Simulated Loam Substrate Spray-Seeding for Sandy Land Remediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for desertification control, such as mechanical sand barriers and traditional desert bio-mulching, are costly, inconvenient, and lack long-term ecological and economic benefits, while plants used in bio-mulching require regular irrigation and have slow growth and low survival rates, making them ineffective for rapid sand fixation and wind prevention.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a simulated loam substrate spray-seeding technology, which includes laying a metal mesh in sandy land, applying a two-layer simulated loam substrate mixture with seeds, and subsequent maintenance, utilizing a mixture of soil, peat, organic fertilizers, and water retention agents to create a stable growing environment for plant growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional desert bio-mulching is used with shrub plants, then ecological and economic benefits are provided, but the plants require regular irrigation and have slow growth with low survival rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant survival rateVSAvoidirrigation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a simulated loam substrate as an intermediary material between the sand and the plant seeds. This substrate contains water retention agents and organic fertilizers that mediate the water supply to plants, reducing the need for frequent external irrigation while improving survival rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The method performs preliminary action by pre-mixing water retention agents, organic fertilizers, and seeds into the simulated loam substrate before spray-seeding. This prepares the growth environment in advance, allowing seeds to germinate and establish themselves without requiring immediate post-planting irrigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical sand barrier is used, then wind prevention and sand fixation effect is achieved, but transportation is inconvenient and layout and management costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind prevention effectVSAvoidlayout and management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical sand barrier system with a biological system. Instead of using physical barriers that require mechanical installation and maintenance, the method uses spray-seeded plants that naturally grow to provide wind prevention and sand fixation, simplifying the system while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If desert bio-mulching with shrub plants is implemented, then ecological restoration is accelerated, but investment of manpower and cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecological restoration speedVSAvoidmanpower and cost investment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key parameters of the substrate by incorporating water retention agents and organic fertilizers into the simulated loam. This modification allows the substrate to retain moisture longer and provide nutrients, enabling faster plant growth and ecological restoration while reducing the frequency of irrigation and fertilization operations, thereby lowering manpower and cost investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If spray-seeding with simulated loam substrate is used, then seed germination and root development are enhanced, but substrate material and water consumption must be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed germination rateVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the substrate by controlling the particle size distribution, organic matter content, and water retention agent concentration in the simulated loam. These parameter adjustments optimize water holding capacity and nutrient availability, enhancing germination rates while controlling overall water consumption through efficient water use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method enhances seed germination rates, root development, and microbial activity, providing a quick and cost-effective solution for large-scale sand control with significant ecological benefits, suitable for desert remediation.

Implementation Method 1

water consumption being controlled so that the first simulated loam substrate mixture sprayed onto the metal mesh in the sandy land is viscous and stable without flowing around

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater retention: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

mixing a simulated loam substrate agent with a part of a substrate material in proportion, and stirring evenly to form a first simulated loam substrate mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrganic decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

sending the first simulated loam substrate mixture to a spray nozzle by using a spray pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic transport: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS11528857B2Method for remedying sandy land by using simulated loam substrate spray-seeding technology
Publication Date: 2022.12.20 JIANGSU LVYAN ECOLOGY TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method for remedying sandy land by using a simulated loam substrate spray-seeding technology includes: first, carrying out a sand-fixing treatment to lay a metal mesh in sandy land, the metal mesh being fixed to the surface of the sandy land by a sand-fixing pile; second, spray-seeding a seed into the sandy land by simulated loam substrate spray-seeding; and finally, after spray-seeding, carrying out maintenance management, including adding a protective plate around the metal mesh, covering with a non-woven fabric, watering, fertilizing, reseeding, and post-monitoring. The present invention adopts a two-layer spray-seeding method, and rapidly simulates a loam substrate suitable for plant growth by bionics; the simulated loam substrate having good water retention capacity (conducive to a higher germination rate of seed), root development, microbial activity, nutrient transformation, and plant growth and development. With less investment and having a quick effect, large-scale sand control is provided.