Arrangement and method for draining a soil profile

Abstract

An arrangement (1) for draining a soil profile. The arrangement (1) comprises a hose (3) arranged to transport water away from the soil profile. The hose (3) comprises a plurality of openings (5) arranged along the extension of the hose (3) to allow the water to seep in or out. The arrangement (1) further comprises a layer (7) arranged below the hose (3) to receive the water and partly transport the water in a horizontal direction. The arrangement (1) further comprises a plurality of spaces (9) arranged at a distance (L) from each other below the layer (7) to receive the water to fill the spaces (9).

Description

[0001] Arrangement and method for draining a soil profile

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of cover ditching. More specifically, the invention relates to an arrangement and a method for draining a soil profile that enables water to be better stored down in the soil profile.

[0004] Background

[0005] Drainage and ditching of a soil profile, for example farmland or arable land, has sometimes worked well and sometimes less well over the years. In all years, the main purpose has been to remove water from the soil profile in order to increase the bearing capacity and thereby bring forward the spring planting. There is reason to rethink the issue of all water being removed as quickly as possible. The water down in the soil profile should be saved as much as possible. The oxygen in the soil profile is important for growing crops and water as well. The drainage transports away excess water and makes room for oxygen. The roots should quickly go down into the soil profile where the soil moisture is. When irrigated from above, the roots stay up at the surface and the plant becomes very sensitive to drought. It is therefore very valuable to have a good oxygen / water balance in the soil profile and a cover ditch that meets the new weather challenges we are facing with extreme drought and abundant rainfall.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cover ditch and drainage of the soil profile that solves at least parts of the previously mentioned problems.

[0007] This object is achieved with an arrangement for draining a soil profile according to claim 1.

[0008] The arrangement comprises a hose arranged to transport water away from the soil profile. The hose may also be arranged to transport oxygen into the soil profile. The hose comprises a plurality of openings arranged along the extension of the hose to allow water to seep in or seep out. The arrangement further comprises a layer arranged below the hose to receive the water and partly transport the water horizontally, and a plurality of spaces arranged at a distance from each other below the layer to receive the water to fill the spaces.

[0009] The arrangement according to the invention is advantageous as it offers an effective drainage of the soil profile while at the same time enabling the water to be better stored down in the soil profile. Another advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that it enables the water to have longer time to refill the groundwater. A further advantage is that nutrients as well as humus and clay particles settle in the gravel and do not clog the hose and that nutrients to a lesser extent come out into larger watercourses.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the spaces are filled with a porous material, for example a porous pore-forming material. According to an embodiment, the layer comprises a porous material, for example a porous pore-forming material. The advantage of using a porous material is, among other things, that it provides space for water, absorbs water and that it contributes to creating a balance between air and water in the soil profile. Examples of suitable porous materials to use for the layer and / or in the spaces may be one or more of the following: natural gravel, crushed stone and pumice stone. Examples of suitable porous materials to use for the layer and / or in the spaces may also be other non-decomposable materials.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the spaces are covered with a lid comprising one or more holes to allow the water to seep in. The advantage of covering the spaces with a lid is that the spaces do not need to be filled with any material, which provides a larger proportion of stored water in the spaces. The lid can be made of, for example, plastic, iron, wood, etc.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the layer extends over the spaces and between the spaces. An effect of this is that it reduces the speed of the water so that the water can flow more slowly. Slower flow of water is good because the water in the layer has more time to infiltrate to the groundwater and that nutrients also have more time to infiltrate to the soil profile and not flow out into the ditches as quickly.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the layer extends under the main part of the hose. This enables, among other things, that the hose can lie, e.g. be placed, with a steady slope to get oxygen into the hose and to avoid sedimentation in the hose.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the layer has a thickness of between 1 and 20 cm, preferably between 2 and 10 cm and most preferably between 2 and 5 cm. The fact that the hose comes up a bit enables, among other things, that the hose can be placed with a steady slope to get oxygen into the hose and to avoid sedimentation in the hose.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the spaces have a depth of between 3 and 30 cm, preferably between 10 and 20 cm. A depth of more than 30 cm is not advantageous because the material sinks over time and ultimately the oxygen supply in the hose is further restricted when the space is filled with water, and it slows down the outflow from the farmland.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the spaces have a length of between 0.1 m and 100 m, preferably 0.5 m to 5 m. According to an embodiment, the spaces have a width of between 5 cm and 10 m, preferably between 5 cm and 40 cm and most preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the distance between the spaces is between 0.2 and 100 meters. Preferably, the distance between the spaces is 2-3 meters.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the arrangement comprises a second layer arranged on and / or around the hose. One effect of having a second layer is to prevent the openings in the hose from becoming clogged.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the second layer comprises a porous material, such as a nonwoven fabric or felt. The advantage of using nonwoven fabric or felt is that it is less expensive than certain porous materials such as gravel.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the hose comprises a surface of a felted material. This is advantageous since no second layer is required.

