IRRIGATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HYDROPONIC CROPS

Abstract

The invention relates to an irrigation system for hydroponic crops, of the type used in growing tanks (1) containing a nutrient solution, and which is formed by a grid (2) partially submerged in the nutrient solution of the growing tank (1), the grid (2) being formed by straight channels (3) separated from each other by adjacent cells (4) in which the plants to be grown are arranged, said cells being connected to the channels (3) and/or to each other, the channels (3) having a cross section in the shape of an inverted U. The system comprises at least one irrigation emitter (5) disposed in a channel (3) of the grid, the emitter (5) being configured to emit a volume of nutrient solution into the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1) or onto the surface (10) of same. The invention also relates to an irrigation method.

Claims

1. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, of the type used m growing tanks (1) containing a nutrient solution or hydroponic solution, characterized in that it comprises: a grid (2) partially submerged in the nutrient solution of the growing tank (1), said grid (2) being formed by longitudinal straight channels (3) wherethrough a nutrient solution circulates, said straight channels (3) being separated from each other by adjacent cells (4) where the plants to be grown are arranged, said cells (4) being connected to said longitudinal straight channels (3) and/or to each other; and where the straight channels (3) have a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U, so that its lower face is completely open, at least one irrigation emitter (5) disposed in a straight channel (3) of the grid, said emitter (5) being configured to emit a volume of water or nutrient solution into the nutrient solution contained. in the tank (1) or on the surface (10) of same.

2. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein it includes an irrigation head comprising at least one pump (6), said head being connected by one part to the growing tank (1) or to a storage tank (9) of nutrient solution through drainage pipes (7) and by another part, to the irrigation emitters (5).

3. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight channels (3) are formed by: sides or lateral walls (13) perpendicular to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution (3) wherein they are partially submerged or at least comprise a longitudinal plane perpendicular to said surface (10), said lateral planes (13) being equipped with one or more openings (14) wherethrough they are connected to the adjacent cells (4) and by an upper central element (12) which gives support to the irrigation emitters (5), said upper element (12) being parallel to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1), so that the lateral walls (13) together with the upper element (12) form a channel (3) the cross-section whereof has the shape of an inverted U.

4. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent cells (4) are formed by lateral walls or sides (15) joined together forming the structure and perimeter thereof, delimiting a space configured to locate one or more plants to grow and where said sides (15) comprise openings (16) wherethrough the cells are connected to the channels (3) and/or to each other.

5. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 4, wherein the cells (4) comprise a support (17) equipped with one or several orifices to place the plants and where the support (17) may be a floating structure situated in the space delimited by the sides (15) of the cells (4) or may be a structure resting on the grid (2).

6. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein the grid (2) is secured to the sides and/or to the bottom of the growing tank (1) or may form part of the structure of the growing tank (1).

7. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein the grid (4) is floating, comprising floating bodies (11) situated in the spaces between cells (4) and in the spaces between cells (4) and channels (3).

8. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein the irrigation emitters (5) are configured to emit a volume of water or nutrient solution with an angle of incidence against the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1) between 0 and 80, with 0 being parallel to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution and with the condition that when the angle is 0 the irrigation emitter (5) is immersed in the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1).

9. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein the irrigation emitters (5) are configured to emit a flowrate of water or nutrient solution between 15 litres/hour and 600 litres/hour at a dynamic pressure in the irrigation emitter (5) of between 0.15 Kg/cm2 and 6 Kg/cm2.

10. (canceled)

11. Irrigation system for hydroponic crops, according to claim 1, wherein it comprises several irrigation emitters (5) forming triangles therebetween by way of quincunx, squares or rectangles.

12. Irrigation method for hydroponic crops, characterized in that it uses the system described in claim 11 where the irrigation emitters (5) emit a stream of water or nutrient solution against the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1), generating a main current (19) along the longitudinal straight channels (3) and secondary currents (20 and 21) between the channels (3) and the cells (4).

13. Irrigation method for hydroponic crops, according to claim 12, wherein the irrigation emitters (5) emit a stream of water or nutrient solution with an inclination between 0 and 80, with 0 being parallel to the line formed by the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank.

14. Irrigation method for hydroponic crops, according to claim 12, wherein the irrigation emitters (5) emit a flowrate of between 15 litres/hour and 600 litres/hour and between 0.15 Kg/cm2 and 6 Kg/cm2 of dynamic pressure in the emitter (5).

15. Irrigation method for hydroponic crops, according to claim 12, wherein the irrigation emitters (5) receive nutrient solution from a storage tank (9) or from the growing tank (1) through channels.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] To complement the description being made and in order to aid towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description wherein, with illustrative and non-limiting character, the following has been represented:

[0047] FIG. 1: shows a general diagram of the two nutrient solution recirculation possibilities (FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the irrigation system of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 2: shows a plan view of the grid of the irrigation system of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 3: shows a cross-section of the channels of the system of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 4: shows a perspective view of the cells and their intercommunications.

