Low-Level Chlorine Dioxide Treatment for Crop-Safe Microbial Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pesticidal agents used in controlled environmental agriculture leave harmful residues, making them incompatible with crop health and consumer safety regulations, while chlorine dioxide offers a promising alternative that requires methods to control microorganisms at low levels compatible with crop health and quality.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining an effective application rate of chlorine dioxide in plant cultivation and post-harvest settings, using sensors and machine learning to monitor environmental and crop parameters, and adjust chlorine dioxide application to maintain microbial control without affecting crop quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high levels of chlorine dioxide are used for sterilization, then microorganism control is effective, but crop health and quality are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroorganism control effectivenessVSAvoidcrop health and quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling chlorine dioxide concentration levels, transitioning from high concentrations used for sterilization to low concentrations (e.g., 0.5-5 ppm) suitable for crop environments. This parameter adjustment allows effective microorganism control while preventing crop damage, resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and crop safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts chlorine dioxide application rates based on real-time monitoring of microorganism populations, crop conditions, and environmental parameters. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain optimal concentrations for microorganism control while automatically reducing levels when crops are present, resolving the static contradiction between effective sterilization and crop protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If pesticidal agents are used to control microorganisms, then microorganism populations are reduced, but harmful residues remain on crop products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroorganism controlVSAvoidchemical residues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful chlorine dioxide into a beneficial treatment by using it at low concentrations that decompose into harmless byproducts (chloride ions and oxygen). This transforms a substance that could leave harmful residues into a safe treatment that actually improves crop health while controlling microorganisms, eliminating the residue problem entirely

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes chlorine dioxide's strong oxidizing properties to control microorganisms through oxidation of microbial cell walls and membranes. This oxidative mechanism allows effective microorganism control without requiring persistent chemical residues, as the oxidation reactions are complete and leave minimal harmful byproducts, resolving the contradiction between effective control and residue elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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

Effectively controls microorganisms in controlled environmental agriculture and post-harvest settings using low levels of chlorine dioxide, ensuring crop health and compliance with safety regulations by minimizing residual impacts.

Implementation Method 1

Chlorine dioxide has been used to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in water, on surfaces, and in the air. Use of chlorine dioxide gas for sanitation of indoor environments is particularly attractive due to its high penetrability and good diffusivity.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

Chlorine dioxide is also attractive because it is rapidly dissipated by degradation into inactive and non-toxic byproducts.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

Chlorine dioxide is an attractive alternative to other pesticides and fungicides due to its strong oxidization capacity and broad biocidal spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20250302047A1Systems and methods for use of chlorine dioxide in cultivation and post-harvest applications

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 PROKURE SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods of use of chlorine dioxide in controlled environmental agriculture settings and postharvest applications are provided. A method can comprise application of gaseous chlorine dioxide at a level effective to prevent microbial proliferation in a setting containing growing plants. A system can comprise a chemical microorganism control agent dispersal system, an airborne microorganism detection system, and a cultivation environment monitor system.