Blending Valve Controller for Fertigation EC Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The dairy industry faces challenges in efficiently using nutrient-rich wastewater for fertigation due to environmental concerns from flood irrigation, which leads to groundwater contamination, and the need for a method to maintain appropriate nutrient levels without manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for blending wastewater with fresh water using a logic-based controller and EC sensor to maintain a target EC value, ensuring precise nutrient application through a drip irrigation system, allowing for automated continuous operation and increased water use efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If flood irrigation with dairy manure is used, then nutrient application to crops is achieved, but groundwater contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient applicationVSAvoidgroundwater contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical flood irrigation system with a drip irrigation system that delivers nutrient-rich wastewater directly to the root zone through subsurface emitters. This substitution eliminates the runoff and leaching problems associated with flood irrigation, preventing groundwater contamination while maintaining effective nutrient application to crops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies nutrients locally at the root zone level through drip emitters rather than uniformly across the entire field surface. This localized application ensures that nutrients are delivered precisely where needed by plant roots, maximizing uptake efficiency and minimizing the risk of nutrient leaching into groundwater.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If synthetic fertilizers are used in drip irrigation, then water use efficiency is improved, but dairy manure is displaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater use efficiencyVSAvoiddairy manure utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of water quality by blending dairy manure wastewater with fresh water in controlled proportions. This allows the system to utilize nutrient-rich manure water for irrigation while adjusting the nutrient concentration to appropriate levels, thereby maintaining water use efficiency benefits of drip irrigation while preventing manure displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful waste product (dairy manure wastewater) into a beneficial nutrient source for crops. By treating and blending the manure water, the system transforms an environmental liability into a valuable fertilizer resource, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If manual control of nutrient blending is used, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but continuous automated operation is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidcontinuous automated operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback control system that uses EC sensors to continuously monitor the electrical conductivity of the blended water and adjusts the blending ratio automatically. This feedback mechanism maintains the desired nutrient concentration levels without manual intervention, achieving continuous automated operation while preserving the flexibility to adjust target EC values as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of the blending ratio based on real-time EC measurements, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring and adjustment. The automated control system serves itself by automatically detecting deviations from target nutrient levels and correcting them, thereby achieving continuous automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables precise and automated nutrient application, addressing drought issues and mitigating environmental challenges by maintaining optimal nutrient levels in the blended water stream, improving water use efficiency and reducing groundwater contamination.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the electricity conductivity (EC) of the blended water stream with an EC sensor to obtain a measured EC value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10182524B2Method and apparatus for fertigation with wastewater

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 NETAFIM LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for blending wastewater with fresh water for fertigation of a crop. In one embodiment, the wastewater and the fresh water are blended at a predetermined flow ratio through a blending valve to obtain a blended stream. A logic based controller controls the blending valve to set a predetermined flow ratio according to the electricity conductivity (EC) of the blended water stream. The blending, measuring and adjusting steps form a feedback loop so as to maintain the blended stream at a target EC value.