Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
METHOD TO STIMULATE TREE SAP SELF-EJECTION FROM A TREE
FIELD
[0001] The present embodiment generally relates to a method for stimulating
the ejection of
sap from sugar maples and other trees with desirable sap.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A need exists for methods to extend the time for harvesting and
collecting sap from
trees. Sap is generally harvested using spouts, also sometimes referred to as
spiles,
which are inserted into corresponding tapped holes made on the trunks of trees
during
the periods of tree dormancy. The sap flows out of the trees through the
spouts and is
further collected thereafter. Some implementations use buckets or the like in
which
the sap can drip by gravity and accumulate underneath the spouts. Other
implementations use a vacuum system which draws the sap to a central sap
processing facility. A need has existed to improve the period of time that sap
will
flow from trees, and for the collection of sap with equipment that does not
harm a
tree. Sap collection can be obtained from all species of maple, walnut,
butternut,
basswood, hickory and potentially other trees.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to a broad aspect, there is provided a method to stimulate
self-ejection of
tree sap from a live tree with a tree trunk, the method comprising installing
a metal
liner around a segment of the tree trunk, wrapping the tree trunk with a
flexible tube
over the metal liner, connecting the flexible tube on one end to a supply hose
and on
an opposite end to a return hose, installing a shell over the flexible tube
and the metal
liner for forming an insulation layer of air around the flexible tube and
above the
metal liner, installing spouts in the tree through the shell, connecting the
spouts to a
sap collection loop, connecting the sap collection loop to a pump, bundling
the sap
collection loop with the return hose, connecting the supply and return hoses
to a first
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fluid pump, fluidly connecting the first fluid pump to a heat exchanger,
connecting
the heat exchanger to a second fluid pump and to a first source, receiving
superheated freeze resistant fluid from the first source, modifying
temperature of the
superheated freeze resistant fluid with the heat exchanger, flowing the
modified
heated freeze resistant fluid through the supply hose to the tree, collecting
sap using
the sap collection loop, and using a controller to control rates of fluid
pumping,
temperatures of freeze resistant fluid to and from the supply and return hoses
using
preset values for a particular forest stored in a data storage of the
controller or a
library of preset values for multiple types of tree forests in the data
storage for
extending a sap collection season for the tree.
[0004] According to a broad aspect, there is provided a system to
stimulate self-ejection of
tree sap from a live tree with a tree trunk, the system comprising: a metal
liner for
encapsulating a segment of the tree trunk of the tree; a flexible tube to be
wound
around the metal liner, the flexible tube to continuously receiving
sequentially either
a heated freeze resistant fluid or a chilled freeze resistant fluid, wherein
the heated or
chilled freeze resistant fluid resists solidification at temperatures from
minus 60 F to
32 F; a shell for forming an insulation layer of air between the metal liner
and the
shell; a heat exchanger to be fluidly connected to a plurality of supply and
return
hoses engaging each of the flexible tubes, the heat exchanger being adapted to
receive
superheated fluid from a first source and transmit a heated freeze resistant
fluid at a
target temperature to the supply hose and then to the flexible tube wound
around the
tree and to receive a reduced temperature heated freeze resistant fluid
reduced in
temperature from 1 F to 200 F from the return hose or being adapted to receive
superchilled fluid from a second source and transmit a chilled freeze
resistant fluid at
a target temperature to the supply hose and then to the flexible tube wound
around the
tree and to receive an increased temperature chilled freeze resistant fluid
increased in
temperature from 1 F to 100 F from the return hose; a fluid pump to be fluidly
connected between the heat exchanger and the supply and return hoses; and a
controller to be electronically connected to the heat exchanger and the fluid
pump, the
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controller comprising (i) a first processor, (ii) a first data storage, (iii)
a library in the
data storage, the library comprising historical target temperature ranges for
the freeze
resistant fluid by date and time for a forest, historical target fluid flow
rates for the
freeze resistant fluid by date and time for the forest, historical ambient
temperatures
by date and time for the forest, historical weather conditions by date and
time for the
forest and historical sap flow rates by date and time for the forest, (iv) a
sap flow
model in the first data storage to calculate a current target temperature
range and
calculate a current target fluid flow rate to obtain a maximum sap flow rate
by date
and time for the forest using the historical target temperature range,
historical target
fluid flow rate, historical ambient temperature, historical weather
conditions, and
historical sap flow rates for the forest, and (v) computer instructions in the
first data
storage for instructing the first processor to control the heat exchanger to
produce the
heated freeze resistant fluid or the chilled freeze resistant fluid within the
calculated
current target temperature range and computer instructions in the first data
storage for
instructing the first processor to control the fluid pump to pump the heated
freeze
resistant fluid or the chilled freeze resistant fluid within the calculated
current target
fluid flow rate for generating the maximum sap flow rate by date and time for
the
forest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings as follows:
[0006] Figure 1 depicts a partial installation on a single tree
according to one or more
embodiments usable in the method.
[0007] Figure 2 depicts a single tree installation with the shell
installed according to one or
more embodiments usable in the method.
[0008] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the system to stimulate tree
sap self-ejection
according to one or more embodiments usable in the method.
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[0009] Figure 4 is a diagram of a maple forest with the system installed
as connected to a sap
processing system according to one or more embodiments usable in the method.
[00010] Figures 5A and 5B depict the shell showing a plurality of closable
portholes and a
plurality of fasteners according to one or more embodiments usable in the
method.
[00011] Figure 6 is a diagram of the processors connected to a network
according to one or
more embodiments usable in the method.
[00012] Figures 7A and 7B show an embodiment of the main boiler and main
chiller usable in
the method.
[00013] Figure 8 depicts an embodiment of a sap collection loop bundled with a
return hose
within an insulated cover usable in the method.
[00014] Figures 9A and 9B depict the controller usable in the method.
[00015] Figures 10A and 10B depict method steps according to the invention.
[00016] Figures 11A and 11B depict a historical data library for an exemplary
forest usable in
the method.
.. [00017] The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the
listed Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[00018] Variants, examples and preferred embodiments of the invention are
described
hereinbelow. Before explaining the present method in detail, it is to be
understood
that the method is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can
be
practiced or carried out in various ways.
