Assuming your water and soil conditions are such that the SS™ technology is warranted; SI can immediately improve your irrigation water quality, boost your soil productivity and significantly increase the quantity and quality of your crop yields. If you are in the coal-bed methane or wastewater industries struggling with alkalinity concerns, SI can play an important part in improving your water quality such that it can again be put to productive use by interested third parties.

What are the benefits of acidifying irrigation water?

Alkaline water that is deemed unfit to be used for irrigation or release onto public land can often be acidified, which removes many of its negative properties, to meet environmental standards and can be put to productive use.

Water and soil are intrinsically connected. Over time, soil takes on the properties of water that passes through it. Hence, many of the alkalinity problems that plague infertile plots of land can be traced back to poor quality irrigation water. This is particularly the case with the build up of sodium, or alkalinity, in soils that renders them less permeable and decreases their productivity. This process is commonly referred to as human-induced desertification. Reducing the alkalinity content in affected soils can unlock them and enable crops to grow more effectively and improve yields. Maintaining the health of these soils and sustaining high crop yields then becomes a matter of controlling the quality of irrigation water. Through acidifying low quality irrigation water, human-induced desertification can be halted and in many cases reversed.

Is the SS™ technology new?

Yes and no. Acidifying irrigation water with the help of sulfur has been done for centuries; in fact, some researchers even claim that the early Egyptians understood the benefits of acidification and used it to enhance crop production. Records in Germany in the early 1850’s, recount that farmers struggling with poor crop development learned that if they melted sulfur in a pan and then dumped the molten mass into their irrigation stream, it would produce a limited acid shock to the water before it solidified. This sulfuric shock resulted in better crop development and over time improved soils. SI’s technology is built on this principle and has developed a state of the art machine that is extremely efficient at creating and delivering sulfurous and ultimately sulfuric acid into irrigation water. In this sense, the technology is the same; however, the delivery mechanism is significantly improved.

How long does it take for the treatment to take affect?

Improving the quality of irrigation water will immediately increase plant growth. However, to sustain the improvement and to optimize the productivity of the soil over time requires consistent and regular use of high quality irrigation water.

How does the SS™ technology compare in terms of cost to similar treatment options?

The SS™ machines are the most affordable sulfur burners available on the market. Compared to other similar water acidifying and soil treatment options, the SS™ machines are very competitive in terms of price, and in many cases much safer to administer. In addition, a secondary benefit in using this technology is that it can have an affect on cleaning up most forms of algae in ponds and lakes due to the chemical reaction taking place in the water.

Is Gypsum a substitute for the SS™ technology?

No. In fact, in cases where the soil is saline/sodic and deficient in calcium, it is often advantageous to treat the water and apply Gypsum simultaneously to improve the soil profile. The major difference between Gypsum and the SS™ technology is that the SS™ technology treats the water that then improves the soil, whereas Gypsum is strictly a soil amendment. Hence, soils that have become saline/sodic through the use of low quality alkaline irrigation water can be reclaimed using the SS™ technology without changing water sources, whereas Gypsum requires the application of high quality water to be effective for reclaiming the soil.

Why do I need to submit a water and soil analysis before purchasing a SS™ machine?

This is SI’s way of demonstrating its commitment to you. SI is dedicated to helping you achieve the results you desire, hence it is not interested in selling you a SS™ machine unless it is convinced that it will help you become more successful.

Water and soil conditions are often quite complex and vary dramatically from one piece of land to another with little or no observable differences above ground; hence the only way to truly know if the SS™ machine is appropriate is to have your water and soil analyzed. SI provides a free assessment of these analyses to ascertain whether the SS™ machine can play a role in improving your water and soil quality.

Is there any danger associated in using this technology and if so, how can I safeguard myself from exposure?

