EA017151B1 - Method and system for irrigation - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).

Description

Cross reference to related applications

This application, under Section 35 of the U.S. Code of Law (I.8.S.), § 119 (e), prioritizes US provisional application Serial No. 60/805512 entitled Electrodialysis for Desalination of Seawater and Brackish Water for Agricultural Use, filed June 22. 2006, and US provisional application Serial No. 60 / 804,610, entitled Electrodialysis and Filtration for Agricultural Water, filed June 13, 2006, which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing water for irrigation of crops, as well as drinking water, and more particularly, to systems and methods for preparing irrigation water and / or drinking water from water having an unacceptable dissolved solids content.

Discussion of the prior art

Desalination, or desalination, refers to a water treatment process that removes salt, for example, from water. In some cases, the water source is brackish or seawater, and desalination methods comprise at least part of the utility specifications for potable drinking water. Desalination methods typically include those based on distillation as well as reverse osmosis methods. Desalted water can also be consumed in commercial and industrial applications, for example, as water for industrial processes, water for supplying water heating devices and irrigation water. Specific examples of industries that can use demineralized water include pharmaceutical, mining, pulp and paper, and agriculture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some aspects of the invention represent one or more embodiments, including a method comprising introducing treated water into an electrical separation unit, for preparing irrigation water having a degree of sodium adsorption relative to calcium and magnesium (8LK or Ι <Να) of less than about 20. The value of 8LK can be determined according to the formula tytga 'where [Να] represents the concentration of sodium in the particulate mol / m ³ in the irrigation water, [Ca] -. kaltsiya- particle concentration in mol / m ³ in the irrigation water and [Mg] -. conc tion of magnesium particles in mol. / m ³ in the irrigation water.

Other aspects of the invention represent one or more embodiments comprising an irrigation system comprising an electrical separation unit in fluid communication with a source of treated water and an irrigation water distribution system in fluid communication with an electrical separation unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings are not intended to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component, which is illustrated in various figures, is represented by a similar code number. For clarity, not every component can be indicated by a number in each drawing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system in accordance with one or more features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an irrigation system in accordance with further features of the invention;

FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration showing another system in accordance with still further features of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph depicting representative ranges of acceptable levels of water performance in accordance with some aspects of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the predicted degree of sodium adsorption relative to calcium and magnesium in water desalinated by electrodialysis, relative to the total level of dissolved solids using a selective membrane for monovalent cations at various levels of selectivity in accordance with some features of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing aspects of a stepwise treatment according to the invention for producing treated water having one or more desired characteristics;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the effect of membrane selectivity on the total dissolved solids in an aqueous product processed in a plant in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and FIG. 8A and 8B are graphs showing a comparative illustration of certain characteristics.

- 1 017151 treated water obtained using the systems and methods according to the invention, relative to other non-selective processes.

Detailed description

The present invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and layout of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention allows for embodiments and implementation or implementation in a variety of ways beyond those presented by the examples herein.

One or more aspects of the invention may include systems and methods for preparing water suitable for agricultural enterprises. Other aspects of the invention may provide water, drinking water, or water suitable for human use or consumption, as well as livestock and poultry. Some systems and methods according to the invention can convert or otherwise make non-potable water suitable for agricultural use, consumption by livestock, poultry and / or humans. Still further aspects of the invention may include systems and methods that preferably or selectively remove certain particles compared to other particles from the liquid being treated to produce a product having one or more desired characteristics. Unlike non-selective methods, some aspects of the invention regarding selective removal may be more economical by eliminating or reducing additional post-processing processes, such as mixing. Thus, the systems and methods according to the invention economically provide treated water, which is more suitable for the intended use.

In some embodiments, some types of particles remain in the treated stream, while other types of particles are preferably removed. The liquid obtained in the form of a product can be used in various applications and / or otherwise satisfy one or more technical requirements. Other aspects of the invention may include systems and methods that produce water having one or more properties or characteristics well adapted to meet the requirements of a particular purpose. Some embodiments of the invention may thus include systems and methods that produce one or more streams or volumes of water that have one or more characteristic features that have been adjusted based on one or more parameters of the point of application or facility that uses the stream or volume .

Still further aspects of the invention may include systems and methods that economically provide water for agricultural, industrial, commercial, and community services. Further, certain specific aspects of the invention may include the preparation of water to provide a variety of technical requirements or levels of purity or quality. Thus, in some embodiments, the systems and methods of the invention may represent one or more streams or volumes of water in a large-scale enterprise. Particularly advantageous aspects of the invention may include preparing a plurality of streams or volumes of water, each of which may have different levels of water quality, from a water source having a high solids content, for many applications, each of which may have different requirements. Such aspects of the invention can provide systems and methods that, for example, process non-potable water to be converted into potable and / or irrigation water, for consumption by livestock and / or poultry, and for human consumption or use.

In some aspects of the invention, water having a high level of one or more unwanted particles dissolved therein can be treated to remove or at least reduce the concentration of such particles to an acceptable level. One or more unwanted particles may be any particle that makes untreated water unsuitable for a particular use. For example, water can contain, at a high level or in an undesirable concentration, monovalent cations and / or anions that have a harmful effect or undesirably interfere with the conservation or absorption of moisture in the soil, or other particles, for example, including divalent or even multivalent particles. If the technical requirement relates to crop irrigation, an undesired condition or characteristic may include water that contains one or more particles that damage the permeability and / or infiltration characteristics of the irrigated soil. For example, some aspects of the invention may include the purification or treatment of water for the preferred removal of monovalent particles over non-monovalent particles.

In accordance with one or more specific aspects, the invention may include embodiments directed to systems and / or methods comprising supplying or introducing treated water to an electrical separation unit. Some embodiments of the invention may include an irrigation system comprising an electrical separation unit in fluid communication or at least connectable with one or more sources for treating water and at least one distribution system

- 2 017151 irrigation water.

In other aspects of the invention, some embodiments thereof may include a method for producing drinking water. Namely, some aspects of the invention can produce irrigation water and / or drinking water without the use of heat-based separation methods or production operations. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the method may include one or more operations or steps of adding treated water and treating at least a portion of the treated water in an electrical separation unit to produce a first treated water. The method further may include one or more processing operations of a portion of the treated water, typically a separate portion, in one or more pressure separation units, to obtain a second treated water. In some cases, the method further may include the step of mixing the first treated water and the second treated water to produce drinking water. Drinking water typically has a target or desired dissolved solids content (ΤΏ8).

Aspects of the invention directed to systems that provide potable water may include a source of treated water, a pressure separation unit having an inlet that is in fluid communication or at least suitable for being connected to a source of treated water. A pressure separation unit may also have one or more outlet pipes, typically at least one outlet pipe for the product as an outlet pipe for treated water. The pressure separation unit also typically has at least one outlet pipe for discharging effluents as an outlet pipe for a stream containing one or more particles, typically undesired particles removed from the treated water. The system for producing drinking water may further include one or more electrical separation units, which may be in fluid communication or suitable for connection, with a source of treated water, with a separation unit under pressure, or both. For example, as described in more detail below, one or more electrical separation units may be in fluid communication with a nozzle for discharging effluents from the separation unit under pressure. In accordance with particular embodiments of the invention, the system for producing drinking water may further include one or more mixers having one or more inlets, in fluid communication or suitable for connection, with an outlet for treated water in a pressure separation unit and an outlet for an aqueous product discharged from an electrical separation unit. The mixer may include any manufacturing mixing operation that facilitates, at least in part, mixing or combining one or more product streams, including in some cases a stream from a source of treated water, to form a final product stream having one or more desired characteristics.

