Multi-Channel Emitter for Integrated Gas and Light Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems are inefficient in delivering gases like CO2 to crops, as they are designed primarily for water distribution, leading to suboptimal gas distribution patterns and high costs, especially in orchards and vineyards where gas needs to be directed to the foliage rather than the soil.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel emitter system with separate channels for water and gas delivery, using a single extruded tube with perforations for efficient gas distribution, allowing for lower flow rates and higher pressure to maintain desired CO2 concentrations, and integrated with LED lighting for enhanced crop growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water irrigation systems are used for gas delivery, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but gas distribution efficiency deteriorates due to design optimization for water rather than gas
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the delivery infrastructure into separate dedicated channels: water irrigation channels and gas delivery channels. The gas delivery system includes dedicated tubing with perforations specifically designed for gas distribution, while water irrigation uses separate sprinkler or drip channels. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific medium without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a multi-functional system where a single agricultural management platform controls both water irrigation and gas delivery operations. The system can selectively activate water channels, gas channels, or both simultaneously based on crop needs, providing universal coverage for different delivery requirements through a unified control architecture.
2Speed
If gas is delivered at high flow rates, then faster distribution is achieved, but maintaining desired CO2 concentrations deteriorates due to pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs pneumatic principles by using pressurized gas delivery through perforated tubing. Gas is introduced at one end of the tubing and distributed through multiple perforations along its length, creating a controlled pressure gradient that maintains concentration while enabling rapid distribution. The system can operate at lower overall flow rates while maintaining effective delivery through optimized pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery system transitions from point-source delivery to distributed linear delivery along the tubing length. By spacing perforations at intervals (e.g., every 6 inches) along the tubing, the system distributes gas across multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, achieving both rapid coverage and maintained concentration through the extended delivery surface area.
3Ease of operation
If gas is delivered to soil, then root zone enrichment is achieved, but foliage delivery deteriorates which is needed for orchards and vineyards
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides different delivery modes for different locations: gas can be delivered through soil-proximate channels for root zone enrichment, or through elevated channels and foliar spray systems for direct foliage delivery. The tubing can be positioned at various heights and configurations to target specific plant zones, with perforations oriented to deliver gas where needed (upward for foliage, downward for roots).
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery system is dynamically adjustable to change delivery targets based on crop stage and needs. Tubing can be repositioned, reconfigured, or selectively activated to switch between root-zone and foliar delivery modes. The system adapts its delivery pattern from ground-level soil injection to elevated foliar targeting as plants grow and needs change.
4Productivity
If separate water and gas delivery systems are used, then delivery efficiency is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges separate water and gas delivery functions into an integrated agricultural management platform. A single control system manages both irrigation water channels and gas delivery channels, coordinating their operation to achieve efficient multi-media delivery. The physical infrastructure combines parallel tubing channels that can operate independently or in coordination, reducing operational complexity despite increased functional capability.
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 system achieves uniform CO2 distribution up to 700 ppm with greater than 90% distribution uniformity, reducing costs and energy consumption while promoting healthier crop growth by delivering gases directly to the foliage, enhancing photosynthesis and production.
Implementation Method 1
a gas channel disposed on the substrate, the gas channel having a plurality of perforations
Implementation Method 2
integrated with LED lighting for enhanced crop growth
Implementation Method 3
allowing for lower flow rates and higher pressure to maintain desired CO2 concentrations
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-media irrigation device is disclosed. The multi-media device is a multi-channel emitter device for plant growth. It includes a substrate; a water channel disposed on the substrate, the water channel having a plurality of perforations; a gas channel disposed on the substrate, the gas channel having a plurality of perforations; and at least one further fluid channel disposed on the substrate and having a plurality of perforations. Also disclosed is an integrated, self supporting elevated gas delivery tube and LED light for crop foliage. Lastly, a system for delivery of CO2 gas to light-deprivation operation of cannabis ‘production is disclosed.