DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MIXING AND/OR INTRODUCING AGROCHEMICALS

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for mixing and/or introducing agrochemicals, comprising a mixer including a mixing chamber in which a liquid is able to flow, and a delivery point located on the mixing chamber for delivering an agrochemical into the mixing chamber, wherein the mixer includes means for generating backpressure in the liquid and the agrochemical in the mixing chamber, and a mixer system including a mixer, an injector, and an agrochemical source, wherein the injector is adapted to receive an agrochemical from the agrochemical source, and a method including the steps of supplying a liquid into a mixing chamber of a mixer or mixer system, delivering an agrochemical into the mixing chamber, and generating backpressure to the liquid flowing through the mixing chamber to effect mixing of the liquid and the delivered agrochemical.

Claims

1.-60. (canceled)

61. A mixer system for effectively combining gaseous agrochemical such as a fumigant and a water source for use in irrigation infrastructure, comprising: a flow pathway adapted to interconnect a water source at a water receiving end and irrigation infrastructure at a delivery end thereof, the receiving end of the mixer system adapted to receive a flow of incoming water from the water source in a waterflow pathway; a mixing chamber in the waterflow pathway downstream from the water receiving end, the mixing chamber having: an inlet for receiving flow of water from the waterflow pathway; an at least one delivery point for receiving the gaseous agrochemical into the mixing chamber to interact with the water from the water source; an outlet for egress of the agrochemical and water mixture; a flow restriction component at or proximal the outlet of the mixing chamber for restricting outflow of the water-agrochemical mixture at the outlet of the mixing chamber, a fumigant injector assembly defining an agrochemical pathway, the injector assembly cooperative with the at least one delivery point for injecting a gaseous agrochemical into the mixing chamber under pressure; wherein the flow restriction component is adapted to generate backpressure and turbulence in the water and gaseous agrochemical combination in the mixing chamber, and thereby initiate a distribution of fine bubbles of the gaseous agrochemical in water in the mixing chamber; and wherein the distribution of fine bubbles improves mixing of the gaseous agrochemical and irrigation water and flows, effective for consistent distribution of agrochemical applied to a crop by the irrigation infrastructure.

62. The mixer system according to claim 61, wherein the mixer includes a check valve located upstream of the mixing chamber.

63. The mixer system according to claim 61, further including an adjustable flow restriction valve downstream of the mixing chamber to substantially maintain the gaseous agrochemical exiting the mixing chamber in a distribution of bubbles in irrigation water in the waterflow pathway downstream from the mixing chamber.

64. The mixer system according to claim 63, wherein the adjustable restriction valve is selected from a shut off valve or needle valve which is adjustable to provide increased turbulence and/or entrainment of the agrochemical within the liquid, while maintaining high liquid flow rates in the mixer.

65. The mixer system according to claim 61, further including at least one static mixing section within the flow pathway downstream of the mixing chamber for dispersing or further mixing the gaseous agrochemical into the irrigation water, wherein the at least first static mixing section includes a series of baffles in a tubular housing section, the baffles providing for laminar flow division and/or turbulent flow inertia and/or radial mixing with momentum transfer.

66. The mixer system according to claim 61, wherein the injector includes: an injector input for receiving the agrochemical; a connection component for sealably securing the injector to the mixing chamber at the delivery point; an injector output for introducing the agrochemical into the mixing chamber output including a sintered diffuser for introducing the agrochemical into the liquid flowing within the mixing chamber, wherein in operation the sintered diffuser extends sufficiently within the mixing chamber to be substantially submerged in the water as it flows in the mixing chamber, and wherein the sintered diffuser has a media grading of about 1 μm to about 80 μm in diameter to enable production agrochemical bubbles in the liquid having a diameter of about the same dimension; and a body through which the agrochemical can travel, the body located between the injector input and the injector output.

67. The mixer system according to claim 66, wherein the injector is adapted to permit introduction of the agrochemical into the liquid at a controlled rate to ensure an effective gaseous agrochemical to water ratio.

