(12) United States Patent
`Senkiw
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,396,441 B2
`*Jul. 8, 2008
`
`USOO73964.41B2
`
`(54) FLOW-THROUGHOXYGENATOR
`
`(56)
`
`(75) Inventor: James Andrew Senkiw, Minneapolis,
`MN (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Aqua Innovations, Inc., Minnetonka,
`MN (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 7 days.
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/732,326
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 10, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,225,401. A * 9/1980 Divisek et al. .............. 2O5,354
`4.252,856 A
`2f1981 Sara
`4,587,001 A * 5/1986 Cairns et al. ........... 204290.14
`5,015,354 A * 5/1991 Nishiki et al. ............... 204/254
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO99.3956.1
`8, 1999
`
`WO
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Effect of Oxygenated Water on the Growth and Biomass Develop
`ment of Seedless Cucumbers and Tomato Seedlings under Green
`house Conditions: Mohyuddin Mirza et al. www.seair.ca, 2003.
`
`O
`O
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/372,017,
`filed on Feb. 21, 2003, now Pat. No. 6,689,262.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/358,534, filed on Feb.
`22, 2002.
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`C25B I/02
`(2006.01)
`C25B I/04
`(2006.01)
`CO2F I/OO
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 204/278: 204/242: 204/275.1;
`204/232; 204/286.1; 204/554; 204/660; 205/633;
`205/742: 210/243; 210/748
`(58) Field of Classification Search ......... 205/628–639,
`205/742; 204/242, 245, 275.1, 278.5, 290.1,
`204/232, 278, 286.1, 554, 660; 210/243,
`21 Of 748
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Assistant Examiner—Lois L. Zheng
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Patterson, Thuente, Skaar &
`Christensen, P.A.
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed.
`When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical dis
`tance, 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 dis
`closed. The use of Supersaturated water for enhancing the
`growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying Super
`saturated 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.
`
`17 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`Enclosure tube
`
`
`
`Stabilizing and
`connections hardware
`A
`
`Tennant Company
`Exhibit 1007
`
`

`

`US 7,396.441 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7, 1996 Portier et al.
`5,534,143 A
`5,982,609 A 11/1999 Evans
`6,171.469 B1* 1/2001 Hough et al. ............... 205,743
`6,315,886 B1
`1 1/2001 Zappi et al.
`6,328,875 B1* 12/2001 Zappi et al. ................. 205/500
`6,394429 B2
`5/2002 Ganan-Calvo
`
`2/2004 Senkiw
`6,689,262 B2
`2002/0074237 A1* 6/2002 Takesako et al. ............ 205,628
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`WOO3,O72507 A1
`
`9, 2003
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
`Jul. 8, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`Sheet 1 of 8
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`US 7,396.441 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 7,396,441 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 3 of 8
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`US 7,396.441 B2
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`THERMISTOR
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`SENSOR
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jul. 8, 2008
`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 4 of 8
`Sheet 4 of8
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`US 7,396,441 B2
`US 7,396,441 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 5 of 8
`Sheet 5 of8
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`US 7,396,441 B2
`US 7,396,441 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 6 of 8
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`US 7,396,441 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
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`US 7,396,441 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 7,396,441 B2
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`

`1.
`FLOW-THROUGH OXYGENATOR
`
`US 7,396,441 B2
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/372,017, filed on Feb. 21, 2003, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,262, issued Feb. 10, 2004, which claims
`priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/358,
`534, filed Feb. 22, 2002.
`
`5
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to the electrolytic generation of
`microbubbles of oxygen for increasing the oxygen content of
`flowing water. This invention also relates to the use of super
`oxygenated water to enhance the growth and yield of plants.
`The flow-through model is useful for oxygenating water for
`hydroponic plant culture, drip irrigation and waste water
`treatment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`AT THE CATHODE:
`AT THE ANODE:
`NET REACTION:
`
`4H2O + 4 e -> 4OH + 2H
`2H2O -> O + 4H + 4e
`6HO -> 4OH + 4H + 2H + O.
`
`286 kilojoules of energy is required to generate one mole of
`OXygen.
