Passive capillary and gravity drainage system and method

Abstract

A system for draining liquid from soil is disclosed. The system includes a passive capillary drain in combination with a core for gravity flow, including a sand top dressing layer, a native soil interface, and a rootzone, a curtain traversing from the sand topdressing layer through the native soil interface to at least one tube element, the at least one tube element pulling the water out of the soil with capillary suction, and a core central to the at least one tube element that moves excess water via gravity flow with capillary suction. The elements may be installed parallel at a 3 feet center and a depth of 10 inches, and/or may be installed vertically.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of installing a system for draining liquid from a soil surface, the method comprising:
 installing a plurality of tube elements each including a central core approximately one foot below the surface, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of tube elements are substantially parallel to other ones of the plurality of tube element, the installed plurality of tube elements draining liquid using capillary suction and gravity flow;   creating a sand curtain extending from just under the surface to the top of the plurality of tube elements to eliminate a capillary break of the soil by providing a continuous pathway of capillary pores to drain liquid from the soil surface to the plurality of tube elements; and   installing a drain with a drop to incorporate a hanging water column to provide for increased capillary suction of the plurality of tube element to enhance the draining of the liquid from the soil.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating of the sand curtain comprises a vibratory plow. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein just under the surface is approximately two inches below the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sand curtain created is approximately one-half inch long. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tube elements are installed from 8 to 16 inches below the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tube elements is spaced using an approximate three-foot spacing between adjacent tube elements. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drop is in a range of approximately 1 to 10 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drop is in a range of approximately 4 to 8 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drop is approximately 6 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sand curtain is less than approximately one inch in diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sand curtain is less than approximately ⅜ inches in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises a stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tube elements comprise fiberglass elements. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sand curtain comprises another of the plurality of tube elements include a rigid core.