurring in the field of animal watering, it must be understood that these water oxygenation systems also find application for plant cultivation, and in particular plant cultivation in greenhouses and soilless systems, but more generally in any method of plant cultivation, and in particular cultivation in a controlled environment: in a greenhouse, in a cellar, protected from light, in soilless mode, and in particular in hydroponic, aquaponic, aeroponic, bioponic or other modes.

[0028] Let us now consider the case of greenhouse production, cultivated hydroponically. This type of production is gaining ground all over the world, in rich and poor countries alike. It is one of the solutions for providing future generations with healthy and safe food. To achieve this, it uses scarce natural resources such as water and fertilizers in the most efficient way possible.

[0029] For example, it is generally considered that the cultivation of one kilogram of tomatoes grown in open fields uses about 60 liters of water, whereas in greenhouses and grown hydroponically, the water requirements are limited to about 15 liters.

[0030] In the case of a state-of-the-art greenhouse, it is even possible to achieve an additional saving of 4 liters per kilogram. These savings result from more efficient water use 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 yields:

[0032] Indeed, we know well the reasons why plant roots 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 susceptibility 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 dissolved oxygen with pure oxygen (O2) allows much higher levels to be reached (typically 40 mg / L).

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

[0035] Since the flow rate at the suction of the pump installed in the installation according to this earlier document is 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 become necessary for the Applicant to improve this proposal for the implementation of such oxygen concentrators in such installations, with the following objectives: - so that the oxygen produced is effectively "drawn in" by the pump; - in order to improve system security.

[0037] We will explain below the need to focus on these technical objectives.

[0038] Indeed, the use of a concentrator does not provide sufficient gas pressure for injection at the discharge of a water circulation pump. The concentrator does not deliver a pressure above 1 bar.

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

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

[0041] Now, as regards the question of safety, it is known that it is not desirable to inject too much gas at the pump because the pump "cavities".

[0042] It should be noted 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 operating pumps, as it can have devastating effects on such pumps.

[0043] Cavitation causes premature wear, but the introduction of an excess of 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 by friction, the situation can therefore become critical, especially in the presence of gases that are not neutral (combustible or oxidizing gases such as oxygen).

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

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

[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 aims to propose an improved implementation of such a concentrator in such an oxygenation installation for water intended for drinking or irrigation.

[0049] As we have understood from the above, 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 poses material compatibility difficulties for oxygen.

[0050] One could then consider installing a valve at the generator outlet to create a small pressure, and thus avoid drawing in air, but according to the present invention, another solution is preferred, which consists of installing a water pressure sensor downstream (discharge) of the pump, as well as a water flow sensor, preferably installed at the pump discharge, which will allow operation in the following way:

[0051] - When the pump starts, the flow sensor allows the in electrical service of the concentrator (as will become clear to a person skilled in the art, the flow sensor "sees" the start-up of the pump more quickly and therefore is able to trigger the electrical start-up 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 allows the opening of a solenoid valve located between the concentrator and the pump suction.

[0052] (The concentrator thus has time to start up before the opening of the solenoid valve which is controlled by the pressure sensor).

[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 outlet, but for space reasons it can be considered to install it upstream of the pump.

[0055] This assembly favors two objectives: - Prevent water from entering the concentrator if it is not in operation and able to deliver slight pressure. - Ensure that the pump is at its optimum flow rate before injecting gas into the suction of the water pump (to avoid the risk of cavitation).

[0056] This assembly prevents air from being drawn in if the concentrator is not in use.

[0057] In summary, as will be understood from the foregoing, the injection gas from the concentrator is drawn in at the pump suction, since a concentrator does not deliver enough pressure to be "mounted" at 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 implemented: - a circuit powered by the concentrator supplying the upstream (suction) side of the pump; and - a circuit supplied by an oxygen cylinder or a gas mixture containing oxygen, bringing the gas preferentially to the pump discharge (although injection at the suction could be considered).

[0059] This implementation proves particularly advantageous in the following cases: • when the concentrator experiences a failure, or requires preventive maintenance • when the need for gas dissolution in water exceeds the capacity of the pump (risk of cavitation) it is then possible to consider adding gas, particularly at the pump outlet, via one or more gas cylinders equipped with a regulator with a pressure higher than the outlet 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 allows switching between different operating modes: - the implementation of the generator alone; - the implementation of one (or more) gas cylinder alone; - the implementation of the two sources: generator and gas cylinder.

