APPLICATION OF MOL®LIK TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

AND RELATIVE PLANT GROWTH

Presented by,

Tony Paul, Tina Lütje

TONY PAULAcademic Education:

2010 - 2014 B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Calicut University, Kerala, India

2014 - 2015 Cad Cam Certificate course, Fr. Agnel College, Bandra, Mumbai, India

2018 - now Masters in Engineering and International Business, SRH Hochschule Berlin, Germany

Work Experience:

2015 – 2016 Graduate Apprentice Trainee, Apollo Tyres Ltd, Kerala, India

2016 – 2017 Quality Control Engineer, Apollo Tyres ltd, Kerala, India

At MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH:

2019 Aug - 2020 Jan Internship (Application Of MOL®LIK Technology in Agricultural Irrigation System

and Relative Plant Growth)

2020 Mar - now Master Thesis (Application Of MOL®LIK Technology in the growth of Mung beans )

Mobile: (+49) 176 674 25719

E-Mail: tonypaul84@gmail.com

TINA LÜTJEAcademic education:

2012-2014 B. Sc. Biology, MLU Halle-Wittenberg

2014-2017 M. Sc. Biology (major subject Biotechnology), University of Leipzig

At MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH:

2013 – 2017 Internship including Bachelor and Master Thesis

2017 Scientific employee

2017 – 2018 Deputy head of department AT/P

2018 – now Head of department AT/P

Mobile: (+49)1590 40 22 48 8

E-Mail: tina.luetje@molkat.de

CONTENTS

• Topic

• MOL®LIK Technology

• Plant Life – Water Uptake

• Experiment Tomato Growth

• Results Tomato Growth and Future

• Nitrate Pollution and Degradation

• Future Farming

• References

1.TOPICWater plays a vital role in the growth and development not only of plant life: Without water, the essentialprocess that provides energy for the plants and oxygen for animals and human beings would not happen: Thewell known photosynthesis

6 CO2 + 12 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 H2O + 6O2

80 percent of global fresh water is used up for agriculture purpose.

The main purpose of this project is to build a agricultural irrigation system along with MOL®LIK technologysuch that:

▪ Water usage is minimised

▪ Water quality is improved

▪ Clogging effect in pipes due to deposits is reduced

▪ Achieve maximum productivity in less time with the treated water

1.2.DRIP IRRIGATION

Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation technique

where water is allowed to drip on to the roots of the

plant directly, either from above or buried below the

soil surface. Drip irrigation systems distribute water

through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.

It also reduces percolation of water running deep into

the soil. It is more efficient than any other types of

irrigation system. This technique

• Reduces water wastage

• Minimize evaporation by directly introducing water to

the desired area.

Fig 1.1 Water droplet from dripperSource : https://globalvendormart.com/irrigation-dripper

Clogging of the emitters due to deposits in water is

a disadvantage that can be dealt with MOL®LIK

Technology

2.MOL®LIK TECHNOLOGY

MOL®LIK is a chemical free water treatment process.

Multiple problems occur due to the presence of rust, limestone and other deposits in water:

• Scaling

• Corrosion

• Reduce average flow rate

• Leads to biofouling

• Biofilm formation

• Clogging of the system

MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH has developed an innovative technique to avoid such unpleasant

effects without threatening the environment.

Fig 1.2 VWS MOL®LIK catalytic converter for Biocide free biofilm control. The catalytic process will be started by light.

Source :

http://www.veoliawatertechnologies.de/berkefeld/ressources/documents

/6/48793-Biofilme_in_Kuehlkreislaeufen__Veo.pdf

2.1.MOL®LIK WORKING

In liquid water, we have an equilibrium of bulk and molecular water caused by a dynamic process1.Molecular water can dissolve deposits and salts in it, while bulk water cannot. In solution processes,when there are more substances to dissolve than water molecules can be provided, this will lead to theformation of deposits like rust and limestone. MOL®LIK avoids such unpleasant effects with a piece ofmetal, which is enough to compensate lack of molecular water by catalysing its formation1: Bulk wateris dissociated into molecular water which dissolves the additional undissolved deposits.

Fig 2.1 working process of MOL®LIK Fig 2.2 Molecular water bonding with salts

Source : MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH Experiences with Water

and Water Treatment 2019 power point presentationSource : MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH Experiences with Water

and Water Treatment 2019 power point presentation

1MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH. www.youtube.com. November 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVxvDKK27mg&t=46s.

2.2.MOL®LIK & TURBIDITY

▪Lower turbidity is an effect of MOL®LIK, because

particles stay smaller→ lower light scattering

▪In the graph, turbidity levels are very low for

WMOL water (water treated with MOL®LIK)

especially despite fertilising on 06.11.2019

compared to WOMOL water (normal water).

Fig 3.3 Comparison of Turbidity in WMOL and WOMOL during

the growth of Tomato

fertilisation

2.3.VISCOSITY & PLANT GROWTH

Smaller particles cause a lower viscosity.

Viscosity is the quantity that describes a fluid's resistance

to flow3.