`The gasses form bubbles which rise to the surface of the
`fluid and may be collected. Either the oxygen or the hydrogen
`may be collected for various uses. The “electrolytic water
`Surrounding the anode becomes acidic while the electrolytic
`water surrounding the cathode becomes basic. Therefore, the
`electrodes tend to foul or pit and have a limited life in these
`corrosive environments.
`Many cathodes and anodes are commercially available.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,609 discloses cathodes comprising a
`metal or metallic oxide of at least one metal selected from the
`group consisting of ruthenium, iridium, nickel, iron,
`rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten, manganese, tantalum,
`molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium and
`osmium. Anodes are formed from the same metallic oxides or
`metals as cathodes. Electrodes may also be formed from
`alloys of the above metals or metals and oxides co-deposited
`on a Substrate. The cathode and anodes may beformed on any
`convenient Support in any desired shape or size. It is possible
`to use the same materials or different materials for both elec
`trodes. The choice is determined according to the uses. Plati
`num and iron alloys (“stainless steel') are often preferred
`materials due to their inherent resistance to the corrosive
`electrolytic water. An especially preferred anode disclosed in
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,856 comprises vacuum deposited iridium
`oxide.
`Holding vessels for live animals generally have a high
`population of animals which use up the available oxygen
`rapidly. Pumps to Supply oxygen have high power require
`ments and the noise and bubbling may further stress the
`animals. The available electrolytic generators likewise have
`high power requirements and additionally run at high Volt
`ages and produce acidic and basic water which are detrimen
`tal to live animals. Many of the uses of oxygenators, such as
`keeping bait or caught fish alive, would benefit from portable
`devices that did not require a source of high power. The need
`remains for quiet, portable, low Voltage means to oxygenate
`Water.
`It has also been known that plant roots are healthier when
`oxygenated water is applied. It is thought that oxygen inhibits
`the growth of deleterious fungi. The water sparged with air as
`in the 429 patent was shown to increase the biomass of
`hydroponically grown cucumbers and tomatoes by about
`15%.
`The need remains for oxygenator models suitable to be
`placed in-line in water distribution devices so as to be applied
`to field as well as hydroponic culture.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention provides an oxygen emitter which is an
`electrolytic cell which generates very small microbubbles
`and nanobubbles of oxygen in an aqueous medium, which
`bubbles are too small to break the surface tension of the
`medium, resulting in a medium Supersaturated with oxygen.
`The electrodes may be a metal or oxide of at least one metal
`selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, iridium,
`nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten, manganese,
`tantalum, molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`Many benefits may be obtained through raising the oxygen
`content of aqueous media. Efforts have been made to achieve
`higher saturated or Supersaturated oxygen levels for applica
`tions such as the improvement of water quality in ponds,
`lakes, marshes and reservoirs, the detoxification of contami
`nated water, culture of fish, shrimp and other aquatic animals,
`biological culture and hydroponic culture. For example, fish
`held in a limited environment Such as an aquarium, a bait
`bucket or a live hold tank may quickly use up the dissolved
`oxygen in the course of normal respiration and are then Sub
`ject to hypoxic stress, which can lead to death. A similar effect
`is seen in cell cultures, where the respiring cells would benefit
`from higher oxygen content of the medium. Organic pollut
`ants from agricultural, municipal and industrial facilities
`spread through the ground and Surface water and adversely
`affect life forms. Many pollutants are toxic, carcinogenic or
`mutagenic. Decomposition of these pollutants is facilitated
`by oxygen, both by direct chemical detoxifying reactions or
`40
`by stimulating the growth of detoxifying microflora. Con
`taminated water is described as having an increased biologi
`cal oxygen demand (BOD) and water treatment is aimed at
`decreasing the BOD So as to make more oxygen available for
`fish and other life forms.
`The most common method of increasing the oxygen con
`tent of a medium is by sparging with air or oxygen. While this
`is a simple method, the resulting large bubbles produced
`simply break the Surface and are discharged into the atmo
`sphere. Attempts have been made to reduce the size of the
`bubbles in order to facilitate oxygentransfer by increasing the
`total surface area of the oxygen bubbles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,
`143 discloses a microbubble generator that achieves a bubble
`size of about 0.10 millimeters to about 3 millimeters in diam
`eter. U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,429 (“the 429 patent”) discloses a
`device for producing microbubbles, ranging in size from 0.1
`to 100 microns in diameter, by forcing air into the fluid at high
`pressure through a small orifice.
