CA2237925A1 - Tree irrigation system (tis) with a controller of negative pressure - Google Patents
Tree irrigation system (tis) with a controller of negative pressure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2237925A1 CA2237925A1 CA002237925A CA2237925A CA2237925A1 CA 2237925 A1 CA2237925 A1 CA 2237925A1 CA 002237925 A CA002237925 A CA 002237925A CA 2237925 A CA2237925 A CA 2237925A CA 2237925 A1 CA2237925 A1 CA 2237925A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- irrigation
- porous ceramic
- soil
- container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G25/00—Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/22—Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
Abstract
Thousands of newly planted trees die due to lack of water shortly after being planted, especially in semi-arid, arid and mountainous areas. Although the planted trees were enough watered, the water content in root area becomes lower quickly, because the irrigated water either evaporates from the soil surface, flows away or sinks underneath root horizon. Therefore, increasing irrigation efficiency has been a concern in irrigation technique research. The key to solving this problem is related to three factors. First, there should be a continuous water supply. Second, the supplied water should directly enter the root area. Third, the amount of water supplied should be equal to the needs of the plant.
Tree Irrigation System with a controller of negative pressure is composed of three parts. A water container is needed in order to supply water continuously.
Porous ceramic cups, connecting the water container and soil, are used as the water transfer system and, also as sensors of water potential in soil. The cup allows water to directly enter root area and transmits water potential into the container. A porous ceramic column in the water container is used as a controller of optimal point of water potential according to plant requirements. The capillary force in the porous ceramic column matches this optimal point.
This product can save water and cost of production compared with other irrigation methods, such as sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation etc. It can be used for irrigation of trees and individual plants in pots. It can be fixed in a greenhouse, at home garden and graveyard (especially in European). The flowers do not need frequent watering.
Using this apparatus, crop experiments of agricultural and biological research can be conducted according to the water potential (water content) goals of research work require.
Tree Irrigation System with a controller of negative pressure is composed of three parts. A water container is needed in order to supply water continuously.
Porous ceramic cups, connecting the water container and soil, are used as the water transfer system and, also as sensors of water potential in soil. The cup allows water to directly enter root area and transmits water potential into the container. A porous ceramic column in the water container is used as a controller of optimal point of water potential according to plant requirements. The capillary force in the porous ceramic column matches this optimal point.
This product can save water and cost of production compared with other irrigation methods, such as sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation etc. It can be used for irrigation of trees and individual plants in pots. It can be fixed in a greenhouse, at home garden and graveyard (especially in European). The flowers do not need frequent watering.
Using this apparatus, crop experiments of agricultural and biological research can be conducted according to the water potential (water content) goals of research work require.
Description
Description This apparatus is for automatic irrigation of trees and plants according to their water requirement. Irrigated water can directly enter the root area. It can save water, increase efficiency of water and reduce the cost of irrigation. It can be fixed in the greenhouse, at home garden and graveyard.
The drip irrigation system of trees on mountains needs a large capital expenditure for pipe line, pump and drip nozzles. Hand irrigation and sprinkler irrigation always have a low irrigation efficiency. Most of the water in these methods either evaporates into air, flows away or sinks underneath the root horizon, causing a vast water waste.
Many of newly planted trees die of lack of water, because the water content in root area becomes lower quickly.
This apparatus has been developed to solve the above mentioned problems. Water content in the soil can be interpreted as water potential according to the soil water characteristic curve for the particular soil type. The water potential (water potential in soil is quantitatively equal to a negative pressure), at which a tree can grow well, is called the optimal point. This optimal point can be matched by the capillary force in the porous ceramic column. When the water content in the soil is lower than the optimal point, that is, the water potential in soil is lower than that in the water container, the TIS
starts a transfer of water from the water container. On the other hand, when the water content reaches the optimal point, the water potential in soil and in the water container is equal, the TIS stops supplying water.
Two drawings will help to illustrate how the TIS works. Figure 1 is a cross section of the apparatus and Figure 2 shows a top view.
