Slurry stirring device

Abstract

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients are disclosed. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the "as collected" condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (e.g., mixture of soil, vegetation, and / or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and / or chemical properties of the sample. The preparation sub-system may comprise a slurry recirculation flow loop configured with devices to stir, measure, and adjust a water to solids ratio of the slurry. The object of the claimed invention is a slurry stirring device (8030) comprising an elongated housing (8094) defining a vertical centerline and a stirring chamber; a slurry inlet (8032) configured to receive the slurry, a slurry recirculation inlet (8033a) configured for fluid coupling to a closed slurry recirculation flow loop, and a slurry recirculation outlet (8033b) configured for fluid coupling to the slurry recirculation flow loop; and a rotatable blade mechanism configured to maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition in the stirring chamber.

Description

[0256] AODD slurry recirculation pump 7080 further includes an operating or pumping mechanism including a laterally translatable operating shaft 8240 comprising a resiliently deformable diaphragm 8241 attached to each of opposite ends of the shaft. One of the diaphragms is disposed in each of the pumping chambers 8201, 8202. Shaft 8240 is perpendicularly oriented to vertical longitudinal axis LA of the pump and movable in a reciprocating back and forth motion (e.g., left and right) during the pumping strokes. Any suitable resiliently deformable elastomeric material may be used for diaphragms 8241. The shaft 8240 is preferably made of metal.

[0257] Diaphragms 8241 have a generally round disk-like or circular configuration. The circumferentially-extending peripheral edge 8242 may be trapped between the pump heads 8230a, 8230b and central portion of the pump body 8200 (best shown in FIGS. 64-65) in one embodiment to secure the diaphragms in place. The ends of the operating shaft 8240 are fixedly coupled to the central portion of the diaphragms such that the shaft may push or pull the diaphragms during opposing motions of the pumping strokes. Any suitable commercially-available resiliently deformable polymeric material with an elastic memory may be used for the diaphragm.

[0258] The pumping mechanism is driven by an air distribution system 8250 configured to alternatingly inject or extract air from the pumping chambers 8201, 8202 to translate the shaft back and forth during the reciprocating pumping strokes. FIGS. 64-65 show the air distribution system schematically. The air distribution system includes a pressurized air source 8252 fluidly coupled to each of the chambers 8201, 8202 by an air conduit 8251 which act to both supply air to the one of the chambers during the pumping stroke while venting air from the 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 other chamber at the same time during the return stroke, and vice versa (see dashed directional airflow arrows). Any suitable commercially-available pneumatic (pressurized air) distribution system typically used with AODD pumps may be used.

[0259] Two sets of check valves 8260a, 8260b are provided to alternatingly control the slurry flow into or out of the longitudinal flow bores 8231 in each pump head 8230a, 8230b. Referring to FIGS. 64-70, an inlet check valve 8260a is fluidly coupled between each of the longitudinal flow bores 8231 and the inlet flow manifold 8203. An outlet check valve 8260b is fluidly coupled between each of longitudinal flow bores and the outlet flow manifold 8204. The inlet check valves are detachably attached to a top end of the pump heads such as via threaded fasteners 8267, and the outlet check valves are attached to a bottom end of the pump heads in a similar manner.

[0260] Check valves 8260a, 8260b may be ball type check valves in one embodiment. Each of the ball check valves generally includes a ball 8261, ball cage 8263, and valve body 8265 defining an internal fluid passageway 8262 which extends completely through each end of the valve for fluid communication with the pump head longitudinal flow bores 8231 and flow passages of the inlet and outlet manifolds 8203, 8204 (see, e.g. in FIGS. 64, 65, 68, and 70). The ball and cage are disposed in fluid passageway 8262 which may have any suitable shape. An annular valve seat 8264 is formed in each valve body within fluid passageway 8262 for seating the ball and closing one of the fluid passageway. Valve bodies 8265 may have any suitable polygonal or non-polygonal configuration. Each valve body 8265 may be formed of a suitable metallic or non-metallic (e.g., plastic) material and may have a monolithic structure.

[0261] In some embodiments, a pair of end plates 8266 each comprising a flow hole 8266a may be provided. Flow holes 8266a are in fluid communication with the internal fluid passageway 8262 of the valve bodies as shown. The ball cage 8263 may be fixedly attached to one of the end plates in each pair. Ball cages 8263 in one embodiment may be formed by a circumferentially spaced apart and axially elongated finger protrusions 8263a. The finger protrusions restrict and limit the movement of the ball 8261. Openings 8263b are formed between finger protrusions 8263a to allow the slurry to pass through and out of the check valves. The ball cage is configured such that the ball engages an end portion of the finger protrusions but does not fully enter between them to keep the openings 8263b unobstructed to pass slurry therethrough. It bears noting that the end plate including the flow cage 8263 is attached to the outlet or discharge side of the check valves 8260a, 8260b (see, e.g., FIGS. 6465). The valve seat 8264 is at the inlet side of the valves. For the outlet check valves 8260b, 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 the pair of end plates may therefore be attached to the same end of the valve body and stacked on top of each other as shown.

[0262] A process or method for pumping slurry using slurry recirculation pump 7080 previously described herein will now be summarized with reference to FIGS. 64-65. In these figures, slurry flow arrows are shown as solid and air flow arrows are shown as dashed.