The burn chamber and gas transfer pipe can reach extremely high temperatures, which could cause bodily harm if touched. For this reason, the protective mesh and warning labels are included with every SS™ machine. Care should be taken that the SS™ machine has sufficiently cooled before performing any maintenance. The discharge of the SS™ machine is safe to the touch and the plume from the exhaust stack is ambient hydrated nitrogen and air, so it is safe to be around with no noxious odor commonly associated with sulfur.

Why should I buy from SI rather than the competition?

SI has spent more than a decade developing and refining the best sulfur burning machine in the market. SI is committed to succeeding with its clients and stands behind every machine it makes. Over the years, SI has engaged industrial and educational experts in the fields of agronomy, chemical engineering, crop science, irrigation, salinity management, soil chemistry and other fields to better understand all aspects of the SS™ technology. It has also conducted numerous studies and been a part of myriad studies around the world to validate the efficacy of the SS™ machine.  In addition, our patented double venturi design has made the machine very efficient and virtually odorless.

Do I have to go through a distributor or can I buy from SI direct?

SI primarily works through distributors; however, in the event that there is not a distributor in your area SI will work directly with you to secure the machines, services and support you need.

SS™Machines

How often will I need to use my machine?

This depends on the quality of your irrigation water and how you irrigate. Depending on your crop, the SS™ machine should be used on a regular basis; however, in many instances a positive result can still be achieved with less frequent use.  One critical element in using the SS™ machine is that you need to have good drainage.  Because the SS™ technology neutralizes bicarbonates and carbonate that lock up salts, it frees up the salts and they need to be leached down out of the profile and this is only possible if there is good drainage.  Otherwise, the salts will accumulate and can lead to a sodium hazard.

Are there automated SS™ machines?

All current models of the SS™ machines are completely manual and require some degree of supervision. There are several reasons for this: 1/ automating the machines has proven extremely expensive, 2/ by requiring periodic contact with the machine it increases the likelihood that early warning signs will be observed and can be corrected before realizing any negative effects on crop production, 3/ regulating and monitoring the pH of the water is essential for optimum performance and this should be done at least once a day.

Are the SS™ machines portable?

All SS™ machines are portable with varying degrees of ease. Some SS™ machines may require the use of a forklift and small trailer to move any real distance between sites. For more information, please contact SI’s customer service department.

Do SS™ machines come with warranties and if so, what kinds?

All SS™ machines come with a full one-year warranty on all parts.

What is the life expectancy of a SS™ machine?

How a SS™ machine is cared for and the frequency of use will ultimately determine its life span. While a few parts of a SS™ machine may need to be periodically replaced due to regular wear and tear, the body of the SS™ machine can last upwards of 10 years or more if properly maintained. There are no moving parts in the machine, and it is constructed with stainless steel and schedule 40 PVC parts, so it is quite durable.

Does the SS™ machine have patent protection?

Yes. SI will only sell its SS™ machines in countries where it has obtained patent protection.  Currently, SI machines have more than 20 patents pending and issued.

Sulfur

Why does the sulfur need to be 99.5% assay or better?

Because sulfur is burned within the SS™ machine, it is essential that only 99.5% assay or higher sulfur be used in this process. If less pure sulfur is used, the impurities can build up throughout the SS™ machine reducing its efficacy and in some cases render it completely ineffectual. In addition, how the sulfur is processed and packaged can affect how the sulfur burns and ultimately influence its performance. For example, if sulfur with a high moisture content is used it can disrupt the proper operation of the SS™ machine and potentially damage through the premature creation of sulfuric acid within the burn chamber and/or gas transfer pipe.

Does SI Sell Sulfur?

This varies by country and region. Please contact your local SI office for more details.

Since your machine uses elemental sulfur, should I expect the noxious rotten egg smell usually associated with burning sulfur?

No. The SS™ machine’s patented system of creating, capturing and blending SO₂ gas with H₂O is extremely efficient and eliminates nearly 100 percent of the sulfur smell. When the machine is operating properly you can stand next to it and not smell any odor.