Processed water may include sea water, brackish water and / or water containing dissolved solids or salts in high concentrations. Other sources of treated water may include water that would be unsuitable for use in agricultural enterprises for reasons of infiltration and / or toxicity.

The systems and methods of the invention may include, where appropriate, pre-processing subsystems to facilitate one or more of these operating principles. One or more manufacturing pre-treatment and post-processing operations may be applied in one or more embodiments of the invention. For example, the systems and methods of the invention may include a pre-treatment subsystem including one or a plurality of filters that separate or remove at least a portion of any suspended solids in the treated water. Such pre-processing subsystems typically remove particulate material that could adversely affect any subsequent manufacturing operations of the systems of the invention. Other manufacturing pre-treatment operations include, for example, microfilters, as well as sedimentation-based systems that can remove suspended solids whose particles are 1 micron or larger in size.

Further, pre-processing operations can be applied to improve the efficiency of one or more production operations according to the invention. For example, the pre-treatment subsystem may include a refrigerator or heaters, which respectively cool or heat the treated water before separation operations. The cooling of the feed stream or any intermediate production stream can be performed, for example, to facilitate the transport of unwanted particles or to impede the transport of the desired particles from the process stream. Similarly, heating can be performed to raise the temperature of the feed stream or one or more intermediate production streams to a desired temperature, which, for example, facilitates the economical or effective operation of one or more separation plants. Non-limiting examples of heating processes may include heaters, furnaces, or heat exchangers that may be associated with or constitute the manufacturing operations of the process or system of the invention. For example, heating can be provided using a power plant heat exchanger, which is optional

- 3 017151 is strictly associated with processing systems according to the invention.

Post-processing manufacturing operations can control, remove, or lower the concentration of one or more particles in the treated water. For example, one or more ion exchange columns can be used to remove particles that are difficult to remove in an electrical separation unit and / or a pressure separation unit.

Non-limiting examples of particles that can typically be removed or at least reduced in concentration, preferably to non-toxic and / or non-desirable levels, in post-treatment operations include those that can adversely affect soil particle coarsening, water leakage and / or may be toxic to plant growth, such as aluminum, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, fluoride, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, tin, titanium, tungsten, van hell, boron and zinc. Other particles that may be the target of one or more post-processing operations include those that may be toxic or undesirable to humans, poultry and / or livestock in drinking water, such as, but not limited to, nitrates, nitrites, and vanadium, and sulfides. Disinfection processes may also be performed in order to at least partially inactivate or lower the concentration of colony forming microorganisms that may be harmful to humans and / or livestock.

Alternatively or in combination with one or more regulatory manufacturing operations, the systems and methods of the invention may include adding one or more particles to at least a portion of the treated water. For example, gypsum may be added to control the concentration of one or more desired particles or to control the characteristics of water. Other additives may include fertilizers or other additives that facilitate crop growth when water is used for irrigation.

An electrical separation unit typically uses a potential field to create a driving force that causes one or more particles, typically target particles, which may include desirable as well as unwanted particles, to migrate from the carrier or liquid. An electrical separation unit may use one or more components that separate the target particles during migration and / or inhibit the return or reversible process.

Non-limiting examples of such devices include electrodialysis devices (ΕΌ), including electrodialysis devices with electric field reversal (ΕΌΚ.), As well as electrodeionization devices (ΕΌΙ). However, the present invention is not limited to one such or a combination of such electrical separation plants and can be implemented using other plants that create a driving force that facilitates the preferential migration of one or more target particles compared to other particles in the liquid being treated.

Electrical separation units according to the invention typically use ion-selective membranes to facilitate the separation process. In some cases, a selectively permeable membrane can advantageously or selectively transport some particles relative to other particles. For example, cation-selective membranes can be used in some chambers of an electrical separation unit. In other cases, anion selective membranes may be used in one or more chambers. In yet other cases, the electrical separation unit according to the invention may include one or more selective membranes for monovalent particles to facilitate the selective transfer of monovalent cationic or anionic particles. Indeed, in some embodiments, the separation apparatus of the invention may include selective membranes for monovalent cations and one or more selective membranes for monovalent anions, typically in one or more concentration chambers of the installation. Non-limiting examples of commercially available selective monovalent particle membranes include ΝΕΟ8ΕΡΤΑ® type cation and anion selective membranes from A8TOM Sotrogayoi, Tokyo, Japan, or Tokiuata Sotrogayoi, Tokyo, Japan.

A pressure separation unit typically utilizes one or more barriers to suppress migration through those, while allowing penetration through others. The driving force that facilitates the separation process typically involves applying pressure to the fluid being treated. Non-limiting examples of pressure separation plants include microfiltration, nanofiltration (ΝΡ), and reverse osmosis (BO) systems.

One or more embodiments of the invention may be directed to a water treatment system 100, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The system 100 may be a system for the preparation of drinking water, irrigation water, or both, for example for use in point 114. The treatment system 100 may include at least one production separation operation or separation unit 110, which, in some cases, selectively removes one or more particles or particle types from the source 102 of the treated water. The system may optionally include one or more monitoring subsystems that provide an indication of one or more processing system performance. As illustrated, system 100 may have one or more control sensors 108 that typically provide quality indications

- 4 017151 obtained or otherwise treated water from separation unit 110. In some aspects of the present invention, system 100 may use a monitoring system or controller configured or constructed and adapted to control one or more parameters of one or more production operations in systems of the invention . Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 100 may thus have one or more controllers 106 that adjust at least one operating parameter of the separation unit 110, typically to at least one desired state. To control at least one operating parameter of any production operation in system 100, any suitable control method may be used to produce treated water having one or more desired characteristics.

The systems and methods of the invention may include one or more water distribution systems that facilitate the delivery of treated water to one or more applications. For example, a distribution system may include an irrigation distribution system that delivers irrigation water to a variety of applications in an agricultural enterprise. To facilitate the delivery of treated water, the distribution system may include one or more storage systems, such as tanks, tanks, ponds, or other containers and containers. Irrigation systems according to the invention can use irrigation and / or surface irrigation methods to deliver water to a designated area. The components of irrigation systems can thus be used as stationary as well as mobile devices.

One or more storage systems may be considered as part of a distribution system or constitute an auxiliary subsystem of a processing system. One or more storage systems may further facilitate the delivery of treated water having the desired characteristics. For example, treated water having a first state or characteristic may be stored in one or more intermediate storage prior to further processing or processing, for example by mixing, with another stream or volume of treated or untreated water.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing, by way of example, some features of the invention related to the irrigation system 200. The irrigation system 200 may include a separation unit 230 in fluid communication and, as shown, for receiving treated water from a source 202 through an irrigation system water distribution 224.

