EP3544417A1

EP3544417A1 - Device and method for introducing a high voltage into a substrate which comprises biological material

Info

Publication number: EP3544417A1
Application number: EP17828835.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matthias Eberius; Sergio DE ANDRADE COUTINHO FILHO; Dirk Vandenhirtz
Original assignee: Zasso GmbH
Current assignee: Zasso GmbH
Priority date: 2016-11-25
Filing date: 2017-11-27
Publication date: 2019-10-02
Also published as: AU2017366640A1; DE112017005960A5; CA3046395A1; US20190373816A1; WO2018095450A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for introducing a high voltage into a substrate comprising biological material, in which an applicator module having two or more applicators with simultaneously differing polarities is used through which the metered electrical high voltage flows so as to alter the substrate. Different embodiments allow the high voltage to be controlled and introduced in a targeted manner into the substrate.

Description

Apparatus and method for introducing high voltage into a substrate comprising biological material

[01] The invention relates to an apparatus and method for introducing high voltage into a substrate comprising biological material.

[02] The standard method of using high voltage electrical power (voltage of at least 1,000 V) often set forth in patents is to kill plants defined as weeds. It is introduced with an applicator current into the leaves of the weeds with the aim to kill them including the roots. To close the circuit through leaf, root and soil is contacted with a second applicator of the soil. In addition, both applicators can contact leaves of different plants and the destruction of both plants then takes place by closing the circuit through the roots.

In contrast, in the method described here, which is also referred to below as the ElektroBioMod method, using target-specific applicators for transmitting the electrical high voltage and energy no plants are killed as weeds, but useful plants, parts of crops, other organisms or Parts of organisms targeted to certain parts of the organism contacted with high voltage to achieve according to the method desired effects that do not target the killing of weeds, but cause a specific structural change in the high-voltage or functionally connected parts. The consequence of this structural change in the substrate is the agronomic promotion of crops, their yield, their harvest quality, the quality of agricultural by-products or the usability of treated materials in subsequent process steps.

[04] This objective, which differs according to the invention, requires a novel type of applicator and a metered-system control system which has the following basic properties and is then geometrically constructed differently in accordance with the respective individual applications in order to achieve the targeted flow of electrical high voltage.

Bestätigungskopiel The paired or multiple applicator units must be defined and usually close to each other to act only in the desired range, which is often not in the well-absorbing leaf area, but very often on the better insulating trunks and / or fresh branches occurring there. An unspecific return of the current through the soil is in most cases not possible, since in most cases the roots must not be hit. The applicators must be well insulated with each other. The performance of the individual applicator units must be dosed and limited and accordingly must not be influenced by contacts and resistances of other objects that are in contact with the overall system. A large number of individual applicators must be operated in parallel so that the system can have correspondingly high total surface area

[06] While the entire plant in the applied area is structurally altered in the case of a highly conductive strain, only the fresh, not lignified water veins, side branches or other plants in the same position are flowed through and altered directly on the stem as long as the better isolated stem is not deliberately changed with abrasive applicators in its surface conductivity.

[07] The device serves as an electro-physical replacement method for increasingly unauthorized non-systemic leaf herbicides and other non-systemic herbicides and antiproliferative agents and as an electro-physical replacement for mechanical processes that fail to provide adequate performance or are too expensive and energy intensive.

[08] To provide the power, one control and transformation module is used per applicator unit, which is two applicators or multiple applicators, on a mounting unit with closely adjacent individual applicators, which high voltage in a range of 1,000 to 40,000 V and a power of 10 to 10,000 W. should deliver. The respective work area automatically adjusts itself according to an implemented work characteristic as a function of the substrate resistance, whereby processor-controlled performance optimization as far as possible does not select a single operating point but a work area with the highest possible power. The processor control also allows sensor-based or otherwise data-based control influences up to pattern recognition and artificial intelligence in parameter optimization. [09] To solve the problem, a basic applicator is used, which consists of two or more juxtaposed, simultaneously oppositely poled single applicators. These applicator units can be charged with alternating current (phase versus 0 or two phases against each other) or direct current (+, -, where one pole has near-earth absolute potential).