[0051] FIG. 5: shows a view of a longitudinal section of a channel.

[0052] FIG. 6: shows the disposal of the plants on a support of those the system of the present invention may comprise.

[0053] FIG. 7: represents a detail of the irrigation emitters emitting stream of nutrient solution against the surface of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank.

[0054] FIG. 8: shows a view of the system operation where the arrows indicate the direction and sense of the currents generated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] The irrigation system and method of the present invention is described in detail below, based on the figures presented.

[0056] The system of the present invention is designed for hydroponic crops grown in a growing tank (1) where a nutrient solution or hydroponic solution for the plant growth is contained.

[0057] As observed in FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention comprises: [0058] a grid (2) partially submerged in the nutrient solution of the growing tank (1), said grid (2) being formed by straight channels (3) separated from each other by adjacent cells (4) which are connected to said channels (3) and/or to each other. The cells (4) are designed to receive therein one or more plants. [0059] at least one irrigation emitter (5) disposed in a channel (3) of the grid, configured to emit water or nutrient solution into the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1) or on the surface (10) of same. [0060] an irrigation head comprising at least one pump (6), said head being connected by one part to the growing tank through drainage pipes (7) (FIG. 1A) or to a nutrient solution storage tank (9) (FIG. 1B) and, by another part, to the irrigation emitters (5).

[0061] As observed in FIG. 1, the system includes overflows (8) whereby the excess nutrient solution exits or overflows the growing tank which is carried to the irrigation head or to the storage tank (9) through the drainage pipes (7), thus keeping a same volume of nutrient solution in the growing tank (1). The storage tank (9) allows storing the drained nutrient solution before again being recirculated to the growing tank (1).

[0062] FIG. 2 shows in detail the grid (2) formed by a series of straight channels (3), said channels (3) being separated from one another by an array of cells (4), it being possible that said cells (4) communicate with the straight channels (3) and/or are interconnected with one another.

[0063] Said grid (2) may be joined to the growing tank (1) secured to the bottom of the growing tank (1) or to the sides thereof. Likewise, the grid (2) may be adhered to the bottom of the growing tank (1) or simply resting on it. In contrast, the grid (2) may be executed in mobile fashion, placing it floating, always keeping one part of the grid submerged and another part emerging from the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1). In this case, the system would include floating bodies (11) which have the function of regulating the floatability of the grid (2). These bodies (11) would be situated in the spaces formed between the cells (4) and between cells (4) and longitudinal channels (3) (see FIG. 2).

[0064] Preferably, the floating bodies (11) are manufactured with polystyrene; they may also be manufactured in plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, and can be filled with polystyrene, air or polyurethane foam among others. Said floatability is calculated depending on the weight of the grid (2) and on the weight of the pipes and crops that said grid (2) had to support. The grid (2) may also form part of the structures designed to control the floatability and can be manufactured in the same materials as the floating bodies (11).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, each longitudinal channel (3) has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U, being formed by an upper plane (12) parallel to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1) and by two sides or lateral walls (13) perpendicular to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution or containing at least one longitudinal plane (P) perpendicular to said surface (10), thus forming a structure of channel (3) with a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U. Preferably, the shortest distance between the lateral walls (13) of the channels is between 10 mm and 200 mm, thus optimizing the space designed for the plant growth.

[0066] The cross-section of the lateral walls (13) may be rectangular or trapezoidal (as is the case represented in FIG. 3), but they will also include at least one longitudinal plane (P) perpendicular to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1).

[0067] The lateral walls (13) of the channels (3) comprise openings (14) which communicate said channel with the adjacent cells (4), as observed, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5.

[0068] For its part, as shown in FIG. 4, the adjacent cells (4) are formed by lateral walls (15) which form their perimeter and structure. Said lateral walls (15) have openings (16) wherethrough the cells (4) communicate with the channels (3) and/or each other.

[0069] As with the lateral walls (13) of the channels (3), the cross-section of the lateral walls (15) of the cells (4) may be rectangular or trapezoidal but it will include a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the tank (1).

[0070] The channels (3) and cells (4) may be manufactured with any rigid or semiflexible plastic, for example, polypropylene, PVC or polyethylene as previously described, with materials that float. Likewise, they may be manufactured by means of moulds or through the joining of different parts by gluing or articulation.

[0071] Each channel (3) may receive one or more irrigation emitters (5) along its path. They may also be channels that do not include any irrigation emitter. The cells (4) are designed to receive therein one or more plants. The irrigation emitters (5) may be installed in all or several channels (3) of the grid (2).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, in order to facilitate the accommodation of the plants, the cells (4) may have a support (17), which may be fixed or detachable. Said support (17), which is positioned parallel to the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1), may be a floating plane contained in the space delimited by the sides (15) of the cells (4) or may rest on the grid (2), either on the lateral walls (15) of the cells, in the channels (3) and/or on the floating bodies (11). The best results are obtained resting the support (17) on the grid instead of floating on the nutrient solution, thus leaving an air space between said support (17) and the surface (10) of the solution contained in the growing tank (1). The support (17) also has the secondary function of isolating the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1) from the surrounding atmosphere, and preventing light from entering.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of a plant (23) on a support (17).

