Agricultural Sprayer Ozone Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively cleaning and sterilizing after use, leading to potential contamination of non-target crops and environmental harm due to residual chemicals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using ozone to clean and sterilize the agricultural sprayer after a spraying operation, either by generating ozone on-site with an ozone generator or using a pre-stored ozone supply, and injecting it into the sprayer plumbing or auxiliary tank to effectively remove residual chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large volumes of rinse water and chemical cleaning solutions are used to clean the sprayer, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the cleaning agent from conventional rinse water and chemical solutions to ozone gas. By altering the substance type and its oxidation properties, the system achieves effective cleaning with minimal water usage, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flushing system (requiring large water volumes) with a chemical oxidation system using ozone. This substitution eliminates the need for bulk water transport and extensive rinsing operations, reducing water consumption while maintaining cleaning efficacy
2Reliability
If large volumes of rinse water and cleaning solutions are transported with the sprayer, then cleaning capability is improved, but sprayer weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical system of water tanks and pumping infrastructure with a lightweight ozone generation system. The ozone generator produces cleaning agent on-demand, eliminating the need to transport bulk cleaning solutions, thus reducing sprayer weight and size while maintaining cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sprayer equips itself with an on-board ozone generator that produces cleaning agents during or after spraying operations. This self-service capability eliminates dependence on external water sources and large storage containers, reducing the sprayer's weight and dimensional footprint
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning procedures are used, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but operational time and depot visits increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ozone generation system operates continuously during and after spraying to clean the tank and application system in-place. This continuous cleaning action eliminates the need to stop operations for separate cleaning cycles or return to depots, maintaining cleaning thoroughness while reducing operational downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning during the spraying operation itself through ozone injection into the spray liquid and application system. By cleaning proactively during operation rather than requiring post-operation cleaning, the system maintains thoroughness while minimizing time loss
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 approach allows for a simple, cost-effective, and efficient cleaning process that reduces the risk of chemical contamination, minimizes water and cleaning solution usage, and enables on-site cleaning, reducing the need for central depot visits.
Implementation Method 1
supplying ozone to clean at least a portion of the agricultural sprayer
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described an agricultural sprayer and an associated method of operation. The sprayer comprises an ozone supply which is arranged to clean at least a portion of the sprayer after a spraying operation has been completed, by the supply of ozone to the residual spray liquid and to the interior of the sprayer plumbing. The ozone supply may be preceded by a rinsing or flushing of the sprayer plumbing using a rinse fluid, with the ozone injected to a circulating fluid in the sprayer plumbing. In one embodiment, the sprayer has an auxiliary liquid tank, such that residual spray liquid may be drained to the auxiliary tank to be cleaned using ozone. Such a cleaning operation can be performed at the same time as a further spraying operation, thereby providing for improved efficiency of operation of the sprayer.