[00019] The invention relates to a method to stimulate tree tap self-ejection
from a tree
through a plurality of spouts by wrapping a tree with a metal liner and a
flexible tube,
adding an insulation shell then heating or chilling a portion of a tree trunk
by flowing
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heated or chilled a freeze resistant fluid through the flexible tube. At least
one fluid
pump, heat exchanger and controller are used to modulate temperature based on
forest information and weather historical information to create a more
efficient sap
collection and processing method.
[00020] The method uses equipment for artificially stimulating sap production
in certain trees
generally by applying heat to, or by chilling, a portion of individual tree
trunks that
are in contact with the ground.
[00021] A need has existed for a method to increase tree sap production during
the period of
tree dormancy, in frozen daytime conditions and in warm nighttime conditions,
and
wherein the stimulated sap production during the dormancy period ranges from a
fifth
of an average day of production during the traditional sap season, up to one
and a half
times an average day of production during the traditional sap season,
depending on
ambient weather conditions.
[00022] A need has existed to increase tree sap production for maple, walnut,
butternut,
basswood, hickory and potentially other trees.
[00023] The method enables an operator to only heat or chill a portion of the
tree trunk of
certain types of trees in order for sap production to be stimulated.
[00024] In embodiments of the method, an expandable insulation shell or
plastic cover would
be added on top of the flexible tubing and metal liner, in order to create a
layer of
heated or chilled air as insulation, and to act as a wind break.
[00025] To accommodate the tapping of trees in different locations every year
a "closable
porthole" design for this shell can be used.
[00026] The method also relates to using a main boiler and a main chiller
wherein a central
boiler will heat a fluid that would be pumped out to the forest and a central
chiller
will chill a fluid that would be pumped out to the forest.
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[00027] The method artificially stimulates sap production in certain trees by
applying cold and
removing heat from a small portion of individual tree trunks that are in
contact with
the ground.
[00028] In embodiments of the method, cold nighttime temperatures could freeze
the tree, and
then a portion of the tree trunk could be heated during the day, causing the
sap to
flow. It is anticipated that this daytime heating would be especially
effective in areas
where the daytime temperatures are close but not quite warm enough to thaw the
sap
during the day.
[00029] In embodiments of the method, a portion of the tree trunk could be
chilled during the
night and then the warm daytime temperatures could heat the tree, causing the
sap to
flow. It is anticipated that this chilling overnight would be especially
effective in
areas where the nighttime temperatures are close but not quite cold enough to
freeze
the sap overnight.
[00030] The method includes steps for distributing a heated fluid from a main
boiler or for
distributing a chilled fluid from a main chiller to one or more trees in a
controlled
manner.
[00031] In embodiments of the method, multiple trees can be treated using heat
or cold and
these multiple trees can be spread out over a wide area, sometimes as much as
1,000
acres or more.
[00032] The method can be used for groups of trees, with each group of trees
having a "tree
heating loop", which can affect groups of trees, such as 25 sugar maple trees.
[00033] In embodiments of the method, each tree heating loop can include a
heat exchanger
that transfers heat from a boiler to the tree heating fluid, a controller that
takes the
temperature of the tree heating fluid and turns the heat exchanger on or off
as
required, and a fluid pump, such as a water pump, that continuously pumps the
tree
heating fluid through a supply hose that runs to the trees, and through a
return hose
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that runs back to the heat exchanger.
[00034] In embodiments of the method, the plastic tubing, fittings and
equipment that are used
to collect tree sap from groups of trees can be referred to herein as a "sap
collection
loop", which includes certain components for groups of trees, such as 25 sugar
maple
trees.
[00035] In embodiments of the method, each sap collection loop can use a
vacuum pump in a
sap processing facility that will create a vacuum in plastic tubing that will
be
connected to spouts in the trees and will draw sap through the plastic tubing
into a sap
processing facility. The vacuum pump will also be connected to a sap extractor
that
will extract the sap from the plastic tubing into a sap storage tank, while
maintaining
the vacuum in the plastic tubing.
[00036] In embodiments, each sap collection loop can be bundled together with
a heating fluid
return hose within an insulated cover to ensure sap continues to flow in cold
climates.
[00037] In embodiments of the method, a chiller can be used to stimulate sap
production, and
the waste heat from the chiller can be used in a concentrated sap treatment
process to
produce syrup.
[00038] The chiller introduces a new source of waste heat that can be
recycled. When running
the chiller, instead of venting its heat, a heat sink can be used to store the
waste heat.
A reverse osmosis filter can be used to remove water from sap and the heat
sink can
be used to preheat the filtered sap before the sap goes into an evaporator for
boiling.
[00039] A controller can be used in this method to modulate temperatures of
fluid being
flowed to the trees. The controller can use historical information on the
forest, and
historical information on the current climate to determine if more heat must
be
removed from freeze resistant fluid or if more heat needs to be applied to
freeze
resistant fluid before sending the fluid to the trees of the forest.
[00040] The method can use a condenser in the sap treatment process in
conjunction with an
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evaporator, to condense the water vapor that is produced by the evaporator, to
produce more pure water that can be bottled and sold separately from the sap.
[00041] In embodiments, a water vapor condenser can be used as a heat
exchanger, heating up
the concentrated sap before the concentrated sap enters the evaporator for
boiling.
[00042] In embodiments, solar heating can be used to process the sap. An
optimized parabolic
solar collector facility can be used to heat the fluids of this system.
[00043] In a version of the method, heated freeze resistant fluid would be
pumped through the
forest for a while before any sap flows from the trees, warming the trees. Sap
would
then begin to flow and continue to flow after heated freeze resistant fluid
stops
flowing to the forest. Heating could be achieved using solar heating
sequentially or
synchronously performed a geothermal boiler or other heating device.
[00044] In embodiments, the method can use waste heat from the equipment of
the system,
such as bottling machines to process sap or heat freeze resistant fluid.
[00045] In embodiments, the method can use a heat sink that can use waste heat
from the
evaporator and the bottling machine to: first, pre-heat collected sap after it
has been
concentrated by the reverse osmosis filter, but before the concentrated sap is
injected
into the evaporator, and/or second, boost the heat of the boiler fluid after
it has
completed a circuit through the forest, and before the boiler fluid goes
through the
main boiler for primary heating.
