Plow-like Soil Disinfection via Wave-guided RF Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave and radiofrequency technologies for agricultural soil disinfection face inefficiencies due to poor energy coupling and high energy losses, particularly because electromagnetic energy is generated above the soil surface and not efficiently transmitted, leading to limited power and mechanical constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a plow-like electromagnetic applicator inserted into the soil, connected via low-loss wave-guiding lines, which generates electromagnetic energy above the surface and converts energy losses into steam for co-generation, enhancing energy efficiency and disinfection capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electromagnetic energy is generated above the soil surface using conventional antennas, then the system structure is simpler and easier to implement, but the energy coupling efficiency to the soil is poor and energy losses are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wave-guiding lines as an intermediary component to transfer electromagnetic energy from the generator to the soil. These waveguides act as a mediator that efficiently couples the electromagnetic field to the soil substrate, resolving the contradiction by providing a structured pathway for energy transfer that maintains both system simplicity and high energy coupling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional antenna-based electromagnetic coupling with a waveguide-based system. This substitution uses controlled electromagnetic wave propagation through structured transmission lines rather than relying on traditional antenna radiation patterns, thereby achieving superior energy coupling efficiency while maintaining implementation feasibility.
2Loss of energy
If microwave generator units are placed below the soil surface, then energy coupling to the soil is improved, but the space available is limited and mechanical structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the electromagnetic generator below the soil surface as proposed in prior art, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the generator above the surface and using wave-guiding lines to deliver energy to the soil. This inversion eliminates the need for complex sub-surface housing and protection structures while achieving effective energy coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electromagnetic generation function from the sub-surface environment and relocates it to the above-surface position. By separating the generator from the soil interface and using waveguides for energy transfer, the system avoids the mechanical complexity and space constraints associated with sub-surface generator placement.
3Ease of operation
If fuel is used to generate electrical power for electromagnetic generation, then portability is achieved, but additional energy loss occurs during chemical to electrical conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and utilizes the waste heat generated during fuel-to-electrical energy conversion in the generator. By recovering this otherwise lost thermal energy and redirecting it for soil heating or steam generation, the system converts the harmful energy loss into a beneficial contribution to the overall disinfection process, thereby improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining portability.
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 achieves high energetic efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and selective disinfection by efficiently coupling electromagnetic energy into the soil while reusing energy losses as heat to generate steam, effectively targeting pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radiofrequency or microwave generator connected to the electric energy source and arranged to convert the electric energy into electromagnetic power
Implementation Method 2
the plow-like electromagnetic applicator is arranged to be inserted into the soil so as to transmit the electromagnetic power to the soil, thus obtaining a disinfection of the soil
Implementation Method 3
a cooling system arranged to recover heat produced by the at least one radiofrequency or microwave generator during the generation of electromagnetic power
Implementation Method 4
a steam generator connected to the cooling system and arranged to generate steam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
System (1) for the disinfection of agricultural soil (2) comprising an electric energy source (4, 6), at least one radiofrequency or microwave generator (10) connected to the electric energy source and arranged to convert the electric energy into electromagnetic power and a plow-like electromagnetic applicator (12) connected to the radiofrequency or microwave generator (10) via wave-guiding lines (14), said plow-like electromagnetic applicator (12) being arranged to be inserted into the soil (2) so as to transmit the electromagnetic power to the soil (2), thus obtaining a disinfection of said soil (2).