`When the object of generating bubbles is to oxygenate the
`water, either air, with an oxygen content of about 21%, or pure
`oxygen may be used. The production of oxygen and hydrogen
`by the electrolysis of wateris well known. A current is applied
`across an anode and a cathode which are immersed in an
`aqueous medium. The current may be a direct current from a
`battery or an AC/DC converter from a line. Hydrogen gas is
`produced at the cathode and oxygen gas is produced at the
`anode. The reactions are:
`
`50
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`60
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`65
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`

`

`3
`and osmium or oxides thereof. The electrodes may beformed
`into open grids or may be closed surfaces. The most preferred
`cathode is a stainless steel mesh. The most preferred mesh is
`a /16 inch grid. The most preferred anode is platinum and
`iridium oxide on a Support. A preferred Support is titanium.
`In order to form microbubbles and nanobubbles, the anode
`and cathode are separated by a critical distance. The critical
`distance ranges from 0.005 inches to 0.140 inches. The pre
`ferred critical distance is from 0.045 to 0.060 inches.
`Models of different size are provided to be applicable to
`various Volumes of aqueous medium to be oxygenated. The
`public is directed to choose the applicable model based on
`Volume and power requirements of projected use. Those mod
`els with low Voltage requirements are especially Suited to
`oxygenating water in which animals are to be held.
`Controls are provided to regulate the current and timing of
`electrolysis.
`A flow-through model is provided which may be connected
`in-line to a watering hose or to a hydroponic circulating
`system. The flow-through model can be formed into a tube
`with triangular cross-section. In this model, the anode is
`placed toward the outside of the tube and the cathode is placed
`on the inside, contacting the water flow. Alternatively, the
`anodes and cathodes may be in plates parallel to the long axis
`of the tube, or may be plates in a wafer stack. Alternately, the
`electrodes may be placed in a side tube (“T” model) out of the
`direct flow of water. Protocols are provided to produce super
`oxygenated water at the desired flow rate and at the desired
`power usage. Controls are inserted to activate electrolysis
`when water is flowing and deactivate electrolysis at rest.
`This invention includes a method to promote growth and
`increase yield of plants by application of Superoxygenated
`water. The water treated with the emitter of this invention is
`one example of Superoxygenated water. Plants may be grown
`in hydroponic culture or in soil. The use of the flow-through
`model for drip irrigation of crops and waste water treatment is
`disclosed.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`40
`
`FIG. 1A is a plan view of an O emitter of the invention.
`FIG.1B is a section view of the O emitter of FIG.1.A taken
`at line 1B-1B of FIG. 1A.
`FIG. 2A is a plan view of an assembled Oemitting device.
`FIG.2B is a perspective view of the assembled O2 emitting
`device of FIG. 2A.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of the electronic controls of the O.
`emitter.
`FIG. 4 shows a funnel or pyramid variation of the O.
`emitter.
`FIG. 5 shows a multilayer sandwich O emitter.
`FIG. 6 shows the yield of tomato plants watered with
`Superoxygenated water.
`FIG. 7A is a cross section showing arrangement of three
`plate electrodes.
`FIG. 7B is a longitudinal section showing the points of
`connection to the power source.
`FIG. 8 is a graph showing the oxygenation of waste water.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`Definitions:
`For the purpose of describing the present invention, the
`following terms have these meanings:
`
`65
`
`US 7,396,441 B2
`
`4
`“Critical distance' means the distance separating the anode
`and cathode at which evolved oxygen forms microbubbles
`and nanobubbles.
`“Critical distance' means the distance separating the anode
`and cathode at which evolved oxygen forms microbubbles
`and nanobubbles.
`“O emitter” means a cell comprised of at least one anode
`and at least one cathode separated by the critical distance.
`"Metal' means a metal or an alloy of one or more metals.
`“Microbubble' means a bubble with a diameter less than
`50 microns.
`“Nanobubble' means a bubble with a diameter less than
`that necessary to break the Surface tension of water.
`Nanobubbles remain suspended in the water, giving the water
`an opalescent or milky appearance.
