Polyurethane Foam Flakes for Soil Water Retention and Methane Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional plant growth substrates face challenges in water retention and methane emission during rice cultivation, particularly in arid and anaerobic conditions, where water scarcity and methane production are significant issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating polyurethane foam flakes with specific density, compression load deflection, and water buffer capacity into soil or natural growth media to enhance water retention and reduce methane emissions, with optimal volume ratios for aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional plant growth substrates are used in water-scarce conditions, then water is readily available to plants, but water retention is insufficient leading to reduced crop yields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous polyurethane foam flakes with specific pore structures to the plant growth substrate. These porous materials absorb and retain water within their cellular structure, making water available to plants during dry periods while maintaining proper drainage, thereby resolving the contradiction between water retention and crop productivity in water-scarce conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite plant growth substrate by combining traditional soil or growth media with polyurethane foam flakes. This composite material integrates the water-holding capacity of the foam with the nutritional and structural properties of traditional substrates, achieving both improved water retention and maintained or enhanced crop yields
2Productivity
If traditional rice cultivation is practiced in anaerobic conditions, then rice plants grow successfully, but methane gas emissions are significantly produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous polyurethane foam flakes to modify the anaerobic rice cultivation environment. The porous structure provides oxygen pathways through capillary action and air pockets, enabling aerobic conditions that suppress methane-producing anaerobic bacteria while still supporting rice plant growth, thus reducing methane emissions without sacrificing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxidation-reduction parameter of the cultivation environment by introducing polyurethane foam flakes that facilitate oxygen transport. This parameter change transforms the environment from anaerobic to aerobic, eliminating methane generation while maintaining conditions suitable for rice growth
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 use of polyurethane foam flakes significantly increases crop yields in water-scarce conditions and reduces methane emissions by up to 80% in anaerobic environments, while maintaining water efficiency in rice cultivation.
Implementation Method 1
the polyurethane foam has a density of 25-100 kg/m3, a compression load deflection (CLD) at 40 % of 5-50 kPa, a volume increase at water saturation of at most 25 % and a water buffer capacity of 35-80 %
Implementation Method 2
Plant growth media comprising polyurethane foams are known. EP 939092 discloses open cell polyisocyanurate foams for fixing and supporting plants
Data Source
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AI summary
Polyurethane foam flakes for use as additive to soil and/or other natural plant growth media for improving the water retention and/or reduction of the methane emission.