Aqueous Foam Irrigation for Homogeneous Porous Substrate Infiltration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing irrigation methods for porous substrates, such as heap leaching of ores and soil treatment, suffer from non-homogeneous treatment and control of irrigation flow, leading to inefficiencies and environmental issues like puddle formation and preferential pathways.

Innovation Solution

A method using a controlled aqueous foam with a liquid fraction of less than 15% and a thickness greater than 5 cm is applied to the substrate surface, allowing homogeneous distribution and controlled infiltration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a controlled aqueous foam with liquid fraction less than 15% and thickness greater than 5 cm is applied to the substrate surface, then homogeneous distribution and controlled infiltration are achieved, but the complexity of foam generation and application equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehomogeneity of irrigation distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of foam generation equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the liquid fraction (less than 15%) and thickness (greater than 5 cm) of the aqueous foam to achieve homogeneous distribution and controlled infiltration. By adjusting these physical parameters of the foam, the method optimizes irrigation uniformity without requiring complex additional equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional drip irrigation with pipes is used for heap leaching, then the leaching solution can infiltrate the heap, but non-homogeneous treatment and preferential pathway formation occur reducing leaching efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleaching efficiencyVSAvoidhomogeneity of solution distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by using a foam layer that distributes the leaching solution uniformly across the heap surface. The foam structure ensures even infiltration throughout the heap, eliminating preferential pathways and achieving homogeneous treatment, which directly improves leaching efficiency to 70-80%.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Productivity

If the heap is sprinkled dropwise with dilute sulfuric acid solution by drip system, then the solution infiltrates the heap porosity, but the treatment time is extended to several months and leaching yield is limited to 50-70%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleaching yieldVSAvoidirrigation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phase transitions by utilizing the foam structure (gas-liquid mixture) that collapses upon contact with the heap, rapidly releasing the liquid fraction for immediate infiltration. This phase transition from foam to liquid enables faster infiltration rates, reducing treatment time from several months to weeks while improving leaching yield to 70-80%.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Manufacturing precision

If a thick layer of aqueous foam with controlled liquid fraction is used for irrigation, then homogeneous distribution is achieved, but the cost of foam generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of irrigationVSAvoidamount of reagents required

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the liquid fraction (less than 15%) and thickness (greater than 5 cm) of the foam to achieve homogeneous irrigation distribution. By carefully controlling these parameters, the method maximizes reagent utilization efficiency, ensuring uniform distribution without excessive reagent consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method ensures uniform irrigation, optimizing recovery of elements of interest and minimizing environmental impact without requiring expensive devices or dangerous reagents, while improving agricultural and horticultural productivity.

Implementation Method 1

a method for irrigating a porous substrate via the surface thereof homogeneously, and this by using, in contact with the surface, a layer of aqueous foam that has a liquid fraction (or gas fraction) and a height that are controlled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPercolation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The speed of flow of the leaching solution in the heap must, generally, be sufficiently low to allow the reaction between the solution and the target ores and the same time sufficiently rapid to avoid the accumulation of water on the surface of the heap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250270669A1Method for irrigating a porous substrate using a foam, and the uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for irrigating a porous substrate comprising the steps of: preparing a foam consisting of a dispersion of air bubbles in a foaming aqueous solution, said foam comprising a liquid fraction of less than or equal to 15% by volume; spreading, over the surface of the porous substrate, a layer of the foam thus prepared, the thickness of the layer being greater than 5 cm, then maintaining the assembly long enough for at least a part of the liquid contained in the foam to infiltrate the porous substrate. The present invention also relates to the use of this method to recover an element of interest contained in a porous substrate and a particular aqueous foam.