Separator 220 may process water from a source 202 and supply treated water to a first point of use 228, illustrated here as a first type of crop. Point of application 228 may be part of a crop, which, for example, is in a growth stage different from at least one part of all crops. The system 200 may further include one or more secondary separation plants 230. The separation plant 230 may also process water from a source 202 and supply treated water to a second point of application 238, illustrated as a second type of crop, through a second irrigation distribution system 234. Point of application 228 , the second point of application 238 may be part of the same type of irrigated crop, as, for example, in the first point of application 228, or part of the second crop ry at a different stage of growth. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the separation unit 230 may optionally deliver treated water to the first point of use 228 instead of the treated water and / or in addition to that from the separation unit 220 via a pipe or connection 244. Some embodiments of the invention are considered at least in part , step-by-step processing scheme. For example, the first separation unit 220 may produce treated water having a first quality or characteristic of water that can be further processed in the second separation unit 230 through a pipe or distribution system 242. A plurality of second separation plants 230 may be used with one or more first separation plants 220 for preparing treated water for one or more applications. Some embodiments of the invention may include the sequential arrangement of separation plants, and other embodiments may use the separation plants in a parallel configuration to prepare treated water to satisfy the volumetric requirements of one or more applications. However, in some cases, a combination of serial and parallel treatment paths can be applied to supply treated water at a speed or many speeds, in which each of one or more streams of treated water have one or more desired characteristics.

System 200 may include one or more controllers (not shown) for monitoring one or more operating parameters of any component or subsystem of system 200. Similar to the system as exemplified in FIG. 1, system 200 may have one or more controllers that can adjust one or more operating parameters. For example, one or more controller of system 200 may control the current, voltage, or both of the applied electric field in any of the separation plants. Other parameters that can be adjusted, including

- 5 017151 is known, for example, to the dissolved solids content (ΤΌ8), pressure, temperature, pH, liquid flow rate, or any combination in any system stream.

In accordance with some aspects of the invention, one or more characteristics of the treated water stream may be a measured or derivative measure of the product stream to make it suitable for its intended use in paragraph 114. However, the invention is not limited thereto; for example, a water characteristic may be a measure of the flow of treated water or an aqueous product in units relative to the flow of treated water. An indicator or parameter may be a single, or compositional, or cumulative characteristic of water. Specific non-limiting examples of such indicators may include electrical conductivity or electrical resistivity of water, the presence, absence or concentration of one or more specific particles or types of particles in water, as well as combinations thereof.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, the systems and methods of the invention produce water having a desired water metric that can be represented or quantified as a composite symbol. A composite symbol may represent an indication of the suitability of the treated water for a particular purpose. Therefore, the systems and methods according to the invention may include operations that are intended or at least contribute to the production of water having one or more desired compositional characteristics. When used for irrigation, the rate of treated water can be correlated with its suitability as irrigation water. Thus, some aspects of the invention may be directed to the treatment of non-potable water and the improvement of water as treated water suitable for irrigation in one or more agricultural enterprises by regulating one or more characteristics thereof. Some aspects of the invention may produce irrigation water precisely adapted to one or more crops growing or grown in one or more agricultural enterprises. For example, again with reference to FIG. 2 systems and methods according to the invention can produce a first treated water having a first compositional characteristic for a first type of crop 228 and a second treated water having a second compositional characteristic for a second type of crop 238. The second treated water can be used to supplement and / or regulating the characteristics of the first treated water and, conversely, the first treated water can be used to regulate one or more characteristics of the second th treated water. One or more of the characteristics can be tailored to meet a specific technical requirement, for example, by mixing together or mixing one or more streams of treated water. A specific target characteristic can be achieved by adjusting the ratios or relative amounts or flow rates of treated water to be mixed.

During a typical operation, each of one or more separation plants 220 and 230 typically creates one or more secondary streams. Typically, one or more secondary streams contain an unacceptable level of one or more unwanted particles. Any one or more secondary streams may be withdrawn as waste streams. For example, a waste stream typically containing one or more particles discharged from a stream treated in separation unit 220 may be discharged or transferred to a source of treated water 202 through a conduit or distribution system 236. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention consider combining one or more secondary streams typically from one or more separation plants located downstream with a stream of water to be treated in one or more separation plants installations located upstream. The waste stream may also be discharged with other streams that may or may not be directly related to the treatment system. For example, the outlet stream may be returned to the source of water intended for treatment after being mixed with one or more streams blown, for example, from a cooling tower, which may not be a production operation of the treatment system. However, in other cases, one or more waste streams may be stored and combined with water having a very low salinity to solve water leakage problems that may result in leaching of soluble minerals and salts, such as calcium, from the surface layers of the soil.

In some embodiments of the invention, the secondary stream contained in conduit 236 from the second separation unit 230 may be introduced into the first separation unit 220 separately or in combination, as shown in FIG. 2, with water intended for processing from a source 202, as supplied through a pipe 222.

The schematically illustrated systems depicted in FIG. 1 and 2, further may include manufacturing operations that facilitate water treatment. For example, an optional system may be used upstream of separation plants 220 and 230 for filtering, or otherwise removed at least a portion of suspended solids in water from source 202. Non-limiting examples of manufacturing pre-treatment operations that can be used to reduce concentration by at least one suspended solids entrained in the treated water include microfilters, sedimentation tanks and a filter

- 6 017151 ry for coarse particles.

Further, one or more production operations can be used to further process one or more streams of treated water. For example, a thin layer may further remove one or more particles from one or more streams processed in distribution systems 224 and 234. Non-limiting examples of such manufacturing operations that can be used to remove at least a portion of weakly ionized or ionizable particles, such like, but not limited to, boron, selenite, and arsenic include ion exchange columns.

Further manufacturing operations that facilitate the subsequent processing of one or more treated water streams according to the invention include those that add or otherwise control the concentration of one or more desired particles or characteristics of the water stream. Post-processing operations can be used to make one or more waste streams suitable for release into the environment.

Accordingly, a mixer can be placed downstream of one or more separation plants according to the invention, which facilitates the introduction of another stream of treated or untreated water, disinfectants, nutritional supplements and / or desired salts from one or more of these sources. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, one or more salt sources may be located to introduce treated water into the stream. For example, in a treatment system or irrigation system according to the invention, a separation unit can be used that selectively removes or lowers the concentration of divalent or other non-equivalent particles from the treated water stream. Such an optional installation would typically produce at least a product stream having a relatively high concentration of monovalent particles, which can be introduced into the treated stream to control at least one characteristic such as to form a stream or volume of water with a desired or desired state. Examples of systems and methods that predominantly form favorable, particle-rich streams include those presented in U.S. pending application serial number 11/474299 entitled Electrical Separation Unit, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, in some cases, one or more otherwise separated or different sources, such as calcium and / or magnesium salts, can be used to control one or more characteristics of the treated water stream before use. Additionally, one or more intrinsic and / or introduced properties of the water flow can be further adjusted. For example, the flow of water may be cooled or heated to control the temperature thereof. The pH value of the flow or volume of water can also be adjusted, for example, by adding one or more acids or bases to achieve the desired pH value. The desired property or characteristic may be dependent on a variety of factors, including, for example, the pH of the irrigated soil, the resistance to salts of irrigated crops, and in some cases, the moisture content in the soil. Thus, some features of the invention provide further opportunities aimed at achieving one or more desired compositional characteristics.