[0021] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for draining a soil profile according to claim 9. The method comprises that a drainage ditch is dug in the soil profile and a plurality of pits are dug at a distance from each other in the drainage ditch, wherein the pits define a plurality of spaces intended to constitute groundwater reservoirs. The method further comprises that the bottom of the drainage ditch can be filled with a porous material so that the spaces can be filled with the porous material. The method further comprises that the drainage ditch and the spaces are scraped so that a layer is formed that extends over and between the spaces. The method further comprises that a hose for transporting away water is placed on top of the layer, wherein the hose comprises a plurality of openings arranged along the extension of the hose to allow water from the soil profile to seep in or seep out.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises placing one or more layers of soil in the drainage ditch above the hose.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises placing a second layer on top of the hose before placing said one or more layers of soil in the drainage ditch.

[0024] By arranging a layer under the hose to receive the water and partially transport the water horizontally and arranging a number of spaces at a distance from each other under the layer to receive the water to fill the spaces so that the water can be preserved in the spaces, effective drainage of the soil profile is provided at the same time as it enables the water to be better stored down in the soil profile. These spaces can conserve water until dry periods occur and still maintain full capacity with drainage of excess water during heavy rainfall. In this way, improved cover ditching and drainage of the soil profile can be achieved. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The invention will now be explained more closely by the description of different embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended figures.

[0026] Figure 1 shows an example of a cross-section of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an example of the arrangement in Figure 1 in a cross-section A-A.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an example of the arrangement in Figure 1 in a cross-section B-B.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement in Figure 1 in a cross-section C-C.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an example of a flow chart showing a method for draining a soil profile according to the invention.

[0031] Detailed description

[0032] Figure 1 shows an example of a cross-section of an arrangement 1 for draining a soil profile, according to the invention. The soil profile may, for example, be a field, a farmland, an arable land, a fence or a soil profile. The arrangement 1 comprises a hose 3 arranged to transport water away from the soil profile. The hose 3 may, for example, be a drainage hose or a pipe. The hose 3 comprises a plurality of openings 5, for example slots or holes, arranged along the extension of the hose 3 to allow the water to seep in or seep out. The openings 5 may have a circumference of between 0.5 mm and 6 mm. The openings 5 should be small enough so that the porous material cannot enter the hose 3 and clog the openings 5. The arrangement 1 also comprises a layer 7 arranged under the hose 3 to receive the water and partially transport the water in a horizontal direction. The layer 7 makes it possible for the hose 3 to be arranged with a smooth slope to get oxygen into the hose 3 and avoid sedimentation in the hose 3. The layer 7 may extend under the main part of the hose 3. The layer 7 may extend over the spaces 9 and between the spaces 9. The layer 7 may have a thickness h between 1 and 20 cm, preferably between 2 and 10 cm and most preferably between 2 and 5 cm. The layer 7 and / or the spaces 9 may be filled with one or more porous materials such as natural gravel or crushed stone. In the event of an abundance of water, the water level is raised up to the hose 3 and the water seeps into the hose 3, which increases the speed of the water out into the surrounding ditch. The hose 3 may have a slope towards the surrounding ditch. When the water seeps into the hose 3, it gives a higher speed of the water because there is no resistance. In some cases, e.g. during under-irrigation, the water seeps out of the hose 3 and fills up the spaces 9.