68. The mixing system according to claim 61, wherein the agrochemical is cyanogen.

69. A method of mixing an agrochemical and a liquid for use in irrigation infrastructure including steps of: providing a mixer system, including a mixing chamber, as claimed in claim 61; connecting the mixer system between a liquid supply and irrigation infrastructure; supplying liquid from the liquid source into the mixing chamber of the mixer system in a first liquid flow; delivering the agrochemical into the mixing chamber under pressure via at least one delivery point on the mixing chamber by a fumigant injection assembly in a second fluid flow pathway; and generating backpressure to the liquid flowing through the mixing chamber by a flow restriction component at or proximal the outlet of the mixing chamber, wherein the flow restriction component is adapted to generate backpressure and turbulence in the liquid and gaseous agrochemical combination in the mixing chamber, and thereby initiate a fine bubble flow distribution of the gaseous agrochemical in the liquid in the mixing chamber; and wherein the bubble flow distribution improves mixing of the gaseous agrochemical and liquid effective for consistent distribution of agrochemical throughout the irrigation infrastructure.

70. The method in accordance with claim 69, wherein the method includes the step of adjusting the flow restriction component to provide improved turbulence and/or entrainment of the agrochemical within the liquid by initiating and maintaining a large distribution of small bubbles of the gaseous fumigant in the water flow pathway.

71. The method in accordance with claim 69, wherein the method includes monitoring the liquid flow rate using a liquid flow rate monitor and/or monitoring the agrochemical delivery rate using a delivery rate monitor locally located at the delivery point.

72. The method in accordance with claim 69, wherein the method includes the step of controlling the agrochemical delivery rate and/or adjusting the flow restriction component to provide increased homogenisation of the liquid-agrochemical mixture.

73. The method in accordance with claim 69, wherein the method includes one or more of the following steps to provide improved turbulence and/or entrainment of agrochemical within the liquid and/or increased homogenisation of the liquid-agrochemical mixture and/or to obtain a predetermined concentration of agrochemical in the liquid-agrochemical mixture: adjusting the flow restriction component; controlling the agrochemical delivery rate; and/or adjusting the liquid outflow rate.

74. The method in accordance with claim 69, wherein the method includes monitoring the pressure at the mixer inlet, the mixer outlet and/or the delivery point using pressure gauges located proximate to the mixer inlet, the mixer outlet and/or the delivery point, respectively.

75. The method in accordance with claim 69, wherein the method includes the step of adjusting the liquid mixture outflow rate and/or outlet pressure by adjusting an outlet control valve.

76. A method of soil chemigation comprising mixing an agrochemical and a liquid including the nonlimiting steps of: supplying the liquid into a mixing chamber of a mixer or mixer system as claimed in claim 61, delivering the agrochemical into the mixing chamber at the delivery point; generating backpressure to the liquid flowing through the mixing chamber to effect mixing of the liquid and the delivered agrochemical; and transferring the mixed liquid-agrochemical mixture to a distribution system either at or below ground to provide for chemical treatment of soil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0296] FIG. 1A is a schematic drawing of the mixer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0297] FIG. 1B is a schematic drawing of the mixer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0298] FIG. 1C is a schematic drawing of the mixer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0299] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of alternative mixing chambers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0300] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of alternative restriction valves according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0301] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic drawings of a mixing chamber including a conical restriction according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0302] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of an injector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0303] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of an injector system including twin injectors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0304] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of an injector system including a twin injector set up and one cylinder agrochemical (i.e. fumigant) source, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0305] A mixer, mixer system, injector, injector system and related systems and methods as described and depicted herein in connection with illustrative but non-limiting preferred embodiments.

[0306] The structure, principle and operation of the mixer, mixer system, injector, injector system and related systems and methods is described herein, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0307] FIG. 1A depicts a mixer 10 for mixing an agrochemical and a liquid (not shown).