[00046] The method to stimulate tree sap self-ejection from a tree prevents
fires in the forest,
by controlling heat to and from tree trunks without the need for open flame
near the
trees or in the forest.
[00047] The method to stimulate tree sap self-ejection from a tree protects
wildlife in the
forest by providing the means to cause sap flow in trees without adding smoke
to the
air or using uncontrolled and unmonitored heating devices.
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[00048] The method creates an artificial, controlled freeze/thaw cycle, which
enables the
economical production of pure water and syrup in fall, winter and spring,
during the
entire period of time that sap producing trees are dormant. The inventive
system
lengthens the syrup production season.
[00049] The method makes the production of pure water and syrup more
economical,
enabling the extraction of pure water from alternative, relatively small
distributed
sources, instead of using the water from one localized natural source (e.g. a
stream) or
by draining an aquifer. The system enables widespread use of a source of pure
water
that is distributed over a very large geographical area.
[00050] The method enables the economical production of pure water and syrup
in locations
that far exceed the current geographic limit of syrup production. The system
expands
the geographical syrup production area and enables jobs to be created in
remote areas
where agricultural activities do not exist.
[00051] The method provides a measure of protecting current syrup producers
against climate
change and the vagaries of local weather conditions, by creating stable
freeze/thaw
cycles that will result in known quantities of pure water and syrup
production.
[00052] The method takes the production quantity risk out of syrup production.
This method
will encourage participation in this sap collection industry for landowners
and lenders
and encourage new entrants to the industry.
[00053] The invention allows syrup operators to use their land and the capital
equipment that
they have already deployed to produce more pure water and syrup.
[00054] The method allows for more efficient use of capital that is already
deployed.
[00055] The method enables enough tree sap production that economies of scale
for tree
syrups other than maple can be reached, so that pure tree syrups such as
walnut syrup,
basswood syrup, hickory syrup and others will be mass produced.
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[00056] The method enables the economic mass production of tree syrups other
than maple.
[00057] Use of the method will provide more employment and engage forest
workers for a
much longer period than the traditional sap production period, which is
typically 6 to
12 weeks in the spring, providing them with gainful employment. The invention
will
produce much longer employment periods of seasonal workers.
[00058] The method uses waste heat effectively to minimize the amount of
energy needed to
produce pure water and syrup.
[00059] The invention uses renewable energy to supply the heat and/or cooling
that is needed
to stimulate sap production, and to supply the heat that is needed to
evaporate water
from tree sap to create syrup, preventing either a) greenhouse gas production
through
the combustion of fossil fuels to supply heat, or b) the creation of a large
electric load
on power grids in remote locations.
[00060] The invention prevents the cost and difficulty of serving large and
remote electrical
loads.
[00061] The following definitions are used herein:
[00062] The term "closable portholes" refer to openings in the shell that
permit spouts to
protrude to attach to the sap collection loop. The closable portholes can be
various
shapes, circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, and range in size from 1 inch
in
diameter to simply accommodate one spout, to larger in diameter to accommodate
the
drilling of tap holes in a larger space or to accommodate multiple spouts.
[00063] The term "commands" as used herein can be prewritten instructions in
the second
data storage to control operation of each controller; the commands including
an
emergency shut off switch. Commands can include: increase heating fluid flow
rate at
the pump, and increase target fluid temperature range.
[00064] The term "concentrated sap" can refer to percolate, which is the
product with
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impurities that results from running tree sap through a reverse osmosis
filter.
Depending on the sugar content of the tree sap entering the reverse osmosis
filter and
the quality of the reverse osmosis filter, the concentrated sap could have a
sugar
content from 8% up to 40%.
.. [00065] The term "condenser" refers to a device for condensing water vapor.
An example of
this would be a surface condenser of the shell and tube heat exchanger type,
where
the concentrated sap flows through the tube side and the water vapor enters
the shell
side, where the condensation occurs on the outside of the tubes. This also has
the
advantage of preheating the concentrated sap before it enters the evaporator.
This
could be an Alfa Laval Visco Line Multitube Unit.
[00066] The term "controller" refers to a device having a processor and a data
storage with
computer instructions for instructing the processor to control rates of fluid
pumping
and computer instructions to control temperatures of freeze resistant fluid to
and from
the heat exchanger using at least one of: preset values for a particular
forest stored in
the data storage, a library of preset values stored in the data storage for
multiple types
of tree forests, and commands supplied from a second processor at a remote
location
via a network.
[00067] The term "evaporator" refers to a device designed to boil tree sap
until it becomes
approximately 66% sugar, a state which is referred to as syrup. This could be
a
Lapierre Junior Evaporator, with pans sized 24" x 72" that can process the
tree sap
from 100 to 300 taps.
[00068] The term "expandable fasteners" refers to stretchable cords. For
example, the
expandable fasteners can be 7 inch polyurethane bungee straps with S-hooks,
for an
overall length of 12 inches. The S-hooks of these fasteners could be connected
to
eyeholes in the vertical ends of the shell where the ends would join together
around
the tree trunk.
[00069] The term "filtered water" can refer to pure water, which is one
product that results
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from running tree sap through a reverse osmosis filter.
[00070] The term "first data storage" can refer to non-evanescent machine
readable memory,
such as the data storage eon a Lenovo Laptop IdeaPadTM amounting to 8 GB of
memory.
[00071] The term "first processor" can refer to a processor in a laptop like a
Lenovo Laptop
IdeaPadTM, which could be an AMD A9-9425 3.1 GHz processor that can
communicate with the other two processors.
[00072] The term "freeze resistant fluid" refers to a fluid that resists
solidification at
temperatures as low as minus 40 Fahrenheit.
[00073] The term "main boiler" as used herein refers to a device or system
that fluidly
connects to the heat exchanger to sequentially provide a super-heated fluid to
the heat
exchanger. The main boiler can be at least one of: a geothermal system, a
solar
heating system, a heat sink, a combustion boiler and an electric boiler or
combinations thereof. An example of a main boiler can be a "combi" NTI Boiler
Model# TX151C.