[0263] The method generally includes moving the operating shaft 8240 with diaphragms 8241 in a first direction (e.g., right) shown in FIG. 64. The method continues with drawing slurry from inlet manifold 8203 (fluidly coupled to slurry recirculation flow loop 8002 on the intake side of the pump) into pumping chamber 8202 through the inlet check valve 8260a, and then through the longitudinal flow bore 8231 and lower slurry exchange bore each formed in the left pump head 8230b (see solid slurry flow arrows). Slurry is drawn into the lower end of chamber via the slurry exchange bore 8233 by the vacuum created on the wet or fluid side of the left pumping chamber diaphragm by the shaft 8240 moving towards the right. The shaft 8240 is laterally and linearly translated in this first direction by applying air pressure to the dry or gas side of diaphragm 8241 in the opposite right pumping chamber 8201 (see dashed air arrows). Simultaneously, air is vented from the left pumping chamber 8202 via the air distribution system 8250.

[0264] Once the slurry has been drawn into the left pumping chamber 8202 due to the vacuum created within the chamber by movement of the operating shaft 8240 and diaphragm 8241, the process continues with moving the operating shaft with diaphragms in an opposite second direction (e.g., left) via the air distribution system 8250 as shown in FIG. 65. The diaphragm 8241 in left pumping chamber 8202 pressurizes the slurry and expels it back out of the same lower slurry exchange bore 8233 (opposite to the chamber fill direction) and into the longitudinal flow bore 8231 in the left pumping head 8203b. The expelled or discharged slurry re-enters and then flows upwards in longitudinal flow bore 8231 through outlet check valve 8260b and into outlet manifold 8204 for discharge back into the slurry recirculation flow loop 8002.

[0265] While the slurry is being expelled from the left pumping chamber 8202, the diaphragm simultaneously expels any air which may have been drawn into the chamber during the foregoing slurry intake pumping stroke through the upper air vent bore and into the longitudinal flow bore 8231 in the left pump head 8230b. Any air present in the left pumping chamber 8202 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 would tend to rise and accumulate at the top end portion of the chamber 8202 which is where the air vent port is fluidly coupled to the chamber for this reason.

[0266] The air-driven operating shaft 8240 of pump 7080 reciprocates rapidly right and left to repeat the above process and pump / circulate slurry through the slurry recirculation flow loop 8002. During the pumping intake and discharge strokes, the inlet and outlet check valves 8260a, 8260b alternatingly open and close as shown in FIGS. 64-65. During an intake stroke for each pumping chamber 8201 or 8202, the inlet check valve opens to draw slurry into the chamber wile while the outlet check valve simultaneously closes to prevent slurry being drawn back into the pump from the outlet manifold 8204. Conversely, the opposite valve operation occurs during the pumping stroke.

[0267] Although slurry recirculation pump 7080 is disclosed as an air-operated double diaphragm (AODD) pump in one non-limiting embodiment, an electric operated double diaphragm (EODD) may alternatively be used with the specially configured pump heads disclosed herein. The electrically driven double diaphragm pumps utilized an electric motor and geared or cam mechanism to laterally translate the operating shaft-diaphragm assembly and are well known in the art without undue elaboration here.

[0268] Although slurry recirculation pump 7080 is disclosed as an air-operated double diaphragm (AODD) pump in one non-limiting embodiment, in other embodiments the pump may be an air-operated or electrically driven single diaphragm pump having a single pump head, pumping chamber, and diaphragm actuated by an operating shaft which may be linearly or rotatably moving to produce the pumping stroke action of the diaphragm. In yet other embodiments, more than two diaphragms may be used in the slurry recirculation pump. an electric operated double diaphragm (EODD) may alternatively be used with the specially configured pump heads disclosed herein. The electrically driven shaft may be driven by an electric motor which may include a gear and / or cam mechanism to actuate the diaphragm.

[0269] Fine Filter Unit

[0270] Returning back to FIGS. 34-35, the fine filter unit 8080 in slurry recirculation flow loop 8002 may be any of the fine filter units 8050 or 8060 previously described herein. The filter screens of these units are configured to filter out larger solid particles or sediment in the slurry of a size which are not conducive to further slurry processing and analysis in the chemical analysis sub-system 3003 and components thereof which may include various microfluidic processing disk devices having extremely small size flow channels or passages readily plugged 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 by such larger particles. By contrast, the coarse filter unit 8020 has a screen opening size to block debris in the agricultural slurry from passing to the slurry recirculation flow loop 8002 and devices therein as previously described herein.

[0271] Slurry Density Measurement Device

[0272] Slurry density measurement device 8070 in slurry recirculation flow loop 8002 may be any suitable type of preferably digital density meter operable to measure the density of the slurry in dynamic flow conditions while slurry is circulating through slurry recirculation flow loop 8002 and in a static flow conditions. In some embodiments, device 8070 may be any of the previously disclosed embodiments of the density measurement device 7010 of density meters of the U-tube oscillator type. Other digital density meters however may be used.

[0273] Agricultural Solids Particle Density Measurement Device

[0274] Agricultural solids particle density (S.P.D.) measurement device 8060 in slurry recirculation flow loop 8002 may be any digital device operable to measure the density of the solids or particulate component of the aqueous agricultural slurry. Density data measured by sensors associated with device 8060 may be used in conjunction with the total slurry density measurements from slurry density measurement device 8070 to characterize the water to solids (water / solids) ratio of the slurry circulating through the slurry recirculation flow loop 8002. This information may then be used to determine the appropriate amount of water to be metered and added to the slurry via stirring device 8030 to achieve the target water to solids ratio of the slurry for subsequent downstream processing in the chemical analysis sub-system. Any suitable commercially-available product or electronic circuits and associated sensors may be used for S.P.D. measurement device 8060, such as without limitation such circuits and associated sensors utilized in SmartFirmer from Precision Planting, LLC of Tremont, Illinois, which is described in WO2014 / 153157,  WO2014 / 186810,  WO2015 / 171908, US20180168094, WO2019070617, and / or WO2020161566.