The respective oppositely poled applicator units are separated by an insulating intermediate layer of 0.5 to 10 cm in width. This intermediate layer may have similar mechanical properties z. B. in terms of flexibility and durability as the applicators have. The purpose of the intermediate layer is to avoid direct flashovers between the applicators by labyrinthine separation and to keep out plant parts from the intermediate area, so that no bridging shorts occur within the applicator. For this purpose, dense plastic bristles, plastic loops, plastic combs or elastic plastic plates are used, which have the same shape and size, which is also used in the metallic applicators. The units can then be expanded by adding additional applicators with alternating polarity. Depending on the application, layered round brushes with and without drive can also be used and the orientation of the units is adapted to the respective plants. Only if the substrate thickness is well defined, the adjacent poles are replaced by opposite poles.

The aim of the device is to significantly improve the state of the art in a number of applications. This will replace more expensive and time-consuming and energy-intensive mechanical processes. In particular, however, chemical processes which result in partial destructuring of individual plant parts will be replaced without residue by a non-chemical and non-toxic process.

A first field of application is the whole plant drying and the conversion to biogas. If biomass is to be converted into process gas, a water content of 10 - 15% is necessary, as it directly reaches straw, while all other biomass materials have to be predried with considerable energy expenditure separately or at the beginning of the gasification process. This process greatly reduces the efficiency of the processes. At the same time, the high moisture content also leads to storage problems and unwanted biomass degradation. So far, the material has to be cut off, is then denser and dries badly, especially in unstable weather conditions, or begins to fade. len. Since, accordingly, drying of biomass in the field is technically not feasible, the material is hitherto used in biogas plants with liquid gasification by bacteria, but this raises considerable problems and requires, for example, pulping of the cellulose and its overall efficiency is also lower.

State of the art for targeted maturation: For the harvest of many types of crops is a uniform ripening, the highest possible degree of dryness of the fruits and a substantial drying of the green plant components of the crop and possibly present weed important. If this is not the case, the harvest is massively more difficult, more expensive, leads to less yield, the shelf life of the crop decreases and the harvesting process takes longer. This often weather-dependent problem is usually solved by the fact that chemical agents for drying the plants (Sikkationsherbizide) are sprayed. The active ingredients used can leave residues in the crop and the environment and are increasingly prohibited or severely regulated in some applications.

So that the plants can be better utilized microbially, a variety of digestion methods are available, in which the plants are mechanically comminuted or in the liquid phase by enzymatic or physical methods (grinding, ultrasound ...) to be made more usable. Other options are the elaborate extraction of major components, fermentation, microbial removal of minor components such. B. for fiber production (flax, hemp ...), fermentation optimization.

The ElektroBioMod method offers the possibility, at relatively low energy input without an additional medium or agents to induce internal cell disruption by the introduction of targeted energy, the subsequent mechanical or other digestion steps considerably simplifies and makes more effective and because of its cellular action, the bacterial accessibility and strongly promotes hydrolysis.

The use of large amounts of fungicides and copper preparations to minimize plant diseases such as fungal infections is a massive environmental impact, but often necessary to combat downy mildew. The infested vine leaves and cut branches remain in the vineyard and the spores surviving the winter can lead to rapid reinfections, in particular by high spraying and dust distribution of free soil (weed control and Unterarbeiten of vine leaves). Treatment of the cut vine leaves directly after the cut during and after the season reduces the formation of permanent spores, since on the one hand leave the leaves by cell destruction as a result of ElektroBioMod process quickly remaining tartaric acid and disintegrate and degraded faster for the same reason Thus, as a carrier for the fungus less available and more antagonists come into contact with the fungus on the leaves or in the humus substrate.

The advantages of the ElektroBioMod method lie in an interruption of contamination chains with a reduction in the use of herbicides, fungicides and an increased carbon bond in the soil.

[019] Another area of use is the Wasserreiserentfernung. Woody plants and trees, especially grafted plants such. B. many grape vines, but also street trees have a significant growth of undesirable side shoots, mostly called water travelers. These are best simply removed gently and with minimal plant injury. In addition to the mechanical pruning, there are methods with brushing and chemical treatment with low-concentrated defoliants. The chemical processes require a lot of experience and accurate dosing, which is often difficult, more and more chemical agents are being restricted or banned, mechanical cutting is time consuming and expensive, mechanical removal of water brushes with brushes leads to unwanted injuries, and then infections arise.