[0308] The mixer of FIG. 1A includes a mixing chamber 40, for receiving the liquid via inlet 30. In use, the liquid flows through the mixing chamber 40, by entering the mixing chamber via the inlet 30 and exiting via the outlet 50.

[0309] The mixer 10 includes a delivery point 45 located on the mixing chamber 40 for delivering the agrochemical into the mixing chamber 40. As depicted in FIG. 2, the mixing chamber may have a one or more injection points 45A-45C.

[0310] The delivery point(s) 45 (45A-45C) deliver any one or more of a fumigant, a gas and/or liquid agrochemical into the mixing chamber 40. The delivery points are adapted to deliver the fumigant, gas and/or liquid agrochemical under pressure into the mixing chamber 40.

[0311] The mixer 10 includes means for generating backpressure in the liquid. The backpressure generating means includes a flow restriction means 55 at or near an outlet 50 of the mixing chamber for restricting outflow of the liquid-agrochemical mixture from the mixing chamber 40. In the depicted embodiment in FIG. 1, the flow restriction means comprises a valve which is located downstream of the mixing chamber 40. In alternative embodiments of flow restriction means (not depicted) the flow restriction means may be any one or more, or any combination of a removeable plate, a fixed (non-removable) plate and a valve.

[0312] The restriction valve 55 includes a restriction aperture (not shown) through which the liquid-agrochemical mixture flows at a higher pressure than the pressure of the liquid upstream of the chamber inlet 30. The restriction aperture is adjustable in size and circular, however, it may be other shapes such as elliptical or octagonal. There may be a plurality of such circular or other shape apertures, the plurality of apertures being either in a single plane (e.g. perpendicular to the direction liquid flow) or in a downstream sequence.

[0313] The mixing chamber 40 has an internal cross-sectional diameter which is greater than the internal cross-sectional diameter of the restriction aperture (not shown).

[0314] The restriction valve 55 depicted in FIG. 1A is ball valve, which includes a restriction aperture that is adjustable, depending on the desired amount of backpressure and/or turbulence to be generated, and the amount of entrainment of the agrochemical in the liquid flowing through the mixing chamber 40. Alternative valves 35 are depicted in FIG. 3, including a ball valve 36, needle valve 37 and a removable pipe section 38 including a restriction aperture.

[0315] The mixer includes translucent pipe sections 60, 70, 80 which permit visual inspection of the liquid flowing through them so that the amount of turbulence and/or entrainment of the agrochemical in the liquid is thereby able to be determined.

[0316] The mixer 10 includes static mixing sections 60, 70 downstream of the mixing chamber 40. Within each static mixing section 60, 70 is a series of baffles (not shown) in a tubular housing section. The baffles are removably fixed in the tubular housing, and provide for laminar flow division, turbulent flow inertia, radial mixing with momentum transfer. The baffles are configured in accordance with general engineering guidelines for configurations including KMS, KMX, HEV, SMV, SMX SMXL, SMR, KVM, KHT, SMF, ISG, Komax, STT, STS, STL and/or STM.

[0317] The mixer 10 includes a check valve 25 to control the direction of the liquid flow, the check valve 25 located upstream of the mixing chamber 40.

[0318] The mixer 10 includes a flow meter 22 located upstream of the check valve 25. The flow meter is battery powered. The mixer 10 further includes an inlet pressure gauge 21 located proximate to and downstream of the mixer inlet 20, and upstream of the check valve 25.

[0319] The mixer 10 includes a mixer inlet 20 and a mixer outlet 98. In the mixer configuration depicted in FIG. 1A the inlet 20 and outlet 98 are located proximate to one another.

[0320] The mixer 10 comprises a plurality of modular mixer parts, each mixer part adapted to sealably connect to another mixer part. Each of the modular mixer parts have threaded socket fittings that are screwably connectable to each other.