Further control of one or more properties or characteristics can be performed after processing in a separation unit, before use or feeding to a point of use, or during storage of treated water in one or more tanks.

However, some aspects of the invention contemplate advantageous or economically attractive indicators of such secondary streams containing high concentrations of one or more dissolved particles relative to the stream of the first or treated stream and / or stream introduced into the separation unit. For example, the secondary product stream may contain large amounts of dissolved solids and can serve as a feed stream, which can be further processed to obtain additional products or at least give a product stream having a high concentration of the desired particles.

One or more characteristics of the water used in some systems and methods according to the invention may provide an indication of the suitability of the water for agricultural use. For example, one or more characteristics of water can be represented as salinity, as the total amount of dissolved salts or solids content, and / or electrical conductivity, as well as or in combination with any parameter of alkalinity, iron content and water pH. In some cases, the level of salinity of the water can become a separate parameter, being considered relative to the type of crops that should be irrigated, at least in part, with treated water. Thus, in accordance with some aspects of the invention, the salinity of the water can be used to control at least one operating parameter of the system according to the invention. In other embodiments of the systems and methods of the invention, the characteristic value can be represented as the ratio of the concentration of particles that are prone to imparting water impermeability to soil, to the concentration of particles that are prone to impart aggregation or water absorption to the soil.

- 7 017151

In accordance with some aspects of the invention, the characteristic value may provide an indication of the suitability of water for irrigation purposes, for human consumption and / or use for livestock or poultry. In some embodiments, the characteristic value of the flow or volume of water can be represented as the ratio of the concentration of monovalent particles to the concentration of divalent particles in water. For example, the characteristic value may be at least partially expressed as the degree of sodium adsorption relative to calcium and magnesium, or as a percentage of sodium exchange. Preferably, a value of 8 AA of the flow or volume of water may indicate whether the water may be suitable for irrigation of a type or variety of crop. Thus, in accordance with some aspects of the invention, some embodiments thereof relate to systems and methods, which may include monitoring one or more operating parameters based, at least in part, on a desired characteristic value, which, at least in part, is output by at least in part, from one technical requirement at the point of application. Where the point of application is, for example, an irrigated crop, the desired characteristic value may be based on the salt tolerance of the crop and / or one or more indicators or characteristics of the soil.

The degree of sodium adsorption is typically determined according to the formula (1) ^ Ca] + [M ₈ ] where [Ba] represents the concentration of sodium particles in mol / m ³ in water, [Ca] is the concentration of calcium particles in mol / m ³ in water, [MD] is the concentration of magnesium particles in mol / m ³ in water.

Other characteristic water values may be applied, individually or in combination with other characteristic values. So, in some cases, the characteristic value of water, which can serve as an indicator of water quality or its suitability for the intended purpose, includes the total concentration of dissolved solids in the water, the pH value and / or the concentration of one or more toxic or dangerous particles.

Regulation of the value of 8AK, for example, irrigation water, can be accomplished by adjusting one or more operating parameters of the water system. For example, a relative indicator of treated water having a variety of associated 8AC values can be adjusted to create a composite or combined mixture of an aqueous product having the desired 8AC value. Other methods, including reducing the flow rate of water through one or more separation plants or increasing the residence time or processing time, may facilitate the achievement of the desired 8AK value. In addition to or in combination with such a method, the level of applied potential, for example, in an electrical or pressure separation unit, can also produce treated water having one or more desired characteristics.

The treated water produced in the system according to the invention can be demineralized seawater and / or brackish water to produce irrigation water, which eliminates or reduces the problems of soil permeability and / or infiltration.

One or more characteristic values of the treated water may be a relative correlation between particles contained in the water. For example, the characteristic value may be the ratio of dissolved sodium particles to dissolved calcium. A preferred desired ratio of sodium to calcium particles of not more than about 3: 1 can eliminate or reduce the likelihood of water infiltration problems due to dispersion of soil particles and clogging and clogging of surface soil pores. Further, some embodiments of the invention can selectively reduce the concentration of monovalent sodium in irrigation water, a source of water relatively enriched in calcium can be provided to counteract any phenomenon of the spread of sodium during irrigation.

The aqueous product may have a value of 8 AA in the range of from about 2 to about 8. The target or desired value of 8 AA, however, may depend on one or more factors in the agricultural enterprise. For example, the target value of 8AK depends on the type of crops grown in the plant, the stage of growth of one or more crops in the plant, and soil conditions, including water infiltration, sodium, and / or soil alkalinity. Specific standards that can be used to represent one or more target characteristics of irrigation water include those specified by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (RAO). For example, the level of metabolic sodium, which may correlate with a value of 8 AA, may serve as a desirable characteristic value for water used for irrigation purposes. In particular, sensitive crops, such as, but not limited to, fruits, nuts, and citrus fruits, typically require irrigation water having a value of 8 AA to about 8; other sensitive agricultural

- 8 017151 crops, such as legumes, can be resistant to irrigation water having a value of 8 AA to about 18; moderately tolerant crops such as clover, oats and rice can withstand irrigation water, which has a value of 8LK to a level of from about 18 to 46; and sustainable crops, such as, but not limited to, wheat, barley, tomatoes, beets and wheat grass elongated, can tolerate irrigation water of 8LK value up to levels from about 46 to 102.

Infiltration problems typically arise when irrigation water does not enter the soil and becomes inaccessible to crops. Unlike salinization problems that reduce water availability, infiltration problems can effectively reduce the amount of water available for consumption by crops. Water infiltration may increase with increasing salinity and may decrease with decreasing salinity or increasing sodium relative to calcium and magnesium. Further, water with low salinity, less than about 0.5 8 8 / W (decimiens / m, respectively g / l), is typically corrosive and tends to wash out soluble minerals and salts, such as calcium, which, in turn, can reduce soil aggregation and structuring. Soil without salt or having a low salt content has a tendency to disperse into small soil particles that clog pore spaces, intensively clogging the soil surface and reducing the rate of water infiltration. Soil may be prone to crust, which reduces the amount of water entering the subsurface layer and can also inhibit the earing of crops. Thus, in some embodiments, the desired water quality may be further based on the salinity of the irrigation water. For example, FIG. 4, which is based on the publication of the authors Auegg, R.8. and \ Usyeo 1. ELU., Entitled Water quality for agriculture, edition of RAO 1, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 1989, 1994, and which shows the effect of salinity represented by the concentration of dissolved solids (ΤΏ8) and 8AK values on infiltration, can collectively represent the desired salinity and 8AK values of irrigation water that reduce or eliminate infiltration problems. In FIG. The 4 properties of seawater were used to derive the values of the concentration of dissolved solids (ΤΏ8) from the electrical conductivity data according to the above literature reference. In particular, correlations between density and salinity and between salinity and electrical conductivity of sea water at a temperature of 20 ° C were determined on the basis of published physical properties. These correlations were then used to convert the electrical conductivities of the sea water from the above references to the corresponding concentrations of dissolved solids (ΤΌ8), which were then plotted against the corresponding 8AK values to obtain the infiltration rates shown in FIG. 4.