[00074] The term "main chiller" as used herein refers to a device that fluidly
connects to the
heat exchanger to sequentially provide a chilled fluid to the heat exchanger.
The main
chiller can be at least one of: a geothermal system, an electric powered
chiller and a
natural gas powered chiller or combinations thereof. An example of a main
chiller can
be a low temperature process chiller that is capable of chilling the freeze
resistant
fluid to a temperature of minus 40F, such as a 150 gallon Mydax CryoDax Low
Temperature Extraction Chiller.
[00075] The term "metal liner" refers to a continuous layer of metal, such as
aluminum foil
such as Handi-FoilTM All Purpose Aluminum Foil.
.. [00076] The term "network" refers to the internet, a satellite network, a
fiber optic network, a
cellular network, a local area network, a wide area network or combinations of
these
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networks.
[00077] The term "reverse osmosis filter" can be a filter that pushes water
through a
membrane to remove impurities. Use of a reverse osmosis filter on a quantity
of tree
sap results in a quantity of pure water and a quantity of percolate, or
concentrated tree
sap. In the case of maple syrup processing, the percolate is kept and boiled
to make
maple syrup. The reverse osmosis filter that could be used could be a Lapierre
TURBO-8042-250-3HP 2000 series, which can process 1,000L of tree sap per hour
and can serve between 500 and 2,500 taps.
[00078] The term "sap collection loop" refers to a series of flexible tubes
connected from the
spouts at the trees to a vacuum pump, a sap extractor and a sap collection
tank. In
embodiments, the sap collection loop is bundled together with the hoses
containing
the heated freeze resistant fluid in an insulated conduit to ensure
flowability of tree
sap in the sap collection loop during freezing temperature conditions in the
forest.
[00079] The term "sap flow rate" can refer to a rate of sap flow from the
trees, consisting of
from one half of a pint per day up to 1 gallon per day or more.
[00080] The term "second data storage" can refer to non-evanescent machine
readable
memory such as the data storage on a Lenovo Laptop IdeaPadTM, amounting to 8
GB
of memory.
[00081] The term "second processor" can refer to a processor in a laptop like
a Lenovo
Laptop IdeaPadTM, which could be an AMD A9-9425 3.1 GHz processor that can
communicate with at least one other and optionally several other processors.
[00082] The term "shell" refers to a single layer or multilayer construction
of materials used
as insulation over the flexible tubes on a tree trunk, to trap the heat that
is being
supplied by the flexible tubes. For example, multiple layers of bubble wrap
insulation
can be used such as rFOIL 2290 Standard Reflective Duct Insulation.
[00083] The term "spout" refers to a plastic tube that collects sap from a
taphole in a tree
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trunk and directs it out of the tree. This can be a Lapierre 3/16" Clear
Seasonal Elbow
Spout.
[00084] The term "syrup bottling machine" is a machine that is used to pour
syrup into bottles
in a controlled manner. This can refer to a H20 Innovation ERAEMB360 Maple
Syrup Bottling Machine, capable of filling 450 250mL bottles per hour.
[00085] The term "target fluid flow rate" refers to a flow rate of the freeze
resistant fluid,
which can be a fluid flow rate of from 10 gallons per minute up to 100 gallons
per
minute or more.
[00086] The term "target temperature range" refers to a range of temperatures
to be applied to
the freeze resistant fluid, such as a temperature range varying from minus 40
degrees
Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
[00087] The term "third processor" can refer to a processor in a laptop like a
Lenovo Laptop
IdeaPadTM, which could be an AMD A9-9425 3.1 GHz processor that can
communicate with the other two processors.
[00088] The term "water bottling machine" can refer to various types of
automated bottling
machine such as a Neptune 1000BPH (bottle per hour) semi-automatic water
bottling
line.
[00089] The invention provides a method to stimulate self-ejection of tree sap
from at least
one live tree with a tree trunk.
[00090] The method to stimulate self-ejection of tree sap from at least one
live tree with a tree
trunk includes installing a metal liner around a segment of a tree trunk and
wrapping
the tree trunk with a flexible tube over the metal liner and connecting the
flexible tube
on one end to a supply hose and on an opposite end to a return hose.
[00091] Next, a shell can be installed over the flexible tube and metal liner
forming an
insulation layer of air around the flexible tube and above the metal liner.
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[00092] Spouts can be inserted in the tree through the shell. The spouts can
be connected
fluidly to a sap collection loop and connecting the sap collection loop to a
pump, and
bundling the sap collection loop with the return hose.
[00093] Supply and return hoses are fluidly connected to a first fluid pump.
The first fluid
pump is connected to a heat exchanger and connecting the heat exchanger to a
second
fluid pump and to a first source.
[00094] Superheated freeze resistant fluid from the first source is modifying
in the heat
exchanger reducing the temperature of the superheated freeze resistant fluid
with the
heat exchanger and then flowing the modified heated freeze resistant fluid
through the
supply hose to at least one tree; collecting sap using the sap collection
loop.
[00095] A controller is used to control rates of fluid pumping, temperatures
of freeze resistant
fluid to and from the supply and return hoses using at least one of: preset
values for a
particular forest stored in a data storage of the controller, a library of
preset values for
multiple types of tree forests in the data storage, thereby extending the sap
collection
season for the at least one tree. Historical data on temperatures, and on
composition
of a forest can be used with these calculations as shown in the Figures.
[00096] In embodiments, the metal liner is fastened around a segment of a tree
trunk using
adhesive tape.
[00097] In embodiments, the flexible tube is installed in a helical
arrangement around the tree.
[00098] In embodiments, the shell is installed over the flexible tube and
metal liner, forming
an insulation layer of air around the flexible tube using a plurality of
expandable
fasteners.
[00099] In embodiments, the spouts are installed in the tree through closable
portholes in the
shell.
[000100] In embodiments, the pump of the sap collection loop is a vacuum pump.
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[000101] In embodiments, the sap collection loop bundled with the return hose
is wrapped in
insulation.
[000102] In embodiments, the supply hose is wrapped in insulation.
[000103] In embodiments, a main boiler is used as the first source to supply
superheated fluid
to the second fluid pump.
