Hydraulic and earth engineering – Drainage or irrigation
Patent
1996-11-21
1998-12-01
Graysay, Tamara L.
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Drainage or irrigation
405130, E02B 1100, E02D 1914
Patent
active
058428135
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for irrigation of areas affected by aridity.
2. Description of the Related Art
The laws of thermodynamics governing the temperature differences between hot and cold concern basic physical phenomena, and they are widely used in practical applications. In geophysics, however, practical applications are rarer, and research is only now getting underway in regard to technologies for controlling the adverse effects of permafrost or annual freezing of the soil, e.g. on building construction in arctic regions. There are also applications where oil pipelines or houses are constructed on piles filled with liquid or high thermal conductivity thereby preventing the transfer of heat from the building into the permafrost.
Established technologies exist for creating artificial heat and cold, i.e. heat pumps and their various specific applications. In Finland, heat pump technology is used in house heating, for refrigerating ice rinks and, regarding geophysical applications, for drying golf greens where equipment based on the same technology is operated in the opposite direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is aimed at establishing a novel method and system for irrigation of areas affected by aridity. The invention is based on the principle of creating in soil an artificial temperature gradient whereby a layer of frozen or cool soil is formed.
The energy required for cooling can be either imported via electric power lines or produced by diesel compressors. Conventional and familiar technology for energy production is available both in Finland and abroad. Exploitation of the waste heat generated is possible by means of the serial evaporation technology recently introduced in Finland (Tampella). In addition to conventional energy technologies, emerging solar and wind energy production methods are applicable as sources of energy provided that the power generated from these sources is sufficient for cooling or for maintenance of the required temperature gradient.
The invention is explained below by means of an example of a preferred application by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating schematically the principle of operation of a method, and system based on the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the principle of operation of a method and system in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 schematically depicts a system for cold-technology-based irrigation in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Natural environments where freezing and cooling technology (also known as Kirsi technology) based on the invention can be utilized must have two primary sources of water, atmospheric water vapor for condensation and the groundwater, and must in addition meet the following requirements. result of the temperature gradient created by cooling of a deep soil layer or, as the case may be, the top soil; diurnal changes in air humidity will be taken into account. in a region otherwise affected by aridity; a factor common to all such areas is a fall in groundwater level so that plant rhizomes or the natural capillarity of the soil are no longer able to make the groundwater available to vegetation.
Working from the premises presented above, a system can be constructed, based on a method described below, for irrigation of arid regions (a generic concept encompassing all the above-mentioned areas) and for production of new vegetation (biomass). The method is based on restoration of the energy balance (energothases) of each unit area (square meter, acre hectare, square kilometer, etc.) by utilizing imported external energy (electric transmission lines, diesel generators, solar energy and/or wind energy) to increase the energy intensity of the unit area concerned. The imported energy will be stored in ice or low-temperature soil produced by artificial cooling, creating an artificial temperature gradient within the unit
REFERENCES:
patent: H1237 (1993-10-01), Lowther et al.
patent: 3461675 (1969-08-01), Izatt
patent: 4538377 (1985-09-01), Thornton
patent: 4632604 (1986-12-01), McKelvy
patent: 5551799 (1996-09-01), Dash
Graysay Tamara L.
Lee Jong-Suk
LandOfFree
Method of cold technology based irrigation of areas affected by does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of cold technology based irrigation of areas affected by , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of cold technology based irrigation of areas affected by will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2390687