In the ElektroBioMod method, a long bristle brush (100-400 mm bristle length) with smooth or only slightly roughened loosely distributed electrically conductive bristles (preferably polymer) is preferably guided along the trunk at least at an angle of 90 °. The brush turns from bottom to top on the stem side, so the water veins are not torn off. In the simple version, the water travelers are touched with only one pole. The highly volume-limited stream flows through the much thicker stem non-destructive. In the two-pole version, the brush with the middle of the trunk is led up / along. The lower end of the water circuit is acted upon with the opposite polarity as the upper area. This reduces the current flow in the main trunk to an absolute minimum.

[021] The water travelers remain on the trunk and dry. There are no open wounds on the trunk and no chemistry has to be used. The process is automatic can be performed and also efficiently carried out with autonomous devices. Depending on the characteristics of the water voyagers, a bottom brush is used unchanged and only has to be able to move upwards.

A further field of application relates to a targeted stressing and a root reduction: In many cases it is possible, by pruning of roots and shoots, to redirect an increasing proportion of the photosynthetic power of plants into the harvest constituents. Normally, this is done by a mostly mechanical assessment of roots to reduce shoot growth and to increase the fruit content. Root scarcation triggers a stress response in the plant that directly triggers a mild drought stress or infestation stress reaction, or is interpreted indirectly by the plant. This is especially true for declarations of roots without sprout reduction. But also a sprout reduction leads to an increased investment in the fruit of many plants.

According to the invention, in the intermediate regions of the crops on the surface or by means of depth electrodes, current is introduced in such a way that part of the root of the crop dies or is at least damaged. This is interpreted by many plants as stress, which inhibits cellulose production (more branches, leaves) and results in increased investment in fruits and sugars in general. Thus, e.g. the sugar content in sugarcane is increased or the length growth of branches in fruit trees is limited in favor of fruit and water consumption.

The method according to the invention requires no or at least substantially less interference with the soil structure and often reduces the weed competition at the same time. All biological and technical disadvantages caused by soil disruption are avoided. Thus, e.g. Also, damage to irrigation systems will be much easier to avoid as the floor area is less or not mechanically attacked.

Another field of use is the killing of harmful organisms stages in plant parts: In commercial cultivation, the pathogens can often be combated with systemic insecticides. However, this is associated with considerable effort and in the private sector and in the public sector (street trees, etc.) inadmissible or very heavily regulated. Therefore, it is often only possible to collect and dispose of the fallen leaves, which contain the overwintering organisms stages, as separately as possible. burn. Other forms of waste disposal from normal household waste to composting very often lead to a further carryover of the pests.

[026] According to the invention, the fallen leaves are treated electrophysically immediately after collection and the parasitic stages are thus dying off. For this purpose, the sheets can be acted upon by a continuous or discontinuous conveyor system between the two electrodes for a certain residence time with high-frequency high voltage.

[027] This on-site treatment makes it possible to treat the infested leaves sorted and thus efficient and then no longer have to go for special purposes for further utilization, which reduces the logistics and disposal costs. It can thus also private individuals or other owners of infested leaves make this significantly less expensive by using the Elektroherbte technology harmless, as would be possible by the addition of household waste or special combustion. The leaf material can then even remain on site and be used as a normal fertilizer.

[028] In a first embodiment, applicator units from the side and from the side just above the ground with both applicator polarities contact the plants for water flow interruption in the trunk. Depending on the plant, one-sided contact or contact with a contacting or abrasive applicator (metal brush (stationary or rotating), scraping metal sheet ends or cutting metal) is necessary if the vascular bundles can only be reached directly from the outside and are extensively damaged should (woody structures).

The applicator units in the individual rows run guided by a main transport module or autonomously with its own drive and its own power supply. In addition to the applicators described here, it is possible, in particular in the floor area, to install other types of applicators or devices with physical / mechanical action principles.

In addition to static, ie only by spring force or material elasticity (rubber, plastic, metal as a base) flexible but otherwise immovable units and the following actively movable applicator units can be used: Straight unit (brush / bar): The unit rotates after the start signal to the obstacle actively and quickly around the obstacle, as far as possible with obstacle contact, to after the entire area around the obstacle to the starting position with outward forward directed tip to return.

[032] Three-wing unit: This unit also rotates around the object as described in the straight unit, but with the advantage that less rotation is necessary, so that the device can be driven faster overall.

[033] Two brushes arranged above one another with a horizontal axis of rotation and horizontal movement also detect the trunk in the lower area under sensor control.

