Zero-Disposal Drencher for Constant Fungicide Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional drencher systems for post-harvest fruit and vegetable treatment face issues with maintenance of liquor concentration, contamination accumulation, excessive water and chemical usage, and non-zero disposal, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased environmental and disposal costs.
Innovation Solution
A novel 'zero disposal' drencher equipment with automatic dosing of fungicides/fungistatics/phytofortifiers and a self-cleaning phase using centrifugation and filtering, maintaining constant concentrations and preventing microorganism accumulation, achieved through programmable dosing devices and hydrocyclone filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the liquor is recirculated via the fruit from pallet to pallet to treat multiple batches, then the treatment coverage and productivity increase, but the contamination accumulation (microorganisms, dirt, spores) increases considerably, causing the equipment to become a source of dissemination of microorganisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes contaminants (microorganisms, spores, dirt) from the recirculating liquor through filtration systems and hydrocyclones, separating the harmful factors from the treatment medium to maintain its effectiveness while allowing continued recirculation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously discards accumulated contaminants through filtration and recovery mechanisms, regenerating the liquor by removing harmful substances while retaining the beneficial fungicide components for ongoing treatment cycles
2Productivity
If the same fungicide/fungistatic/phytofortifier liquor is used to treat multiple pallets, then the operational continuity and productivity improve, but the concentration of active matter of the fungicide drops proportionally, reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors and automatic dosing devices that continuously monitor the concentration of active matter in the liquor and adjust the dosing rate accordingly, maintaining constant concentration despite continuous treatment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation of fungicide concentration through automatic dosing devices that autonomously maintain the required concentration levels without external intervention, ensuring consistent treatment effectiveness throughout operational cycles
3Quantity of substance
If automatic dosing devices are attached to replenish the volume of treatment liquor lost with each pallet (approximately ten litres), then the liquor volume is maintained, but the system complexity and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dosing function and volume replenishment function into a single integrated automatic dosing device that simultaneously manages both aspects, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic dosing device performs multiple functions: it replenishes lost liquor volume, maintains active matter concentration, and adjusts dosing based on operational conditions, making a single component that handles various treatment requirements
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the fungicide/fungistatic/phytofortifier liquor is discarded after use to comply with disposal regulations, then the risk of spreading microorganisms is reduced, but the equipment is no longer zero disposal and additional disposal costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by removing contaminants through filtration and hydrocyclone separation, then recovering and recycling the cleaned liquor back into the treatment system, eliminating disposal needs while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the used liquor by removing contaminants and replenishing active matter, transforming exhausted liquor back into effective treatment medium through physical and chemical parameter adjustments
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 solution maintains constant treatment effectiveness over thousands of pallets, reduces water and chemical consumption, eliminates waste management issues, and ensures hygiene, resulting in significant environmental and cost benefits for fruit and vegetable producers.
Implementation Method 1
The treating liquor that has been used for the treatment or washing is made to pass through some hydrocyclone type separation equipment where, as a consequence of the centrifugal force, the solid particles are dragged to the lower part
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Drencher type equipment and method for the application of fungicides (2,3) having maximum and constant effectiveness, with zero disposal. A liquor (14) is used for the treatment of fruits or vegetables transported on some pallets prior to storage thereof in ripening or conservation chambers. Said liquor receives an automated and controlled dose of fungicide/fungistatic/phytofortifier agents with the concentrations thereof in the said liquor being kept constant, together with hygienic maintenance of the liquor by means of the continuous addition of a biocide (15). The liquor (14',14") coming from the treatment passes through a filtering or separation means (8,16) for solids. An ecological solution is achieved for the treatment liquors (14') for fruit and vegetable produce by eliminating the need to renew the liquor every certain amount of treated vegetable or fruit, all this without any need for management or purification of disposals.