ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR EXTERMINATING PLANTS OR WEEDS, IN PARTICULAR INVASIVE PLANTS OR WEEDS, MORE IN PARTICULAR JAPANESE KNOTWEED
20230284609 · 2023-09-14
Assignee
Inventors
- Antonius Reinerus Maria EVERS (Gendringen, NL)
- Niek EVERS (Gendringen, NL)
- Patrick BEIJERS (Gendringen, NL)
- Guido KRIEGER (Gendringen, NL)
- Jan Hendrik Bernardus HOFTIJZER (Gendringen, NL)
- Joël HESSELINK (Gendringen, NL)
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
An assembly for exterminating a plant or weed, in particular an invasive plant or weed, specifically Japanese Knotweed, comprising a cooling device for cooling a coolant, and a cooling lance, fluidly coupled to said cooling device via at least one flexible conduit, said cooling lance adapted to be inserted into the ground and said flexible conduit allowing said cooling lance to be inserted into said ground at a freely selectable position with respect to said cooling device, said cooling lance further comprising a length of 0.5-2 meters, a tip end for inserting and lowering into the ground, a coupling end opposite said tip and having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for said coolant, and a coolant flow path through said cooling lance and coupling said coolant inlet and said coolant outlet and allowing cooling of at least part of said cooling lance.
Claims
1. An assembly for exterminating a plant or weed comprising: a cooling device for cooling a coolant, and a cooling lance, fluidly coupled to said cooling device via at least one flexible conduit, said cooling lance adapted to be inserted into the ground and said flexible conduit allowing said cooling lance to be inserted into said ground at a freely selectable position from said cooling device, said cooling lance further comprising: a length of 0.5-2 meters; a tip end for inserting and lowering into the ground; a coupling end opposite said tip and having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for said coolant, and a coolant flow path through said cooling lance and coupling said coolant inlet and said coolant outlet and allowing cooling of at least part of said cooling lance, with said coolant inlet of said cooling lance fluidly coupled to a coolant outlet of said cooling device and said coolant outlet of said cooling lance fluidly coupled to said coolant inlet of the cooling device for circulating said coolant.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible conduit comprises a flexible supply conduit and a flexible return conduit, said flexible supply conduit coupled to said coolant inlet of said cooling lance, and said flexible return conduit coupled to said coolant outlet of said cooling lance.
3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cooling lance comprises a substantially tubular outer mantle ending at one end in said tip end suitable for driving said cooling lance into ground, an inner tube having one end coupled to a flexible conduit and its opposite end extending within said outer mantle to said tip end of said outer mantle.
4. The assembly of claim 1, comprising a series of said cooling lances, each cooling lance coupled to said cooling device via said at least one flexible conduit allowing each cooling lance to be positioned individually into the ground, each of said cooling lances comprising at least one flexible conduit.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein each of said cooling lances comprises said flexible conduit, such that said cooling lances are fluidly coupled in parallel to said cooling device, each cooling lance comprising a flexible inlet conduit fluidly coupled to a cooling device outlet and a flexible outlet conduit fluidly coupled to a cooling device inlet.
6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir for coolant, fluidly coupled to said cooling device.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature lance for inserting into the ground, said temperature lance comprising at least one temperature sensor.
8. The assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a controller, at least one temperature lance functionally coupled to said controller, and said cooling device functionally coupled to said controller, wherein said controller is adapted for in operation operating said cooling device to a set temperature of said temperature sensor.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said controller comprises a data processor and a computer program comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein when running on said data processor, receives temperature data from said at least one temperature sensor, compares said temperature data with set temperature data for said temperature sensor, and controls a flow rate of said coolant through said cooling lance for reaching and maintaining said set temperature.
10. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an insulation box comprising a box wall and a box lid, said box wall providing a closed wall enclosing in use a processing area including said at least one cooling lance, and said box lid resting on said box wall.