[000104] In embodiments, a chiller is used as a first source to supply super
chilled freeze
resistant fluid to the second fluid pump.
[000105] In embodiments, a main boiler and a main chiller can be used as first
and second
sources to sequentially provide superheated freeze resistant fluid then super
chilled
freeze resistant fluid to the heat exchanger.
[000106] In embodiments, the sap collection loop can fluidly engage a sap
extractor, the sap
extractor engages the pump and a sap storage tank.
[000107] In embodiments, when both a main boiler and a main chiller are used,
the controller
can be used to stop the superheated freeze resistant fluid from flowing to the
heat
exchanger and start flowing super chilled freeze resistant fluid from a second
source
to the heat exchanger sequentially and flowing modified chilled freeze
resistant fluid
through supply hoses to the plurality of trees to extend the sap collection
season for
the at least one tree.
[000108] In embodiments, commands can be provided to control the fluid pumps,
pump, first
source, and the controller from a second processor at a remote location via a
network
such as 1000 miles away.
[000109] Turning now to the Figures, Figure 1 depicts an installation on a
single tree of a
portion of the equipment usable in the method.
[000110] A tree 8 with a tree trunk 10 is shown for self-ejection of sap from
the tree trunk.
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[000111] Wrapped around the tree trunk 10 is a metal liner 300. The metal
liner 300
encapsulates a segment 301 of the tree trunk 10.
[000112] At least one flexible tube 24 is wound around the metal liner 300.
[000113] This flexible tube can be a 60 foot long flexible tube.
[000114] The flexible tube engages two hoses, a supply hose 20a, and a return
hose 20b.
[000115] The flexible tube continuously receives sequentially either a heated
freeze resistant
fluid 62 or a chilled freeze resistant fluid 66 (shown in Figure 2).
[000116] The heated freeze resistant fluid 62 resists solidification at
temperatures from minus
60 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
[000117] From the tree flows a reduced temperature heated freeze resistant
fluid 63 through
return hose 20b. The reduced temperature heated freeze resistant fluid 63 is
reduced
in temperature from 1 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
[000118] The hoses can be plastic tubing that are rounded, having a diameter
from 0.5 inches to
2 inches.
[000119] Figure 2 depicts a maple tree with a tree trunk 10 and wrapped in a
metal liner over
which is wrapped a flexible tube 24 usable in the method.
[000120] A shell 40 is fastened around the flexible tube with metal liner
encapsulating the
flexible tube 24 and metal liner (shown in Figure 1) forming an insulation
layer of air
41.
[000121] The shell 40 forms an insulation layer of air 41 between the tree
trunk 10 and the
shell 40.
[000122] In this embodiment a chilled freeze resistant fluid 66 at a target
temperature is flowed
through the supply hose 20a and then to the flexible tube 24 that is helically
wound
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around the metal liner over the tree trunk.
[000123] An increased temperature chilled freeze resistant fluid 67 flows from
the tree to the
return hose 20b. The temperature of the fluid 67 has increased from 1 to 100
degrees
Fahrenheit from the return hose.
[000124] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the equipment usable by the method
to stimulate
tree sap self-ejection.
[000125] Figure 3 shows at least one fluid pump 70a fluidly connected between
a heat
exchanger 50 and the supply hoses 20a and return hose 20b.
[000126] Figure 3 shows a first source labelled as a main boiler 64 and a
second source labelled
as a main chiller 68.
[000127] A fluid pump 70b flows superheated fluid from the main boiler or
super chilled fluid
from the main chiller to a heat exchanger 50 which is controlled electrically
by a
controller 80c.
[000128] Figure 3 shows a sap collection loop 202 connected to a vacuum pump
102, a sap
extractor 104 and a sap storage tank 98.
[000129] The vacuum pump 102 creates a vacuum in the sap collection loop 202
pulling tree
sap into the sap extractor 104 from the sap collection loop 202 and flowing
the sap
into a sap storage tank 98 while maintaining the vacuum in the sap collection
loop
202.
[000130] A heat exchanger 50 is shown fluidly connected to four different
trees 8a to 8d.
[000131] Each tree is shown having installed thereon a metal liner with a
flexible tube wound
around each metal liner covered by a shell 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d.
[000132] Each shell can be fastened around the tree with a plurality of
expandable fasteners
90a, 90b, 90c, and 90d.
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[000133] The sap collection loop 202 can be positioned adjacent to the return
hoses 20b within
an insulated conduit to warm the sap and keep the sap flowing.
[000134] The heat exchanger 50 transmits a heated freeze resistant fluid 62 at
a target
temperature to the supply hose or a chilled freeze resistant fluid 66 at a
target
temperature to the supply hose.
[000135] The heat exchanger receives a reduced temperature heated freeze
resistant fluid 63
reduced in temperature from 1 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit from the return hose
or an
increased temperature chilled freeze resistant fluid 67 increased in
temperature from 1
to 100 degrees Fahrenheit from the return hose.
[000136] The controller 80c is electronically connected to the heat exchanger
50 and the fluid
pumps.
[000137] Figure 4 is a diagram of a maple forest with trees 8a-8c producing
sap 6 usable in the
method.
[000138] The method can use a tree sap processing system 100.
.. [000139] The tree sap processing system 100 has a sap storage tank 98 for
receiving tree sap
from the forest.
[000140] The tree sap processing system 100 has a reverse osmosis filter 110
for receiving tree
sap 6 from the sap storage tank 98 and separating off water 112 and forming a
concentrated sap 114.
[000141] The tree sap processing system has an evaporator 120 for boiling the
concentrated sap
114 forming a syrup 122 and water vapor 124.
[000142] The tree sap processing system has a condenser 130 for receiving
water vapor 124
and concentrated sap 114 enabling a heat exchange between the water vapor 124
and
concentrated sap 114 in the condenser 130 and condensing the water vapor 124
to
form liquid water 150.
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[000143] In an embodiment, the concentrated sap 114 can pass through the
condenser 130 and
through either a geothermal system 65, a solar heating system 61, a heat sink
93 or
combinations thereof prior to entering the evaporator 120.
[000144] A syrup bottling machine 146 can be connected to the evaporator 120
for receiving
syrup 122 and bottles the syrup.
