ES2311405A1 - Nutrient doses and inhibitors of radicular growth for irrigation pipes. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Nutrient feeders and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes. The dosers consist of tubular segments of short length, of the same or different material than the constituent of the irrigation pipe, in which they are intended to be introduced, so that both said pipe and the emitters can be manufactured in a standardized way, without taking into account neither the contribution of nutrients nor root growth inhibitors, since these go apart, specifically in the tubular segments that are introduced in a variable number along the irrigation pipeline, preferably in the extrusion process itself. This last. This allows, contrary to what happens conventionally where the dispenser is the pipe itself or its emitters, that a given pipe with certain emitters, can be incorporated dosers with different characteristics and specific to each case, which can even be combined within a same pipe. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Nutrient dosers and inhibitors of root growth for irrigation pipes.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to dispensers of nutrients and / or root growth inhibitors, usable in irrigation pipes provided with irrigation emitters, those commonly called "drippers."

The object of the invention is to achieve Nutrient dosers and / or growth inhibitors root, without using either the pipes themselves, or the emitters, nor any of the various component parts of the latter, so that there is full independence between these elements and the said doser, which allows the use, for obtaining the latter, of more materials suitable for dosing, among other series of advantages that will be evident throughout the present description.

The invention thus falls within the scope of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of irrigation facilities agricultural, especially drip irrigation facilities.

Background of the invention

In the field of underground irrigation the roots of the plants, in their natural tendency to look for water and nutrients, penetrate the water outlet holes of the irrigation pipes, causing their obstruction.

Trying to ignore such a problem they know different methods, including a first solution of the physical barrier type, and a second barrier type solution chemical (herbicide) with dosing control of inhibitors root growth (ICR). Obviously both solutions are designed to prevent the invasion of pipes and emitters of irrigation by plant roots.

An alternative treatment, less used by its limited effectiveness, to avoid the invasion of roots consists of the periodic addition of some type of acid such as nitric acid or phosphoric acid during the irrigation phase.

A focus of special interest regarding second problem is the study compared from the analysis of four different techniques used to preserve the systems of underground irrigation, root intrusion, namely:

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Mechanical barriers

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ICR dosage in water during The irrigation process.

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ICR dosage to irrigation water by impregnating the filters of the installation.

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Incorporation of ICR in some element internal of the irrigation emitter.

The first technique is based on incorporation of very fine filters in localized irrigation emitters, for avoid the invasion of roots within them. This method, in In principle, it is highly effective in stopping the progress of the roots, but the small dimensions in the water passages, they end up causing a clogging caused by the own impurities of the irrigation water, which causes a decrease  Progressive flow rate provided by issuers and uncontrolled operation of them. They have also developed a type different from physical barriers, such as choke points incorporated in the same localized irrigation emitters. The effectiveness of these mechanisms is not complete, so you should be combined with the periodic treatment of acids or herbicides.

The second technique, in which the herbicide injection during irrigation, requires control carefully the dose of ICR applied according to the frequency of watering In this process, the results depend on the type of soil Where it applies This study shows that this technique is not a acceptable practice, as side effects may appear as points of high contamination of the product in the soil and risk of contamination of water by underground leaks, in addition It has the side effect of the appearance of limitation risks in the normal growth of plant roots. Results Similar are achieved in another study.

A third technique analyzed is the incorporation of the herbicide on the filter discs of the installation of irrigation. In this way, they are releasing ICR every time Make an irrigation. However, the effectiveness of this technique does not It lasts beyond two years of service or 2,400 hours of irrigation.

The fourth technique presents an alternative way of application of ICR consisting in the release of said substance, of the plastic polymer with which the emitter is manufactured of irrigation. The herbicide is released very slowly, looking at the soil next to the emitter, the amount of ICR being reduced contributed to the ground and limiting the effect of inhibition of root growth, near the irrigation emitter. This system has proved effective and enduring for at least ten years.

Currently, several system manufacturers irrigation - Toro Ag Irrigation, Agrometzer, Netafim - produce and They sell localized emitters for underground irrigation. Both The first market two types of issuers (turbulent type and self-compensating type) introducing herbicidal substances in either the body of the integrated polyethylene emitter, or in a silicone membrane inside the emitter, guaranteeing its Correct operation for at least ten years.

These considerations point to this fourth technique as the most appropriate, for being less polluting, less expensive and more controlled effects, however its application Industrial practice presents numerous drawbacks among which We will quote some.

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The composition of the material of the issuers or of any of its parts components has to be suitable simultaneously for its function as an emitter and as a dispenser (a material can be very good for one function and very bad for the other and you would have to choose one compromise solution to be acceptable to both functions).

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Be link the size, shape and volume of the dosage method to that of designed emitter.

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It requires that the dosage be carried out for each type and composition of each issuer.