A sensor-controlled brush, each with a pole in the middle and the opposite pole in the edge area drives sensor controlled on the trunk and contacted so that water veins and other better conductive small branches on a well-insulated trunk with power around it to soil.

Depending on the application, a partial damage of the roots makes sense in order to trigger certain reactions in the plants. Then, the same applicators are used as in the device described above with the only difference that the trunk is contacted only by a pole and a smaller area and this affects only a part of the water-bearing structures. Possibly. For example, a surface or topsoil soil applicator may be used or the circuit closed by a nearby plant. In this case, the performance must be limited specifically to the plant, especially through the use of individually controlled power supply units.

[036] Various embodiments are illustrated in the drawing and will be described in more detail below. It shows

FIG. 1 shows different applicator modules on applicator carriers,

FIG. 2 schematically shows a single applicator module,

FIG. 3 schematically shows a single autonomously moving applicator module,

FIG. 4 schematically shows an arrangement of the individual applicators,

FIG. 5 schematically statically mounted applicators in cross section, FIG. 6 schematically shows the dynamic movement of an applicator set with three arms,

FIG. 7 schematically shows the dynamic movement of an applicator set with two arms,

8 shows schematically the dynamic movement of an applicator set with brushes,

FIG. 9 schematically shows the treatment of a plant with water travelers,

FIG. 10 schematically shows one of the similar embodiments shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 schematically shows one of the similar embodiments shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a reel-like applicator,

FIG. 13 schematically shows a reel-like applicator in use,

FIG. 14 schematically shows an applicator set with alternating polarities in use,

FIG. 15 schematically shows an applicator acting from above with adjacently arranged abrasive applicators in use,

FIG. 16 schematically shows an applicator acting from above with abrasive applicators arranged behind one another in use,

FIG. 17 schematically shows a side-acting applicator with side-by-side grinding applicators in use;

FIG. 18 schematically shows a strip feeding system,

Figure 19 schematically another embodiment of a tape feed system and

FIG. 20 schematically shows an applicator set for thick, stationary substrate layers.

[037] FIG. 1 schematically shows the smallest unit of an applicator module 1 with two simultaneously oppositely poled applicators 2, 3 (shown here as +/-) with an insulating intermediate layer 4 on an applicator carrier 5. In addition, there are an alternating continuation of a longer row of applicators 6 and arrangement variants with about a vertical axis 7 and a horizontal axis 8 rotatable applicators shown. FIG. 2 schematically shows a single applicator module 10 in a preferred embodiment with a built-in high-voltage transformation unit 11 which travels or grinds on the floor 12 between two rows of plants 13, 14. The module 10 is guided by a strut 15 guided over the field on a mobile unit (eg tractor) with a pull and power supply cable 16 (preferably normal voltage). On each side, the plants are contacted with two or more (here two) closely spaced applicators 17, 18 of different polarity, which conduct high voltage through a short piece of plant and change it structurally. The applicators 17, 18 may be shaped differently and fixed statically or dynamically.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a single autonomously traveling applicator module 20, preferably with built-in high-voltage transformation unit 21, energy storage 22 and navigation unit 23, which travels on the floor 24 between two rows of plants 25, 26. The module 20 is mechanically guided in the series and superordinate by GPS. On each side, the plants are contacted with two or more (shown here two) closely spaced applicators 27, 28 and 29, 30 of different polarity, which conduct high voltage through a short piece of plant and change it structurally. This line is symbolically indicated as half-bow 31, 32. The applicators can be shaped differently and fixed statically or dynamically.

[040] FIG. 4 schematically shows an arrangement of the individual applicators in an applicator set 40 shown here of two different superimposed applicators in the plan view. The individual grazing applicators consist of elastic sheets or elastic plastic / rubber / metal composite units 41 flexible and conductive on the contact side loops 42 or brush units 43. Between the Applikatorpolen 44, 45 each have an insulating region 46 of geometrically similar materials is installed as insulation.