[0275] The apparatuses, devices, and components described herein may be made of any suitable metallic materials, non-metallic materials (e.g., plastic), and combinations thereof suitable for their application described herein and intended service conditions.

[0276] In some embodiments, the main slurry pump 7081 previously described herein may be configured the same as slurry recirculation pump 7080 described above and also be an airoperated double diaphragm (AODD) pump. Accordingly, this AODD pump design disclosed herein may be used for either the main slurry or recirculation pump. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 EXAMPLES

[0277] The following are nonlimiting examples.

[0278] Example 1 - An agricultural sample preparation system comprising: a mixing device fluidly coupled to a water source, the mixing device configured and operable to receive an agricultural sample and mix the sample with water to prepare a slurry; a stirring device fluidly coupled the first mixing device, the stirring device configured to receive and maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition; and a density measurement device fluidly coupled to the stirring device, the density measurement device arranged to receive the slurry and configured to measure a density of the slurry.

[0279] Example 2 - the system according to Example 1, further comprising a closed slurry recirculation flow loop fluidly coupled to the stirring device, the stirring device comprising a stirring chamber which forms an integral part of the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0280] Example 3 - the system according to Example 2, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop comprises a slurry recirculation pump operable to circulate the slurry through the slurry recirculation flow loop including the stirring device.

[0281] Example 4 - the system according to Example 3, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop is fluidly isolated from the mixing device when slurry is circulating through the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0282] Example 5 - the system according to Examples 3 or 4, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop comprises the density measurement device.

[0283] Example 6 - the system according to Example 5, wherein the density measurement device is a U-tube vibrational density meter configured to measure slurry in a dynamic flowing state through the meter or a stagnant flow state.

[0284] Example 7 - the system according to any one of Examples 2-6, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop is fluidly coupled to a slurry analysis sub-system configured to analyze the slurry for an analyte.

[0285] Example 8 - the system according to Example 7, wherein the analyte has a property of agricultural-related significance.

[0286] Example 9 - the system according to Examples 7 or 8, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop further comprises a fine filter unit fluidly coupled to a slurry analysis sub-system, the fine filter unit operable to pass a slurry having a predetermined maximum particle size.

[0287] Example 10 - the system according to any one of Examples 1-9, further comprising a coarse filter unit fluidly coupled between the mixing device and stirring device, the coarse 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 filter unit configured to remove oversized particles from the slurry received by the stirring device from the mixing device.

[0288] Example 11 - the system according to Example 10, wherein the coarse filter unit includes a pressurized air inlet and a pressurized water inlet collectively forming a bubbler for clearing oversize particles from a filter screen of the coarse filter unit.

[0289] Example 12 - the system according to any one of Examples 3-11, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop further comprises a straight-through accumulator configured to suppress pressure surges produced by the slurry recirculation pump in the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0290] Example 13 - the system according to Example 12, wherein the accumulator comprises: a body defining an elongated chamber; a slurry inlet at a first end of the chamber and a slurry outlet at a second end of the chamber, the slurry inlet and slurry outlet defining a longitudinal flow axis extending therethrough; and a resiliently deformable diaphragm dividing the chamber into a pre-charged gas portion and a slurry portion which conveys slurry from the inlet to the outlet in a linear path.

[0291] Example 14 - the system according to Example 14, wherein a cross-sectional area of the chamber measured transversely to the longitudinal flow axis is about thirty times the cross-sectional area of the slurry inlet and outlet.

[0292] Example 15 - the system according to Example 2, wherein the mixing device comprises a mixing chamber agitated by a rotatable mixing blade mechanism, and the stirring chamber of the stirring device is agitated by a rotatable stirring blade mechanism.

[0293] Example 16 - the system according to Example 15, wherein the mixing blade mechanism is configured and operable to impart greater energy into and more aggressively mix the slurry in the mixing device than the stirring blade mechanism in the stirring device.

[0294] Example 17 - the system according to Example 16, further comprising a level sensor configured to measure a level of slurry in the stirring device, wherein the rotational speed of the stirring blade mechanism is controlled and adjusted based on the level of slurry measured by the level sensor.

[0295] Example 18 - the system according to any one of Examples 2-17, wherein the stirring device comprises a water inlet configured to add water to the slurry to dilute the slurry to a target water to agricultural solids ratio.

[0296] Example 19 - the system according to any one of Examples 2-18, wherein the stirring device comprises a slurry inlet to receive slurry from the mixing device, a slurry recirculation 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 inlet fluidly coupled to the slurry recirculation flow loop, and a slurry recirculation outlet fluidly coupled to the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0297] Example 20 - A double diaphragm pump comprising: a pump body defining a vertical longitudinal axis and first and second pumping chambers; an inlet flow manifold and an outlet flow manifold coupled to the pump body; a first pump head coupled to the body adjacent the first pumping chamber, the first pump head comprising a longitudinal flow bore separate from the first pumping chamber and fluidly coupled to the inlet and outlet flow manifolds, an upper air vent bore, and a lower slurry exchange bore, the upper air vent bore and lower slurry exchange bore each fluidly coupling the longitudinal flow bore in turn to the first pumping chamber; and an operating shaft coupled to a resiliently deformable diaphragm, the diaphragm disposed in the first pumping chamber; wherein the shaft is moveable in a pump stroke to pump a fluid through the longitudinal bore of the first pump head and the first pumping chamber from the inlet flow manifold to the outlet flow manifold; wherein the upper air vent bore is smaller in diameter than the lower slurry exchange bore such that air is preferentially ejected from the first pumping chamber rather than slurry during the pump stroke.

