In-Situ Soil Nitrate Sensor with Porous Equilibration Sleeve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional soil analysis methods are not conducive to real-time or in-situ measurements of soil ion concentrations, particularly for nitrate ions, as they require extracting soil samples and transporting them to a laboratory for analysis.
Innovation Solution
An in-situ probe system that includes a tube with a porous section for equilibrating with soil solution, combined with an Ion Selective Electrode or optical probe, such as a transflection dip probe, to measure ion concentrations directly in the soil without disturbing the soil structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional soil analysis methods are used (digging up or coring soil samples and transporting to laboratory), then soil samples can be analyzed for ion concentrations, but real-time or in-situ measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the laboratory setting and places it directly in the soil environment through an in-situ probe. The probe contains an ion-selective electrode that can measure nitrate ion concentrations directly within the soil, eliminating the need to extract and transport soil samples to a laboratory.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a porous section as an intermediary between the measurement electrode and the soil. This porous section allows soil solution to equilibrate with the measurement chamber, enabling indirect but accurate measurement of soil ion concentrations without direct contact between the electrode and complex soil matrix.
2Measurement precision
If soil samples are extracted and transported to laboratory for analysis, then comprehensive ion concentration data can be obtained, but the soil structure is disturbed and real-time monitoring is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary measurement function (ion concentration detection) from the soil while leaving the soil structure intact. The probe measures ion concentrations in the soil solution phase without requiring removal or disturbance of the soil matrix itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a localized measurement environment within the probe's porous section. The measurement chamber provides a controlled microenvironment where soil solution can equilibrate, allowing precise local measurement without affecting the broader soil structure and composition.
3Ease of operation
If an in-situ probe with porous section is used to equilibrate with soil solution, then real-time in-situ measurement is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into distinct functional sections: a porous section for soil solution equilibration and a measurement chamber containing the ion-selective electrode. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while keeping the overall design manageable and modular.
4Productivity
If traditional laboratory analysis methods are used, then detailed soil ion composition can be determined, but continuous monitoring and real-time data collection are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The in-situ probe enables continuous measurement of soil ion concentrations by maintaining constant contact with the soil solution through the porous section. The ion-selective electrode continuously detects nitrate ion concentrations, providing uninterrupted temporal data that captures dynamic changes in soil chemistry.
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
Enables real-time, in-situ measurement of soil ion concentrations, including nitrate ions, allowing for continuous monitoring and reducing the need for laboratory analysis, while also being capable of measuring various other ions and contaminants in soil and groundwater.
Implementation Method 1
a porous section attached to the outer sleeve tube, wherein the porous section allows diffusion and bulk fluid flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The means for measuring may comprise measuring a concentration of an ion in the solution that diffuse or flow into the distal end of the tube through the porous section
Implementation Method 3
The transflection dip probe may be capable of measuring absorbance in the range of 235-240 nm, or even 200-1100 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for near real-time in-situ soil solution measurements is presented. An outer sleeve is placed in soil where ionic concentrations of organic or inorganic species are to be measured. A porous section connects with the outer sleeve (the porous section initially loaded with distilled water) equilibrates with the solution present in soil pores to form a solution to be measured. The initial distilled water is displaced within the porous section by a removable plunger. After substantial equilibration of the solution to be measured within the apparatus, the plunger is removed and a removable probe replaced. The probe may be an Ion Selective Electrode, or a transflection dip probe. The probe then may be used under computer control for measurement of solution properties. The Ion Selective Electrode may measure nitrate (NO3−) concentrations. The transflection dip probe may be read with spectrometer with an input deuterium light source.