Further embodiments of the invention may also be suitable irrigation water when it has a compositional characteristic value, such as having an AA value of less than about 8, while having a dissolved solids level (ΤΌ8) of about 1500 ppm or more.

Some embodiments of the invention may provide desalination systems and methods that selectively remove unwanted particles that differ from those non-selective desalination methods that are based on thermal or pressure separation processes. Further, some systems and methods according to the invention may represent an aqueous product stream without the need for further addition of preferred particles. For example, the invention may produce irrigation water that does not further control the characteristic values by adding additional particles.

FIG. 3 illustrates further features and aspects of the invention. The treatment system 300, illustrated by way of example, may include a first separation plant 304 and a second separation plant 306. The separation plant 304 and 306 typically process liquid from one or more sources 302. The treated water from source 302 typically contains a high or unacceptable level of dissolved particles. One or more separation plants can thus be used, at least in part, to remove one or more unwanted particles from water or to reduce their concentration. As illustrated by way of example, treated water from separation plant 304 may be combined with treated water from separation plant 306 in one or more mixing operations or a mixer 308 to produce a treated water stream having desired properties and / or characteristics for application 314. B in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the treated water can be made suitable for use as drinking water and / or water for swimming pools in one or more application points 314.

The first separation unit 304 may be an electrical separation unit or a pressure separation unit. Similarly, the second separation unit 306

- 9 017151 may be an electrical separation unit or a pressure separation unit. In accordance with some aspects of the invention, the separation unit 304 removes at least a portion of the plurality of unwanted particles in the treated water from the source 302. In some cases, the first separation unit may indiscriminately remove at least a portion of the plurality of unwanted particles from the treated water. For example, the first separation unit may use reverse osmosis (BO) and / or nanofiltration (ΝΕ) based methods to typically remove, without preference or selectivity, at least a portion of any undesired particles. The treated water stream obtained from the separation unit under pressure preferably exceeds the requirements for the quality of drinking water.

The second separation unit may remove one or more unwanted particles from the treated water stream. In some cases, the separation unit selectively removes at least a portion of one or more unwanted particles from the water to produce an aqueous product stream. If the flow of the aqueous product from the second separation unit is not able to meet or exceed the requirements for the quality of drinking water, a portion of the treated water from the first separation unit that exceeds the requirements for the quality of drinking water may be introduced or mixed with it. For example, where the first separation unit gives an aqueous product having a dissolved solids level (ΤΏ8) of about 250 mg / l, and the second separation unit gives an aqueous product having a dissolved solids level (ΤΏ8) of about 1000 mg / l, water product streams can be mixed in a volume ratio of about 2: 1 to obtain a mixed product having a dissolved solids level (ΤΏ8) of about 500 mg / l. The target level may be a concentration that meets or exceeds one or more of the standards proposed by the World Health Organization. Other water streams can also be mixed with one or more product streams from separation plants according to the invention to produce drinking water and / or swimming pool water that meets or exceeds the norms or requirements typically set by government regulatory organizations.

One or more waste streams from the first separation unit, typically containing relatively high levels of particles removed from the first processed product stream, can be discharged into the sewer, sent to one or more auxiliary applications 310, or returned to source 302. Further embodiments of the invention are contemplated. combining wastewater streams with water from a source 302 through a processing pipe 322 in a second separation unit. The secondary stream, or wastewater stream from the second separation unit, can also be discharged into the sewer, directed to one or more auxiliary points of application 310 and / or 312, returned to the source 302, as shown, through the pipeline 316.

As noted above, auxiliary systems can be used in the systems and methods of the invention in post-processing operations. For example, one or more disinfection systems, such as those that irradiate, oxidize, or otherwise reduce microbiological activity in water, can be placed to further treat the water. Further, one or more storage systems may also be applied, as discussed above.

Some features of the invention include systems and methods, including an electrical separation unit that uses selective membranes, as discussed above. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the quality of the treated water, which, for example, appears to be the content of dissolved solids (ΤΌ8), may be due to the selectivity of the membrane used. FIG. 8A and 8B show the performance of selective separation plants in accordance with some aspects of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8A, water having a desired set of characteristics can be obtained for irrigation of crops using an electric separation apparatus. In some embodiments of the invention, the electrical separation apparatus uses selective monovalent particle membranes to facilitate the processing of water, such as seawater and / or brackish water, to produce water suitable for irrigation in agricultural enterprises. On the contrary, non-selective methods or even selective technologies for non-monovalent particles, such as those that include reverse osmosis plants, distillation plants, and nanofiltration, cannot flexibly provide water that satisfies the target characteristics. FIG. 8B, in particular, illustrates that an electrical separation unit, including selective membranes for monovalent particles, can produce treated water having an acceptable degree of sodium adsorption relative to the dissolved solids content (ΤΏ8) of about 2500 or even 3000 ppm. Thus, some aspects of the invention may provide systems and methods that purposely remove unwanted particles while leaving less unwanted particles.

Further, since some embodiments of the invention can selectively remove monovalent particles, any resulting secondary or concentrated streams should be less sensitive to scaling and clogging. This feature advantageously allows some embodiments of the separation according to the invention to operate at higher pe

- 10 017151 water generation compared with non-selective methods, since the volume ratio of any secondary flows can be effectively reduced without unwanted precipitation or with less noticeable such. Thus, some embodiments of the invention aimed at disposal systems and methods that selectively separate monovalent particles can operate at higher regeneration rates compared to non-selective separation plants based on electrodialysis (ΕΌ) and distillation, and even with much higher regeneration rates compared to separation plants based on reverse osmosis (KO) and nanofiltration (ΝΕ). It is noteworthy that since separation systems based on reverse osmosis (KO) and nanofiltration (ΝΕ) selectively lower the concentration of non-monovalent particles, these processes cannot efficiently provide treated water having low values of 8LK.

A further advantage of the selective separation systems and methods of the invention relates to reducing or removing non-ionized particles that have little or no effect on crop growth. For example, silicon oxide is typically not removed preferably in electrodialysis systems (ΕΌ) according to the invention, thereby avoiding any scaling or clogging problems in secondary streams that typically occur when water containing silicon oxide is treated in reverse osmosis plants ( KO) and distillation apparatuses. In addition, since the secondary streams of some embodiments of the invention typically have reduced scaling trends, the regeneration rates in the separation systems and methods of the invention are higher than the regeneration rates in reverse osmosis (KO) and distillation systems.

The controller 106 of the systems according to the invention can be implemented using one or more computer systems. A computer system may be, for example, a general-purpose computer, such as one, based on a 1i1e1 ΡΕΝΤίυΜ® processor, Mo1ogoa RotegRS® processor, 8ii and Iga8RAKS® processor, He ^ 1-Raskagi RA-Ш8С® processor, or any other type of processor or combinations thereof. A computer system can be implemented using specially programmed special-purpose equipment, for example, specialized for solving a specific task integrated circuit (A81C) or controllers designed for a water treatment system.