[0298] Example 21 - the diaphragm pump according to Example 20, further comprising an inlet check valve fluidly coupled to a bottom end of the longitudinal flow bore and the inlet flow manifold, and an outlet check valve fluidly coupled to a top end of the longitudinal flow bore and the outlet flow manifold.

[0299] Example 22 - the diaphragm pump according to Examples 20 or 21, wherein the diaphragm does not enter the longitudinal bore of the first pump head during the pump stroke.

[0300] Example 23 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-22, wherein the lower slurry exchange bore is configured and operable for bidirectional exchange of the fluid between the longitudinal bore and the first pumping chamber.

[0301] Example 24 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-23, wherein the upper air vent bore and the lower slurry exchange bores are transversely oriented relative to the longitudinal flow bore and formed integrally in the first pump head.

[0302] Example 25 - the diaphragm pump according to Example 24, wherein longitudinal flow bore is vertically oriented and the upper and lower slurry exchange bores are arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal flow bores.

[0303] Example 26 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-25, wherein the upper air vent bore is fluidly coupled to an upper end portion of the first pumping chamber, and the lower slurry exchange bore is fluidly coupled to a lower end portion of the first pumping chamber. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0304] Example 27 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-26, wherein there are no other bores fluidly coupling the first pumping chamber to the first longitudinal bore other than the upper air vent bore and the lower slurry exchange bore.

[0305] Example 28 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-27, further comprising an air distribution system fluidly coupled to the first pumping chamber on a dry side of the diaphragm, the air distribution system being configured to alternatingly inject or extract air from the first and pumping chamber to translate the shaft back and forth to pump the fluid.

[0306] Example 29 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-28, wherein the first pump head comprises an integrally formed outboard concavity having an arcuately curved wall which cooperates with a mating complementary configured inboard concavity having an arcuately curved wall integrally formed in the pump body to form a shared volume which collectively defines the first pumping chamber.

[0307] Example 30 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-29, wherein the upper air vent bore and the lower slurry exchange bore is fluidly coupled directly to the outboard concavity.

[0308] Example 31 - the diaphragm pump according to Examples 10 or 11, wherein the arcuately curved wall of the inboard concavity is a mirror-image of the arcuately curved wall of the outboard concavity.

[0309] Example 31A -the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-30, wherein the longitudinal flow bore, upper air vent bore, and lower slurry exchange bore are cylindrical in configuration having a circular transverse cross section.

[0310] Example 32 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-31A, wherein the longitudinal flow bore is physically separated from the first pump chamber by a partition wall formed integrally by a body of the first pump head.

[0311] Example 33 - the diaphragm pump according to any one of Examples 20-32, wherein the diaphragm pump is a double diaphragm pump further comprising: a second pump head coupled to the body adjacent the second pumping chamber, the second pump head comprising a second longitudinal flow bore separate from the second pumping chamber and fluidly coupled to the inlet and outlet flow manifolds, a second upper air vent bore, and a second lower slurry exchange bore, the second upper air vent bore and second lower slurry exchange bore each fluidly coupling the second longitudinal flow bore in turn to the second pumping chamber; wherein the operating shaft is linearly translatable and coupled to a resiliently deformable second diaphragm, the second diaphragm disposed in the second pumping chamber; wherein 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 the shaft is moveable back and forth in reciprocating pump strokes to pump the fluid alternatingly through the longitudinal bore of the first pump head and the second longitudinal bore of the second pump head from the first and second pumping chambers.

[0312] Example 34 - A method for pumping slurry comprising: providing a double diaphragm slurry pump comprising a vertical longitudinal axis and a pair of first and second pumping chambers, a first and second pump head enclosing the first and second pumping chambers respectively, and a translatable operating shaft comprising a resiliently deformable diaphragm coupled to each of opposite ends of the shaft, one of the diaphragms disposed in each of the first and second pumping chambers; moving the operating shaft in a first direction; during an intake stroke; drawing slurry from an inlet manifold into the first pumping chamber through a longitudinal bore of the first pump head and a lower slurry exchange bore each formed in the first pump head separate from the first pumping chamber; moving the operating shaft in a second direction during a pumping stroke; and expelling the slurry back through the lower slurry exchange bore during the pumping stroke from the first pumping chamber back into the longitudinal bore of the first pump head, while simultaneously expelling air from the first pumping chamber into the longitudinal bore of the first pump head through an upper air vent bore; and expelling air from the first pump chamber through an upper air vent bore during the pumping stroke into the longitudinal flow bore of the first pump head simultaneous to the step of expelling the slurry; wherein the upper air vent bore is smaller in diameter than the lower slurry exchange bore such that air is preferentially ejected from the first pumping chamber rather than slurry.

[0313] Example 35 - the method according to Example 34, wherein the expelling step further comprises flowing the slurry through the longitudinal bore of the first pump head to an outlet manifold.

[0314] Example 36 - the method according to Example 35, wherein the slurry flows to the outlet manifold through an outlet check valve.

[0315] Example 37 - the method according to Examples 35 or 36, wherein the drawing step further comprises drawing the slurry first through the longitudinal flow bore from the intake manifold prior to drawing the slurry through the lower slurry exchange bore into the first pumping chamber.

[0316] Example 38 - the method according to any one of Examples 35-37, further comprising a step of expelling air vent bore fluidly couples the longitudinal flow bore of the first pump head directly to an upper portion of first pump chamber, and the lower slurry exchange bore 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 fluidly couples the longitudinal flow bore of the first pump head directly to a lower simultaneous to the step of expelling the slurry.

