AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT AND CROP GROWTH STIMULATION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

A system and method of abating air pollution and stimulating crop growth. A reagent is introduced to a crop canopy to neutralize air pollutants within said canopy, wherein the reagent induces an oxidation-reduction chemical reaction with the air pollution present throughout the acreage of crops, and by means of the reaction effectually neutralizes the harmful effects of the air pollutants on the crops. The reagent is diluted using a venturi valve or other means. The flow rate of said reagent is regulated using an electronic control unit, based on data collected from at least one type of sensor in the canopy that is in communication with the control unit.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing crop growth comprising the steps of: a. introducing a reagent to a crop canopy to neutralize air pollutants within said canopy, wherein said reagent induces an oxidation-reduction chemical reaction with the air pollution present throughout the acreage of crops, and by means of the reaction effectually neutralizing the harmful effects of the air pollutants on said crops; b. diluting said reagent using a venturi valve or other means; c. regulating the flow rate of said reagent using an electronic control unit, based on data collected from a at least one type of sensor in said canopy that is in communication with said control unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reagent is hydrogen H.sub.2 gas.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrogen gas is diluted at a ratio not to exceed the flammability point of 4% H.sub.2 concentration in ambient air.

4. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source of the reagent is electrolysis.

5. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source of the reagent is a steam methane reformer.

6. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source of the reagent is a compressed tank.

7. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the filtration step can be accomplished using an electrochemical purification system.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the filtration device is communicatively connected to the reagent source via a hose.

9. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reagent compressor can be an electrochemical hydrogen compressor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the compressor is communicably connected to the filtration device via a hose.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the reagent storage container is communicably connected to the compressor via a hose.

12. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reagent is diluted using a venturi valve.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the dilution mechanism is communicably coupled to the storage container via a hose.

14. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pressure regulator can be a single-stage or double-stage regulator.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pressure regulator is communicably coupled to the dilution mechanism via a hose.

16. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the flow control valve is communicably coupled to the piping distribution array via a layflat manifold, and is communicably coupled to the pressure regulator via a hose.

17. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reagent control unit is communicably coupled to the flow control valve and the sensors embedded in the field.

18. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the delivering actuation and rate of delivery of the reagent is determined by the level of air pollution, so that the chemical neutralizing effect envelopes, but does not vastly exceed the space occupied by the crops' foliar canopy.

19. An agricultural method for enhancing crop growth comprising the steps of: a. introducing a reagent to a crop canopy to neutralize air pollutants within said canopy, wherein said reagent induces an oxidation-reduction chemical reaction with the air pollution present throughout the acreage of crops, and by means of the reaction effectually neutralizing the harmful effects of the air pollutants on said crops; b. filtering impurities from said reagent; c. diluting said reagent using a venturi valve or other means; d. regulating the flow rate of said reagent using an electronic control unit, based on data collected from a at least one type of sensor in said canopy that is in communication with said control unit;

20. An method for enhancing crop growth, comprising the steps of: a. providing a supply of H.sub.2 gas reagent; b. filtering impurities from the reagent; c. compressing the reagent; d. storing the reagent; e. diluting the reagent to below 4% concentration; f. regulating reagent pressure; g. collecting data on temperature, photosynthetically active radiation levels (PAR), wind speed, pollutant concentration, and reagent concentration within the canopy, h. controlling rate of flow of reagent using a valve, based on data obtained; i. applying the reagent to at least one group of plants, whereby the reagent is used to neutralize air pollutants.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention provides a Crop Growth Enhancement Method using a Reagent to Neutralize Air Pollutants.

[0034] O.sub.3 ozone, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide are common oxidation agents associated with air pollution and are very deleterious to human health and plant/crop health and productivity. Ozone in particular is a problem with respect to air pollution, human health and plant health. Ozone is very chemically reactive and is known in the chemical sciences as a free radical.

[0035] An oxidizing agent transfers oxygen atoms to a substrate. In this context, the oxidizing agent can be called an oxygenation reagent or oxygen-atom transfer (OAT) agent.

[0036] The present invention relates to introducing a reducing chemical reagent and oxygen molecule acceptor of an oxidation-reduction reaction. In the case of Hydrogen gas being the acceptor the reaction is either:

O.sub.3+H.sub.2.fwdarw.O.sub.2+H.sub.2O for ozone as oxidizing agent

or

2NO+2H.sub.2.fwdarw.N.sub.2+2H.sub.2O for nitric oxide as oxidizing agent

or

2NO.sub.2+4H.fwdarw.N+4H.sub.2O for nitrogen dioxide as oxidizing agent.

[0037] Because hydrogen gas is a very active reducing agent with the oxidizing agent O.sub.2, hydrogen is highly explosive in air. However, in prescriptive amounts where the concentration of the H.sub.2 gas in ambient air is less than 4% (below combustion point), the hydrogen is not flammable or explosive. [0038] The flammability limits based on the volume percent of hydrogen in air at 14.7 psia (1 atm, 101 kPa) are 4.0 and 75.0. The flammability limits based on the volume percent of hydrogen in oxygen at 14.7 psia (1 atm, 101 kPa) are 4.0 and 94.0. [0039] The limits of detonability of hydrogen in air are 18.3 to 59 percent by volume

[0040] The present invention is a system with a hydrogen source, a compressor, and manifolds lines to distribute H.sub.2 or other O.sub.3 neutralizing agent based upon pollution levels. [0041] Source of hydrogen is preferably a semi-portable tank [0042] Source of hydrogen is a steam methane reformer
Reagent gas reacts with the Ozone gas within the system (reacts with and neutralizes ozone) and then enough reagent is left to react and neutralize Ozone in the leafy plant canopy. Sensors are employed to a controller to prescriptively add H.sub.2 at a rate sufficient to normalize the O.sub.3 levels present in the leafy area of the crops. The hydrogen diffuses rapidly from the emitters and is lighter than air so rises up through the plant canopy into the surrounding air.