[041] FIG. 5 schematically shows statically mounted applicators in cross-section and from the front. The individual plant-engaging applicators 50, 51 may consist of brushes, rows of flat wires, straight, curved or fanned metal sheets, or passively or actively rotating round brushes. Between the applicator poles, an insulating region 52 of geometrically similar materials is installed in each case as insulation. FIG. 6 schematically shows the dynamic movement of an applicator set 60 in a plan view along a row of plants which are to be touched on the trunk as comprehensively as possible. In this case, a three-bladed applicator set 61 which is attached to a cantilever arm 62, passively or actively tracked, rotates around the stem 63 and strips it almost completely. The applicators are attached to both sides of all arms. If a bottom applicator is attached to the underside of the arms, it can also control soil weeds in one go.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the dynamic movement of an applicator set 70 along a row of plants, each with a stem 71, which are intended to be contacted as extensively as possible on the trunk. In this case, a two-bladed applicator set 72, which is attached to a cantilever arm 73, actively rotates around the stem 71 and brushes it almost completely. The applicators 74, 75 are attached to both sides of the arm 76. If a bottom applicator is attached to the underside of the arms, it can also control ground weeds in one go.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the dynamic movement of an applicator set 80 along a row of plants 81, 82 which are to be touched on the trunk as comprehensively as possible. In this case, an applicator set 80 consisting of soft horizontally rotating brushes 83, which is attached to a cantilever arm 84, actively rotates around the trunk of the plants 81, 82 and almost completely wipes it. The applicators 85, 86 are attached to one side of the arm 87.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a plant 90 with water veins 92 to be sclerosed at any position on the trunk 91. These are contacted by means of a brush 93, guided mechanically or sensory, in the outward and near-stemmed region in the upward or downward movement. The brush 93 has a near-earth polarized pole 94 in the region close to the trunk, while the trunk-distant region 95 has the opposite polarity 96 after an intermediate layer consisting of insulating bristles 96. As a result, only electricity flows through the water veins.

FIG. 10 shows one of the similar embodiment 100 shown in FIG. 2, in which the applicators 101, 102 may have the same or different polarity and guide the high voltage through a short piece 103 of the plant 104 and structurally change it or over the ground 106 after a short distance to root 105 follow. FIG. 11 shows one of the similar embodiments 110 shown in FIG. 3, in which the applicators 111, 112 can have the same or different polarity and guide the high voltage through a short piece 113 of the plant 1 14 and structurally change it or via the Ground 116 after a short distance to the root 115 follow.

FIG. 12 shows a reel-like applicator which touches heavily matted plants from above with both poles at intervals for water flow reduction in the shoot area, where also harvested crops are to be found, which may be touched and shaken as little as possible so that e.g. even mature seeds do not fall to the ground and thus get lost. The current flow takes place in the matted shoot parts. Instead of a reel and star-like fixed bristles can be used with flexible ends. Isolation is omitted here due to the high distances of the applicators.

The reel applicator 120 has a different polarity 122, 123 on pendant individual contacts 121. These individual contacts 121 are bent in the embodiment shown and weighted at the upper end 124 or by spring force in a favorable starting position for the deep and low-friction piercing in the felted plant location brought. The reel applicator 120 is actively rotated during the crossing.

FIG. 13 schematically shows a coiled-optical applicator 130 with a central axis of rotation 131, rigid inner bristle carriers 132 firmly attached to the axis of rotation and flexible connected long bristles 133 of good electrically conductive surface material with alternating polarity 134, 135. These flexible bristles 133 dip into the plant substrate 136 and create cross-contacts, which change the plant material and allow it to dry faster. This leads to a better maturation of the plant seeds by slow drying of the upper Halmbereiche.

[051] In another embodiment of the device, two or more quasi-linear applicators of different polarity touch the same plant at as many points of the aerial plant part as possible to cause the structural destruction of many cells without inducing current into the roots or other subterranean organs , The application can be done both from above and from the side.

FIG. 14 schematically shows an applicator set 140 with alternating polarities 141, 142 and insulator regions 143 therebetween, which apply a high voltage current to an entire plant in full height with short conduction paths. FIG. 15 schematically shows an applicator 150 acting from above, with polarities 151, 152, which vary in small-space, transversely to the direction of travel, for the treatment of leaf masses from above.

FIG. 16 schematically shows a top-acting applicator 160 with polarities 161, 162 alternating in the direction of travel for treating leaf masses from above if the root organs are not allowed to be damaged (eg potatoes). Instead of abrasive applicators 163 of different polarity 161, 162 one behind the other brushes or Schleifapplikatoren with different polarity in the direction of movement can be used side by side.