[0317] Example 38A - the method according to Example 38, wherein there are no other bores fluidly coupling the first pumping chamber to the longitudinal bore of the first pump head other than the upper air vent bore and the lower slurry exchange bore.

[0318] Example 39 - the method according to any one of Examples 34-38A, wherein the slurry is drawn from the inlet manifold through an inlet check valve during the drawing step.

[0319] Example 40 - the method according to any one of Examples 34-39, wherein the step of moving the operating shaft in the first direction comprises moving the diaphragm in the first pump chamber towards the first pump head, and the step of moving the operating shaft in the second direction comprises moving the diaphragm in the first pump chamber away the first pump head in an opposite direction.

[0320] Example 41 - the method according to any one of Examples 34-40, further comprising drawing slurry from the inlet manifold into the second pumping chamber through a longitudinal flow bore and a lower slurry exchange bore formed in the second pump head simultaneous with the step of expelling the slurry back through the lower slurry exchange bore into the first pump head.

[0321] Example 42 - the method according to any one of Examples 34-41, wherein the shaft is moved by applying pressurized air to the diaphragms in the first or second pumping chambers which deforms the diaphragms to move the shaft.

[0322] Example 42A - the method according to claim 34, wherein the longitudinal bore is vertically oriented and elongated, and the inlet and outlet manifolds are both horizontally oriented and elongated.

[0323] Example 42B - the method according to claim 42, wherein slurry flows upwards in the longitudinal bore during the drawing slurry step, the slurry flows downwards in the longitudinal bore during the expelling the slurry step.

[0324] Example 42C - the method according to claim 34, wherein an entrance of each of the lower slurry exchange bore into the first pumping chamber comprises a concave depression to facilitate expelling sediment entrained in the slurry outwards from the first pumping chamber.

[0325] Example 43 - A method for forming and processing an agricultural slurry, the method comprising: adding water and agricultural solids to a mixing chamber of a mixing device; agitating the water and agricultural solids with the mixing device to form a slurry; discharging the slurry into a flow conduit; pressurizing the flow conduit to drive the slurry into a filter unit comprising a filter screen; and filtering the slurry through the filter screen to 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 remove particles in the slurry larger than a predetermined particle size; and discharging filtered slurry from the filter unit.

[0326] Example 44 - the method according to Example 43, further comprising injecting pressurized air and water into the filter unit during the filtering step.

[0327] Example 45 - the method according to Example 44, wherein the filtering step comprises flowing the slurry in a first direction through the filter screen and flowing the pressurized air and water through the filter screen in a second direction opposite to the slurry.

[0328] Example 46 - the method according to Example 45, wherein the slurry enters a first cavity in the filter unit on a first side of the filter screen and the pressurized air and water are injected into a second cavity in the filter unit on a second side of the screen opposite the first side.

[0329] Example 47 - the method according to Example 46, wherein the filter unit comprises a slurry inlet configured to flow the slurry in a linear flow path through the first cavity, a waste outlet configured to discharge the oversized particles from the first cavity in the same linear flow path, and a slurry outlet configured to discharge the filtered slurry in a direction transverse to the linear flow path.

[0330] Example 48 - the method according to any one of Examples 43-47, wherein the slurry enters the filter unit in a direction parallel to a direction in which the filtered slurry is discharged.

[0331] Example 49 - the method according to any one of Examples 43-48, wherein the mixing device is fluidly isolated from flow conduit during the pressurizing step.

[0332] Example 50 - An inline accumulator for moderating pressure in a slurry flow conduit system, the accumulator comprising: a body defining an elongated chamber; a slurry inlet at a first end of the chamber and a slurry outlet at a second end of the chamber, the slurry inlet and slurry outlet being coaxially aligned and defining a longitudinal flow axis extending therethrough; and a resiliently deformable diaphragm dividing the chamber into a precharged gas portion and a slurry portion which conveys slurry from the inlet to the outlet in a linear path; wherein the diaphragm deforms due to increases or decreases in pressure of the slurry to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the slurry flow conduit system.

[0333] Example 51 - the accumulator according to Example 50, wherein the accumulator comprises an axially elongated trough having a concave shape which extends between the slurry inlet and the slurry outlet.

[0334] Example 52 - A slurry filter unit comprising: a body having an interior defining an upper cavity and a lower cavity; a filter screen arranged between the upper and lower 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 cavities; an unfiltered slurry inlet in fluidly coupled to the upper cavity; a waste outlet fluidly coupled to the upper cavity opposite the unfiltered slurry inlet which defines a slurry inlet flow path in the upper cavity; a filtered slurry outlet fluidly coupled to the lower cavity; wherein the filter unit is configured to pass slurry through the filter screen from the first to second cavities in a direction transverse to the slurry inlet flow path.

[0335] Example 53 - the slurry filter unit according to Example 52, wherein the slurry inlet flow path is linear.

[0336] Example 54 - the slurry filter unit according to Examples 51 or 52, further comprising a pressurized air inlet for injecting air and a pressurized water inlet for injecting water collectively forming a bubbler for clearing oversize particles from the filter screen.

[0337] Example 55 - the slurry filter unit according to Example 54, wherein the pressurized air and water inlets are fluidly coupled to the lower cavity below the filter screen.

[0338] Example 56 - the slurry filter unit according to Example 55, wherein the air and water flow through the filter screen in a direction from the lower cavity to the upper cavity.

[0339] Example 57 - the slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 51-56, wherein the filter screen is elongated and arcuately curved in configuration defining a concave side facing the upper cavity and a convex side facing the lower cavity.