TIS consists of a water container (1). Water can be added through the valve (2). A
porous ceramic column (3) is inserted in the low end of the tube of entering air (4), and can be exchanged by removing the cover (5) according to difference in the plant requirement. This porous ceramic column (3) must be below the water level in water container (1). When the porous ceramic column (3) is in contact with air, the capillary force will not work. The optimal point (the water potential) that allows plant to grow well determines the size of the pores in the ceramic column (3) and the optimal point can be obtained through scientific experimentation. An annular pipe (6) transfers water from the water container (1) to porous ceramic cups (7), which connect the soil of tree root area (10). Thus, water can pass the porous ceramic cups (7) from water container (1) into the soil. The research results indicated that the water content in 50- 60 cm of root horizon under soil surface (9) is a good measure of water requirement for tree growth, so porous ceramic cups (7) can be buried at 50-60 cm depth. The size of pores in porous ceramic column (3) and porous ceramic cups (7) determine their capillary force, The capillary force of the porous ceramic cups (7) is much higher than the capillary force of the porous ceramic column (3). This difference in permeability makes the porous ceramic cups (7) a water passage and transmits of water potential, and makes the porous ceramic column (3) a controller of water supply and a port of entering air.
When the tree (8) adsorbs water from soil (10), or when water evaporates from the soil surface (9), water potential in soil decreases and the soil ( 10) will adsorb water from the water container (1) through porous ceramic cups (7) (or water will flow from water container (1) into soil (10), because the water potential in tight water container (1) is higher than in soil (10)). The reduction of water amount in the water container (1) causes a decrease of water potential in water container (1). However, water flow from water container ( 1 ) to soil ( 10) and transmission of water potential from soil ( 10) to water container (1) is tightly linked.
When the water potential in the water container ( 1 ) is a little lower than the capillary force of porous ceramic column (3), its capillary action will be destroyed, air will enter the water container (1) through porous ceramic column (3) along the tube of entering air (4). Afterward, the capillary force of the porous ceramic column (3) will act again through water tension because air has entered the water container (1) and the water potential in water container (1) has become higher than the capillary force of porous ceramic column (3).
If the water content in the soil (10) does not reach the optimal water content for tree growth, that is, the water potential of soil ( 10) is not at the optimal point, the soil ( 10) will continually adsorb water from water container (1) through the porous ceramic cups (7). This process will not stop until the water content in soil (10) is at the optimal point for tree growth. Therefore, a continuity of energy transmission and water flow between soil (10) and the water container (1) is linked through the porous ceramic cups (7) and is controlled through the capillary force of porous ceramic column (3), (that is, optimal point of water requirement of tree).
This apparatus has some advantages:
1. This apparatus can water trees automatically according to their water requirements.
The optimal point of water potential (water content) can be determined through research experiments and can be controlled by exchanging the porous ceramic column.
2. The cost of this apparatus is lower compared with other irrigation methods.
It does not need any pipe line, pump and nozzle. This apparatus is also easier to install.
3. Water can directly enter root area of tree. Water content can be kept constant in root area. Therefore, water waste can be avoided and irrigation efficiency can be increased.
Especially, it is significant in the semi-arid, arid area and mountain areas.
4. The size of water container can be determined according to water demand of tree and growth period. If the size of water container is suitable, it can save time.
The application of this invention is described as following:
1. This apparatus can be used in mountain area and in the plain where trees are grown.
Especially in the semi-arid and arid area.
2. It can be also used in the greenhouse, at home garden and graveyard. One apparatus can supply water for many pots (12) (Fig 12). Each water supplying port can have one or several porous ceramic cups. It depends on how many porous cups the plant needs.
3. If the plants need higher water content (almost saturated), the porous ceramic column can be removed (Fig 4). A negative pressure (H) can be formed by raising the transferring pipe. The water level in water container should not be below the position of transporting pipe (A).
4. The water container and the tube of entering air can be together used as a controller of water level (Fig 5). The pressure in the water container is negative. The low end of the tube of entering air is the position of water level (13). If the plate (14) where flower pots are placed is changed, the water depth will changed too.
The drip irrigation system of trees on mountains needs a large capital expenditure for pipe line, pump and drip nozzles. Hand irrigation and sprinkler irrigation always have a low irrigation efficiency. Most of the water in these methods either evaporates into air, flows away or sinks underneath the root horizon, causing a vast water waste.
Many of newly planted trees die of lack of water, because the water content in root area becomes lower quickly.
This apparatus has been developed to solve the above mentioned problems. Water content in the soil can be interpreted as water potential according to the soil water characteristic curve for the particular soil type. The water potential (water potential in soil is quantitatively equal to a negative pressure), at which a tree can grow well, is called the optimal point. This optimal point can be matched by the capillary force in the porous ceramic column. When the water content in the soil is lower than the optimal point, that is, the water potential in soil is lower than that in the water container, the TIS
starts a transfer of water from the water container. On the other hand, when the water content reaches the optimal point, the water potential in soil and in the water container is equal, the TIS stops supplying water.
