Channel culture array using saline water
OwnerGeorge Greenbauminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A channel culture array having a plurality of V-shaped channels in side-by-side relationship. The array is placed on a base over which a contaminated water, such as seawater, flows. The underside of the array defines in part a zone. The pure moisture in the vapor phase condenses in the zone, coalesces on the underside of the array and permeates into the soil in the channels. The portion of the array contacted by the seawater is liquid impermeable.
Claims18
A channel culture array which is received on a base over which contaminated water flows comprising:
- a fluid permeable floor,
- walls extending upwardly from the floor and defining with the floor a cavity to contain soil,
- means joined to the floor
- to support the floor and engage the base,
- to maintain the floor spaced apart from the contaminated liquid, and
- to prevent contact of the soil with the liquid,
- the undersurface of the floor, said means and the surface of the water defining a zone which is at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature outside of the zone whereby the moisture in the vapor phase in the zone condenses, coalesces on the underside of the floor and wets the soil.
A method of growing plants wherein the soil which sustains the plants is disposed in a channel culture array which array has a fluid permeable floor and walls defining a cavity within which soil is received and the floor is spaced apart from a source of contaminated water and defines with the contaminated water a zone which method includes:
- flowing the contaminated water from outside the zone to within the zone, the water phase and vapor phase of the water outside the zone being at a first higher temperature, the moisture in the vapor phase being pure in reference to the contaminated water and being suitable for enhancing the growth of plants disposed within the soil, the temperature in the zone at a second lower temperature;
- condensing the moisture in the vapor phase in the zone at least a part of the condensed moisture contacting the undersurface of the floor and permeating through the floor to wet the soil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.