[0340] Example 58 - the slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 51-57, wherein the unfiltered slurry inlet comprises a resiliently deformable segmented tubing coupling comprising a plurality of radially deformable elongated fingers with longitudinal slits circumferentially separating the fingers, the tubing coupling configured to insert a flow tube inside the tubing coupling.

[0341] Example 59 - the slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 51-58, wherein the unfiltered slurry inlet and the filter slurry outlet each define a respective centerline which is parallel to each other.

[0342] Example 60 - A slurry stirring device comprising: an elongated housing defining a vertical centerline and a stirring chamber; a slurry inlet configured to receive the slurry, a slurry recirculation inlet configured for fluid coupling to a closed slurry recirculation flow loop, and a slurry recirculation outlet configured for fluid coupling to the slurry recirculation flow loop; and a rotatable blade mechanism configured to maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition in the stirring chamber.

[0343] Example 61 - the slurry stirring device according to Example 60, further comprising a motor operably coupled to the blade mechanism and configured to rotate the blade mechanism. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0344] Example 62 - the slurry stirring device according to Examples 60 or 61, wherein the blade mechanism comprises at least a first blade assembly including a first drive shaft operably coupled to the motor and a first set of blades fixedly coupled thereto.

[0345] Example 63- the slurry stirring device according to Example 62, wherein the first drive shaft is vertically oriented and the first set of blades is disposed in a bottom portion of the slurry chamber.

[0346] Example 64 - the slurry stirring device according to Example 63, further comprising a second blade assembly including a vertical second drive shaft operably coupled to the motor and a second set of blades fixedly coupled thereto and disposed in a bottom portion of the slurry chamber.

[0347] Example 65 - the slurry stirring device according to Example 64, wherein the first and second drive shafts are operably coupled to the motor by a gear train.

[0348] Example 66 - the slurry stirring device according to Examples 64 or 65, wherein the first blade assembly rotates in a first rotational direction and the second blade assembly rotates in a second rotational direction.

[0349] Example 67 - the slurry stirring device according to Example 66, wherein the slurry recirculation inlet is configured to introduce slurry from the slurry recirculation flow loop tangentially to an interior sidewall of the stirring chamber.

[0350] Example 68 - the slurry stirring device according to Example 67, wherein the slurry recirculation inlet is further configured to introduce the slurry into the stirring chamber in a same direction as the second rotational direction of the second blade assembly.

[0351] Example 69 - the slurry stirring device according to any one of Examples 64-68, wherein the stirring chamber has a figure eight shape in transverse cross section forming a first section and a second section separated by a narrowed throat area of the stirring chamber.

[0352] Example 70 - the slurry stirring device according to Example 69, wherein the first blade assembly is disposed in the first section of the stirring chamber and the second blade assembly is disposed in the second section of the stirring chamber.

[0353] Example 71 - the slurry stirring device according to Examples 69 or 70, wherein the slurry recirculation outlet is disposed in the narrowed throat area of the stirring chamber between the first and second sections.

[0354] Example 72 - the slurry stirring device according to any one of Examples 60-71, wherein the stirring device further comprises an overflow port fluidly coupled to a top end of 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 the stirring chamber and a waste outlet port fluidly coupled to the bottom of the stirring chamber.

[0355] Example 73 - the slurry stirring device according to any one of Examples 60-72, further comprising a water inlet configured to add water to the slurry to dilute the slurry.

[0356] Example 74 - the slurry stirring device according to any one of Examples 60-73, further comprising a level sensor configured to measure a level of slurry in the stirring chamber, wherein a rotational speed of the stirring blade mechanism is controlled and adjusted based on the level of slurry in the stirring chamber measured by the level sensor.

[0357] Example 75 - the slurry stirring device according to any one of Examples 60-74, wherein the housing of the stirring device has a segmented construction comprising a removable top cover, a top section, a mid-section, and a bottom section.

[0358] Additional Examples - Method for Forming / Processing an Agricultural Slurry

[0359] 1A. A method for forming and processing an agricultural slurry, the method comprising: adding water and agricultural solids to a mixing chamber of a mixing device; agitating the water and agricultural solids at a first speed with the mixing device to form a slurry; discharging the slurry from the mixing device into a filter unit via a flow conduit fluidly coupled therebetween; coarsely filtering the slurry through the filter screen of a coarse filter to remove particles in the slurry larger than a predetermined first maximum particle size; and receiving the filtered slurry from the filter unit in a stirring chamber of a stirring device defining a stirring chamber; and agitating the slurry at a second speed different than the first speed in the stirring device.

[0360] 2A. The method according to Example 1A, wherein the mixing device includes a rotatable first blade mechanism which is rotated during the agitating the water and agricultural solids step to form the slurry, and the stirring device includes a rotatable second blade mechanism which is rotated during the agitating the slurry step.

[0361] 3A. The method according to Examples 1A or 2A, wherein the first speed is faster than the second speed.

[0362] 4A. The method according to any one of Examples 1A-3A, wherein the stirring chamber of the stirring device forms an integral part of a closed slurry recirculation flow loop fluidly coupled to the coarse filter unit. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0363] 5A. The method according to Example 4A, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop comprises a slurry recirculation pump which circulates the slurry through the slurry recirculation flow loop and the stirring device.

[0364] 6A. The method according to Example 5A, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop is fluidly isolated from the mixing device when the slurry is circulating through the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0365] 7A. The method according to Examples 5A or 6A, wherein the stirring device is operable to maintain the slurry in a mixed homogenous state as the slurry circulates through the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0366] 8A. The method according to Example 7A, further comprising measuring a density of the slurry in the mixed homogenous state concurrently with circulating the slurry through the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0367] 9A. The method according to Example 8A, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop comprises a density measurement device which measures the density of the slurry.

