Underground Buried Diffuser

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The manufacturer, Chabani Technologies SA, produces and distributes the product. The manufacturer calls for resellers to partner with them by contacting them through their webpage.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Greenhouse Venture Drip Irrigation System, AgroSolar Irrigation System, and Netakit.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is mass produced. It is made from virgin plastic materials (PP, HDPE, LDPE, and PVC) treated anti UV. which are treated with anti-UV.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

The product is delivered by Chabani Technologies, users can contact the company through the details online. On their website, they mention potential future resellers distributing their product.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Design Specifications

The buried diffuser provides underground irrigation that delivers water to plants at the root level, lessening the possibility of water loss from evaporation. The system consists of diffusing parts, which facilitate water infiltration of the soil. The water flow to plants is regulated through a connection to a distribution pipe. The system works with gravity, as well as conventional water pressure to ensure a steady supply of water to the crops. The tree buried diffuser comes in various dimensions (15 x 15 cm or 15 x 30 cm) with a diffusing service of 200 square centimeters and 400 square centimeters respectively. The diffusers are placed in holes that are dug in the ground of depth of about 30 to 50 cm of topographic soil. However, in cases where the diffusers are being used in plantation pits, they can be installed in up to 50 to 70 cm below the soil surface before installing the trees. For the irrigation of shrubs and ornamental herbs are installed 20 to 40cm of the pit and 20cm away from the axis of the shrubs or ornamental herbs. The buried diffusers also come in various types; tree buried diffusers, vegetable buried diffusers, and container plant diffusers. The buried vegetable diffusers as compared to the buried tree diffusers are installed at 5 to 10 cm below the topsoil and about 3 cm from the plant axis; coming in 12x 15 cm and 15 x 30 cm forms. The container plant diffusers differ from the other two as if they are used in containers or pots for the irrigation of plants in containers or boxes. They also come with a small water reservoir.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

According to the manufacturer, it is not required (once the product is installed correctly).

Replacement Components

No known replacement components (as there is no need for additional support or maintenance following a proper installation).

Lifecycle

30 years (Tree buried diffuser),  5+ years (Vegetable buried diffuser)

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The product was designed with the aim of

• Enhancing the efficiency of water resources required for crop production
• Increasing the productivity of rain fed agriculture
• Conservation of oasis and combating desertification
• Combating soil salinization through regulating the salinity of irrigation water (3-5 grams salt)
• Improving the sustainability of rain fed agriculture, in relation to drought and rainfall irregularities

Vetted Performance Status

Laboratory and field testing found that the device could operate at low pressures (0.05 - 0.005 bar) with low flow rates (10 mm/day)

Safety

There is no known hazard related to the operation of the device.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

• Virgin plastic materials are used to manufacture the product.
• The tree buried diffuser PDF report, laboratory and field testing, and schematic Diagram Source.
• List of awards the technology has won:
  • Prize of the Grand Price INNOVATEC 2012/2013, MIFFEL, Avignon, France. 2012 TOP 20 innovative SME (Small to Medium Enterprises) of Infolded, World Bank, Helsinki, Finland. 2011
  • UNESCO international water prize, Budapest, Hungary. 2009
  • Creativity price awarded by the Presidency of the Republic of Tunisia. 2009
  • Maghreb union combating desertification Technologies Prize. 2007
  • ALECSO Price (Arab League of Education, Culture and Science) of scientific innovation in the field of water. 2002
  • Two silver medals for two inventions - 30th International Exhibition of Inventions, Geneva, Switzerland. 2002
  • National Merit Medal (Commander) under the sector of Education and Science, Tunisia. 2001
  • First prize of the Tunisian Association of Inventors for researchers inventors granted by the Tunisian Association of Inventors at the 11th National Competition of Invention and Innovation, Tunisia. 2001
  • First prize of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) for the best invention by an inventor researcher at the 11th National Competition of Invention and Innovation. Tunisia. 2001
  • First prize in the "Mediterranean Prize for Water" award from the Carrefour Euro Mediterranean Water HYDROTOP Second prize of Technology Innovation International Fair of Agriculture and Technology Innovation SIAT. Tunisia. 2000