[000145] A water bottling machine 148 can be connected to the condenser 130
and the reverse
osmosis filter 110 and can receive condensed water 150 and water 112 for
bottling the
water 112 and the condensed water 150.
[000146] Figures 5A and 5B depict an embodiment of the shell 40 which
encapsulates flexible
tubing 24a, 24b, and 24c in an embodiment of the method.
[000147] Figure 5B shows the shell 40 mounted around a liner 300 on a tree
trunk.
[000148] In an embodiment, the shell 40 has a plurality of closable portholes
160a ¨ 160n.
[000149] The plurality of closable portholes 160a-160n can be formed in rows
and in columns.
[000150] In an embodiment, the closable portholes formed in rows and columns
can be aligned.
[000151] Spouts 173a and 173b can be inserted into a tree trunk through the
closable portholes
to facilitate sap self-ejection.
[000152] The spouts 173a and 173b can be connected to sap collection loop
tubing 172a and
172b which can convey the sap to a sap processing system.
[000153] In an embodiment, each closable porthole 160a-160n can have an
opening from 1 to 6
inches square. Some closable portholes 160a-160n may be formed 2 inches or 3
inches from the bottom and/or the top of the shell 40.
[000154] Figure 5A shows a plurality of expandable fasteners 90a-90d (also
shown in Figure 3)
that can be used with eye loops to hold the shell 40 around the metal liner
over the
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tree trunk.
[000155] Expandable fasteners 90a-90d can be a plurality of expandable
fasteners 90a-90d
such as bungle cords with clips. Each bungie cord and clip 90a-90d can engage
an
individual eyelet, as referred to herein as "eye loops". Bungle cords
connected to eye
loops will enable the shell 40 to completely avoid restricting tree growth
over a
period of years.
[000156] Figure 6 depicts a diagram of a controller 30 with a first processor
51, electronically
connected to a first data storage 53 and a network 167 usable in the method.
[000157] The first data storage 53 can have computer instructions to control
temperature and
control fluid flow rates.
[000158] The first data storage 53 can have computer instructions for
controlling rates of fluid
pumping.
[000159] The first data storage 53 can have computer instructions for
controlling temperatures
of freeze resistant fluid to and from the heat exchanger.
[000160] The first data storage 53 can have preset values for a particular
forest, can have a
library of preset values for multiple types of tree forests, and have a set of
commands
received from a second processor.
[000161] The network 167 can be a satellite network, a cellular network, a
global
communication network like the Internet or combinations thereof.
[000162] A second processor 165, positioned remotely, such as 1050 miles from
the first
processor of the controller 30, the second processor can be in communication
with the
first processor through the network 167.
[000163] The second processor 165 communicates with a second data storage 166
that contains
commands 199 which can be prewritten commands for flow rates, temperature
rates,
and stop operation.
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[000164] The second processor can communicate with a client device 177 such as
a cell phone
enabling further remote communication and monitoring of the system.
[000165] Figure 6 shows a third processor 171 connected to the network for
electronically
monitoring and controlling outputs of the reverse osmosis filter, the
evaporator, and
the condenser from a remote location using computer instructions in a third
data
storage 174.
[000166] Figures 7A and 7B show embodiments of the second and first sources of
freeze
resistant fluid usable in the method.
[000167] Figure 7A shows a main chiller 68 which can be one or more of the
following: a
geothermal system 65, an electric chiller 73, and a combustion chiller 75
providing an
outlet of a super chilled freeze resistant fluid through supply hose. The main
chiller
receives increased temperature chilled freeze resistant fluid through a return
hose for
additional cooling.
[000168] Figure 7B shows a main boiler 64 which can be one or more of the
following: a
geothermal system 65, a solar heating system 61, a combustion boiler 79, a
heat sink
93, and an electric boiler 77 providing an outlet of a super-heated freeze
resistant
fluid. The main boiler receives a reduced temperature heated freeze resistant
fluid for
additional heating.
[000169] Figure 8 depicts a sap collection loop 202 bundled together with a
return hose 20b
within an insulated cover 206 in an insulated conduit 700 according to an
embodiment of the method.
[000170] Figures 9A and B depict an exemplary controller 80c according to
embodiments of
the method.
[000171] The controller has a first processor 51 and a first data storage 53.
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[000172] The first data storage 53 includes a Sap Flow Model 140 to calculate
a current target
temperature range 265 and calculate a current target fluid flow rate 267 to
obtain a
maximum sap flow rate by date and time 269 for the forest using a historical
target
temperature range, a historical target fluid flow rate, a historical ambient
temperature,
a historical weather conditions, and a historical sap flow rate for the forest
from a
library 69 in the first data storage 53.
[000173] The library 69 has historical target temperature ranges for the
freeze resistant fluid by
date and time for the forest 131; historical target fluid flow rates for the
freeze
resistant fluid by date and time for the forest 132.
[000174] Figure 9B shows the Library 69 containing historical ambient
temperatures by date
and time for the forest 133.
[000175] The Library contains historical weather conditions by date and time
for the forest 134.
[000176] The Library contains historical sap flow rates by date and time for
the forest 135.
[000177] The first data storage 53 contains computer instructions 57 for
instructing the first
processor to control the heat exchanger to produce a heated freeze resistant
fluid or a
chilled freeze resistant fluid within the calculated current target
temperature range.
[000178] The first data storage 53 contains computer instructions 55 for
instructing the first
processor to control the fluid pump to pump the heated freeze resistant fluid
or chilled
freeze resistant fluid within the calculated current target fluid flow rate
for a forest
generating the maximum sap flow rate by date and time.
[000179] The first data storage 53 contains computer instructions 59 to
periodically update the
calculated current target temperature range and update the calculated current
target
fluid flow rate for a forest, generating the maximum sap flow rate by date and
time
from every 30 minutes to every 24 hours.
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[000180] The method to stimulate tree sap self-ejection from a tree with a
tree trunk can
include but is not limited to the steps described below. The method can be
utilized by
a person of ordinary skill in the industry and is not limited to a particular
order or
sequence.
[000181] Figures 10A and 10B depicts a series of steps of the method.
