AquaHold for a phase separationAquaHold for a phase separation

in comparison with

traditional techniques

The traditional wayThe traditional way

The phase separation is donewith a geo-textile on whichgravel is loaded.

The good soil is employed on the gravel.

The gaps within the gravel prevent a capillary interaction between the top soil and the underground with a salt load in deeper sections.

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

With each irrigation the soil is watered and is soaked with water.

The water flows through the fine capillaries towards the gravel.

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

The water washes fine soil particles into the gaps of the gravel.

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

The gaps of the gravel are filled up after various irrigation tasks with fine soil particles.

Herewith the function of the gaps are gone.

Capillary bridges are build up !

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

The water flows into the deeper section of the soil.

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

Now the water gets contact with the salty section of the deeper ground.

The salt load climbs up by being solved in the deep reaching water.

p ha se se p a ra tio nb y the c o m b ina tio no f g ra ve l a nd g e o -te xtile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

Very soon after some irrigation‘s the salt reaches the geo-textile

sa lty b a c kg ro und

p e rfe c t so il

c a p illa ry b rid g e s

Via the capillary bridges the barrier get past.

Salt is now climbing up into the good soil.

sa lty b a c kg ro und

c a p illa ry b rid g e s

And depending from the irrigation quantity and frequency it is just a question of time, when the total soil is spoiled.

Plants are dying !

sa lty b a c kg ro und

c a p illa ry b rid g e s

sa lty b a c kg ro und

c a p illa ry b rid g e s

Salt is all over, the ground is dead !

Only a total exchange of the soil and the separation layers can change the situation.

But just for the next some month‘s and everything starts again and again !

The solution out of the dilemmaThe solution out of the dilemma

AquaHold sandwich as

triple layer will help ! AquaHold is breathable

but water repellent Defined spacers

keeping the capillary disconnection alive.

The ground layer prevents the filling of the spaces from below.

Patent pending !

How AquaHold worksHow AquaHold works

Irrigation water sinks down to the AquaHold geo-textile, but can‘t penetrate due to the low surface tension and the water repellent property of Aquahold. No water loss and no filling up of the spacer !

In the case of an over-irrigationIn the case of an over-irrigation

The porosity of both layers of AquaHold is different

With a water column of about 5cm, AquaHold becomes water-transparent

The water carries also soil particles into the spacer section, but the can also penetrate to lower layer

Out of this reason the spacer section is not filled up

The phase separation remains permanent !

AquaHold‘s unique capabilityAquaHold‘s unique capability

Just the Solaflon coated geo-textile AquaHold showsthe necessary features:

• high water repellence due to the micro coating

• pervious to air

• excellent stability due to micro fluoropolymer coating

The features in detail:The features in detail:

The water repellence of AquaHold prevents the water penetration under normal irrigation conditions, but saves the water for the plants

Because AquaHold is pervious to air all anaerobic processes will be avoided and the decay of the roots can‘t occur

AquaSoil is just water repellent, but not water tight. That allows the flooding with water to give the opportunity to the irrigation salt out of the soil without destroying the spacer function

Due to the micro-coating with Solaflon as fluoropolymer the PP felt of AquaHold textile remains stable under any condition

The right design of the layers, textiles and spacer, guaranties the long lasting property as phase seperator

Newest research resultsNewest research results

To optimise the hydrophobic feature of AquaHold as sandwich structure, a layer of white peat ( no peat moss or coconut peat ) should be applied on the upper geo-textile to avoid the contact from the topsoil to the AquaHold felt. 

Because a good soil like AquaSoil contains a high portion of super absorbent, which is hydrophilic, the contact to the special geo-textile could partly inhibit the function. That means materials with two antithetical surface tensions should be separated, what is realised with the white peat layer.

The first time exists a defined level to detect the surplus of water. Sensors or pairs of metallic conductors should be employed on the upper AquaHold felt. If the irrigation water will reach these sensors, the electrical resistance between the conductors drops down, what can be used as signal to switch of the irrigation.

Gold medal for AquaHoldGold medal for AquaHold

Thank you very much for your kind attention !

Thank you very much for your kind attention !

G4 / AquaSoil department

Riad Hassi – Prof. G.K. Brueck