Flow-through oxygenator

• US 20060150491A1
• Filed: 03/04/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Oxygenator Water Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Oxygenator Water Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Senkiw, James Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/367,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20060150491A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/58.10R
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/00 Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics growth substrates therefor A01G24/00; cultivation of seaweed A01G33/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/02 Special apparatus therefor self-acting watering devices A01G27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/042 Introducing gases into the water, e.g. aerators, air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46109 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4672 by electrooxydation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/68 by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water medicinal water A61K
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/727 using pure oxygen or oxygen rich gas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46133 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46138 Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46157 Perforated or foraminous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4612 Controlling or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4615 Time
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/26 using pure oxygen or oxygen-rich gas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 7/00 Aeration of stretches of water
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Abstract

An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for oxygenating flowing water is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants manually, by drip irrigation or in hydroponic culture are described. The treatment of waste water by raising the dissolved oxygen with the use of an oxygen emitter is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for growing plants comprising the application of water that is supersaturated with oxygen.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the water supersaturated with oxygen has an oxygen content of at least 120% of the oxygen saturation calculated for a temperature and pressure.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the plants are grown hydroponically.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plants are grown in containers.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plants are grown in fields.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the plants are irrigated by drip irrigation.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the plants sprayed with supersaturated water.

8. A method for enhancing growth and yield of plants comprising the administration of supersaturated water on said plants.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the water supersaturated with oxygen has an oxygen content of at least 120% of the saturation calculated for a temperature and pressure.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the supersaturated water is delivered to the plants in hydroponic culture or through irrigation.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein supersaturated water is produced electrolytically or by sparging oxygen through a microorifice.

11. A method of growing plants, comprising:

(a) the production of supersaturated water; and

(b) the application of supersaturated water to plants.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the plants are grown hydroponically.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the plants are grown in containers.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the plants are grown in fields.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the plants are irrigated by drip irrigation.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the plants sprayed with supersaturated water.