[0074] The irrigation emitters (5) emit a given stream at a given pressure, and the flowrate may vary in accordance with the working pressure of the system. Preferably, the working pressure is situated between 0.15 Kg/cm2 and 6 Kg/cm2 of dynamic pressure in the irrigation emitter (5), emitting a flowrate between 15 litres/hour and 600 litres/hour. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 7, said irrigation emitters (5) emit said volume with an angle of incidence (a) which varies between 0 and 80, with 0 being parallel to the line formed by the surface (10) of the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1). If the angle is 0, the irrigation emitters (5), whereby the nutrient solution exits, must be immersed in the nutrient solution contained in the tank. Thanks to the operation of said irrigation emitters (5) it is possible to easily control the volume emitted throughout the installation and guarantee a completely homogeneous irrigation. The pressure and volume are controlled by the pump (6) which forms part of the irrigation head. The irrigation head may also include programmer, filters for the nutrient solution before it is taken again to the growing tank (1), disinfection systems and other additional elements or equipment for treatment of the nutrient solution.

[0075] The irrigation emitters (5) may be installed in all or in several longitudinal channels (5) of the system. For the aforementioned preferred ranges of volume and dynamic pressure in the irrigation emitter (5), preferably the irrigation emitters will be separated within a same channel by between 25 cm and 450 cm (if more than one is installed in the same channel) and preferably they are laterally separated (distance between emitters situated in adjacent channels) by between 10 cm and 600 cm.

[0076] The emitters may be disposed in different channels forming triangles therebetween in quincunx, forming squares, opposite one another at regular spaces in length and width or rectangular arrangement.

[0077] To carry out the hydroponic irrigation method by means of the system described, in first place the irrigation emitters (5) are fed by pipes or channels (18) located in the sides and/or fronts of the growing tank (1).

[0078] A given flowrate at a given pressure is calculated to arrive to be projected by the irrigation emitters (5) into the nutrient solution or against the surface (10) of the liquid (nutrient solution) contained in the growing tank (1) with an inclination between 0 and 80, with 0 being parallel to the line formed by the surface of the liquid (10) contained in the growing tank. Said impact generates a high level of oxygenation considerably improving plant health and the quality of the liquid contained in the growing tank.

[0079] As previously mentioned, the irrigation emitters (5) preferably emit flowrate between 15 litres/hour and 600 litres/hour at a working pressure between 0.15 Kg/cm.sup.2 and 6 Kg/cm.sup.2 during the irrigation method.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 8, the volume emitted at the given pressure, once it impacts the nutrient solution contained in the growing tank (1), generates a main current (19) which runs in the direction of the channels (3). Said main current (19) generates, in turn, secondary currents (20 and 21) in this case being exposed to a secondary absorption current (20) which circulates through the openings (14) which are disposed between the straight channel (3) and the adjacent cells (4). This secondary absorption current (23) also generates additional dispersion currents through the openings (16) which intercommunicate the cells (6) with one another. The main current (19) loses force as it runs through the longitudinal channel (3), after travelling a distance given by the pressure and flowrate to which the installation is configured, the main current (19) generates secondary dispersion currents (21) which move laterally, first through the openings (14, 16) which communicate the longitudinal channel (3) with the cells (4) adjacent thereto and second through the openings which intercommunicate the cells (4) with one another.

[0081] These currents, both main (19) and secondary of absorption (20) and secondary of dispersion (21), are rich in oxygen, rich in nutrients and possibly have a different temperature to that of the liquid contained in the growing tank contributing to the control of the temperature in the growing tank (1). The secondary currents (20) and (21), pass through the roots (22) of the plants (23) exponentially multiplying the volume of water or nutrient solution which passes therethrough, increasing the quantity and availability of dissolved oxygen, CO2 and nutrients which reaches each root.

[0082] In this way, the currents generated through each irrigation emitter (5) interact with the currents generated by the other irrigation emitters (5) disposed in the channels (3), developing currents that interact with one another achieving that the entire volume of liquid contained in the growing tank (1) enters into movement passing through one or more points of impact of the irrigation emitters during each irrigation cycle.

[0083] To originate said general movement, the irrigation cycles will have a minimum duration such that it allows the currents to interact with one another.

[0084] The nutrient solution contained in the tank is recirculated. It may be extracted from the growing tank (1) through a pumping apparatus (6) of the irrigation head and again recirculated to the growing tank (1) (see FIG. 1A) or may be taken to a storage tank or repository (9) situated between the growing tank (1) and the irrigation head (see FIG. 1B). The nutrient solution reaches said storage tank (9) by gravity or by means of a pump (6) or pumping system which is part or all of the irrigation head.