`"Supersaturated” means oxygen at a higher concentration
`than normal calculated oxygen Solubility at a particular tem
`perature and pressure.
`"Superoxygenated water” means water with an oxygen
`content at least 120% of that calculated to be saturated at a
`temperature.
`“Water” means any aqueous medium with resistance less
`than one ohm per square centimeter, that is, a medium that can
`support the electrolysis of water. In general, the lower limit of
`resistance for a medium that can Support electrolysis is water
`containing more than 2000 ppm total dissolved solids.
`The present invention produces microbubbles and
`nanobubbles of oxygen via the electrolysis of water. As
`molecular oxygen radical (atomic weight 8) is produced, it
`reacts to form molecular oxygen, O. In the special dimen
`sions of the invention, as explained in more detail in the
`following examples, O forms bubbles which are too small to
`break the surface tension of the fluid. These bubbles remain
`suspended indefinitely in the fluid and, when allowed to build
`up, make the fluid opalescent or milky. Only after several
`hours do the bubbles begin to coalesce on the sides of the
`container and the water clears. During that time, the water is
`Supersaturated with oxygen. In contrast, the H formed
`readily coalesces into larger bubbles which are discharged
`into the atmosphere, as can be seen by bubble formation at the
`cathode.
`The first objective of this invention was to make an oxygen
`emitter with low power demands, low voltage and low current
`for use with live animals. For that reason, a small button
`emitter was devised. The anode and cathode were set at vary
`ing distances. It was found that electrolysis took place at very
`short distances before arcing of the current occurred. Surpris
`ingly, at slightly larger distances, the water became milky and
`no bubbles formed at the anode, while hydrogen continued to
`be bubbled off the cathode. At distance of 0.140 inches
`between the anode and cathode, it was observed that the
`oxygen formed bubbles at the anode. Therefore, the critical
`distance for microbubble and nanobubble formation was
`determined to be between 0.005 inches and 0.140 inches.
`
`EXAMPLE 1.
`
`Oxygen Emitter
`
`As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, the oxygen evolv
`ing anode 1 selected as the most efficient is an iridium oxide
`coated single sided sheet of platinum on a Support of titanium
`(Eltech, Fairport Harbor, Ohio). The cathode 2 is a fraction
`(/16)} inch mesh (size 8 mesh) marine stainless steel screen.
`The anode and cathode are separated by a non-conducting
`spacer 3 containing a gap 4 for the passage of gas and mixing
`ofanodic and cathodic water and connected to a power source
`
`

`

`US 7,396,441 B2
`
`6
`increase the sensitivity of measurement so that Sub-micron
`diameter bubbles can be measured.
`
`EXAMPLE 3
`
`5
`
`Other Models of Oxygen Emitter
`
`5
`through a connection point 5. FIG. 2A shows a plan view of
`the assembled device. The O. Sub.2 emitter 6 with the anode
`connecting wire 7 and the cathode connecting wire 8 is con
`tained in an enclosure 9, connected to the battery compart
`ment 10. The spacer thickness is critical as it sets the critical
`distance. It must be of sufficient thickness to preventarcing of
`the current, but thin enough to separate the electrodes by no
`more than 0.140 inches. Above that thickness, the power
`needs are higher and the oxygen bubbles formed at higher
`voltage will coalesce and escape the fluid. Preferably, the
`spacer is from 0.005 to 0.075 inches thick. At the lower limits,
`the emitter tends to foul more quickly. Most preferably, the
`spacer is about 0.050 inches thick. The spacer may be any
`nonconductive material Such as nylon, fiberglass, Teflon
`.RTM. polymer or other plastic. Because of the criticality of
`the space distance, it is preferable to have a non-compressible
`spacer. It was found that Buna, with a durometer measure of
`60 was not acceptable due to decomposition. Viton, a com
`mon fluoroelastomer, has a durometer measure of 90 and was
`found to hold its shape well.
`In operation, a small device with an Oemitter 1.485 inches
`in diameter was driven by 4AA batteries. The critical distance
`was held at 0.050 inches with a Viton spacer. Five gallons of
`water became Saturated in seven minutes. This size is Suitable
`for raising oxygen levels in an aquarium or bait bucket.