[0321] The mixer 10 according to the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 10 includes the following modular mixer parts: [0322] a. mixing chamber 40; [0323] b. flow restriction valve 55; [0324] c. outlet control valve 90; [0325] d. pressure gauges 21, 95; [0326] e. flow rate meter 21; [0327] f. check valve 25; [0328] g. static mixing sections 60, 70; [0329] h. clear pipe section 80; [0330] i. a connecting member for connecting two or more of the plurality of modular body parts.

[0331] The mixer 10 includes an outlet pressure gauge 95 located proximate to and upstream of the mixer outlet 98. The mixer 10 further includes an outlet control valve 90 (a ball valve type shut off valve) proximate to the mixer outlet 98.

[0332] The mixer may take a variety of configurations, as seen in FIGS. 1B and 1C. In such figures, most of components of the mixer as depicted in FIG. 1A are depicted, including the mixing chamber 40, flow restriction valve 55, static mixer section 60, mixer inlet 20 and mixer outlet 98, outlet control valve 90, and check valve 25. Points of difference which are identified include the mixer inlet 20 and mixer outlet 98 of the straight line configured mixer in FIG. 1C are not located proximate to each other (c.f. the mixers in FIGS. 1A and 1B).

[0333] With reference to FIG. 4A, there is shown a mixing chamber 140 having a single delivery point 145, inlet 130 and outlet 150. In FIG. 4B, the internal diameter of the mixing chamber 140 is represented by the dotted lines within the boundary of the chamber 140. The flow restriction means comprises conical section 142 which is located within the body of the mixing chamber 140 and towards the outlet 150 of the mixer. The conical section 142 provides for the generation of backpressure in liquid (not shown) as it flows through the mixing chamber 140. The conical section 142 has a first internal cross sectional diameter that is approximately the same as the maximum internal cross sectional diameter of the mixing chamber (represented by the symbol, X), then narrows toward a second cross sectional diameter (represented by the symbol, Y) near the outlet 150 of the mixing chamber 140. The first cross sectional diameter, X, and the second cross sectional diameter, Y, are 110 mm and 40 mm respectively. It is also noted that the mixing chamber has a third cross sectional diameter, Z, corresponding to that of the inlet 130 which is about 50 mm and greater in diameter than the narrow part of the conical orifice. The third cross sectional dimeter Z is the same as the internal cross sectional diameter of the piping 200 on either side of the mixing chamber 140.

[0334] In use, backpressure in the liquid is generated by the mixer 10. In particular, the means for generating backpressure, as described above, is adapted to generate backpressure in the liquid mixed with the agrochemical in the mixing chamber 40. The backpressure generating means is adapted to generate turbulence in the liquid-agrochemical mixture in the mixing chamber. The backpressure generating means is further adapted to generate turbulence in the liquid-agrochemical mixture in the mixing chamber. The agrochemical includes a combination of EDN and a nitrogen gas component.

[0335] The flow restriction valve 55 is able to be adjusted to provide improved turbulence and/or entrainment of the agrochemical within the liquid, while maintaining high liquid flow rates.

[0336] The liquid flow rate is monitored using the liquid flow rate monitor 22, and the agrochemical delivery rate is also monitored using a delivery rate monitor locally located at the delivery point (not shown). Using the monitors, the agrochemical delivery rate is controlled to match the liquid flow rates to provide increased homogenisation of the liquid-agrochemical mixture and to obtain a predetermined concentration of agrochemical in the liquid-agrochemical mixture (based on the appropriate concentration for soil chemigation).

[0337] Additionally, the pressure at or near the mixer inlet 20, the mixer outlet 98 and/or the delivery point 45 is monitored using pressure gauges 21, 95 (others not shown) located proximate to the mixer inlet 90, the mixer outlet 98 and/or the delivery point 45, respectively.

[0338] The liquid mixture outflow rate and the outlet pressure is adjustable by adjusting an outlet control valve 90.

[0339] The agrochemical delivery rate is controlled and the flow restriction valve 55 is adjusted to provide increased homogenisation of the liquid-agrochemical mixture and to obtain a predetermined concentration of agrochemical in the liquid-agrochemical mixture (based on the appropriate concentration for soil chemigation).

