Iron Polyphosphate Stock Solution pH Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fertigation processes using inorganic iron nutrient compositions often result in chemical precipitation, leading to iron deficiencies and clogging issues in irrigation systems due to the basic pH of these compositions, which affects storage stability and solubility, especially when pH adjustments to avoid precipitation compromise storage stability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the provision of stock solutions with iron and polyphosphates at a pH range of 4.5 to 6.2, specifically adjusted by adding acid and ensuring intensive mixing conditions to maintain solubility and prevent precipitation, thereby ensuring stable iron delivery in fertigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If inorganic iron nutrient compositions with basic pH are used in fertigation, then iron solubility is improved, but chemical precipitation occurs leading to iron deficiencies and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from basic (conventional) to acidic (4.5-6.2 range) to prevent calcium phosphate precipitation while maintaining iron solubility through polyphosphate complexation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by finding an optimal pH window that avoids both precipitation and iron deficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Polyphosphates serve as an intermediary substance that complexes with iron ions to maintain solubility in acidic conditions. This mediator allows iron to remain dissolved at lower pH levels where it would otherwise precipitate, while also preventing calcium phosphate formation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If acid is added to adjust pH to prevent precipitation, then chemical precipitation is reduced, but storage stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and implements an optimal pH range (4.5-6.2) that balances two competing requirements: low enough to prevent calcium phosphate precipitation but high enough to maintain iron-polyphosphate complex stability. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between preventing precipitation and maintaining storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes proper pH adjustment and polyphosphate addition before fertigation begins, creating stable stock solutions that resist precipitation during storage. This preliminary action ensures the system is pre-conditioned to avoid precipitation issues during subsequent use
3Stability of the object's composition
If intensive mixing conditions are applied, then solubility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment (pH and polyphosphate concentration) to a state where iron remains soluble without requiring intensive mechanical mixing. The chemical parameters are adjusted so that precipitation is thermodynamically unfavorable, eliminating the need for complex mixing devices
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 approach effectively prevents precipitation and maintains storage stability of iron solutions, ensuring high iron yield and robustness in fertigation systems despite pH fluctuations and concentration variations, thereby avoiding iron deficiencies and clogging issues.
Implementation Method 1
a provision of a series of stock solutions comprising a stock solution comprising iron and at least one polyphosphate, at basic pH or at pH between 4.5 and 6.2, advantageously greater than or equal to 5.0 and less or equal to 6.0, preferably a pH greater than or equal to 5.5, formed by adding iron and at least one polyphosphate to an aqueous phase
Implementation Method 2
A phenomenon of chemical precipitation appears very often during the step of feeding the stock solution containing said source of iron into the irrigation solution. The solid phase formed, which consists mainly of calcium phosphate
Implementation Method 3
sufficiently intensive mixing conditions at a point of supply of said stock solution in said dilution system are provided so that said fertigation solution has a pH below 6.2
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for fertigation of plants, which comprises forming a series of stock solutions, feeding each of the stock solutions into a diluting system, so as to form a fertigation solution, feeding a fertigation device by means of a transfer device, feeding said fertigation device with said fertigation solution, and adding iron and at least one polyphosphate.