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To vary the dosage according to the crop requires manufacturing emitters with Different dosages

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It is not possible to increase the mass of the dosing element (and therefore its duration for the same composition) without designing another model of transmitter.

The different techniques you just mention are made, among others, in the following documents:

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Rodney Ruskin ; Patent GB2174884 ( 1986 )

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Rodney Ruskin ; Patent WO 03039251. PCT / US02 / 35183 ( 2003 )

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Buron F., Cataldo D., Cline JF, Skiens WE; Patent US5116414 ( 1992 )

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Palma G., Alvear M., Slazar I .; Bowl. Soc. Chil. Qim., 47,175-180 ( 2002 )

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Lagaly G .; Patent DE 2742912 ( 1979 )

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Ducol JP; Patent WO 2007000527 ( 2007 )

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Spadotto O .; Patent EP1783414 ( 2007 )

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Blott PL, Greener B., Hartwell E.YI, Lee-Webb J., Nicolini D .; Patent WO 2007031765 ( 2007 )

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Eckstein E., Hui PS, Eckstein G .; US2002104903 ( 2002 )

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Amsellem M .; Patent FR2786363 ( 2000 )

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Dinur E., Gorney M .; Patent EP0241836 ( 1987 )

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Lambert G., Buluschek B .; Patent EP0970602 ( 2000 )

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Brown RD, Pitchford EJ, Plotkin M., Christen HD, Dumitrascu O; Patent US4726520 ( 1988 )

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Spencer Lloyd ; Patent US4095618 (1978)

Description of the invention

The dispenser proposed by the invention resolves in a fully satisfactory way the problem previously exposed, in the different aspects commented.

To do this and more specifically said dispenser is based on the idea of separating the dosing element both the emitter and the pipe, so that said doser materialize in a piece, of suitable material, carrier of the repeatedly cited nutrients and / or growth inhibitors root, which are introduced in a variable number within the pipeline.

The number of dispensers to enter in a certain pipe is variable, like its own geometry and the material with which they are constituted, using in each case the most suitable solutions according to each specific function concrete, entering the irrigation pipe during the process Extrusion of it.

In turn, said dosers may be manufactured by extrusion, injection or molding, in materials analogous or different from the constituents of the pipe.

A preferred embodiment contemplates that the inside diameter of the pipe does not suffer narrowing due to to house inside the tubular segments, for it in the extrusion process tubular segments are introduced whose inner diameter is that of the pipe, although due to the thickness of its walls, a bulge is generated in the pipe that is being extruded (having a larger diameter in that area).

In accordance with this preferred embodiment of the invention its geometry will be that of tubular segments of lengths between 0.1 and 10 times the diameter of the pipe, of diameters between 1.2 and 0.3 times that of the pipe, and of thicknesses between 0.3 and 0.01 times the diameter of the pipeline.

It is also provided that said supports are constituted by one or several tubular and coaxial layers of different materials, which allow a better dosage, can also have varied interior forms, labyrinthine or no, constituting reservoirs, holes, ducts, etc., which Optimize your function.

The procedure of introduction of the supports in the irrigation pipe it may be the same as the one used for the introduction of emitters during pipe extrusion and be performed simultaneously, entering alternately, or according to sequences, emitters and tubular dosing segments.

It should also be noted that this character independent of the dispensers with respect to the pipe, allows to enter in the same pipe, to use simultaneously, nutrient dosers and / or inhibitors of root growth of different characteristics, with different product concentrations for each of them, or in synergistic action of several dosed ingredients independently on different materials.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization of it, is accompanied as part member of that description, a set of drawings where with illustrative and non-limiting nature, what has been represented next:

Figure 1.- Shows, according to an axial section, a section of pipe provided inside a tubular segment larger diameter, constituent of the nutrient doser e root growth inhibitor that is the subject of present invention

Figure 2.- Shows, according to a representation similar to the previous figure, the way in which the tubular segment it is introduced inside the pipe during the process of extrusion of the latter.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The dosers that the invention proposes they can be obtained in different ways, some of which are described below, without limiting its practical realization in absolute scope of the invention, which is extended to others embodiments that allow obtaining the same results.

According to a first embodiment, it is manufactured a pipe of equal diameter and thickness (or diameters and thicknesses next) that the underground irrigation to obtain by extrusion (1), that in addition to the components that it contains, are added as components of the extrusion process, ICR dose or nutrients (in free form, as absorbates or as micro- encapsulated). Once manufactured it is cut into pieces (2) of 3 to 5 cm (sizes of the same order of the emitters) and those elements are used to incorporate them (alternatively to the issuers of irrigation) to the pipe in a similar way to which these are incorporated irrigation emitters during the extrusion process, as shown Figure 2, which shows how the tubular segment (2) is axially introduced into the pipe (1), specifically in the cone (1 ') molten, which said pipe forms during extrusion, before  that it begins to cool and adopt the final configuration showing the right area of said figure 2.

