Quality control process for repackaging agricultural chemical shuttle tanks

Abstract

The agricultural chemical shuttle tank quality control and repackaging process of the present invention provides for standardized inspection, cleaning, repairing, and certification of the tanks so as to deliver precision crop protection chemicals to customers. The tanks include an ID label or bar code with information about the life cycle of the tank. The information is updated at one or more stages of the process. The tanks are classified according to chemical contents, and restricted for use in a single herbicide / pesticide classification throughout the tank life. A specialized automated wash station cleans the inside and outside of tanks of chemical residue and satisfies government environmental regulations for waste wash water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Agricultural chemical shuttle tanks are commonly used for transporting pesticides and herbicides from a bulk storage facility to the farmer's field. Such shuttle tanks typically may be 250 gallons or more. The tanks are normally returned to the bulk storage facility for re-filling and re-use. However, there are no industry standards regarding re-filling or repackaging of agri-chemicals in such tanks. The repackaging process for crop protection chemicals is labor intensive. Excess or leftover chemicals are commonly dumped before quickly rinsing the tank, and then refilling the tank with fresh chemicals. However, if a tank is improperly cleaned, chemical contamination from chemical residue can have critical consequences, such as damage to a farmer's crop. Prior art “rinse-and-go” operations fail to provide the quality control throughout the life cycle of the tank which is critical to avoid unnecessary and undesirable problems and consequences.[0002]The...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a process for inspecting and repackaging agricultural chemical shuttle tanks. The tanks are first scanned to identify their history and inspected for damage. They are then sorted into groups based on the chemical residue. Excess chemicals are removed and a neutralizer is sprayed on the interior and exterior of the tanks. The tanks are then washed to remove the chemical residue, with the least toxic tanks being washed first and the most toxic ones being washed last. The waste water is filtered and recycled for further washing. The tanks are then refilled with new agricultural chemicals and re-labeled with new history. The technical effect of this process is to provide a safe and efficient way to manage and reuse agricultural chemical shuttle tanks."

Problems solved by technology

However, there are no industry standards regarding re-filling or repackaging of agri-chemicals in such tanks.

The repackaging process for crop protection chemicals is labor intensive.

However, if a tank is improperly cleaned, chemical contamination from chemical residue can have critical consequences, such as damage to a farmer's crop.

Prior art “rinse-and-go” operations fail to provide the quality control throughout the life cycle of the tank which is critical to avoid unnecessary and undesirable problems and consequences.

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