`It is convenient to attach a control circuit which comprises
`a timer that is thermostatically controlled by a temperature
`sensor which determines the off time for the cathode. When
`the temperature of the solution changes, the resistance of the
`thermistor changes, which causes an off time of a certain
`duration. In cool water, the duration is longer so in a given
`volume, the emitter generates less oxygen. When the water is
`warmer and therefore hold less oxygen, the duration of off
`time is shorter. Thus the device is self-controlled to use power
`most economically. FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a timer
`control with anode 1, cathode 2, thermistor temperature sen
`sor 3, timer control circuit 4 and wire from a direct current
`power source 5.
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`35
`
`EXAMPLE 2
`
`40
`
`Measurement of O. Bubbles
`
`Attempts were made to measure the diameter of the O.
`bubbles emitted by the device of Example 1. In the case of
`45
`particles other than gasses, measurements can easily be made
`by Scanning electron microscopy, but gasses do not survive
`electron microscopy. Large bubble may be measured by pore
`exclusion, for example, which is also not feasible when mea
`Suring a gas bubble. A black and white digital, high contrast,
`50
`backlit photograph of treated water with a millimeter scale
`reference was shot of water produced by the emitter of
`Example 1. About 125 bubbles were seen in the area selected
`for measurement. Seven bubbles ranging from the smallest
`clearly seen to the largest were measured. The area was
`enlarged, giving a scale multiplier of 0.0294.12.
`Recorded bubble diameters at scale were 0.16, 0.22, 0.35,
`0.51, 0.76, 0.88 and 1.09 millimeters. The last three were
`considered outliers by reverse analysis of variance and were
`assumed to be hydrogen bubbles. When multiplied by the
`scale multiplier, the assumed O, bubbles were found to range
`from 4.7 to 15 microns in diameter. This test was limited by
`the resolution of the camera and smaller bubbles in the
`nanometer range could not be resolved. It is known that white
`light cannot resolve features in the nanometer size range, so
`monochromatic laser light may give resolution sensitive
`enough to measure smaller bubbles. Efforts continue to
`
`60
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`65
`
`55
`
`Depending on the volume of fluid to be oxygenated, the
`oxygen emitter of this invention may be shaped as a circle,
`rectangle, cone or other model. One or more may be set in a
`Substrate that may be metal, glass, plastic or other material.
`The Substrate is not critical as long as the current is isolated to
`the electrodes by the nonconductorspacer material of a thick
`ness from 0.005 to 0.075 inches, preferably 0.050 inches. It
`has been noticed that the flow of water seems to be at the
`periphery of the emitter, while the evolved visible bubbles
`(H) arise at the center of the emitter. Therefore, a funnel or
`pyramidal shaped emitter was constructed to treat larger Vol
`umes of fluid. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional diagram of Such an
`emitter. The anode 1 is formed as an open grid separated from
`a marine grade stainless steel Screen cathode 2 by the critical
`distance by spacer 3 around the periphery of the emitter and at
`the apex. This flow-through embodiment is suitable for treat
`ing large Volumes of water rapidly.
`The size may be varied as required. A round emitter for
`oxygenating a bait bucket may be about 2 inches in diameter,
`while a 3-inch diameter emitter is adequate for oxygenating a
`10 to 40 gallon tank. The live well of a fishing boat will
`generally hold 40 to 80 gallons of water and require a 4-inch
`diameter emitter. It is within the scope of this invention to
`construct larger emitters or to use several in a series to oxy
`genate larger Volumes. It is also within the scope of this
`invention to vary the model to provide for low voltage and
`amperage in cases where the need for oxygen is moderate and
`long lasting or conversely, to Supersaturate water very quickly
`at higher Voltage and amperage. In the special dimensions of
`the present invention, it has been found that a 6 volt battery
`Supplying a current as low as 40 milliamperes is sufficient to
`generate oxygen. Such a model is especially useful with live
`plants or animals, while it is more convenient for industrial
`use to use a higher Voltage and current. Table I shows a
`number of models suitable to various uses.
`
`TABLE I
`
`Emitter Model
`
`Gallons
`
`Wolts
`
`Amps Max.