A computer system may include one or more processors typically connected to one or more memory devices, which may include, for example, any one or more of memory devices in the form of a disk drive, flash memory device, random access memory (KAM), or another storage device. A memory component or subsystem is typically used to store programs and data during operation of system 100 and / or computer system. For example, a memory component can be used to store accumulated data regarding parameters over a long period of time, as well as production data. Software, including a software package for implementing embodiments of the invention, may be stored in a computer in readable and / or printed form on a non-volatile recording medium, and then typically copied to a memory subsystem in which it can then be executed using one or more processors. Such a software package can be written in any of a variety of programming languages, for example 1AUA, U18IA1 Vale, C, C #, or C ++, Eoygai, Raga1, E1ye1, Vais or any of a variety of combinations thereof.

The components of a computer system can be connected using an interconnected system, which can include one or more buses that provide communication between components that are integrated within the same device and / or connected to a network that creates communication or interaction between components that are located in individual devices. An interconnected system typically provides interconnections, including but not limited to data and machine instructions, for interchange between system components.

A computer system may also include one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball mouse, microphone, touch screen, and one or more output devices, such as a printer device, monitor screen, or speaker. In addition, the computer system may comprise one or more interfaces that can connect the computer system to a communication network, in addition to or as an alternative to a network that may be formed by one or more system components.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention, one or more input devices may include sensors for measuring parameters. Alternatively, sensors, metering valves and / or pumps, or all of these components, can be connected to a communications network that is online with a computer system. For example, one or more sensors 108 can be configured as input devices that are directly connected to the controller 106, metering valves, pumps and / or components of the installation 102 can be configured as a device

- 11 017151 outputs that are connected to the controller 108. Any one or more of these subcomponents or subsystems may be connected to another computer system or component to be in communication with the computer system via a communication network. This configuration allows one sensor to be located at a considerable distance from another sensor or allows any sensor to be located at a significant distance from any subsystem and / or controller, while at the same time providing data exchange between them.

The controller may include one or more computer storage media, such as readable and / or printable non-volatile recording media, on which signals can be stored that determine the program executed by one or more processors. The medium may, for example, be a CD or flash memory. In a typical operation, a processor may call data, such as instructions that implement one or more embodiments of the invention, to read from a storage medium into memory, which allows faster access to information using one or more processors than with that medium. The memory is typically direct access random access memory, such as random access memory (,), or static type memory (8KA.M), or other suitable devices that facilitate the transfer of information to or from one or more processors.

Although the control system is described as an example as one type of computer system with which various aspects of the invention can be implemented, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to software implementation, or on the computer system shown as an example.

Indeed, rather than being implemented, for example, using a general-purpose computer system, a controller, or components or subsections thereof, it can alternatively be implemented as a specialized system or a specialized programmable logic controller (PBC), or in a multi-point control system. It should further be appreciated that one or more of the features or aspects of the invention may be implemented using a software package, hardware, or firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, one or more segments of the algorithm executed by the controller 106 may be executed in a separate computer, which, in turn, may be connected through one or more networks.

Although the various embodiments shown by way of example have been described as using sensors, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this. The invention contemplates modifications to existing equipment for the modernization of one or more systems, subsystems or components, and the execution of the methods of the invention. Thus, for example, an existing plant, in particular an agricultural or crop-growing plant, can be modified to include one or more systems configured to produce irrigation water, drinking water, or both, respectively, to any one or more of the embodiments discussed here as examples . Alternatively, existing systems and / or components or subsystems thereof may be modified to perform any one or more of the activities of the invention.

Examples

The purpose and advantages of these and other embodiments of the invention can be further understood from the following examples, which illustrate the useful properties and / or advantages of one or more systems and methods according to the invention, but do not show the entire scope of the invention.

Example 1

This example describes the expected performance of the electrodialysis unit when it is used to selectively remove monovalent cations from the treated stream and produce treated water having a lower value of 8 AA.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the value of 8 AA in treated water using a variety of selective membranes for monovalent particles, with different levels of selectivity. As shown, if an acceptable or desired value of 8 AA is less than about 6, then a level of dissolved solids (ΤΏ8) of about 3,500 ppm can be achieved using a selective monovalent particle membrane having a selectivity of about 5. In addition, if acceptable or desirable the value of 8AK is less than about 3, then the level of dissolved solids (ΤΏ8) of about 2700 ppm can be achieved using a selective monovalent particle membrane having a selectivity of about 10.

The predicted energy consumption for the electrodialysis unit (ΕΌ) is less than the predicted energy required for the reverse osmosis installation (ΚΌ).

Further, the predicted energy required for water treatment in the electric separation unit according to the invention is assumed to be linearly dependent on the salinity of the water being treated. In some embodiments of the invention, the temperature of the feed stream may be adjusted to reduce the energy needed to provide economical separation in an electrical separation unit. For example, increasing the temperature of the feed stream,

- 12 017151 consisting of sea water, by about 25 ° С to achieve a dissolved solids level (ΤΌ8) of about 1500 ppm in the product and about 50% regeneration, may result in a decrease in the predicted energy consumption of about 6% in the electrodialysis module (ΕΌ) .

Example 2

This example describes the performance of a system using the method according to the invention, which is essentially presented in a schematic illustration of FIG. 1 except that the controller was not used to control the operating parameter of the system.

The column (stack) of electrodialysis (ΕΌ) consisted of ten effective paired cells from the concentrate chambers and filtrate chambers, five paired cells in a downward fluid flow and five paired cells in an upward fluid flow, making up for the entire fluid flow as a whole a working route of about 28 inches ( 711.2 mm). The paired cells used cation-selective membranes, homogeneous selective membranes for monovalent ions with CM8 (membrane state monitoring system) from Tokiuat SogrogEop for the preferential removal of sodium cations, and heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes for anion-selective membranes (ΙΟΝΡυΚΕ ™ anion membrane, 0.45 inch thick (0.018 mm) ( )). Dividing pads that had a thickness of 0.020 inches (0.508 mm) and extruded screens with about 70% open surface and a thickness of 0.020 inches (0.508 mm) were used to form chambers at least partially. The electrodialysis unit (ΕΌ) worked at an applied potential of about 2 V per pair cell, through titanium electrodes coated with ruthenium oxide (CuO ₂ ).

The feed water was prepared by dissolving a synthetic mixture of sea salt Ιηδΐαηΐ Oseap®, manufactured by 8resgit Vgap'k 1ps., In demineralized water. Sodium chloride was added as necessary to obtain a raw solution, which had a value of 8LK of sea water (about 54).

The module worked in a single circulation mode, in which both diluted and concentrated flows were returned to the feed tank. The electrode chambers were arranged as dilution chambers and fed separately. The concentrations of calcium and magnesium particles in the feed stream and product stream were determined by standard titration methods. The level of dissolved solids (ΤΌ8) was calculated based on the measured conductivity. Sodium concentration was also calculated.

Tab. 1 and 2 respectively show the characteristics of the input and product water flows. As shown in the table. 2, the systems and methods of the invention may produce an aqueous product stream having one or more desired characteristics. For example, the systems and methods of the invention can selectively reduce the concentration of monovalent particles to produce water having the desired value of 8LK.