[0368] 10A. The method according to Example 9A, wherein the density measurement device is a U-tube vibrational density meter configured to measure slurry in a dynamic flowing state through the meter or a stagnant flow state.

[0369] 1 1A. The method according to any one of Examples 1A-10A, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop is fluidly coupled to a slurry chemical analysis sub-system configured to analyze the slurry for an analyte of agricultural-related significance.

[0370] 12A. The method according to Example 11A, further comprising finely filtering the slurry through a fine filter unit fluidly disposed within the slurry recirculation flow loop before a step of flowing filtered slurry from the fine filter unit to the slurry chemical analysis subsystem.

[0371] 13A. The method according to Example 12A, wherein the fine filter unit is configured to remove solid particle in the slurry having a predetermined second maximum particle size smaller than the predetermined first maximum particle size of the coarse filter unit.

[0372] 14A. The method according to any one of Examples 1A-13A, further comprising pressurizing the flow conduit with air between the mixing device and stirring device to drive the slurry through the coarse filter unit and into the stirring device. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0373] 15A. The method according to Example 14A, wherein the mixing device is fluidly isolated from the flow conduit during the pressurizing step.

[0374] 16A. The method according to Example 1A, further comprising injecting pressurized air and water forming an aerated stream through the coarse filter unit during the coarsely filtering step to prevent solid particles larger than the predetermined first maximum particle size from blocking the filter screen.

[0375] 17A. The method according to Example 16A, wherein the coarsely filtering step comprises flowing the slurry in a first direction through the filter screen and flowing the aerated stream through the filter screen in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0376] 18A. The method according to Example 17A, wherein the slurry enters a first cavity in the coarse filter unit on a first side of the filter screen and the pressurized air and water are injected into a second cavity in the filter unit on a second side of the screen opposite the first side.

[0377] 19A. The method according to Example 18A, wherein the coarse filter unit comprises a slurry inlet configured to flow the slurry in a linear flow path through the first cavity, a waste outlet configured to discharge the oversized particles from the first cavity in the same linear flow path, and a slurry outlet configured to discharge the filtered slurry in a direction transverse to the linear flow path.

[0378] 20A. The method according to any one of Examples 5A-19A, wherein the slurry recirculation flow loop further comprises an accumulator positioned upstream of the slurry pump, the accumulator configured to dampen pressure surges in the slurry recirculation flow loop.

[0379] Additional Examples - Accumulator

[0380] 1B. An inline accumulator for moderating pressure in a slurry flow conduit system, the accumulator comprising: a body defining an elongated chamber; a resiliently deformable diaphragm dividing the chamber into an upper sub-cavity configured to be precharged with an inert gas and a lower sub-cavity configured to convey slurry; the lower sub-cavity defining a geometric longitudinal cavity centerline; a slurry inlet formed at a first end of the lower subcavity and a slurry outlet formed at an opposite second end of the lower sub-chamber, the slurry inlet and slurry outlet being coaxially aligned with each other and defining a longitudinal flow axis extending therebetween; the longitudinal flow axis defined by the slurry inlet and slurry outlet being vertically offset from the longitudinal cavity centerline of lower sub-cavity; 2022278695   22 Jun 2026 wherein the diaphragm deforms due to increases or decreases in pressure of the slurry to maintain a constant pressure in the slurry flow conduit system.

[0381] 2B. The accumulator according to Example 1B, wherein the slurry is flowable through the lower sub-cavity from the slurry inlet to the slurry outlet in a linear flow path.

[0382] 3B. The accumulator according to Examples 1B or 2B, wherein the lower sub-cavity comprises a longitudinally elongated trough formed at a bottom of the body in the lower subcavity configured to collect and move sediment entrained in the slurry through the lower subcavity as the slurry is flowing.

[0383] 4B. The accumulator according to Example 3B, wherein the trough extends along a length of the body completely between the slurry inlet and the slurry outlet.

[0384] 5B. The accumulator according to Examples 3B or 4B, wherein the trough is co-axially aligned with the slurry inlet and outlet.

[0385] 6B. The accumulator according to any one of Examples 3-5B, wherein the trough has a semi-circular transverse cross-sectional shape.

[0386] 7B. The accumulator according to Example 6B, wherein the trough has a different transverse cross-sectional shape than the lower sub-cavity.

[0387] 8B. The accumulator according to Example 7B, wherein the lower sub-cavity has a substantially V-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape.

[0388] 9B. The accumulator according to any one of Examples 3B-8B, wherein the lower subcavity is formed by sloping and converging arcuately curved concave sidewalls of the body of the accumulator which intersect the trough.

[0389] 10B. The accumulator according to any one of Examples 1B-9B, wherein the slurry inlet and slurry outlet are located at a bottom of the lower sub-cavity

[0390] 1 1B. The accumulator according to Example 1B, wherein the lower sub-cavity has a transverse flow path cross sectional area which does not exceed 30 times a transverse minimum cross sectional area of the slurry inlet or the slurry outlet of the accumulator.

[0391] 12B. The accumulator according to Example 11B, wherein the slurry inlet and the slurry outlet each have the same cross-sectional area.

[0392] 13B. The accumulator according to Example 1B, wherein the lower sub-cavity has a substantially V-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0393] 14B. The accumulator according to Example 13B, wherein the upper sub-cavity has a substantially V-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape complementary configured to the transverse cross-sectional shape of the lower sub-cavity.

[0394] 15B. The accumulator according to any one of Examples 1B-14B, wherein the diaphragm is sandwiched and trapped between first and second half-sections of the body which are detachably coupled together.

