Soluble Calcium Soil Remediation Composition for Aggregate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for improving soil structure, such as the application of gypsum or calcium carbonate, are inefficient and costly for precision agriculture and conservation tillage systems due to their insolubility and slow rate of effect, and there is a need for compositions or methods that can effectively stabilize soil aggregates and enhance water infiltration.
Innovation Solution
A soil remediation composition comprising electrolytes like calcium lignosulfonate and wetting agents, along with cofactors and surfactants, which is applied to the soil to stabilize aggregates and improve porosity, comprising an aqueous solution with specific concentrations of electrolytes, cofactors, and wetting agents, and optionally including micronutrients, surfactants, and complexing agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gypsum or calcium carbonate is applied to improve soil structure, then soil permeability and infiltration are improved, but the application is inefficient and costly due to insolubility and slow rate of effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of calcium from insoluble forms (gypsum, calcium carbonate) to highly soluble forms (calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, calcium sulfate heptahydrate). This parameter change in solubility enables rapid dissolution and quick improvement of soil permeability and infiltration, resolving the contradiction between reliability of soil improvement and productivity of application rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material formulations combining multiple calcium salts with different solubility characteristics and properties. These composite amendments provide both immediate effects from highly soluble components and sustained effects from less soluble components, achieving both high productivity (fast action) and high reliability (durable soil structure improvement).
2Reliability
If gypsum or calcium carbonate is applied to improve soil structure, then soil permeability is improved, but the relative cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs highly soluble calcium salts that act quickly and can be applied in smaller, more targeted amounts. While individual applications may be repeated, the high solubility and effectiveness reduce the total material required per application and eliminate the need for large-scale, expensive amendments like gypsum, making the treatment more cost-effective for precision agriculture.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from insoluble calcium compounds to highly soluble forms, the patent reduces the total quantity of material needed to achieve the same soil permeability improvement. This parameter change in solubility efficiency directly reduces application costs and makes the treatment more economically viable.
3Productivity
If cultivation is performed to manage crops, then plant growth is achieved, but soil structure declines due to compaction and shearing of aggregates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies calcium amendments to soil before cultivation activities to pre-stabilize soil aggregates and improve structure. This preliminary action creates a more resilient soil matrix that can better withstand the compaction and shearing forces of subsequent cultivation, maintaining both plant growth productivity and soil structure reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium amendments act as an intermediary substance that mediates between cultivation activities and soil structure. The calcium ions bind soil particles together, creating a protective framework that allows cultivation to proceed while maintaining aggregate stability and preventing structure degradation.
4Productivity
If irrigation is applied to support plant growth, then plant production is improved, but soil structure deteriorates due to aggregate breakdown and clay dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies calcium amendments to soil before irrigation to pre-stabilize aggregates and prevent clay dispersion. This preliminary stabilization creates a more resistant soil structure that can withstand the rapid wetting forces of irrigation without breaking down, maintaining both plant production and soil structure integrity through multiple irrigation cycles.
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 composition significantly increases soil porosity and pore connectivity, leading to enhanced water infiltration and nutrient availability, maintaining stability through multiple wet and dry cycles, and is suitable for various soil types with tailored application rates.
Implementation Method 1
applying gypsum or calcium carbonate to exchange sodium ions with calcium ions, and thus to improve soil condition, permeability and infiltration
Implementation Method 2
at least one wetting agent selected from one or more of the group consisting of: alkylphenol ethoxylates (APE), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), polyoxyethylene (POE), anionic linear surfactants
Implementation Method 3
The composition significantly increases soil porosity and pore connectivity, leading to enhanced water infiltration
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a soil remediation and soil pore stabilising composition comprising at least one electrolyte and at least one cofactor.