CROP IRRIGATION AND THERMAL-PROTECTION SYSTEM

摘要

The disclosure provides systems and methods of use pertaining to irrigating and thermally protecting a field of crops. One embodiment provides a semi-closed circuit irrigation and thermal-protection system that circulates heated irrigation fluid from a storage reservoir, through a fluid distribution system associated with each crop in the field, and back to the reservoir. The fluid distribution system incorporates a number of expandable, porous vessels associated with the crops. The vessels receive a large volume of irrigation fluid and, while slowly releasing the fluid into the soil to raise soil-saturation levels, transfer heat from the fluid directly to the crops and to the ambient environment. The system may be activated in discrete bursts to irrigate the crops or activated over a prolonged duration to heat the crops during a freeze or frost event. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

主权项

1. An irrigation and thermal-protection system for circulating thermally energized irrigation fluid throughout a field of crops, comprising:
a storage reservoir containing a volume of thermally stratified irrigation fluid, said volume having a warm stratum disposed at a bottom of said volume; a fluid distribution line having one or more branch lines fluidly connected between a supply line leaving said storage reservoir and a return line entering said storage reservoir, each said branch line in fluid communication with one or more vessels associated with a row of crops; and a circulation pump in fluid communication with said storage reservoir and said fluid distribution line, wherein said circulation pump is configured to pull said irrigation fluid from said warm stratum and circulate said fluid in a complete circuit through said fluid distribution line.