[0033] The layer 7 under the hose 3 causes the hose 3 to come up slightly and enables the water in the layer 7 to be transported at a slower speed. The slower water flow in the layer 7 is good because the water in the layer 7 has better time to infiltrate to the groundwater. Nutrients also have better time to infiltrate to the soil profile and not as quickly flow out into the ditches, which creates problems. The arrangement 1 further comprises a plurality of spaces 9 arranged at a distance L from each other under the layer 7 to receive the water to fill up the spaces 9. These spaces 9 can thus better preserve the water. The distance L between the spaces 9 may have a length of between 0.2 and 100 meters. The spaces 9 may have a depth d of between 3 and 30 cm, preferably between 10 and 20 cm. The spaces 9 may have a width of between 5 cm and 10 meters, preferably between 5 cm and 40 cm and most preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm. The spaces 9 may have a length of between 0.1 and 100 meters, preferably between 0.5 and 5 meters.

[0034] The arrangement 1 may also include a second layer 11 which may be arranged on and / or around the hose 3. The second layer 11 may include one or more porous materials or a nonwoven fabric. The second layer 11 is for preventing the openings 5 in the hose 3 from being clogged. The hose 3 may have a surface consisting of a felted material and in that case the second layer 11 is not needed. Above the second layer 11 or the felted hose there may be one or more soil layers. The soil layers may include one or more of the following: subsoil, dry crust clay, topsoil, structured lime, etc.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an example of the arrangement 1 in figure 1 in a cross-section A-A. The layer 7 is arranged under the hose 3 to receive the water and partly transport the water in a horizontal direction. The second layer 11 may be present above and / or around the hose 3, and it may be filled with a porous material. Below the layer 7, an excavated, e.g. dug, space 9 is arranged, which may be used as a water reservoir. Both the space 9 and the layer 7 may be filled with a porous, pore-forming material. Above the second layer 11, the one or more soil layers 13 may be present. According to an embodiment, the spaces 9 are covered with a lid comprising one or more holes to allow the water to seep in. The advantage of covering the spaces 9 with a lid is that the spaces do not need to be filled with any material, which provides a larger proportion of stored water in the spaces 9. The lid may, for example, be made of plastic, iron, wood, etc. However, it is possible to both cover the spaces 9 with a lid and fill the spaces 9 with, for example, a smaller amount of porous pore-forming material.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of the arrangement 1 in figure 1 in a cross-section B-B. Figure 3 shows the hose 3 and the layer 7 arranged under the hose 3. The figure also shows the second layer 11 and the soil layer 13.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement 1 in figure 1 in a cross-section C-C. The figure 4 shows the hose 3 and the second layer 11 on the sides of the hose 3. The dashed lines show where the spaces 9 under the layers and the hose 3 begin and end.

[0038] For example, every 2-3 meters, a clear depression in the trench bottom, e.g. cover trench bottom or cover ditch bottom, may be created that preserves the water. The depression, i.e. the space 9, may be, for example, 20 cm wide, 1 meter long and 15 cm deep and create a groundwater reservoir. The hose 3 should lie with a steady slope to get oxygen into the hose 3 and to avoid sedimentation in the hose 3. Previously, the hose has been placed on the trench bottom and then gravel on top of the hose. In the invention, a layer 7 is arranged before the hose 3 that may level the trench bottom in the spaces 9. The layer 7 may also be arranged on the flat surfaces, i.e. the surfaces between the spaces 9 (the excavation bottom), which means that the hose 3 comes up a bit, for example 3 cm above the trench bottom, and the speed of the water is slowed down. Then, a second layer 11 may also be arranged, which may include a porous pore-forming material, such as natural gravel, crushed rock or similar material or a thin non-woven fabric that has a lower cost than gravel, on top of and / or at the sides of the hose 3. Neither the layer 7 nor the second layer 11 should include a compostable material. The hose 3 may also be felted. In the event of an abundance of water, the level is raised up to the drainage hose, which then increases the speed of the water. There is then a slow flow of water in the layer 7 that has time to infiltrate to the groundwater. Nutrients also have time to infiltrate to the soil profile and not quickly drain into the ditches and all the problems that this causes, such as eutrophication, etc. This technology is simple and cost-effective and is very useful for being able to economize on water in preparation for facing drought and extreme drought in food production crops. Plenty of oxygen is supplied to the soil profile. Arrangement 1 solves a large part of the problem of extreme weather in the new weather climate.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a flow chart that describes an example of the embodiments in terms of method steps. Figure 5 thus illustrates an example of a method for draining a soil profile according to the invention. Method steps that are performed in certain optional embodiments are marked with dashed lines. When trenching, e.g. ditching, it is possible to dig a little deeper with the excavator, e.g. digger, at regular intervals. The pit that is then created holds water much longer than a perfectly dug ditch. The same idea also applies when covering a soil profile such as a field or a farmland.