`
`Ave
`
`Watts
`
`Bait keeper
`Livewell
`OEM2 inch
`Bait store
`Double cycle
`OEM 3 inch
`OEM4 inch
`Water pail
`Plate
`
`5
`32
`10
`70
`2
`50
`8O
`2
`250
`
`6
`12
`12
`12
`12
`12
`12
`24
`12
`
`O.O90
`O.18O
`O.210
`O.18O
`O.18O
`O.SOO
`O.980
`1200
`S.OOO
`
`O.O60
`O. 120
`O. 120
`O.18O
`O.18O
`O.26S
`O.410
`1200
`2. SOO
`
`O.36
`1.44
`1.44
`2.16
`2.16
`3.48
`4.92
`28.8O
`3 O.OO
`
`EXAMPLE 4
`
`Multilayer Sandwich O Emitter
`
`An O emitter was made in a multilayer sandwich embodi
`ment. (FIG. 5) An iridium oxide coated platinum anode 1 was
`formed into a grid to allow good water flow and Sandwiched
`between two stainless steel Screen cathodes 2. Spacing was
`held at the critical distance by nylon spacers 3. The embodi
`ment illustrated is held in a cassette 4 which is secured by
`nylon bolt 5 with a nylon washer 6. The dimensions selected
`Were
`
`

`

`US 7,396,441 B2
`
`cathode screen
`nylon spacer
`anode grid
`nylon spacer
`cathode screen
`
`0.045 inches thick
`0.053 inches thick
`0.035 inches thick
`0.053 inches thick
`0.045 inches thick,
`for an overall emitter thickness
`of 0.231 inches.
`
`If a more powerful emitter is desired, it is within the scope
`of this invention to repeat the sequence of Stacking. For
`example, an embodiment may easily be constructed with this
`sequence: cathode, spacer, anode, spacer, cathode, spacer,
`anode, spacer, cathode, spacer, anode, spacer, cathode. The
`number of layers in the sandwich is limited only by the power
`requirements acceptable for an application.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`EXAMPLE 5
`
`Effect of Superoxygenated Water on the Growth of
`Plants
`
`8
`cation of oxygen. It was decided to use water treated with the
`emitter of Example 1 as the oxygen carrier. Since water So
`treated is Supersaturated, it is an excellent carrier of oxygen.
`Tomato seeds (Burpee “Big Boy') were planted in one
`inch diameter peat and dirt plugs encased in cheese cloth and
`placed in a tray in a Southwest window. Controls were
`watered once a day with tap water (“Control') or oxygenated
`water (“Test). Both Controls and Test sprouted at one week.
`After five weeks, the Test plants were an average of 11 inches
`tall while the Controls were an average of nine inches tall. At
`this time, May 10, when the threat of frost in Minnesota was
`minimal, the plants were transplanted to 13 inch diameter
`pots with drainage holes. Four inches oftop soil was added to
`each pot, topped off with four inches of Scott's Potting Soil.
`The pots were placed outside in a Sunny area with at least
`eight hours a day of full sun. The plants were watered as
`needed with either plain tap water (Control) or oxygenated
`water (Test). The oxygenated water was produced by use of
`the emitter of Example 1 run for one-halfhour in a five-gallon
`container of water. Previous experiments showed that water
`thus treated had an oxygen content from 160% to 260%
`saturation. The Test plants flowered on June 4, while the
`Controls did not flower until June 18. For both groups, every
`plant in the group first had flowers on the same day. All plants
`were fertilized on July 2 and a soaker hose provided because
`the plants were now so big that watering by hand was difficult.
`The soaker hose was run for one half to one hour each morn
`ing, depending on the weather, to a point at which the Soil was
`saturated with water. One half hour after the soaker hose was
`turned off, about 750 ml of superoxygenated water was
`applied to each of the Test plants.
`The Test plants were bushier than the Controls although the
`heights were similar. At this time, there were eight Control
`plants and seven Test plants because one of the Test plants
`broke in a storm. On July 2, the control plants averaged about
`17 primary branches from the vine stem, while the control
`plants averaged about 13 primary branches from the vine
`stem. As the tomatoes matured, each was weighed on a
`kitchen scale at harvest. The yieldhistory is shown in Table II.