11. A method for exterminating weeds and plants, comprising: cooling said coolant to a temperature of below 258K, using a coolant that is liquid in at least a temperature range of 173K-260K; inserting a said cooling lance with its tip end into ground near a said weed or plant for defining an area to be processed; circulating said coolant through said cooling lance for attaching an extermination temperature of below 258K, and maintaining said extermination temperature of said cooling lance for a predefined amount of time.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising placing a box wall for enclosing an area to be processed, and applying a box lid on said box wall.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising: providing a temperature sensor in a temperature lance, at a predefined distance of said cooling lance, and circulating said coolant until said temperature sensor indicates a set temperature for said temperature sensor for the predefined amount of time.
14. A cooling lance for insertion into the ground, said cooling lance: having a length of 0.3-2 meters; and comprising: a tip end for inserting and lowering into the ground; a coupling end opposite said tip and having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for said coolant; a coolant flow path through said cooling lance and coupling said coolant inlet and said coolant outlet and allowing cooling of at least part of said cooling lance, and an extraction aeration pipe extending from said coupling end to said tip end and extending in cooling lance inner tube, said extraction aeration pipe extending coaxially cooling lance inner tube in said inner tube.
15. The cooling lance of claim 14, comprising an outer mantle, a cooling lance inner tube, wherein said cooling lance inner tube extends coaxially in said outer mantle, said cooling lance inner tube comprising said coolant inlet and outer mantle comprising said coolant outlet.
16. The cooling lance of claim 15, wherein said coolant lance inner tube extends in said outer mantle to between 1 and 20 cm from said tip end.
17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the predefined amount of time is least 5 days.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0073] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:
[0074]
[0075]
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[0083] The drawings are not necessarily on scale
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0084] The process for exterminating or weed control of many weeds needs to be done carefully. Especially with Japanese Knotweed, one needs to work very concise and careful. First, in order to better understand the assembly, the components will be described on the hand of the attached drawings. Next, the general method will be described.
[0085]
[0086] In the embodiment of
[0087] In this way, it allows the cooling capacity of each cooling lance 3 to be controlled individually. In order to provide a further control of the operation of a cooling lance 3, it comprises a control valve 8. In the current embodiment, the control valve 8 is operationally coupled to cooling lance outlet 5.
[0088] For measuring and checking the temperature and thus effectiveness of the assembly 1 in operation and for allowing monitoring of the effectiveness and operation, the assembly 1 comprises at least one temperature sensor T. In an embodiment, at least one temperature lance 40 is provided. Such a temperature lance is adapted for insertion into the ground. A temperature lance 40 comprises at least one temperature sensor T. In an embodiment, Temperature lance 40 comprises several temperature sensors T at various locations along a length of a temperature lance. This allows measuring a temperature profile in time and in depth in the ground.
[0089] In the current assembly 1 of
[0090] In
[0091] The secondary cooling circuit can be short circuited using a valve 8.
[0092] The assembly of
[0093] The controller 25 is furthermore here functionally coupled to the valves 8. The coupling of
[0094] In
[0095] A cooling lance 3 has a tip end 12 that in use is inserted into the ground, and a coupling end 13 that comprises the inlet 4 and outlet 5. In use, the coupling end 13 will stick out of the ground, allowing coupling of conduits 6, 7 after positioning of the cooling lance 3 in the ground. The cooling lance 3 further comprises at the coupling end 13 extraction handles, allowing attachment of an extraction device.
[0096] A cooling lance 3 in use is lowered into a hole in the ground and after lowering the possibly remaining hole is filled with for instance sand or dirt and/or water.
