Recycled Nutrient Solution Control Using Soft Sensor Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nutrient solution supply systems lack accuracy in adjusting nutrient composition based on crop growth needs, leading to inefficient nutrient utilization and potential crop damage due to insufficient or excessive nutrient supply.

Innovation Solution

A nutrient solution recycling system that utilizes sensors for measuring pH, EC, temperature, and turbidity, along with a controller to analyze and adjust nutrient composition in real-time, recycling waste nutrient solutions, and supplying additional nutrients based on crop growth states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional nutrient solution supply systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the accuracy of adjusting nutrient composition based on crop growth needs is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of adjusting nutrient compositionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously measuring pH, EC, temperature, and turbidity of the nutrient solution, comparing these values with target ranges, and automatically adjusting the nutrient supply accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate nutrient composition adjustment while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The nutrient solution provider is designed as a multi-functional device that can supply multiple nutrient components simultaneously, adjust pH and EC levels, and respond to various sensor inputs. This universal design allows a single system to perform multiple functions related to nutrient delivery and solution management, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If nutrient solution is supplied without considering crop growth state, then the supply process is simple, but nutrient utilization efficiency is low and crop damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts nutrient supply based on real-time measurements of pH, EC, temperature, and turbidity, as well as crop growth state information. The control parameters are continuously updated according to current conditions rather than following a fixed schedule, enabling optimal nutrient utilization efficiency while managing complexity through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own output parameters (pH, EC, temperature, turbidity) and modifying nutrient delivery based on deviations from target values. This self-service capability improves nutrient utilization efficiency without requiring complex external control systems, as the device regulates itself based on sensor feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If high-performance analyzers are used to measure nutrient composition, then measurement accuracy is high, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient component measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary estimation model that translates easily measurable parameters (pH, EC, temperature, turbidity) into nutrient component concentrations. Instead of directly measuring difficult-to-obtain nutrient compositions with expensive analyzers, the system uses sensor data as intermediaries to infer nutrient levels through a constructed estimation model, achieving high measurement precision at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual copy of the nutrient solution composition through the estimation model, which replicates the information that would be obtained from expensive physical analysis. The estimation model serves as a computational replica that provides accurate nutrient component data without requiring costly measurement equipment, thus maintaining high measurement precision while reducing system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 ensures precise nutrient supply, minimizing waste and optimizing growth conditions, thereby promoting healthy crop development and reducing resource consumption.