On-Site Plasma Nitrogen Fertilizer Production via Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nitrogen fertilizer production is energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental, with centralized production leading to high greenhouse gas emissions and costly transportation, limiting the ability to customize fertilizers for specific agricultural needs.

Innovation Solution

A system for on-site production of nitrogen compounds, integrated with irrigation systems, using a plasma reactor to convert air and electricity into nitric acid and nitrates, which are then absorbed and neutralized to create fertilizers with enhanced crop yields and reduced environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centralized fertilizer production via Haber-Bosch process is used, then large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer can be produced economically, but energy consumption increases and greenhouse gas emissions worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen fertilizer production volumeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides centralized fertilizer production into distributed on-site units. Each farm or agricultural operation has its own plasma reactor system that produces nitrogen fertilizer locally, segmenting the monolithic Haber-Bosch process into numerous small-scale independent production points throughout the agricultural landscape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical Haber-Bosch process (requiring high temperature and pressure equipment) with a plasma-based chemical process. The plasma reactor uses electrical energy to create reactive nitrogen species that can be converted to fertilizers at ambient conditions, substituting mechanical high-pressure/temperature systems with an electrical plasma field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If centralized fertilizer production is used, then economies of scale are achieved, but transportation costs and emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction economyVSAvoidtransportation emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent distributes fertilizer production from a single centralized location to multiple decentralized on-site units at individual farms. This segmentation eliminates the need for long-distance transportation of bulk fertilizers, with each location producing its own supply locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each agricultural operation becomes self-sufficient in fertilizer production through its own plasma reactor system. The system allows farms to produce their own nitrogen fertilizers on-demand without relying on external centralized production and delivery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional fertilizer production is used, then standardized fertilizer can be produced, but adaptability to specific farm needs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandardized productionVSAvoidfertilizer customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of fertilizer production parameters at on-site plasma reactors. Operators can modify reaction conditions, feedstock composition, and product formulation in real-time based on specific crop requirements, soil conditions, and environmental factors, allowing continuous adaptation rather than fixed standardized output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows each on-site production unit to customize fertilizer composition and properties according to local agricultural conditions. Different farms can produce fertilizers with tailored nutrient ratios, additives, and formulations optimized for their specific crops, soil types, and climate conditions rather than using uniform standardized products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces shipping costs and emissions, allows for customized fertilizer production, and enhances crop yields while minimizing environmental harm.

Implementation Method 1

a plasma reactor configured to receive an inlet stream and to produce a reactor-outlet stream comprising one or more oxidized nitrogen species

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

an absorber in fluid communication with the plasma reactor, the absorber containing water and configured to receive the reactor-outlet stream and to produce a nitrogen-compound stream comprising nitrates, nitrites, nitric acid, salts thereof, or a mixture thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20210360847A1Device and method for combined generation and fertigation of nitrogen fertilizer

Publication Date: 2021.11.25 NITRICITY INC

AI summary

Systems for producing nitrogen compounds that are configured for integration with an irrigation device. The systems generally include an absorber receiving a reactor-outlet stream comprising one or more oxidized nitrogen species, the absorber containing water to produce a nitrogen-compound stream comprising nitrates, nitrites, nitric acid, salts thereof, or a mixture thereof; and a system-outlet port configured to be fluidically coupled to an irrigation line, the system-outlet port in fluid communication with the absorber to receive at least a portion of the nitrogen-compound stream and provide the nitrogen-compound stream to the irrigation line.