Two drawings will help to illustrate how the TIS works. Figure 1 is a cross section of the apparatus and Figure 2 shows a top view.
TIS consists of a water container (1). Water can be added through the valve (2). A
porous ceramic column (3) is inserted in the low end of the tube of entering air (4), and can be exchanged by removing the cover (5) according to difference in the plant requirement. This porous ceramic column (3) must be below the water level in water container (1). When the porous ceramic column (3) is in contact with air, the capillary force will not work. The optimal point (the water potential) that allows plant to grow well determines the size of the pores in the ceramic column (3) and the optimal point can be obtained through scientific experimentation. An annular pipe (6) transfers water from the water container (1) to porous ceramic cups (7), which connect the soil of tree root area (10). Thus, water can pass the porous ceramic cups (7) from water container (1) into the soil. The research results indicated that the water content in 50- 60 cm of root horizon under soil surface (9) is a good measure of water requirement for tree growth, so porous ceramic cups (7) can be buried at 50-60 cm depth. The size of pores in porous ceramic column (3) and porous ceramic cups (7) determine their capillary force, The capillary force of the porous ceramic cups (7) is much higher than the capillary force of the porous ceramic column (3). This difference in permeability makes the porous ceramic cups (7) a water passage and transmits of water potential, and makes the porous ceramic column (3) a controller of water supply and a port of entering air.
When the tree (8) adsorbs water from soil (10), or when water evaporates from the soil surface (9), water potential in soil decreases and the soil ( 10) will adsorb water from the water container (1) through porous ceramic cups (7) (or water will flow from water container (1) into soil (10), because the water potential in tight water container (1) is higher than in soil (10)). The reduction of water amount in the water container (1) causes a decrease of water potential in water container (1). However, water flow from water container ( 1 ) to soil ( 10) and transmission of water potential from soil ( 10) to water container (1) is tightly linked.
When the water potential in the water container ( 1 ) is a little lower than the capillary force of porous ceramic column (3), its capillary action will be destroyed, air will enter the water container (1) through porous ceramic column (3) along the tube of entering air (4). Afterward, the capillary force of the porous ceramic column (3) will act again through water tension because air has entered the water container (1) and the water potential in water container (1) has become higher than the capillary force of porous ceramic column (3).
If the water content in the soil (10) does not reach the optimal water content for tree growth, that is, the water potential of soil ( 10) is not at the optimal point, the soil ( 10) will continually adsorb water from water container (1) through the porous ceramic cups (7). This process will not stop until the water content in soil (10) is at the optimal point for tree growth. Therefore, a continuity of energy transmission and water flow between soil (10) and the water container (1) is linked through the porous ceramic cups (7) and is controlled through the capillary force of porous ceramic column (3), (that is, optimal point of water requirement of tree).
This apparatus has some advantages:
1. This apparatus can water trees automatically according to their water requirements.
The optimal point of water potential (water content) can be determined through research experiments and can be controlled by exchanging the porous ceramic column.
2. The cost of this apparatus is lower compared with other irrigation methods.
It does not need any pipe line, pump and nozzle. This apparatus is also easier to install.
3. Water can directly enter root area of tree. Water content can be kept constant in root area. Therefore, water waste can be avoided and irrigation efficiency can be increased.
Especially, it is significant in the semi-arid, arid area and mountain areas.
4. The size of water container can be determined according to water demand of tree and growth period. If the size of water container is suitable, it can save time.
The application of this invention is described as following:
1. This apparatus can be used in mountain area and in the plain where trees are grown.
Especially in the semi-arid and arid area.
2. It can be also used in the greenhouse, at home garden and graveyard. One apparatus can supply water for many pots (12) (Fig 12). Each water supplying port can have one or several porous ceramic cups. It depends on how many porous cups the plant needs.
3. If the plants need higher water content (almost saturated), the porous ceramic column can be removed (Fig 4). A negative pressure (H) can be formed by raising the transferring pipe. The water level in water container should not be below the position of transporting pipe (A).
4. The water container and the tube of entering air can be together used as a controller of water level (Fig 5). The pressure in the water container is negative. The low end of the tube of entering air is the position of water level (13). If the plate (14) where flower pots are placed is changed, the water depth will changed too.
5. If the tube of entering air is established on the pot (15) with a double wall (Fig 6) and the outlet of water ( 16) is established on the same height of the low end of entering air, the level of water can be kept in the height of outlet of water. Changing the height of low end of entering air can regulate the water level. Water will rise up to soil through capillary force, if the flower pot is put in this pot (15).