[0043] The systems seeks to achieve a special prescription of 0.097 ppm which is the ozone level in Fresno, Calif., one of the most polluted regions of the United States. Similar high pollutant levels are present through San Joaquin Valley, the region which produces most of the fruits, nuts and vegetables consumed in the US.

[0044] While applications of reagent may take place 24/7, in the preferred embodiment the prescription rate is higher and matches the higher pollution levels associated with photochemical reaction during high sunlight, at which time the plants' stomata are at their most open state therein allowing the toxic O.sub.3 gas to enter the interior leaf space where damage occurs from the air pollutants, and/or, rate of delivery can be adjusted to the dynamic ambient O.sub.3 by employing a real-time air pollutant metering device positioned in the leafy plant canopy.

[0045] The current inventor has spent years developing CO.sub.2 gaseous delivery systems to open field crops. It is well known in the sciences that air pollution is deleterious to crop yields especially in regions synonymous with nasty air pollution like Central Valley California, China, Mexico, Brazil and other regions around the globe. Two primary air pollutants that are toxic to crops and suppress production are NO.sub.x and the resulting photochemical smog ozone O.sub.3. In Fresno Calif., the highest air pollution in the US, O.sub.3 levels are at 0.097 PPM.

[0046] The present invention uses compressors, manifolds, and tubes/tapes with emitters to introduce prescriptive levels of hydrogen gas, aerosol hydrogen peroxide or other reactive gases or aerosols that are not harmful to crops, but that will react and neutralize the O.sub.3 ozone and react with the NO.sub.x to neutralize it and prevent the formation of photochemical ozone immediately adjacent and surrounding the crops' leafy canopy.

[0047] In the first step 12 of the method, hydrogen is acquired from one of several sources, including: electrolysis of water or other hydrogen-containing substance, delivered in pure form in tanks, harvested from methane or other hydrocarbon using steam reforming, or another source.

[0048] The hydrogen gas is filtered of impurities in the second step 14 of the method using a hydrogen purification device. This step may not be necessary in the case of tank delivered hydrogen, but is necessary for hydrogen sourced from hydrocarbons such as methane. Possible hydrogen purification methods include palladium membranes, dense thin-metal membrane purifiers, pressure swing adsorption, catalytic recombination, or an electrochemical purification system, the latter of which can have the added benefit of compressing the hydrogen simultaneously.

[0049] The third step 16 is the compression of the purified hydrogen for ease of storage. Possible methods for compressing hydrogen include: reciprocating piston compressors, ionic liquid piston compressors, hydride compressors, piston-metal diaphragm compressors, guided rotor compressors, and the highly efficient electrochemical hydrogen compressor. The compressed hydrogen can then be stored in containers until needed or be directed into the system immediately.

[0050] In the fourth step 18, the hydrogen is diluted with ambient air or other gaseous media so that the hydrogen component is equal to, or less than, 4% of the total gaseous mixture, which will prevent the hydrogen from sustaining a spontaneous combustive reaction, should an ignition source be present. This dilution is preferably accomplished using a venturi valve 19. The venturi valve dilution process utilizes the Venturi effect, whereby a constriction of the diameter for a short stretch of the valve causes a drop in pressure. The low pressure area creates suction which draws in a diluent such as oxygen which mixes with the hydrogen gas stream.

[0051] During the fifth step 20 of the method the pressure is modified as needed by a pressure regulator 21, and the flow rate is regulated by a flow control valve 22. The regulator 21 can be a single-stage or double-stage regulator. The flow control valve 22 is preferably connected via a layflat manifold 24 to the array of piping which distributes gas throughout the crop field.

[0052] The layflat manifold 24 is commonly used by growers to deliver water. Using a layflat manifold to deliver gas therefore has the advantages that those managing the field are familiar with its service and maintenance. The flow rate of the valve 22 is set so that just enough hydrogen is introduced so that the ongoing chemical reaction occupies the leafy crop canopy and immediately adjacent area. The release point 25 of the reagent is preferably just below the leafy canopy of the crop. For certain crops that do not benefit from direct exposure to a reagent such as hydrogen, the release point would then be directly above the leafy canopy. In this case the diluted hydrogen would not contact the crops as hydrogen rises above the air. The hydrogen then neutralizes the existing NO.sub.x and ozone in the local sphere. Furthermore, new NO.sub.x and O.sub.3 that is moving into the leafy area by diffusion or dispersion across the chemical gradient created in the sphere by the initial neutralization is then neutralized.

[0053] Finally, the flow valve can be electronically adjusted by a reagent control unit 26. The reagent control unit 26 receives data from sensors 28 A-D in the field. These sensors convey signals via wired or wireless means The types of sensors relaying data to the reagent control unit include: temperature sensors 28A, wind velocity anemometers 288, photosynthetically active radiation level (PAR) sensors 28C, reagent concentration level sensors 28D, and pollutant concentration level sensors 28E. While the use of air quality sensors was expensive in the past, the 2010s saw a trend towards the development of cheaper air-quality sensors, making the final component of the system 10 affordable and beneficial.

[0054] The descriptions above and the accompanying materials should be interpreted in the illustrative and not the limited sense. While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment or embodiments thereof, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within the scope of the invention.