[0340] The mixing method is adapted to provide improved turbulence and/or entrainment of agrochemical within the liquid and/or homogenisation of the liquid-agrochemical mixture and obtain a predetermined concentration of agrochemical in the liquid-agrochemical mixture by one or more of each of the following: adjusting the flow restriction means 55; controlling the agrochemical delivery rate; adjusting the liquid outflow rate.

[0341] The mixing is conducted above atmospheric pressure.

[0342] The invention also provides a soil chemigation method using the mixer 10 for mixing an agrochemical and a liquid, the method includes supplying the liquid into a mixing chamber of a mixer as described above; delivering the agrochemical into the mixing chamber at a delivery point; generating backpressure to the liquid flowing through the mixing chamber to effect mixing of the liquid and the delivered agrochemical; and transferring the mixed liquid-agrochemical mixture to a distribution system either at or below ground to provide for chemical treatment of soil.

[0343] FIGS. 5 to 7 depict a single injector, a system of twin injectors, and a system of twin injectors and cylinder fumigant source, respectively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0344] FIG. 5 depicts a single injector 110 including an input 111 for receiving the fumigant (not shown) and an output 112 for introducing the fumigant into the mixing chamber 102. The body 109 of the injector is located between input 111 and the output 112 and fumigant is able to pass through the body 109. The liquid (also not shown) substantially fills the mixing chamber 102, and the sintered diffuser 101 is thereby submerged in the liquid and the fumigant exits the sintered diffuser 101 within the mixing chamber 102 in a sparging process as the liquid flows through the chamber 102. The mixing chamber 102 of FIG. 5 is sized to permit a large volume of liquid flow (i.e. about 250 litres per minute). Other suitable mixing chambers may permit different flow rates (i.e. about 50 to about 200 litres per minute). The amount of fumigant which exits the sintered diffuser is able to be controlled to ensure an appropriate fumigant to water ratio is attained (generally with the goal of maximising the efficacy of the fumigant infused water). The sintered diffuser is made of stainless steel and has a media grading of approximately 40 μm. The sintered diffuser produces a small fumigant bubble size in the mixing chamber of 40 μm in diameter.

[0345] The injector 110 in FIG. 5 further includes check valve 103 for limiting the flow of the fumigant through the body 109 in one direction (i.e. towards the output). This check valve 103 is deliberately located close to the input 111 of the injector 110 in order to limit the likelihood of fumigant/water interaction in or around the check valve which may cause blockages due to polymerisation when the fumigant (cyanogen) mixes with water. The check valve 103 is located downstream of a first shut-off valve 104 (a needle valve) and upstream of a second shut-off valve 105 (a ball valve) so that the check valve 103 can be isolated from the fumigant and/or liquid. Also included in the injector 110 is a threaded hex connector 107 which provides a connection means for sealably securing the injector 110 to the mixing chamber 102 by screwing the connector 107 into the mixing chamber 102 such that the external thread 113 of the hex connector 107 inserts into a complementary internal thread (not shown) of the mixing chamber 102.

[0346] Another component included in the injector 110 of FIG. 5 is an optional pressure gauge 108 located proximate to the output 112 for reading the pressure of the fumigant immediately prior to introduction into the mixing chamber 102. A section of braided hose 106 (for connecting to the fumigant source) is also located upstream of the input 111.