[000182] Step 400 involves installing a metal liner around a segment of a tree
trunk using tape.
[000183] Step 402 involves wrapping the tree trunk with a flexible tube,
preferably in a helical
arrangement around the tree.
[000184] Step 404 involves installing a shell over the flexible tube and metal
liner, forming an
insulation layer of air around the flexible tube.
[000185] Step 406 involves connecting the flexible tube on one end to a supply
hose and on the
other end to a return hose.
[000186] Step 408 involves installing spouts in the tree through closable
portholes in the shell.
[000187] Step 410 involves connecting the spouts to a sap collection loop.
[000188] Step 412 involves connecting the sap collection loop to a vacuum
pump.
[000189] Step 414 involves connecting the supply and return hoses to a first
fluid pump.
[000190] Step 416 involves bundling the sap collection loop with the return
hose and wrapping
them in insulation.
[000191] Step 418 involves wrapping the supply hose in insulation.
[000192] Step 420 involves fluidly connecting the first fluid pump to a heat
exchanger.
[000193] Step 422 involves connecting the heat exchanger to a second fluid
pump.
[000194] Step 424 involves connecting the second fluid pump to a first and a
second source
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-28
which can be a main boiler and a main chiller, wherein each is used
sequentially.
[000195] Step 426 involves connecting the sap collection loop to a sap
extractor.
[000196] Step 428 involves connecting the sap extractor to a vacuum pump and
sap storage
tank.
[000197] Step 430 involves receiving superheated freeze resistant fluid from a
first source,
modifying the temperature of the freeze resistant fluid by heating it with the
heat
exchanger and flowing the modified heated freeze resistant fluid through
supply
hoses to a plurality of trees.
[000198] Step 432 is collecting sap into the sap storage tank using the sap
collection loop.
[000199] Step 434 is stopping the superheated freeze resistant fluid from
flowing to the heat
exchanger and flowing super chilled freeze resistant fluid from a second
source to the
heat exchanger and flowing modified chilled freeze resistant fluid through
supply
hoses to the plurality of trees to extend the sap collection season.
[000200] The method can include controlling rates of fluid pumping,
controlling temperatures
of freeze resistant fluid to and from the hoses using at least one of: preset
values for a
particular forest stored in the data storage, a library of preset values
stored in the data
storage for multiple types of tree forests, and commands supplied from a
second
processor at a remote location via a network.
[000201] Figures 11A and 11B depict Historical Data for a Library for the
Halliburton County
Forest with 9 columns.
[000202] The first column indicates a day of month.
[000203] The second column indicates a month of year.
[000204] The third column indicates a year.
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[000205] The fourth column indicates a time of day using a 24 hour clock.
[000206] The fifth column indicates a target temperature range for freeze
resistant fluid in
Fahrenheit for that day, month, year and time shown in the row.
[000207] The sixth column indicates a target fluid flow rate in gallons per
minute for freeze
resistant fluid in Fahrenheit for that day, month, year and time shown in the
row.
[000208] The seventh column indicates an ambient temperature in degrees
Fahrenheit for that
day, month, year and time shown in the row.
[000209] The eighth column indicates weather conditions for that day, month,
year and time
shown in the row.
[000210] The ninth column indicates sap flow rates in gallons per day for that
day, month, year
and time shown in the row for the particular forest.
[000211] The controller uses the library described above contained in the data
storage, with the
historical target temperature ranges for the freeze resistant fluid by date
and time for
the forest; historical target fluid flow rates for the freeze resistant fluid
by date and
time for the forest; historical ambient temperatures by date and time for the
forest;
historical weather conditions by date and time for the forest; historical sap
flow rates
by date and time for the forest; a Sap Flow Model in the first data storage to
calculate
a current target temperature range and calculate a current target fluid flow
rate to
obtain a maximum sap flow rate by date and time for the forest using the
historical
target temperature range, historical target fluid flow rate, historical
ambient
temperature, historical weather conditions, and historical sap flow rates for
the forest;
computer instructions in the first data storage for instructing the first
processor to
control the heat exchanger to produce a heated freeze resistant fluid or a
chilled freeze
resistant fluid within the calculated current target temperature range and
computer
instructions in the first data storage for instructing the first processor to
control the
fluid pump to pump the heated freeze resistant fluid or chilled freeze
resistant fluid
7240069 26
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-28
within the calculated current target fluid flow rate for a forest generating
the
maximum sap flow rate by date and time.
[000212] EXAMPLE
[000213] In an embodiment, the method to stimulate self-ejection of tree sap
from at least one
live tree with a tree trunk can operate on live trees such as sugar maple
trees with a
minimum diameter at breast height of 10 inches, but could be as large as 70
inches in
diameter at breast height or more.
[000214] Each tree can have a tree trunk with a tree trunk segment from 2 feet
to 7 feet.
[000215] In this example, a metal liner such as a layer of aluminum foil such
as Handi-Foil All
Purpose Aluminum Foil can be wrapped around the tree trunk segment.
[000216] In this example, 6 trees are wrapped with a metal liner of aluminum
foil around tree
segments. Each tree will be wrapped to a height of 6 feet encapsulating each
segment
of the tree trunk for each live tree.
[000217] In this example, at least one flexible tube such as radiant heat
tubing, namely a type
of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing such as Everhot 1/2" Oxygen Barrier
PEX
Tubing is wound around each metal liner with an outer diameter of 0.625 inches
and
an inner diameter of 0.485 inches.
[000218] In this example, each tree has generally the same diameter, and 50
feet of tubing is
helically wrapped round each segment of the tree trunk. In an embodiment,
between
30 feet and 100 feet of tubing can be used on each segment of the tree trunk,
depending on the diameter of the tree and height of the segment of the tree
trunk. The
flexible tubes can have an inner diameter of 0.25 inch - 1 inch to ensure
flowability of
fluid through the tubes.
[000219] Each flexible tube per tree continuously receiving sequentially
either a heated freeze
resistant fluid or a chilled freeze resistant fluid during the period from
November 1 of
7240069 27
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-28
2019 to March 31 of 2020.
[000220] The heated freeze resistant fluid can be a water/ethylene glycol mix.
