Foliar Spray Apparatus with Ion Exchange for CO2 Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for increasing CO2 concentrations in greenhouses using electrochemically activated bicarbonate or carbonate solutions produce harmful byproducts and lack a dedicated apparatus for preparation and application.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a water supply, solute container, combinatory part for forming an electrolyte solution, ion exchange part for removing ions, and application means for foliar spray application, which includes a reverse osmosis unit, ion exchange column, and control unit for regulating the process, forming a bicarbonate-based solution for enhanced CO2 availability and nutrient delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If electrochemical activation of bicarbonate or carbonate solution is used to increase CO2 concentration in plants, then CO2 availability to plants is improved, but harmful byproducts are generated that may be harmful to the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 concentration in plant environmentVSAvoidharmful byproducts from electrochemical process

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes harmful ions (specifically sodium ions) from the electrolyte solution using an ion exchange part. The ion exchange resin selectively binds and removes sodium ions from the bicarbonate solution, allowing the beneficial CO2-releasing bicarbonate ions to remain while eliminating the harmful byproducts of the electrochemical process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful electrochemical activation process into a beneficial non-electrochemical ion exchange process. Instead of using electrolysis that generates harmful byproducts, the patent uses ion exchange resins to achieve the desired activation and CO2 release through chemical ion exchange, transforming a harmful process into a beneficial one.

Inventive Principle:

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

2Quantity of substance

If gaseous CO2 is used to increase CO2 concentration in greenhouses, then plant growth is improved, but costs increase due to CO2 preparation and carbon taxation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 concentration in greenhouseVSAvoidcosts associated with CO2 preparation and taxation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and chemical form of CO2 delivery from gaseous CO2 to dissolved bicarbonate ions in aqueous solution. This parameter change allows CO2 to be delivered in a form that is already dissolved and ready for plant uptake, eliminating the need for expensive CO2 gas preparation, storage, and injection systems, and avoiding carbon taxation on gaseous CO2 usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If bicarbonate or carbonate solution is applied directly to plants without pre-activation, then application simplicity is improved, but CO2 availability to plants is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of applicationVSAvoidCO2 availability to plants

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary activation of the bicarbonate solution by passing it through an ion exchange part before application to plants. This pre-treatment activates the bicarbonate ions and facilitates CO2 release in advance, ensuring that when the solution is applied to plants, CO2 is immediately available for uptake without requiring complex activation equipment at the application site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The apparatus effectively prepares and applies a bicarbonate-based foliar spray, reducing environmental harm and providing a controlled method for increasing CO2 uptake in plants, while avoiding the use of costly gaseous CO2 and adhering to carbon taxation regulations.

Implementation Method 1

The purification part may be a water filter or a reverse osmosis (RO) unit, specifically a flow through RO unit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

an ion exchange part for removing ions from the electrolyte solution to form the prepared solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS10993378B2Apparatus for preparing and applying a foliar spray

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for applying foliar spray. The apparatus (1) includes supply means (2) in the form of a water tank (4) with pipe (5) extending from the tank, through a reverse osmosis water filtration unit (12), pump (6), and valve (7). A solute container (8) for holding solute (9) in the form an electrolyte solution of sodium ions (Na+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) formed by mixing sodium bicarbonate and water (3) from the supply means (2) is also included. A combinatory part (10) is connected to an ion exchange part (15) through valve (19), pipe (17) and pump (18). The prepared solution is the product of passing the diluted electrolyte solution (11) through the ion exchange column (15) and may be applied to the foliage of plants (26) through pump (27), pipes (28), and finally micro sprayers (29).