[0040] Step 501. At least one drainage ditch is dug in the soil profile and a plurality of pits are dug at a distance from each other in the drainage ditch. The pits define a plurality of spaces 9 intended to found, e.g. constitute, water reservoirs.

[0041] Step 502. The bottom of the drainage ditch may be filled with a porous material so that the spaces 9 can be filled with the porous material. The spaces 9 may be covered with a cover comprising one or more holes to allow water to seep in. In that case, the spaces 9 do not need to be filled with the porous material. It is also possible that the spaces 9 comprises of both the porous material and that they are covered by a cover with one or more holes.

[0042] Step 503. The drainage ditch and the spaces 9 are scraped to form a layer 7 extending over and between the spaces 9.

[0043] Step 504. A hose 3 for transporting away water is placed on top of the layer 7, the hose 3 comprising a plurality of openings 5 arranged along the extension of the hose 3 to allow water from the soil profile to seep in or out. Step 505. A second layer 11 may be arranged on top of the hose 3, on the sides of and / or around the hose 3. Step 506. One or more layers of soil may be placed in the drainage ditch above the hose 3, on the sides of and / or around the hose 3.

[0044] By creating spaces 9 with gaps down in the soil profile and arranging the layer 7 under the hose 3, it is possible for the water to be better stored down in the soil profile and for long- lasting effective drainage, for example at least 100 years, and to prevent silting.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown but can be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims. For example, the spaces 9, the layer 7 and the second layer 11 can vary in depth and width and placement based on prevailing needs. The size and location of the openings 5 can also vary. The size of the lid and the size of the holes in the lid and the placement of the holes in the lid can also vary.

[0046] Reference list

[0047] I. Arrangement

[0048] 3. Hose 5. Openings in the hose

[0049] 7. Layer

[0050] 9. Spaces

[0051] II. Second layer

[0052] 13. Soil layers

[0053] L. Distance h. Thickness / height d. Depth

Claims

Claims1. Arrangement (1) for draining a soil profile, comprising a hose (3) arranged to transport water away from the soil profile, the hose (3) comprising a plurality of openings (5) arranged along the extension of the hose to allow the water to seep in or out, characterised in that the device (1) comprises a layer (7) arranged below the hose (3) to receive the water and partly transport the water in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of spaces (9) arranged at a distance (L) from each other below the layer (7) to receive the water to fill the spaces (9).

2. The arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spaces (9) are filled with a porous pore-forming material.

3. The arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spaces (9) are covered with a cover comprising one or more holes to allow the water to seep in.

4. The arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer (7) extends over the spaces (9) and between the spaces (9).

5. The arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer (7) comprises a porous pore-forming material.

6. The arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer (7) has a thickness (h) between 1 and 20 cm, preferably between 2 and 10 cm and most preferably between 2 and 5 cm.

7. The arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spaces (9) have a depth (d) between 3 and 30 cm, preferably between 10 and 20 cm, and wherein the spaces (9) have a length between 0.1 and 100 meters, preferably between 0.5 and 5 meters, and wherein the spaces (9) have a width between 0.05 and 10 meters, preferably between 0.05 and 0.4 meters and most preferably between 0.1 and 0.3 meters.

8. The arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) comprises a second layer (11) arranged on top of and on the sides of and / or around the hose (3).

9. A method for draining a soil profile, comprising:(501) digging a drainage ditch in the soil profile and digging a plurality of pits spaced apart in the drainage ditch, the pits defining a plurality of spaces (9) intended to found water reservoirs,(503) scraping the drainage ditch and the spaces (9) to form a layer (7) extending over and between the spaces (9), and(504) placing a hose (3), for transporting away water, on top of the layer (7), the hose (3) comprising a plurality of openings (5) arranged along the extension of the hose (3) to allow water from the soil profile to seep in or out.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:(502) filling the bottom of the drainage ditch with a porous pore-forming material such that the spaces (9) are filled with the porous pore-forming material, and / or (505) placing a second layer (11) on top of the hose (3), and / or(506) arranging one or more soil layers on top of, on the sides of and / or around the hose (3).

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