The
concentration of ethylene glycol could vary according to the local ambient
temperature range of a forest. For example, if the local ambient temperature
range
goes as low as minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, a 50/50 water/ethylene glycol mix
will
be used. If the local ambient temperature range goes as low as minus 10
degrees
Fahrenheit, a 60/40 water/ethylene glycol mix will be used. Liquid
"antifreeze" for
car radiators also can be used.
[000221] In this example, the heated freeze resistant fluid resists
solidification at temperatures
from minus 76 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
[000222] After winding the flexible tubes around the tree, the flexible tubes
are connected to
hoses.
[000223] The supply and return hoses can be a plastic hose of varying
diameter, connecting the
flexible tubes at each tree to the heat exchanger. These tubes vary in size
anywhere
from 3/4" for the lateral lines connecting directly to the trees, up to 2" for
the mainlines
that come into the processing facility. They should be insulated with foam
rubber and
can be a type of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing such as Everhot 3/4"
Oxygen
Barrier PEX Tubing.
[000224] In this example the supply and return hoses are 3/4 inch hoses with
an outer diameter
of 0.875 inches and in inner diameter of 0.681 inches for an increased flow
rate.
[000225] A shell forming an insulation layer of air is installed over the
flexible tubes over the
metal liner. The layer of air insulation traps the heat that is being supplied
to the
segment of tree trunk by the flexible tubes.
[000226] In this example, the layer of air can be created by multiple layers
of bubble wrap
insulation such as rFOIL 2290 Standard Reflective Duct Insulation, such as
those
made by Covertech Flexible Packaging of Canada.
7240069 28
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-28
[000227] The shell could be another material such as mineral wool insulation.
The mineral
wool is water resistant.
[000228] An optional layer of plastic could be placed over the mineral wool in
embodiments.
[000229] A heat exchanger is fluidly connected to a plurality of supply and
return hoses
engaging each of the flexible tubes.
[000230] The heat exchanger in this example is a buffer tank, positioned
between the main
boiler and main chiller, and the hoses connected to the flexible tubes at the
trees. This
buffer tank could be a 30 gallon or a 200 gallon T2 Thermo2000 BuffMax Buffer
Tank. The buffer tank in this example is a 30 gallon tank.
[000231] The buffer tank is configured to: receive superheated fluid from a
first source such as
a high efficiency modulating condensing boiler known as the "combi" NTI Boiler
Model# TX151C.
[000232] The heat exchanger transmits a heated freeze resistant fluid at a
target temperature to
the supply hose and then to the at least one flexible tubes wound around each
of the
six trees and the heat exchanger receives a reduced temperature heated freeze
resistant fluid, reduced in temperature from 1 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit from
the
return hose from each of the six trees.
[000233] During November 1 to December 31 in North America, and also during
February 15
to April 30 in North America the heat exchanger can receive superchilled fluid
from a
second source and transmit a chilled freeze resistant fluid 66 at a target
temperature to
the supply hose and then to the at least one flexible tube wound around at
least one
tree and receive an increased temperature chilled freeze resistant fluid 67
increased in
temperature from 1 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit from the return hose.
[000234] In this example of 6 trees, a first fluid pump fluidly connects
between the heat
exchanger and the supply and return hoses and a second fluid pump connects
between
the first source, the main boiler, and the heat exchanger. The main boiler can
be a
7240069 29
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-28
high efficiency modulating condensing boiler such as the "combi" NTI Boiler
Model# TX151C.
[000235] The fluid pumps are devices to move fluid by mechanical action, such
as an electric,
rotary positive displacement pump. In this example, the fluid pump connected
between the heat exchanger and the hoses could be a Grundfos UPS 26-29 FC
Nonsubmersible Circulation Pump (3-speed, rating 1/6 HP), and the fluid pump
connected between the boiler and the heat exchanger could be a Grundfos UPS 15-
58
FC Nonsubmersible Circulation Pump (3-speed, rating 1/25 HP).
[000236] A controller such as a laptop such as a Lenovo Laptop IdeaPadTM is
electronically
connected to the heat exchanger and to the fluid pump.
[000237] The controller includes a first processor which in this example is an
AMD A9-9425
3.1 GHz processor.
[000238] The controller includes a first data storage amounting to 8 GB of
memory.
[000239] In the first data storage is a library which in this example can be
an Excel file
containing tables of data including date, time, historical ambient
temperature,
historical weather conditions, historical heating fluid target temperatures,
historical
heating fluid target flow rates, and historical tree sap flow rates.
[000240] For this example of 6 trees in Haliburton County in the Province of
Ontario Canada
the historical target temperature ranges for the freeze resistant fluid by
date and time
for the forest can be 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit;
historical
target fluid flow rates can be 10 gallons per minute to 100 gallons per
minute;
historical ambient temperatures by date and time for the forest can be minus
40
degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit; historical weather conditions by
date
and time for the forest can be sunny, 20% to 80% overcast, cloudy, rainy,
snowy,
windy; historical sap flow rates by date and time for the forest can be from
one half of
a pint per day to a gallon per day or more.
7240069 30
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[000241] In this example, the controller uses a Sap Flow Model software
program to calculate
the target fluid temperature range and the target fluid flow rate that would
maximize
the sap flow rate for the forest at a date and time.
[000242] In this example, the Sap Flow Model algorithm for the target fluid
temperature is:
Target fluid temperature (deg F) = 180F - (local ambient temperature + 30) *
(1 if
sunny = yes, 0.5 if sunny = no) + (2 OF * (1 if windy = yes, 0 if windy =
no)).
[000243] In this example, the Sap Flow Model algorithm for the target fluid
flow rate is: Target
fluid flow rate = If (sunny = no and windy = yes), then "high" (30GPM), else
if
(sunny = no and windy = no) or (sunny = yes and windy = yes), then "medium"
(20GPM), Else "low" (10GPM).
[000244] In this example, the controller is connected to the heat exchanger
and to the fluid
pumps by the internet. Using the results of the Sap Flow Model, the controller
sets the
target fluid temperature on the buffer tank and sets the target fluid flow
rate on the
fluid pumps. In this example, these settings are updated every 30 minutes.
[000245] While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the
embodiments, it
should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the
embodiments
might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
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