6. Fig 1 to Fig 4 offer great possibility to control water contents in the research work of the agricultural and biological science and at the production process of horticulture.
Claims (4)
1. TIS with a controller of negative pressure is composed of a tight water container (1), a tube of entering air (4) installed on the top of the water container (1), a porous ceramic column (3) inserted in the low end of the tube of entering air (4) and some porous ceramic cups (7) connecting water container through transporting pipes (6) and soil (Fig 1, Fig 2 and Fig 3).
2. The porous ceramic column (3) of claim 1 can be exchanged according to the difference in the plant requirements.
3. The tight water container (1) and the tube of entering air (4) installed on its top in Fig and Fig 6 are together formed a controller of water level.
4. Valve (2) and the tube of entering air (4) in Fig 1, Fig 3, and Fig 4 can be combined into one (Fig 5) that is, water can be added by removing the tube of entering air.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002237925A CA2237925A1 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 1998-07-06 | Tree irrigation system (tis) with a controller of negative pressure |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002237925A CA2237925A1 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 1998-07-06 | Tree irrigation system (tis) with a controller of negative pressure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2237925A1 true CA2237925A1 (en) | 2000-01-06 |
Family
ID=29275741
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002237925A Abandoned CA2237925A1 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 1998-07-06 | Tree irrigation system (tis) with a controller of negative pressure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2237925A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2326463A1 (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2009-10-09 | Universidad Politecnica De Cartagena | Autonomous system of irrigation for survival of plants (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
| CN105340692A (en) * | 2015-10-27 | 2016-02-24 | 西北农林科技大学 | Micropore ceramic pressure compensation type drip irrigation emitter |
| CN105388253A (en) * | 2015-10-21 | 2016-03-09 | 甘肃农业大学 | Plant cell water potential tester and application thereof |
| CN106416965A (en) * | 2016-10-26 | 2017-02-22 | 中国农业科学院农业资源与农业区划研究所 | A method for maintaining constant negative pressure irrigation |
| CN108142251A (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2018-06-12 | 中国农业科学院农业资源与农业区划研究所 | A kind of system that evapotranspire potential energy or soil moisture potential are converted into power |
| CN113179917A (en) * | 2021-04-29 | 2021-07-30 | 王清 | Water-saving farmland irrigation method for preventing straw crops from toppling |
| CN115191333A (en) * | 2022-07-05 | 2022-10-18 | 山西建筑工程集团有限公司 | Intelligent and accurate positioning bionic irrigation device for planted roof and use method thereof |
-
1998
- 1998-07-06 CA CA002237925A patent/CA2237925A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2326463A1 (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2009-10-09 | Universidad Politecnica De Cartagena | Autonomous system of irrigation for survival of plants (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
| CN105388253A (en) * | 2015-10-21 | 2016-03-09 | 甘肃农业大学 | Plant cell water potential tester and application thereof |
| CN105340692A (en) * | 2015-10-27 | 2016-02-24 | 西北农林科技大学 | Micropore ceramic pressure compensation type drip irrigation emitter |
| CN105340692B (en) * | 2015-10-27 | 2017-12-15 | 西北农林科技大学 | A kind of micropore ceramics pressure compensated drip douche |
| CN106416965A (en) * | 2016-10-26 | 2017-02-22 | 中国农业科学院农业资源与农业区划研究所 | A method for maintaining constant negative pressure irrigation |
| CN108142251A (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2018-06-12 | 中国农业科学院农业资源与农业区划研究所 | A kind of system that evapotranspire potential energy or soil moisture potential are converted into power |
| CN108142251B (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2021-03-30 | 中国农业科学院农业资源与农业区划研究所 | System for converting evapotranspiration potential energy or soil water potential energy into power |
| CN113179917A (en) * | 2021-04-29 | 2021-07-30 | 王清 | Water-saving farmland irrigation method for preventing straw crops from toppling |
| CN115191333A (en) * | 2022-07-05 | 2022-10-18 | 山西建筑工程集团有限公司 | Intelligent and accurate positioning bionic irrigation device for planted roof and use method thereof |
| CN115191333B (en) * | 2022-07-05 | 2023-11-17 | 山西建筑工程集团有限公司 | Intelligent accurate positioning bionic irrigation device for planted roof and application method of intelligent accurate positioning bionic irrigation device |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |