Air pollution abatement and crop growth stimulation technology
AssigneeThe Agricultural Gas Company
InventorStewart E. Erickson
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source of the reagent is electrolysis.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source of the reagent is a steam methane reformer.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source of the reagent is a compressed tank.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the filtration step can be accomplished using an electrochemical purification system.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reagent compressor can be an electrochemical hydrogen compressor.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reagent is diluted using a venturi valve.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pressure regulator can be a single-stage or double-stage regulator.
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.
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.
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.
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;
An method for enhancing crop growth, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a supply of H2 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.