Irrigation Emitter Flow via Biofilm and Mineral Deposit Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Irrigation networks face issues with biofilm and crystalline mineral deposits that restrict water flow through emitters, leading to plugging and plant damage, especially in low-flow systems, where existing oxidizing treatments have limited effectiveness and negative impacts.
Innovation Solution
Admixing a biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) into irrigation water to eliminate biofilm formation and convert mineral deposits into amorphous forms that can be easily washed away, using oxidizers like chlorine dioxide and phosphonate compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxidizers are used to treat irrigation water, then some biofilm control is achieved, but mineral deposits become crystalline and cause emitter plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment solution by combining oxidizers with specific minerals (such as phosphates, silicates, or polyacrylates) at controlled concentrations. This parameter modification transforms the crystallization behavior of mineral deposits, preventing them from forming hard crystalline structures that plug emitters while maintaining the biofilm control benefits of oxidation.
2Productivity
If mineral micronutrients are fed to plants, then plant growth is promoted, but oxidizers cause them to precipitate and compound emitter plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific minerals (such as phosphates, silicates, or polyacrylates) as intermediary substances that interact with the mineral micronutrients in the irrigation water. These intermediaries form stable complexes or coatings that prevent the oxidation-induced precipitation of micronutrients, allowing them to remain in solution and be delivered to plants without causing emitter plugging.
3Reliability
If conventional oxidizing treatment is applied, then some disinfection is achieved, but it has limited effect on biofilms and negatively affects mineral deposit formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite treatment solution that combines oxidizers with specific minerals (such as phosphates, silicates, or polyacrylates). This composite formulation provides synergistic effects where the oxidizer component delivers disinfection and biofilm control, while the mineral component prevents crystalline deposit formation and modifies the behavior of mineral micronutrients, thereby enhancing overall treatment effectiveness without the negative side effects of conventional oxidizing alone.
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 solution ensures unrestricted water flow through emitters, reduces maintenance costs, and prevents plant damage by effectively eliminating biofilms and mineral deposits, maintaining healthy plant growth and reducing the need for frequent emitter replacements.
Implementation Method 1
The BRA agent may be an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, iodine, bromine, hydrogen dioxide, chlorate salts, chlorite salts and hypochlorite compounds
Implementation Method 2
The MDDA agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphonate compounds, phosphonic acid compounds, derivative of phosphorus, blends of phosphonate phosphorus derivatives, and phosphonic acid compounds... causes mineral deposits that are formed to be amorphous
Data Source
AI summary
A biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) are admixed to irrigation water in amounts sufficient to substantially eliminate biofilm formation in the emitters (14) of an irrigation system (10) and produce amorphous mineral deposits in the emitters that are easily washed away by the irrigation water as it flows through the emitters (14). The BRA may be an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxy peracitic acid, iodine, bromine, hydrogen dioxide, chlorate salts, chlorite salts and hypochlorite compounds and mixtures thereof. The MDDA is a phosphonate selected from the group comprising AMP, ATMP, HEDP, EDTMPA, HMDTMPA, DETPMPA, BHMPTMPA, PBTC, HPA, PCA, NTMP, and DTPMP.