High viscosity leads to lower water and nutrient

absorption.

The more molecular water there is, the lower the viscosity

will be.

MOL®LIK Technology catalyses the formation of molecular

water.

Fig 3.5 Dynamic viscosity of the water as a function of the water vapor

saturation partial pressure

Source: Dr. J. Koppe, MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH (2020)3 https://physics.info/viscosity/

3.PLANT LIFE- WATER & MINERAL UPTAKE

▪Smaller particles help in the faster movement across a

plant cell wall. The cell wall is the protective, semi-

permeable outer layer of a plant which gives

the cell strength and structure, and to filter molecules

that pass in and out of the cell.

▪Bulk water and undissolved particles (nutrients) are

difficult to pass through the small cell wall openings

because of bigger particles but with a „looser“ water

structure molecular water and dissolved particles can

easier pass through. A higher growth can be observed

as a result of better water and nutrient uptake.

Fig 3.4 plant water uptake through cell wall

3.1.PLANT LIFE- WATER & MINERAL UPTAKE BY ROOTSWater is found in the spaces between the soilparticles. Inside the cells of the root, there is ahigher concentration of minerals than there is in thesoil surrounding the plant . Water and mineral saltsenter through the cell wall and cell membrane of the

root hair cell by osmosis and diffusion. Root hair

cells are outgrowths at the tips of plants' roots. Theyfunction solely to take up water and mineral salts.These cells have large vacuoles which allow storageof water and mineral salts. Their small diameter (5-17 micrometres) and greater length (1500micrometres) ensure they have a large surface areaover which to absorb water and mineral salts.Water fills the vacuole of the root hair cell2.

2 https://www.siyavula.com/read/science/grade-10-lifesciences/support-and-transport-

systems-in-plants/05-support-and-transport-systems-in-plants-05

Fig 3.1 Step by step transport of water in plants

Source : https://www.siyavula.com/read/science/grade-10-lifesciences/support-and-

transport-systems-in-plants/05-support-and-transport-systems-in-plants-05

3.2.PLANT LIFE- WATER & MINERAL UPTAKE BY CELLSAs every cell consists of a phospholipid membraneand is therefore hydrophobic to its environment,water molecules cannot easily pass this membrane.Aquaporins are proteins, that ensure a transport ofwater molecules through the membranes (not only inplants but also in zoological organisms).

But even those highly selective and efficientstructures are limited: Only single water moleculescan pass (by kind of a chain) the aquaporin1.

Due to that fact, the more water structures near theaquaporins are bulk water structures, the slower isthe water transport. Ensuring a higher concentrationof molecular water (e.g. via MOL®LIK) meansensuring a faster water transport through cellmembranes (in both directions for waterregulation!).

7 https://www.mpibpc.mpg.de/276185/paper_biospektrum.pdfFig 3.2 transport water molecules via aquaporin through cell membrane

Source : B. L. de Groot, H. Grubmüller (2004). Aquaporine: Die perfekten Wasserfilter

der Zelle. In: BIOspektrum, 4/04, MPI Göttingen

Water (cell surrounding area)

Water (inside cell)

Phospho

lipid

layer

aquaporin

Single water molecules

aquaporin

4.1.EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A drip irrigation system with two identical garden bed setups are

created with a single water source supply. Water to one half of the

system is treated using MOL®LIK. While the other half would be

utilising the normal water from the same source. Both the water is

utilised for the growth of tomato and lemon plants. Tomato takes 3

months to fully ripe up, while lemon take almost 2 to 3 years

Fig 4.1 Front View of the experimental setup Fig 4.2 Top View of the experimental setup

Fig 4.3 Flow chart of the experimental setup

4.2.GROWTH SCENARIO

• An average

1) Room humidity of 49.65 percent

2) Temperature of 24.8 °C is maintained

• The experimental setup was maintained for 4 months for growthanalysis

1) Water consumption is 35.84 litres for the duration of 112days

2) Overall time duration for the water supply is 1 hour 52minutes

• The flow rate of water to each plant is 8ml per minute per day

• Uniform water source, artificial LED lights, fertilizer were provided

• There are two garden bed, each consists of 10 tomato and 10lemon plants

Fig 5.1 Artificial lights for plants Source : https://modernfarmer.com/2018/03/grow-

lights-for-indoor-plants-and-indoor-gardening/

5.OVERALL GRAPH

The graph shows the overall growth rate oftomato plant from (WOMOL) normal (tap)water and (WMOL) MOL®LIK treated watergarden bed over a period of 4 months.

WMOL ⁚ Faster growth in the beginning Stable plant growth

WOMOL ⁚ Slower growth in the beginning Unhealthy kind of “over”growth→ unstable growth (You canimagine a person who getsobese and sick due to too muchfood)

Fig 6.1 Tomato growth from October January

5.1.GRAPH OF OCTOBER

• Higher growth rate in the first month

• (WMOL) MOL®LIK treated water has

higher productivity of tomato growth

• About 1cm of growth difference

Fig.6.2 Tomato growth in October

5.2.OCTOBER GROWTH

Fig 6.3 WOMOL garden bed Fig 6.4 WMOL garden bed

6.RESULTS

➢ MOL®LIK treated water provides higher growth rate in the beginning of plant growth in the month of October. It showed a stable growth for the next 3 months.