[0347] FIG. 6 depicts two injectors 110a and 110b. The two injectors 110a, 110b each include the majority of the same components as injector 110, namely (respectively) the check valve 103a, 103b, shut-off valve (ball valve) 105a, 105b, optional pressure gauge 108a, 108b, threaded hex connector 107a, 107b and sintered infuser 101a, 101b such components being in the same arrangement as the equivalent components of the injector 110. The injectors 110a, 110b themselves do not include a needle valve. Hex connector 107a, 107b is sealably secured to the same mixing chamber 102 to which injector 110 is sealably connected, each at a different section of said mixing chamber. FIG. 6 further includes a needle valve 104a (separate from the injectors 110a, 110b) and a connecting member 120 which is a four-way connector having four separate connection points for connection to braided hosing 106 or another connectable element (in the case of FIG. 6, the needle valve 104a). The connecting member 120 in FIG. 6 is able to connect multiple injectors to the fumigant source (not shown). In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 there are three separate injectors connected to the fumigant source (only two of which injectors are shown, namely injectors 110a and 110b); each of injectors 110a and 110b (and the third injector, not shown) are connected to the same mixing chamber 102 via braded hose elements 106. Where a plurality of injectors are connected to one mixing chamber in the system, there may be provided a ‘back-up’ injector so that even if one of the injectors fails (e.g. due to blockage of one of the check valves 103a, 103b or sintered diffusers 101a, 101b), continuous (or at least less disrupted) fumigant flow into a mixing chamber is enabled. Where a plurality of injectors are connected to one mixing chamber, there are other benefits that will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, for example, if flow rate of agrochemical into the mixing chamber needs to be increased, then additional injectors may be opened to provide increased rates of flow. Therefore, this provides a benefit of counteracting an inherent restriction in flow rate that results from use of a shut-off valve (e.g. a ball valve 105a and 105b may only have an orifice which is a fraction of the diameter of the hose element 106), which itself restricts flow of the agrochemical. The sintered diffuser 101a can also be source of restriction of flow of the agrochemical, so increasing the number of injection points operates to counter that as well. The plurality of injectors, which may also be independently controlled, in the various combinations described herein, provide a range of potential flow rates (or a more even distribution of injected agrochemical within the mixing chamber) when one, two or more of the injection points are utilised.

[0348] Alternatively, in another embodiment (not shown) the connecting member may connect a plurality of fumigant sources, or a plurality of injectors and a plurality of fumigant sources. Where a plurality of fumigant sources are used in the system, this may provide a ‘back-up’ of fumigant supply to ensure continuous (or at least less disrupted) fumigant flow.

[0349] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a system for introducing a gaseous agrochemical (e.g. EDN Fumigas™) into a liquid (water), including an agrochemical source 114 and the two injectors 110a and 110b depicted in FIG. 6, plus the needle valve 104a and connecting member 120. The agrochemical source comprises a cylinder containing cyanogen (such as the 73 litre capacity EDN Fumigas™ cylinder), which is connected to an industrial grade nitrogen supply 115 having pressure of 8-12 bar (g). The agrochemical is propelled by the nitrogen supply 115 through the t-valve 121 and into a flow meter 117 (e.g. variable area flow meter such as ABB metal cone variety; or alternatively an oval gear flow meter, a swirl meter or a thermal mass flow meter) so that the rate of fumigant flow can be controlled. The flow meter 117 is connected to the stainless steel braided hose element 116a which is connected to the needle valve 104a, which is in turn connected to connecting member 120 and the injectors 110a and 110b by braided hose elements 116.

[0350] The agrochemical (EDN Fumigas™) evaporates if pressure inside the system drops below a pre-determined high pressure value; said pressure is dependent on the ambient temperature which influences the temperature of the system. This particular agrochemical will remain in a liquid state at a temperature of about 20 degrees at a pressure of about or above 4 bar(g), and at a temperature of about 40 degrees at a pressure of about or above 8 bar(g). The nitrogen added into the system has a role in keeping the agrochemical in the system under high pressure during application, which is important for phase regulation of the agrochemical. Vaporising of the agrochemical usually occurs between the needle valve 104a (which provides the first big restriction to agrochemical flow) and the sintered diffuser 101a, 101b. The most significant evaporation of the agrochemical occurs when it contacts the liquid (i.e. water) because water passes energy (particularly in the form of heat) to the agrochemical as it enters into an area with lower pressure (i.e. downstream of the check valve). The check valves 103a, 103b, are important in being located close to the inputs 111a, 111b of the injectors 110a, 110b in order to limit the likelihood of agrochemical/water interaction upstream of the check valve which may cause blockages due to polymerisation when the agrochemical (cyanogen) mixes with water. Given the modular nature of the injectors 110a, 110b they can be easily removed from the mixing chamber 102 and separated into their component parts for cleaning.