[0097] The cooling lance 3 comprise a coolant flow path coupling a cooling lance inlet 4 and cooling lance outlet and allowing said coolant to cool at least a length of the cooling lance 3. In to current embodiment, a cooling lance 3 comprises an outer mantle 10, often a metal tube. The cooling lance 3 has a length and a diameter. In most embodiments, a length of less than 3 meters is sufficient. Furthermore, for most practical use, the length is more than 0.5 meter. In general, the cooling lance length will be between 1 and 2 meters. Often, a length of around 1-1.5 is sufficient,
[0098] The cooling lance 3 has a diameter of less than 50 cm. Usually, the diameter will be at least 5 cm. For most applications, the diameter will be 7-20 cm. For extermination of Japanese Knotweed and most known weeds, a diameter of between 10-15 cm is sufficient, allowing proper cooling and easy placement.
[0099] In the outer mantle 10, an inner tube 11 is provided. In the embodiment depicted, the outer mantle 10 and inner tube 11 are concentric tubes having a circular cross section. The inner tube 10 extends from the coupling end up to a distance from the end of the cooling lance 3. Usually, the inner tube 11 ends between 1 cm and 20 cm above the end. The coupling end of the inner tube is here fluidly coupled to the cooling lance inlet 4 and the cooling lance outlet 5 is provided at or near the coupling end in the outer mantle 10. Spacers 18 here keep the inner tube 11 concentrically in the outer mantle 10. It the embodiment of
[0100] In the embodiment of
[0101] For easier extraction after use, the cooling lance 3 is provided with an aeration tube or pipe 15 extending from the tip end 12 to the coupling end 13. At its coupling ends end, the aeration tube 15 comprises a closure with a lever allowing opening and aeration upon extraction of the cooling lance 3.
[0102]
[0103] In
[0104] In fact, if for instance a strip of land needs to be treated of processed, the cooling lances 3 can be placed in a row. For instance, for treating of the middle of a motorway (separating opposite lanes).
[0105]
[0106] Before the cooling lance 3 is extracted or removed out of the ground, an emptying device can be applied. In
[0107] For swift thawing or melting the ground for removing the lances, it is also possible co couple a hot air heater to the cooling lance 3. In
[0108] The controller 25 as mentioned above can be a general purpose computer, computer system, distributed computer, or for instance a PLC.
[0109]
[0110]
[0111] The operation of the embodiment of
[0115] In the embodiments of
[0116] The controller in an embodiment illustrated comprises a data processor and a computer program comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium. When running om said data processor, said computer program receives or retrieves temperature data from said at least one temperature sensor. The computer program can compare the temperature data with set temperature data for said temperature sensor. Furthermore, the computer program can control a flow rate of said coolant through said cooling lance for reaching and maintaining said set temperature.
[0117] A method for exterminating weeds or plants can be described as follows.
[0118] The plants above the surface of the surface are carefully removed. Care should be taken not to remove parts of plants and seeds from the location. Thus, care should be taken that no parts are displaces in for instance grooves and profile of threads of wheels and in boots and shoes. Removed material is put on a heap and a box wall is placed about an area to be processed and also enclosing the heap of removed material.
[0119] A box wall is placed around the area or part of land where the weed control procedure is worked. The box wall fences of a processing area. The box wall is about 20-50 cm high and from an insulating material. The box wall may comprises on or more passages for conduits 6, 7. Furthermore, the box can be provided with air circulation means, for instance ventilators. The box wall can be placed before or after removal of plant material that is above the surface. For easy working, the removed material can be put inside the area enclosed by the box wall.
[0120] In case of a uneven surface, for instance, in stead of the box, another insulation measure can be taken. For instance, an insulation blanket can be used to cover an area that is provided with cooling lances. In an embodiment, one side of the insulation blanket is provided with coolant conduits. In this way, the surface of the area where the cooling lances are inserted can be cooled additionally. The cooling blanket can at the side opposite of the cooling conduits be provided with heat-reflecting material to reflect heat away from the ground surface.
[0121] Based upon the ground condition (clay, sand, loss, . . . ) and humidity of the ground (for instance at various depths) a mutual distance and pattern of the cooling lances is determined and/or calculated. This may be calculated by the assembly controller, for instance. As an example, for “average” ground conditions, the freezing of ground may grow about 25 cm. Usually, the holes are made in a pattern such the three proximate holes are tips of a triangle with equal length sides.