`
`TABLE II
`
`Control, grams
`tomatoes from
`eight plants
`cumulative total
`
`240
`420
`18O
`1325
`905
`1735
`410
`5035
`3300
`91.75
`41SO
`not weighed
`643S
`1562O
`
`Test, grams
`tomatoes from
`Seven plants
`cumulative total
`
`400
`2910
`1830
`2590
`2470
`1580
`3710
`8895
`
`3310
`S140
`7730
`102OO
`11780
`15490
`24385
`
`Week of
`
`July 27
`August 3
`August 10
`August 17
`August 24
`August 31
`September 15
`Final Harvest
`September 24
`
`The total yield for the eight Control plants was 15620
`grams or 1952 grams of tomatoes per plant.
`The total yield for the seven Test plants was 24385 grams or
`3484 grams of tomatoes per plant, an increase in yield of
`about 79% over the Control plants.
`FIG. 6 shows the cumulative total as plotted against time.
`Not only did the Test plants blossom and bear fruit earlier, but
`that the Control plants never caught up to the test plants in the
`short Minnesota growing season. It should be noted that the
`experiment was terminated because of predicted frost. All
`fruits, both green and red, were harvested and weighed at that
`point.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`It is known that oxygen is important for the growth of
`plants. Although plants evolve oxygen during photosynthe
`sis, they also have a requirement for oxygen for respiration.
`Oxygen is evolved in the leaves of the plants, while often the
`roots are in a hypoxic environment without enough oxygen to
`Support optimum respiration, which can be reflected in less
`than optimum growth and nutrient utilization. Hydroponi
`cally grown plants are particularly Susceptible to oxygen
`deficit in the root system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,383 describes a
`liquid Supply pump unit for hydroponic cultures which attain
`oxygen enrichment by sparging with air. Such a method has
`high energy requirements and is noisy. Furthermore, while
`Suitable for self-contained hydroponic culture, the apparatus
`is not usable for field irrigation. In a report available on the
`web, it was shown that hydroponically grown cucumbers and
`tomatoes Supplied with water oxygenated with a device simi
`lar to that described in the 429 patent had increased biomass
`of about 12% and 17% respectively. It should be noted that
`when sparged with air, the water may become saturated with
`oxygen, but it is unlikely that the water is Superoxygenated.
`A. Superoxygenated Water in Hydroponic Culture.
`Two small hydroponic systems were set up to grow two
`tomato plants. Circulation protocols were identical except
`that the 2/2 gallon water reservoir for the Control plant was
`eroated with and aquarium bubbler and that for the Test plant
`was oxygenated with a five-inch Strip emitter for two minutes
`50
`prior to pumping. The cycle was set at four minutes of pump
`ing, followed by four minutes of rest. The control water had
`an oxygen content of about 97% to 103% saturation, that is, it
`was saturated with oxygen. The test water had an oxygen
`content of about 153% to 165% saturation, that is, it was
`Supersaturated. The test plant was at least four times the
`volume of the control plant and began to show what looked
`like fertilizer burn. At that point the fertilizer for the Test plant
`was reduced by half. Since the plants were not exposed to
`natural light but to continuous artificial light in an indoor
`environment without the natural means of fertilization (wind
`and/or insects), the experiment was discontinued after three
`months. At that time, the Test plant but not the Control plant
`had blossomed.
`B. Superoxygenated Water in Field Culture.
`A pilot study was designed to ascertain that plants outside
`the hydroponic culture facility would benefit from the appli
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`US 7,396,441 B2
`
`9
`EXAMPLE 6
`
`Flow-through Emitter for Agricultural Use
`
`In order to apply the findings of example 5 to agricultural
`uses, an emitter than can oxygenate running water efficiently
`was developed. In FIG. 7(A), the oxygenation chamber is
`comprised of three anodes 1 and cathodes 2, of appropriate
`size to fit inside a tube or hose and separated by the critical
`distance are placed within a tube or hose 3 at 120° angles to
`each other. The anodes and cathodes are positioned with
`stabilizing hardware 4. The stabilizing hardware, which can
`be any configuration Such as a screw, rod or washer, is pref
`erably formed from stainless steel. FIG. 7(B) shows a plan
`view of the oxygenation chamber with stabilizing hardware 4
`serving as a connector to the power Source and stabilizing
`hardware 5 serving as a connector to the power source. The
`active area is shown at 6.
`This inven