Further, the data presented in the tables show that a combination of two or more electrical separation plants can provide treated water having a desired value of 8LK. That is, the first installation of electrical separation can lower the value of 8LK of the water stream to form an intermediate product stream having an intermediate value of 8LK. The intermediate product stream, in turn, can be introduced into the second electric separation unit to produce treated water having a desired value of 8ΆΒ. In particular, FIG. 6 shows that the level of dissolved solids (ΤΌ8) and the value of 8LK can be reduced to the desired levels using an electrodialysis unit (ΕΌ) having selective membranes for monovalent particles in approximately three stages, based on this arrangement. Other configurations may include more or less stages to achieve one or more desired water characteristics.

Further, the data show that a variety of parameters can be adjusted to exactly match the value of 8LK in the aquatic product. For example, to achieve the target value of 8LK, the flow rate of the processed fluid can be increased or decreased. Alternatively or in combination with fluid flow control, the applied potential and / or total length of the fluid flow path can be used as adjustable operating parameters in one or more aspects of the invention.

- 13 017151

Table 1

Feed Characteristics

table 2

Product Flow Characteristics

Speed flow Electrical conductivity Sa Md T1) 3 Ya ZAV Liters to mS / cm Million- Million- Million- Million- - a minute ny ny shares ny ny share share share 0,064 16,0 236 1584 10766 2094 10.7 0,072 16,2 252 1588 10880 2116 10.8 0, 072 22.1 284 1756 15164 3453 16, 8 0,076 24.8 292 1720 17159 4192 20.5 0.1 5.2 124 740 3374 374 2,8 0.122 23.3 276 1724 16C31 3800 18.6 0.148 36,4 268 1652 26163 7493 37.5

Example 3

This example compares the performance of an electrical separation unit with that of a thermal and pressure separation unit.

The used electrodialysis module (ΕΌ) had ten paired cells in a winding fluid flow path so that the flow passed through five paired cells of the dilution and concentration chambers, then turned and passed through five more paired cells. Each cell in the module was composed of a shield and a spacer strip with a thickness of 0.020 inches (0.508 mm). The cells were 14 inches (355.6 mm) by 1.2 inches (30.5 mm) in size. The cation-selective membrane used for monovalent ions was a CM3 membrane from Tokiuat Zob Sogrogabop. A еннуюυΙΟΝΡ ™ heterogeneous membrane was used as an anion-selective membrane. In the electrodialysis module (ΕΌ), platinum coated titanium plates were used. The values of the applied voltage and current strength, flow rates, and the composition of the feed stream were varied to obtain various conditions of effective selectivity.

Tab. 3 and 4 list the properties of the feed raw water stream and the aqueous product stream. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the effect of the level of dissolved solids (ΤΌ3) of treated water on the selectivity of the membrane used in the electrodialysis module (ΕΌ). The content of dissolved solids (ΤΌ3) in the supplied raw water stream and product stream, as well as the concentration of sodium, calcium and magnesium, were analyzed. These measured values were used to calculate the effective selectivity according to formula (2)

- 14 017151

where ν is the molarity of the ionic particles ΐ and Δν is the change in the molarity of the ionic particles ΐ.

Table 3

Feed Characteristics

Sa Md Dissolved solids (Τϋ3) ZAK. Eeyore Million- Million- Millionth - Million- ny shares ny shares share ny shares one 126 428 37426 121.66 12822 2 141 1928 24836 75,42 8283 3 136 1940 24062 72.92 8009 4 136 1940 24062 72.92 8009 5 136 1940 24062 72.92 8009 6 136 1940 24062 72.92 8009 7 355 5112 40268 72.13 12850 8 306 4396 35028 67.75 11193 nine 234 3396 27129 59.78 8674 10 163 2340 19281 51.29 6184 eleven 98 1336 11356 39.93 3651 12 90 1196 10596 39.45 3419 thirteen 32 384 4014 26.5 1313 14 32 384 4014 26.5 1313

Table 4 Product Flow Characteristics and Estimated Selectivity

Sa Md Dissolved solids (SW) ZAK Ya Selectivity

Millionths Million- ny shares Millionth share Million of share one 107 396 26163 87.84 8852 1.8 2 292 1720 17159 54.42 5614 1.4 3 276 1724 16031 50.72 5217 1.4 4 252 1588 10880 34.66 3420 1,5 5 284 1756 15164 47.14 4897 1.8 6 236 1584 10766 34.51 3386 1.4 7 804 5036 34123 60.92 10707 3,1 8 704 4276 29348 56.79 9217 2.5 nine 536 3324 21566 47.05 6724 3,7 10 304 1972 8897 23.73 2604 1.7 eleven 188 1148 6187 22.26 1871 1,6 12 124 740 3374 14.58 986 0.9 thirteen 44 236 1321 10,4 400 0.9 14 32 168 651 5.57 181 0.8

The data in the table. 3 and 4, as well as FIG. 7 show that as the dissolved solids content (ΤΌ8) in the feed water decreases, the selectivity of the cation-selective membrane also

- 15 017151 is declining. The correlation between selectivity and dissolved solids (ΤΏ8) is determined according to the following formula (3):

Selectivity = 0.5905 + (5 * 10 ~ ^b ) (T05)

This selectivity / ΤΏδ ratio was then used to characterize the capacities of the electrical separation unit according to the invention in units of compositional characteristic, as shown in FIG. 8A and 8B, relative to other non-selective reverse osmosis, distillation and nanofiltration technologies.

It is estimated that about 96% of monovalent cationic particles in seawater are sodium and about 4% is potassium. It is further assumed that all cationic particles comprise approximately 37% of the solids content (ΤΏ8) so that a change in ΤΏ8 can be determined according to formula (4)

It is further assumed that divalent calcium and magnesium particles behave similarly when removed in an electrical separation unit, the following formula can be used:

_ ^ Sa h

The above assumptions using formulas (2), (3) and (4) were used to predict the value of 8LK in an aqueous product relative to the level of dissolved solids (ΤΏ8). The results are presented in FIG. 8A and 8B, the latter shows an enlarged fragment of the former. FIG. 8B, which includes an overlay of a picture defining a zone of preferred characteristics for some crops, shows that the separation methods of the invention can provide many real product flows that satisfy or fall within the range of target characteristics. It is noteworthy that the separation systems and methods according to the invention represent intermediate and / or precisely tunable parameters that cannot be directly achieved using non-selective alternatives. However, in order to obtain a basis for comparison, the intermediate properties of the treated water were approximated by approximating the intended mixture of the actual product obtained with a proportional amount of raw or untreated seawater. For example, in order to evaluate the 8ΆΚ / соотношения8 ratio for a distilled aquatic product, the raw seawater was mixed with real distilled water to predict the characteristic values of the intermediate. Although such practices are generally not used, illustrated predictions of intermediate characteristics, as indicated by a dashed line connecting real data, were presented for comparison with respect to selective separation systems. The essence of the 8ΆΚ / ΤΏ8 ratio for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems was similarly approximated by evaluating the properties of a theoretically mixed product. Thus, for each of the discrete, unsuitable for precise control methods, the dashed lines connecting the points of real data represent a hypothetically achievable fitted product, while the solid lines connecting the values of real data show an achievable product that allows fine control.