➢ Normal water supplied garden bed showed higher growth rate in November, rapid growth in December, sudden fall in January and gradual improvement at the end of the month. It showed an unstable growth.

➢In WMOL garden bed bacterial growth was less

➢No negative effect of LIK on pH (no differences between WMOL and WOMOL), as a changing pH could become dangerous for the plants

7.ONE MONTH FOOD CROPS

The initial higher growth rate obtained in experimental analysis due to MOL®LIK treated water canbe utilised for one month grown crops. Higher growth in lesser time will be a great impact in terms ofmoney and time. The list of few food crop that grows in 10 to 50 days

Garden cress 14 days

Tatsoi 25 days

Arugula 30 days

Radishes 21 days

Lettuce 30 days

Kale 30 days

Green onions 21 days

Spinach 30 days

Swiss Chard 45 days

4 source: https://www.maz-online.de/Lokales/Havelland/Kanglee-Food-GmbH-verdoppelt-die-Produktion-Paretz5 https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/lettuce/DE/production

Table 8.1Food crops with growth duration

Source : https://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-gardening-2/8-insanely-fast-vegetables-you-can-harvest-in-one-month/

Food Crop Market

• Mung bean sprouts have the largest market share with approx. 90% in Germany. The sprouts germinate

in the cultivation chambers in the dark within 5 days (at 90% humidity). Kanglee Food GmbH has

invested1.2 million euros for the production of mung bean sprouts of 100 tons per week4.

• 333.03K metric tons of lettuce at an average production price of $1.34K USD per metric ton is produced

in Germany5.

8.NITRATE POLLUTION

Due to a nitrogen rich fertilisation, nowadays groundwater is oftencontaminated with too much nitrate (already 18 % in Germany8).

Nitrate surplus can cause an uncontrolled growth of algae and thus a lack ofoxygen in natural water systems. It can also cause deseases for human beings. So it is very important to free groundwater, from which app. 75 % are usedfor our tap water9, from high nitrate concentrations.

Experiment:

•Single kress seeds with same amount of nutrient free substrate and Knop‘snutrient solution, each with a piece of either LIK, raw (raw material for LIK) orplastic foil

•Growth was observated for 5 days → nitrate measurement after 5 days

8 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/fakten-zur-nitratbelastung-in-grund-trinkwasser9https://www.landwirtschaft.de/diskussion-und-dialog/umwelt/nitrat-im-grundwasser-was-hat-die-landwirtschaft-damit-zu-tun

8.1.NITRATE DEGRADATION

➢Lowest nitrate degradation in untreatedsamples (reference with plastic foil) → more nitrate remains in substrate/soil

➢Last (right) group of graph values showsamount of dissolved nitrate→ less nitrate dissolved in untreatedsamples→ more nitrate sets down at the bottom(and so in soil)

➢Both LIK foil and raw material for LIK foilshow better solability of nitrate and greaternitrate degradation than the reference

LIK foil

Raw foil

Plastic foil

9.FUTUREMaximum productivity in less time, spending less money and

less effort, while having maximum safety is the aim of every

company and every person and the motto behind an

application of MOL®LIK in the agricultural sector:

➢ Reduced water usage ensures water conservation

➢ Stable and higher growth in the same growth duration

➢ Safe food due to reduced bacterial content in water

➢ Innovative, Vertical and Green house farming can work

better with LIK treated water with higher yields and less effort

➢ Good booster to crop production that grows in one month

➢ Saving the environment by reducing nitrate pollution

Fig 9.1 Vertical farm in United KingdomSource : https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/vertical-farms-quest-for-

all-year-harvests-promises-to-change-shape-of-countryside-

t2swln2w7

10.REFERENCES

• 1http://www.veoliawatertechnologies.de/berkefeld/ressources/documents/6/48793-Biofilme_in_Kuehlkreislaeufen__Veo.pdf

• ²MOL Katalysatortechnik GmbH Experiences with Water and Water Treatment 2019 power pointpresentation

• ³https://www.siyavula.com/read/science/grade-10-lifesciences/support-and-transport-systems-in-plants/05-support-and-transport-systems-in-plants-05

• 4https://www.asps.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Chapter-3-Water-movement-in-plants-for-PDF-1.pdf

• 5https://modernfarmer.com/2018/03/grow-lights-for-indoor-plants-and-indoor-gardening

• 6https://resources.saylor.org/wwwresources/archived/site/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/Viscosity.pdf

• 7https://www.mpibpc.mpg.de/276185/paper_biospektrum.pdf

• 8 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/fakten-zur-nitratbelastung-in-grund-trinkwasser

• 9https://www.landwirtschaft.de/diskussion-und-dialog/umwelt/nitrat-im-grundwasser-was-hat-die-landwirtschaft-damit-zu-tun

THANK YOU