FIG. 17 schematically shows an applicator module 170 acting from the side, with applicators 172, 173 arranged laterally above and beside the plant 171. With high conductivity, the applicator 172, 173 attaching to the side of the plants may, if necessary, also contact the topsoil, which is not a problem.

This results in a better biodegradability and digestibility by bacteria, fungi and enzymes in the field or in biotechnological processes rapid drying of the leaf components such. in soil crops such as potatoes, cereals, legumes.

[057] In another embodiment, the high voltage is introduced into separated plant parts of diseased plants or as an attraction for harmful organisms applied plants. This is done by means of rollers, conveyor belts, etc., to destroy the highly conductive structures in the plant parts structurally very quickly. The highly conductive structures to be destroyed may be plant constituents, fungi, eggs, caterpillars, snails, nematodes or bacteria. The horizontal feed with a conveyor belt either serves as an abutment for the two applicator rollers or the conveyor belt is used as an applicator. When fed vertically, the two applicator rollers face each other. In all cases, the narrowest areas between the applicators are permanently (horizontal double roller) or, in the absence of a substrate in the device, separated with an elastic and brush-like insulator layer to prevent flashovers.

In the case of thick, stationary substrate layers, the applicators are pulled through the substrate in alternating polarity as cutting blades and the gap in the region chen, in which no substrate is kept separated with a brush-like insulator.

FIG. 18 schematically shows a strip feed system 180 with a cut-off substrate 181, which is guided with the insulating conveyor belt 182 as an abutment under two applicator rolls 183, 184. The gap 185 between the applicator rollers 183, 184 is provided with a broom-like insulating curtain 186. Alternatively, the conveyor belt 187 can be used as a second applicator. Then, the gap between the two applicators conveyor belt 187 and ApplikatorroUe 188 each with an isolation brush (not shown) should be closed, as long as no substrate 189 is present, but the system is running.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a strip feed system 190 with a cut-off substrate 191 which is passed between two applicator rolls 192, 193. The gap 194 between the applicator rollers 192, 193 is provided with a broom-like insulating curtain 195. This makes it possible to keep the gap 194 between the two applicators 192, 193 as an insulating curtain 195 closed with an insulating brush, as long as no substrate 191 is present, but the system is running. The view of the gap in FIG. 19 shows broom bristles 196 expanded on the right-hand side and bending broom bristles 197 at substrate throughput 191 on the left.

FIG. 20 schematically shows an applicator set 200 for thick, resting substrate layers through which it is pulled. The applicators 201, 202 in alternating polarity 203, 204 serve as a cutting blade 205 and the gap 206 is kept separated in the areas in which there is no substrate with a brush-like insulator 207.

The result is a complete structural destruction of the separated, treated plant material, a better control of plant diseases by deactivating the pathogens, an increase in vulnerability to rapid biodegradation in the soil, in composting but also in biogas plants and a better extractability of ingredients.

Claims

claims:

1. A device for introducing high voltage into a substrate having biological material, characterized in that it comprises two or more simultaneously differently poled applicators, flows through the metered electrical high voltage to change the substrate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the applicators forms a gap with a length of 0.5 to 20 cm.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the intermediate space is filled by non-conductive elements, which preferably have similar mechanical properties as the applicators.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the non-conductive elements are elastic.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the non-conductive elements are so close that a direct visual contact between the applicators in operation is not possible to preferably prevent flashover spark and the deposition of conductive substrate parts.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators consist of static, past grazing or rotating metal blades, brushes, combs or plates, the two-pole over and / or are arranged side by side.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators have rotating two- or three-winged applicator arms, folding applicator arms or brushes with or without horizontal or vertical self-rotation to wrap round objects as fully as possible when driving by.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators are arranged on Applikatorträgem where other applicators or mechanical / physical means are attached.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators have one or more power-limited individual modules, each with independent high voltage generation and current and voltage control to dose the high voltage and the associated power flows individually and to control.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators are mounted directly on a central transport module, such as preferably a tractor, are loosely guided by a central transport module or move autonomously as individual vehicles.

A method of using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that severed plant parts or other substrates are passed between two movable, closely adjacent applicators shaped as drums, brushes or bands.

12. A method of using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that statically stored separated plant parts or other substrates between two or more movable, closely adjacent deep plow-like applicators are cut.

13. A method of using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case the pole which is closer to the plant part to be protected, the pole with the ground-level reference voltage.