Nutrient Solution Dosing Control for Continuous Hydroponic Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydroponic and aquaponic systems lack online monitoring of important nutrient parameters beyond pH, electrical conductivity, and temperature, and do not have automatic control for nutrient solution preparation according to the current needs of cultivated plants, leading to suboptimal growing conditions and reduced yield and nutritional value.
Innovation Solution
A system with a proportional three-way valve and dosing peristaltic pumps connected to a control unit, which monitors and adjusts nutrient solution parameters by adding necessary components, allowing continuous adjustment of nutrient solution parameters without waste, enabling precise control of pH and electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If online monitoring of multiple nutrient parameters is implemented, then manufacturing precision of nutrient solution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides nutrient solution monitoring and adjustment into separate functional modules: pH monitoring and adjustment module, EC (electrical conductivity) monitoring and adjustment module, and individual dosing pumps for each nutrient component. This segmentation allows precise control of each parameter independently while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous online monitoring with feedback control loops. Sensors continuously measure pH, EC, and individual nutrient concentrations, and the control unit automatically adjusts dosing pump operations based on real-time measurements to maintain target values, achieving precise nutrient solution composition control.
2Productivity
If automatic control of nutrient solution preparation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to automatically monitor nutrient parameters and control dosing operations without manual intervention. The control unit autonomously processes sensor data, calculates required dosages, and operates dosing pumps to maintain optimal nutrient solution composition, enabling continuous automated operation that maximizes productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors multiple parameters (pH, EC, individual nutrient concentrations), controls multiple dosing pumps, manages data logging, and provides user interface operations. This multi-functionality consolidates control capabilities into a single device, improving productivity while managing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise dosing of nutrient components is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system precisely controls the dosing parameters of each nutrient component based on real-time measurements of current nutrient solution composition. By adjusting dosing rates and amounts according to actual measured values rather than fixed schedules, the system achieves accurate nutrient delivery while minimizing waste from over-dosing.
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 system ensures continuous adjustment of nutrient solution parameters, maintaining optimal growing conditions, reducing nutrient waste, and preventing precipitation or degradation, thereby maximizing plant yield and nutritional value.
Implementation Method 1
at least one dosing peristaltic pump, whose inlet is connected to a reservoir of an added component of nutrient solution
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for the preparation and operational treatment of a watering solution, which comprises an inlet water supply pipeline (10) which opens into a tank (11) of a nutrient solution, which is further provided with an outlet pipe (111) of nutrient solution from the tank (11) adapted to be connected to a nutrient solution supply (152) to a plant cultivation system (15). The outlet pipe (111) of the nutrient solution from the tank (11) is connected to an inlet (200) of a proportional three-way valve (20), whose first outlet (201) is connected to an inlet (210) of a dosing tube (21) of the nutrient solution components and whose second outlet (202) is adapted to be connected to the nutrient solution supply (152) to the plant cultivation system (15), the proportional three-way valve (20) being connected to a control unit (5), wherein an outlet (211) of the dosing tube (21) is connected to the tank (11) of the nutrient solution and an outlet (220) of at least one dosing peristaltic pump (22) is connected into the dosing tube (21), an inlet of the dosing peristaltic pump (22) being connected to a reservoir (23) of added components of the nutrient solution, wherein the dosing peristaltic pump (22) is connected to the control unit (5), to which are further connected at least one sensor (24) of the nutrient solution characteristics in the tank (11) and at least one level sensor (113) of the nutrient solution in the tank (11), these sensors (24, 113) being connected to the control unit (5). The invention also relates to a method of the automatic preparation and operational treatment of a watering solution in plant cultivation and a plant cultivation device for hydroponic, aquaponic and conventional plant cultivation on soil.