The actual properties of distillation water were obtained from a publication by the US Department of the Interior, Land Reclamation Bureau, Denver Office, entitled Water Treatment Technology Program Report, No. 7, 1995. Real Data for Properties of an Aqueous Product Obtained by Non-Selective Electrodialysis (ΕΏ) , were borrowed from the publication of the author Μ. Τη tech Economic desalination of sea water by electrodialysis, OezaNpayop publication, No. 153, pp. 371-376, 2002. Actual data for the properties of water obtained by nanofiltration were taken from the publication of the authors Τ8еηβ, е! A1., Optimization of two-stage membranes for nanofiltration during desalination of sea water, L \\ '\\' L, 2003, CA-Νν Ap. Ra11 SopT, 2003.

With the now described certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the foregoing is illustrative only and not limiting. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the competence of any ordinary person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. In particular, although many of the examples presented here include specific combinations of methodological actions or system components, it should be understood that these actions and these components can be combined in other ways to achieve the same goals. For example, the electrodialysis (ΕΏ) and electrodeionization (ΕΏΙ) installations can be combined in a two-stage process in which the electrodialysis (ΕΏ) installation lowers the level of dissolved solids (ΤΏ8) in seawater to a range of about 5000 to about 6000 ppm, and the installation electrodeionization (ΕΏΙ) sequentially reduces the level of dissolved solids

- 16,017,151 species (ΤΌ8) up to a range of from about 1,500 to about 2,000 ppm.

Further, the actions, components and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be suspended from playing a similar role in other embodiments.

It should be appreciated that a variety of changes, modifications, and enhancements can be easily made by those skilled in the art and that such changes, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of the description and are within the meaning and scope of the invention. For example, the degree of sodium adsorption can be represented according to an alternative formula (5) where Να is the concentration of sodium in water in mEq / l;

Ca _x is the modified value of the calcium content in mEq / l, which represents the concentration of calcium particles in water with compensation due to water salinity, the HCO ₃ / Ca ratio (in mEq / l) and the estimated partial pressure of CO ₂ in the surface soil layer; and

MD - the concentration of magnesium particles in water in mEq. / L.

Moreover, it should also be taken into account that the invention is directed to every feature, system, subsystem or method described herein, and any combination of two or more features, systems, subsystems and methods described herein, and any combination of two or more features, systems, subsystems and / or methods, if such features, systems, subsystems and methods are not mutually incompatible, is considered to be within the scope of the invention, as presented in the claims.

The use of ordinal terms, such as the first, second, third and the like, in the claims to modify a feature of the invention does not in itself imply any advantage, seniority or order of any feature of the invention over another, or a temporary order in which the actions are performed method, but are used only as designations for distinguishing one feature of the claims having a specific name from another feature having the same name (but I use the ordinal term) when distinguishing features of the claims.

Skilled artisans should appreciate that the parameters and configurations described herein are exemplary and that the actual parameters and / or configurations will depend on the particular application in which the systems and methods of the invention are used. Skilled artisans should also recognize or be able to determine, using nothing more than a routine experiment, the equivalents of specific embodiments of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are presented only as examples, and that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention can be implemented in a way other than specifically described.

As used herein, the term plurality means two or more objects or components. The terms enclosing, including, bearing, having, containing and relating to, whether in a written description or in the claims and the like, are unlimited terms, that is, meaning including, but not limited to. Thus, the use of such terms means the inclusion of the objects listed thereafter, and their equivalents, as well as additional objects. Only transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of are closed or half-closed transitional expressions, respectively, in relation to the claims. Further, the use of the term drinking in relation to water, in particular treated water, does not limit the scope of the subject invention and may indicate water suitable for use by livestock, including consumption.

Claims (24)

CLAIM 1. An irrigation method for at least a portion of an agricultural enterprise, comprising the steps of determining the degree of sodium adsorption (8ΆΚ) of irrigation water based on at least one: soil characteristics of the agricultural enterprise or salt tolerance of at least one agricultural crop grown in the agricultural enterprise and the value 8ΆΚ is determined according to the formula _5ΛΕ - [Υ "] 1 [Ca] + [M ^ 'where [Να] represents the concentration of sodium particles, in mol / m ³ , in irrigation water, - 17 017151 [Ca] is the concentration of calcium particles in mol / m ³ in irrigation water and [Md] is the concentration of magnesium particles in mol / m ³ in irrigation water, the treated water is introduced into the electric separation unit to obtain irrigation water, regulate the operating parameter of the electric separation unit, which includes at least one: the flow rate of the treated fluid, the applied potential or the total length of the flow path, for the selective removal or reduction of particles of at least one: sodium, calcium or magnesium from the water for access izzhivaniya pre-set value 8AB irrigation water, and irrigate with irrigation water at least part of the agricultural enterprise. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the treated water is additionally heated. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which the treated water includes at least one: sea water or brackish water. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the irrigation water has a total dissolved solids (ΤΌ8) of less than about 3,500 ppm. 5. The method according to claim 1, in which at least a portion of any boron-containing particles in irrigation water is further removed. 6. The method according to claim 1, in which the installation of electrical separation contains a selective membrane for monovalent ions. 7. The method according to claim 6, in which the selective membrane for monovalent ions is a selective membrane for monovalent cations. 8. The method according to claim 6, in which the selective membrane for monovalent ions is a selective membrane for monovalent anions. 9. The method according to claim 6, in which the installation of electrical separation comprises an electrodialysis device. 10. The method according to claim 1, in which the value of 8AB irrigation water is less than about 20. 11. The method according to claim 1, in which the value of 8AB irrigation water is less than about 9. 12. The method according to claim 1, in which the value of 8AV irrigation water is less than about 3. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the suspended particulate material is further removed from the treated water before introducing water into the electrical separation unit. 14. The method according to item 13, in which additionally introduce irrigation water into the layer of ion-exchange material. 15. The method according to claim 1, in which at least one is added: seawater or brackish water to irrigation water to obtain mixed irrigation water having a predetermined value of 8AK. 16. An irrigation system, which includes an electrical separation unit in fluid communication with the source of the treated water; and an irrigation water distribution system in fluid communication with the electrical separation unit, characterized in that it further comprises a controller configured to control at least one operating parameter of the electrical separation unit to produce irrigation water having a predetermined value of the degree of sodium adsorption. 17. The irrigation system according to clause 16, in which the installation of electrical separation contains an electrodialysis device. 18. The irrigation system of claim 16, further comprising a heater in fluid communication with the electrical separation unit. 19. The irrigation system according to clause 16, in which the treated water includes at least one: sea water or brackish water. 20. The irrigation system according to clause 16, further comprising a source of at least one salt: magnesium salt or calcium salt, in fluid communication between the electrical separation unit and the irrigation water distribution system. 21. The irrigation system of claim 16, further comprising a filter located upstream of the electrical separation unit. 22. The irrigation system according to clause 16, further comprising a layer of ion-exchange material located upstream relative to the irrigation water distribution system. 23. The irrigation system according to clause 16, further comprising a mixer having an inlet pipe in fluid communication with the electrical separation unit, and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the irrigation water distribution system. 24. The irrigation system according to item 23, in which the mixer further includes an inlet pipe in fluid communication with a water source having a degree of sodium adsorption of more than about 20.