[0122] Holes are made in the ground for insertion of the coolant lances. Often, a diameter of these holes is about 5-20% larger than the diameter of the lances. The holes can be made using known methods and equipment, like an auger. Ground removed is placed within the area enclosed by the bow wall. Usually, roots will still be present. Within the region of treatment, using for instance an auger that is driven by an actuator or that is hand driven or other means for drilling a hole in the ground, like a vibrational ground drill, holes are made. The holes in general have a depth that is dictated by the length of the cooling lances.
[0123] The cooling lances are inserted into the holes, and temperature sensors, for instance temperature lances, are also inserted in a predetermined pattern. For instance, at corners of near the box wall.
[0124] Possible remaining space between hole walls and the coolant lances/temperature lances can be filed with sand/ground and/or water.
[0125] Next, flexible conduits are attached to the coolant lances, and coupled to the cooling device. The temperature lances and other temperature sensors and valves are coupled to the controller. Often, if possible, wireless data coupling is used.
[0126] The controller now starts the cooling device so as to start circulation of coolant.
[0127] Switch on the cooling system allows coolant to circulate through the lances. This will cool and eventually freeze the soil or ground. This may take several days to several weeks. In this time, the soil will be cooled to a temperature of below 263K and often even lower. For most weeds, cooling to a temperature of 240K is sufficient. During the procedure, the controller can keep logging data, like temperature date. In this way, a temperature profile in time of the treated area is logged, providing a data set providing a certification basis and an effect control measurement.
[0128] After some predetermined treatment time, the cooling device is stopped and the flexible conduits are disengaged from the cooling lances.
[0129] In a next step, the coolant is pumped out of the lances and can be retrieved for re-use. After the coolant is removed, usually the cooling lances are frozen into the ground. For removing the cooling lances, first the coolant inlet or coolant outlet is coupled to a hot air generator. This blows hot air through each of the lances.
[0130] In a next step, the lances can be removed.
[0131] In an embodiment, a specially designed extraction device can be used. An extraction force is applied to a lance, directed in a direction for pulling the lance out of the ground. In fact, in an embodiment the extraction force is applied on the lance while it is still frozen into the ground. Once the extraction force is applied, the hot air is blown through the lance. In fact, other heating means can also be applied, like for instance a heating spiral in or on the mantle or a lance.
[0132] It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0133] 1 assembly [0134] 2 cooling device [0135] 3 cooling lance [0136] 4 coolant inlet [0137] 5 coolant outlet [0138] 6 flexible inlet conduit [0139] 7 flexible outlet conduit [0140] 8 coolant valve [0141] 9 coolant pump [0142] 10 coolant lance outer mantle [0143] 11 coolant lance inner tube [0144] 12 tip end [0145] 13 coupling end [0146] 14 tip coolant flow end [0147] 15 extraction aeration pipe [0148] 16 aeration pipe lever [0149] 17 extraction handle [0150] 18 coolant lance centering part [0151] 19 lance temperature sensor [0152] 20 insulation box [0153] 21 box wall [0154] 22 box lid [0155] 25 controller [0156] 26 wireless transmitter [0157] 27 data processor [0158] 28 coolant pump [0159] 30 extraction device [0160] 31 pre-tension device [0161] 32 extraction line [0162] 33 tension indicator [0163] 34 tensioning device [0164] 40 temperature probe/temperature lance [0165] 41 Wireless transmitter for temperature probe [0166] 42 container [0167] 43 residual coolant [0168] 44 emptying device exit [0169] 45 emptying device pump [0170] 46 emptying device conduit [0171] 50 heater/hot air heater [0172] 60 emptying device [0173] 61 Buffer tank [0174] 10 62 plate heat exchanger [0175] D maximum lance distance [0176] T temperature sensor