Patent ID: 7638064
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: A01G,C02F

Abstract:
1. A method for disinfecting irrigation water in an agricultural irrigation system, said agricultural irrigation system having irrigation water, a pipeline network serving an agricultural-production field and a point of entry of irrigation water to said field, comprising the steps of: determining an outer field point along said pipeline network; providing a chlorine source; providing a variable chlorine delivery system; selecting a detectable target chlorine residual at said outer field point; before activating of said chlorine delivery system, determining the chlorine demand of said irrigation water upstream of said field; activating said chlorine delivery system whereby said chlorine source is continuously fed to said irrigation water upstream of said field; after said activating of said chlorine delivery system, determining the level of chlorine residual at said outer field point; combining said target chlorine residual and said chlorine demand to determine a target chlorine feed level; and calibrating said chlorine delivery system based on said target chlorine feed level and the rate of flow of said irrigation water at said point of entry of said irrigation water to said field.