ECO2MIX Acid Replacement Technology

ECO2MIX is continually at the forefront of developing new technologies to improve agricultural yields, soil and water quality for its producer customers. ECO2MIX offers a comprehensive equipment and supply capability aimed at replacement of sulfuric acid or sulfur burners for pH control of irrigation water systems.

The ECO2MIX pH control process utilizes dissolved carbon dioxide gas to reduce the pH of irrigation water. As the carbon dioxide is dissolved in the irrigation water it forms carbonic acid and the water pH is reduced depending on the inlet water quality in terms of pH and alkalinity.

A Review of Sulfuric Acid Injection

Sulfuric acid injection is a well proven method for controlling alkalinity and its effects in irrigation water that has high pH and alkalinity. Sulfuric acid (whether injected as a liquid or produced by sulfur burners) controls carbonate scales and reduces the risk of fouling and plugging of irrigation system emitters.

But what are the disadvantages of sulfuric acid? There are several aspects of the use of sulfuric acid that should give pause to growers:

• It is a highly hazardous chemical which is regulated by several federal agencies and the State of California in terms of transportation, storage and handling. The transportation, storage and use of sulfuric acid on a farm requires compliance with these regulations. Spills of sulfuric acid above certain quantities require reporting to state and federal agencies. Sulfuric acid is regulated by the federal DEA as a drug precursor chemical and quantities must be purchased according to federal or state permits; with storage not accessible to the general public.
• Sulfuric acid is toxic and harmful to human health. It is corrosive to all tissues in the human body (lungs, skin, eyes) and can cause immediate burns and irreversible damage in some circumstances. Proper handling of sulfuric acid requires training of employees and the use of appropriate procedures and protective equipment.
• It is quite corrosive to most metals. Irrigation systems with metal components exposed to sulfuric acid injection will typically have higher frequency of failures of these components; especially if pH control is not effective in preventing very low pH events. The use of compatible materials is essential for all injection system components and areas exposed to poorly mixed acid immediately downstream of the injection location.
• Chemical handling systems (pumps and related equipment) are typically expensive due to the need for compatible materials. Equipment failures are plentiful in these systems requiring expensive maintenance (again with proper consideration of employee safety).
• If improper mixing occurs, the very high density of sulfuric acid (>15#/gallon) will cause it to flow along the bottom of pipes until it fully dissolves/mixes into the irrigation water. This can lead to high corrosion rates and failures.
• In high concentrations that cause very low pH, sulfuric acid is damaging to plants. Sulfuric acid is an effective alternative to copper sulfate for control of tree roots in underground piping and as such should be considered harmful to tree roots. Certainly, any windborne aerosols of sulfuric acid will cause leaf damage to trees.
• Sulfuric acid will react with calcium in soils to produce calcium sulfate (gypsum). While calcium sulfate has higher solubility in water than calcium carbonates, calcium sulfate solubility is also limited.
• Sulfuric acid is toxic to most soil organisms, especially earthworms.

ECO2MIX — A Safer Alternative

The use of an ECO2MIX system is a safer alternative to sulfuric acid. The only inventory to be delivered and stored on site is a series of liquid carbon dioxide cylinders/tanks. As the carbon dioxide is injected as a pressurized liquid and converted to gas, there are no pumps involved in the system. The carbonic acid formed is not capable of generating a pH as low as can be achieved with sulfuric acid, so corrosion risks, personnel exposure risks and plant health risks are much lower than with sulfuric acid.

ECO2MIX — Other Benefits

While being a safer alternative to sulfuric acid, it should also be noted that use of carbonated irrigation water can have several additional benefits.

It should be noted that carbonic acid is the acid that plant roots produce to liberate minerals from the soil. Therefore, plant roots exposed to carbonic acid will not experience damage but will find an environment conducive to root growth and expansion of the tree root zone. The additional carbonic acid within the root zone will liberate minerals in a fashion that makes them immediately available for plant uptake. Several studies have shown higher levels of plant tissue minerals in fields irrigated with carbonated water. Fields irrigated with ECO2MIX treated water have demonstrated an abundance of earthworms, leading to improved soil aeration, better moisture penetration and higher soil organic content.

The ECO2MIX Service is a Monthly Service Charge that provides the customer with use of the ECO2MIX equipment, maintenance and installation costs, calibration, tanks and CO₂ gas.

If you want to receive more information and/or a visit to your farm and receive how we can help you to solve your bicarbonates and high pH problems, call us at +1 (559) 666-0558 or email wmoraga@eco2mix.com.