[0061] And one could indeed ask the following question: can the "emergency" gas supply be installed at the pump's suction? It appears that such an arrangement, while 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 means of 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 cylinder - 2: Gas regulator (to reduce gas pressure to a level higher than the pressure of the water network) - 3: Suction flow meter (allows adjustment of the oxygen flow rate during aspiration) of the pump 9) - 4: Discharge flow meter (allows adjustment of the oxygen flow rate) pump discharge 9) - 5: Suction solenoid valve (controlled by the pump being started) 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: Venturi suction (allows a low flow rate of gas to be injected into the water) (pump suction without creating cavitation) - 8: Venturi discharge (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 in place a water flow rate, preferably between 1 and 2.5 m / s) - 10: coil (allows oxygen to be dissolved in water, with a flow rate water velocity preferably between 1 and 2.5 m / s and contact time preferably between 10 and 20 seconds - 11: Water inlet solenoid valve (maintains the water level in the (tank and activate oxygen injection by activating marker 6) - 12: Weir (maintains the water flow and therefore the speed in the (coil, and thus provide the desired outlet pressure to the user site) - 13: solenoid valve (Normally Open (NO), allows bypassing the (system in case of pump or control system failure, 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 to trigger the high-flow oxygen injection (reference point 6) - 15: Water flow regulator, adjusting the fresh water inlet flow rate - 16: filter - 17: water tank - 20: Fresh water arrives - 30: recirculation / bypass - 40: Water network of the livestock site - 50: watering stations (nipples) - 60: generator (concentrator) - 70: oxygen cylinder or cylinder of a gaseous 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 oxygen generator pressure, waiting for the pump pressure to rise before injecting the oxygen or the oxygen-containing gas) 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 water consumption rate of 5 l / min or 3001 / h * 20 h = 6000 l / 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 relates to an oxygenation system for water intended for the irrigation of plant crops or for watering animals, comprising means for supplying water to the animals for their drinking or to said plant crops, supply means comprising:

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

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

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

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

[0070] - a coil capable of receiving water charged with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil by means of a pump, coil which allows to create a contact time water / oxygen;

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

[0072] where the installation includes 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 includes a water pressure sensor downstream (discharge) of the pump, as well as a water flow sensor, preferably installed at the pump discharge, which will allow it to function in the following way:

[0074] - When the pump starts, the flow sensor allows the activation of concentrator electrical service; - 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 allows the opening of a solenoid valve located between the concentrator and the pump suction.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the installation comprises, in addition to said concentrator, another oxygen source consisting of one or more oxygen cylinders or a gaseous mixture containing oxygen, allowing the injection of gas at the suction or discharge of the pump, and in this respect, means are provided 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 cylinder(s) alone; - the implementation of the two sources: generator and gas cylinder.

[0076]

Claims

1. Demands Installation for oxygenating water, water intended for the irrigation of plant crops or for watering animals (50), comprising means of supplying water to animals for their drinking or to said plant crops, supply means comprising: - an injector (7, 8) allowing the injection of a gas into water; - a water supply line (20) and at least one gas supply line (3, 4, 5, 6), leading to the injector; and - at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or a gaseous mixture containing 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, which can also be supplied with fresh water (20); - a coil (10) capable of receiving water charged with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil by means of a pump (9), coil which allows to create a water / oxygen contact time; - the water from the coil passing through a device such as a weir (12), so that it can be directed entirely to the drinking water or the crop or partly to the drinking water or crop and partly into the tank (17); where the installation includes means for injecting oxygen or a mixture containing 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 includes 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 allow it to function in the following way: - When the pump starts, the flow sensor allows the concentrator to be electrically switched on;

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 allows the opening of a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction. An installation according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises, in addition to said concentrator (60), another oxygen source consisting of one or more cylinders (70) of oxygen or of a gaseous mixture comprising oxygen, allowing the injection of gas at the suction or discharge of the pump, and in that means are provided 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 cylinder alone; - the implementation of the two sources: generator and bottle of gas. A process for oxygenating water, water intended for the irrigation of plant crops or for the watering of animals (50), a process employing an installation which includes means for supplying water to said plant crops or to animals for their watering, supply means including: - an injector (7, 8) allowing the injection of a gas into water; - a water supply line (20) and at least one gas supply line (3, 4, 5, 6), leading to the injector; and - at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or a gaseous mixture containing 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, which can also be supplied with fresh water (20); - a coil (10) capable of receiving water charged with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil by means of a pump (9), coil which allows to create a water / oxygen contact time; - the water from the coil passing through a device such as a weir (12), so that it can be directed entirely to the drinking water or the crop or partly to the drinking water or crop and partly into the tank (17); where the installation includes means for injecting oxygen or a mixture containing 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 includes 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 start-up of the concentrator is authorized when the flow sensor detects a pump start-up; - 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, a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction is allowed to open via the pressure sensor.

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