According to a second embodiment, a irrigation pipe of equal diameter from which it is intended to manufacture it is cut into pieces of 3 to 5 cm (sizes of the same order of emitters), then those elements undergo a process in which by absorption the required additives are incorporated and finally they are used to incorporate them (alternatively to irrigation emitters) to the pipe in a similar way to the one incorporate these irrigation emitters during the process of extrusion.

In a third embodiment, they are manufactured by injection elements of similar dimensions to the emitters irrigation systems that contain the additives to be dosed and are used to incorporate them alternately to the irrigation emitters during the extrusion process

To clarify the obtaining of the supports with the products of the different examples of practical realization of the invention, the procedures described below generals employed with growth inhibitors radicular

Preparation of dosers by absorbates

In bottles of 250 ml. elements of irrigation pipe 1.5 cm in diameter and 5 cm in length with a approximate weight per element of 3 g and a solution in aromatic solvent (CAS0064742-94-5) at 45% form that are immersed in said solution. They remain in the dissolution at room temperature for 5 days and later they are dried and washed with running water for 5 minutes and finely They are dried with air flow at room temperature.

Preparation of dispensers with micro-encapsulated

In a pipe manufacturing line by extrusion is added to the charges (coal, etc.) the amount appropriate micro-capsules containing the proper dosage of ingredient micro-encapsulated and a pipe is manufactured 1/20 length in meters of the number of items required to manufacture. Once the pipe is manufactured, it cuts segments of 5 cm in length

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Example 1 Dispensers with absorbed trifluralin such as ICR

Application: Incorporation into irrigation pipes underground to prevent root intrusion into emitters

Dispensers obtained as described in the preparation of absorbates using trephlan (45% trifluralin in aromatic solvent) are introduced into an irrigation pipe following the same sequence as the emitters so that after Each issuer includes a dispenser (alternatively you can vary the number of dispensers).

The underground irrigation pipes obtained guarantee a dosing rate and a content in stable trifluralin along the irrigation line. Between his applications, it should be noted that it allows to design irrigation lines with different ICR loads depending on the crop to which they are intended and depending on flows and hours of irrigation just by varying the number of  dosing elements to be introduced per meter of pipe (0.2; 0.5, 1, 2, etc.)

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Example 2 Dispensers with absorbed diuron as ICR

Application: Incorporation into irrigation pipes underground to prevent root intrusion into emitters

Analog construction and applications that in the example 1, can be used in synergistic combination with the example one.

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Example 3 Dispensers with micro-capsules with trifluralin as ICR

Application: Underground irrigation pipes large flows and usage times.

Micro-encapsulated Trifluralin in 10% grade esterification gum arabic benzoate, it add (in different doses) for example to 10% by weight of the load of coal for the manufacture of pipes as indicated in the preparation of dispensers with micro-encapsulated

The dosers thus obtained may contain Trifluralin loads much higher than those of the absorbates.

Claims (11)

1. Nutrient dispensers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, characterized in that they consist of a piece or element physically independent of both the irrigation pipe and the emitters, intended to be housed within said irrigation pipe and materialized in tubular segments of lengths between 0.1 and 10 times the diameter of the pipe to which they are intended, of diameters between 1.2 and 0.3 times that of the pipe, and in turn thicknesses between 0, 3 and 0.01 times the diameter of the pipe, said tubular segments of materials suitable for containing and releasing in a dosage form the nutrients and / or inhibitors of root growth. 2. Nutrient dosers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubular segments, containers in their composition of the ingredients to be dosed, are constituted by a single tubular layer of a material manufactured by any technique (extrusion, injection or molding) and material. 3. Nutrient dispensers and root growth inhibitors, for irrigation pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular segments are segments of polyethylene or polypropylene pipes, which in their composition contain nutrients or inhibitors of root growth to be dosed. 4. Nutrient dosers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to claim 1, characterized in that each tubular segment is constituted by 2 or more concentric tubular layers of different materials. 5. Nutrient dosers and root growth inhibitors, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tubular segments contain internal labyrinthic ducts or shapes that improve their function. 6. Nutrient dosers and root growth inhibitors, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tubular segments contain hollow reservoirs that improve their function. 7. Nutrient dosers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tubular segments incorporate micro-capsules dispersed in the chosen binder matrix, which inside contain the ingredients to be dosed. 8. Nutrient dispensers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular segments are of the same matrix polymer as that of the pipe where they are to be introduced. 9. Nutrient dosers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tubular segments are coated internally and / or externally by layers containing the ingredients to be dosed. 10. Nutrient dispensers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tubular segments are housed in the irrigation pipe during the extrusion process thereof and by methods analogous to those of the introduction of the emitters during the pipe extrusion process. 11. Nutrient dispensers and root growth inhibitors for irrigation pipes, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tubular segments are introduced into the irrigation pipe according to predetermined sequences, alternatively to the emitters during the pipe extrusion process.