[0351] FIG. 7 includes padding valve 118 and purge valve 119. The padding valve 118 is a shut off valve which provides nitrogen from the nitrogen supply 115 into the cylinder containing the agrochemical source 114; providing a consistent supply of nitrogen to the cylinder 114 keeps a substantially constant pressure in the cylinder as the agrochemical is released from the cylinder. The purge valve 118 is a shut off valve which provides for nitrogen from the nitrogen supply 115 to enter the flow meter 117 to assist in the removal of liquid and vapour residues of the agrochemical from the connected elements.

[0352] In alternative embodiments (not shown), where there are only two injectors 110a and 110b, and no third injector, then the one of the upper or the right connection points of the connecting member 120 may be blocked by a cap; and where there is only one injector 110a, then both of the upper or right connection points of the connecting member 120 may be blocked by a cap.

[0353] Each of the injectors represented in the FIGS. 5 to 7 depict injectors which principally include the same components (i.e. diffuser, check valve, ball valve) and a generally similar arrangement of those components. However, several components are optional in the injector and injector system the present invention, and the arrangement of components may take a variety of forms. For example, the injector may simply comprise the sintered infuser, hex connector, body, input and output, where the body is located between the input and the output and comprises a straight section of stainless steel piping (in place of the first shut-off valve 104, check valve 103, second shut-off valve 105 and pressure gauge 108 of the injector 110 depicted in FIG. 5). The piping body of this relatively simple injector arrangement (not shown) would be connected to the hex connector (which is in turn connected to the sintered infuser), and where the input is the upper section of the piping member. Alternative embodiments of the injector and injector system are also contemplated by the disclosure in this application.

General Statements

[0354] When the term “fumigant” is used in the specification, including in the claims, it should be understood to refer, without limitation, to a fumigant or any other gaseous agrochemical.

[0355] Where the term “introduce” or “inject”, or their derivatives are used in the specification, these terms may to be considered as equivalents to the term “mix”, and its derivatives, depending on the context.

[0356] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0357] Throughout the specification and claims, the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features, that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0358] In the present specification, terms such as “part”, “component”, “means”, “section”, “segment”, “element” or “body” may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where a “part”, “component”, “means”, “section”, “segment”, “element”, “body” or similar term is described as consisting of a single item, then a functionally equivalent object consisting of multiple items is considered to fall within the scope of the term; and similarly, where a “part”, “component”, “means”, “section”, “segment”, “element”, “body” or similar term is described as consisting of multiple items, a functionally equivalent object consisting of a single item is considered to fall within the scope of the term. The intended interpretation of such terms described in this paragraph should apply unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0359] The term “connected” or a similar term, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected”, or a similar term, may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[0360] The dimensions provided in relation to the illustrative embodiments are not intended to be prescriptive of all embodiments falling within the scope of the invention. The dimensions are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed otherwise.

[0361] The mere disclosure of a product or system element in the specification should not be construed as being essential to the invention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated to be so or expressly recited in a claim.

[0362] The terms in the claims have the broadest scope of meaning they would have been given by a person of ordinary skill in the art as of the relevant date.

[0363] The terms “a” and “an” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0364] Neither the title nor any abstract of the present application should be taken as limiting in any way the scope of the claimed invention.

[0365] Where the preamble of a claim recites a purpose, benefit or possible use of the claimed invention, it does not limit the claimed invention to having only that purpose, benefit or possible use.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0366] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to numerous industries, such as horticulture, agriculture, crop science and management, in which the effective mixing an agrochemical with, and/or introducing an agrochemical into, a liquid, has commercial and practical implications.