Desert Soil Stabilization via In-Situ Organic Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for desert and desertification control are inefficient for large-scale mechanized soilization, as they require conventional mixing and transportation of modified sand material, which is costly and time-consuming, and do not effectively stabilize sand or sandy soil to retain water and nutrients for plant growth.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the direct application of a water-soluble solid organic substance onto desert or desertified land, followed by mixing with sand or sandy soil to form a modified sand layer, utilizing a device with an external stirring module to create a stable, water-retaining, and air-permeable soil-like structure, allowing for large-scale mechanized desert soilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional mixing and transportation methods are used to apply modified sand material, then sand fixation can be achieved, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming for large-scale operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelarge-scale desert soilization efficiencyVSAvoidtime for mixing and transportation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The organic substance is spread onto the desert surface in advance, followed by water application that triggers in-situ dissolution and mixing with sand. This eliminates the need for pre-mixing and transportation of modified sand material, enabling direct large-scale treatment of desert areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Water acts as an intermediary that dissolves the organic substance and facilitates its mixing with sand particles in place. This mediator enables the transformation from solid organic substance to a bound sand-organic mixture without mechanical mixing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical substances are spread to control wind erosion, then sand drifting is reduced, but the method does not effectively retain water and nutrients for plant growth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind erosion controlVSAvoidwater and nutrient retention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite material by binding organic substance with sand particles. This composite structure provides both wind erosion control through surface stabilization and water/nutrient retention through the organic substance's absorbent properties and porous structure formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The organic substance forms a porous structure when bound with sand, creating void spaces that can hold water and nutrients. This porous network allows the modified sand to function both as windbreak and as a reservoir for plant growth requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If sand is transformed into modified sand material with adhesive and cohesive solutions, then soil-like properties are achieved, but conventional production methods are inefficient for large-scale application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil-like structure stabilityVSAvoidlarge-scale mechanized treatment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The organic substance performs multiple functions automatically: it dissolves in water, binds sand particles, forms porous structure, and creates soil-like properties all in situ. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex production facilities and enables large-scale application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The organic substance undergoes parameter change from solid state to dissolved state when water is applied, triggering the binding process. This parameter change (solid to solution) enables easy application and subsequent self-assembly into stable soil-like structure without mechanical intervention.

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 enables the creation of a stable, water-retaining, and air-permeable modified sand material that effectively controls desertification by transforming sand into a fertile habitat suitable for plant growth, reducing sand drifting and improving soil fertility on a large scale.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesive and cohesive solution obtained by dissolving a water-soluble solid organic substance into water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

the said adhesive and cohesive solution, after being mixed with sand or sandy soil, can bind the sand or sandy soil granules together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

the said adhesive and cohesive solution, after being mixed with sand or sandy soil, can bind the sand or sandy soil granules together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCohesion: Cohesion

Implementation Method 4

after the evaporation of the water in the adhesive and cohesive solution, the water-soluble solid organic substance among the sand or sandy soil can bind together the sand or sandy soil granules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10895052B2Desert or sand control method
Publication Date: 2021.01.19 YI ZHIJIAN

AI summary

This invention discloses a method for treating sand or sandy soil in desert or desertified land, comprising spreading water and a solid organic substance in any order or by directly spreading an adhesive and cohesive solution containing the solid organic substance onto the surface of desert or desertified land, and then stirring the solution containing the solid organic substance or mixing water and the solid organic substance with sand on the surface of desert or desertified land in a uniform way by a stirring device to finally form a modified sand material. This sand treatment method can be directly implemented on the surface of desert or desertified land without transporting and discharging the mixture onto the surface of desert or desertified land, and thus saving cost and time.