[0395] 16B. The accumulator according to Example 1B, wherein the accumulator includes a pressurized gas port arranged to precharge the upper sub-cavity with the inert gas.

[0396] 17B. The accumulator according to any one of claims 1B-16B, wherein the slurry is an agricultural slurry.

[0397] 18B. The accumulator according to claim 17B, wherein the agricultural slurry is a soil slurry.

[0398] It bears noting that the unique features recited by foregoing Examples 1B-18B and described in further detail previously herein are directed to an accumulator specifically configured and operable for successfully handling slurries with entrained / suspended solids and sediment such as soil slurries as opposed to those prior accumulator designs which handle liquids alone containing no substantial amount of suspended solids.

[0399] Additional Examples - Slurry Filtering

[0400] 1C. A slurry filter unit comprising: a Y-shaped body having an interior defining an upper cavity and a lower cavity; a filter screen arranged between the upper and lower cavities; an unfiltered slurry inlet fluidly coupled to the upper cavity; a waste outlet fluidly coupled to the upper cavity opposite the unfiltered slurry inlet which defines a slurry inlet flow path in the upper cavity; a filtered slurry outlet fluidly coupled to the lower cavity; wherein the filter unit is configured to pass slurry through the filter screen from the first to second cavities in a direction transverse to the slurry inlet flow path.

[0401] 2C. The slurry filter unit according to Example 1C, wherein the slurry inlet flow path is linear such that the slurry flows parallel to a length of the filter screen.

[0402] 3C. The slurry filter unit according to Examples 1C or 2C, further comprising a pressurized air inlet configured for injecting air and a pressurized water inlet configured for injecting water collectively forming a bubbler for clearing oversize particles from the filter screen. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0403] 4C. The slurry filter unit according to Example 3C, wherein the pressurized air and water inlets are fluidly coupled to the lower cavity below the filter screen.

[0404] 5C. The slurry filter unit according to Example 4C, wherein the pressurized air and water inlets are arranged to flow the pressurized air and water upwards through the filter screen in a direction from the lower cavity to the upper cavity to clear oversized particles from the filter screen.

[0405] 6C. The slurry filter unit according to Example 5C, wherein the filter unit is configured such that the pressurized air and water flow upwards through the filter screen from the lower cavity to the upper cavity.

[0406] 7C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-6C, wherein the filter screen is arcuately curved from side to side in configuration defining a concave side facing the upper cavity and a convex side facing the lower cavity.

[0407] 8C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-7C, wherein the upper cavity is angled downwards relative and obliquely to a horizontal reference plane such that the slurry travels across the filter screen in a same obliquely angled flow path.

[0408] 9C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 2C, 7C, or 8C, wherein the unfiltered slurry inlet is disposed at one end of the upper cavity and a waste outlet is disposed at an opposite end thereof.

[0409] 10C. The slurry filter unit according to Example 9C, wherein the upper cavity is configured so that oversized particles entrained in the slurry mixture which are too large to pass through the screen openings in the filter screen flow in a linear path across the concave upper surface of screen to the waste outlet.

[0410] 1 1C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-10C, wherein the unfiltered slurry inlet comprises a resiliently deformable segmented tubing coupling comprising a plurality of radially deformable elongated fingers with longitudinal slits circumferentially separating the fingers, the tubing coupling configured to insert a flow tube inside the tubing coupling.

[0411] 12C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-11C, wherein the unfiltered slurry inlet and the filtered slurry outlet each define a respective centerline which is parallel to each other. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0412] 13C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-12C, wherein the filter unit is oriented such that the upper cavity is positioned above the lower cavity when the filter unit is in use and the filter screen extends horizontally between the upper and lower cavities.

[0413] 14C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-13C, wherein the slurry comprises water and an agricultural sample material.

[0414] 15C. The slurry filter unit according to Example 14C, wherein the agricultural sample material is soil.

[0415] 16C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-15C, wherein the lower cavity has a oblique frustoconical shape such that the lower cavity narrows moving downwards in direction from an upper portion adjacent the filter screen towards the filtered slurry outlet located at a bottom of the lower cavity.

[0416] 17C. The slurry filter unit according to any one of Examples 1C-16C, wherein the upper cavity of body is covered by a clear plastic cover configured to allow the filter screen to be viewed by a user.

[0417] 18C. A method for filtering a slurry comprising: providing a filter unit comprising a filter screen, an upper cavity formed above the filter screen, and a lower cavity formed below the filter screen; injecting pressurized air and water into the lower cavity to produce an aerated water stream; flowing the aerated water stream through the filter screen into the upper cavity; introducing unfiltered slurry into the upper chamber of a filter unit; and passing the unfiltered slurry through the filter screen in a countercurrent direction to the aerated water stream to produce a filtrate.

[0418] 19C. The method according to Example 18C, wherein the filter unit has Y-shaped body.

[0419] 20C. The method according to Examples 18C or 19C, further comprising: the unfiltered slurry being introduced into the upper chamber in a direction parallel to and flowing along a length of the filter screen from an unfiltered slurry inlet of the filter unit; passing a portion of the slurry with oversized particles entrained in the slurry which are too large to pass through the screen openings in filter screen flow in a linear flow path along an upper surface of the filter screen towards a waste outlet in the upper chamber located directly opposite the unfiltered slurry inlet.

[0420] 21C. The method according to Example 20C, wherein the upper surface of the filter screen is arcuately curved from side to side and concave in shape forming a trough. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0421] 22C. The method according to Examples 20C or 21C, wherein the flow of slurry with entrained oversized particles through the waste outlet is controlled by an openable and closeable waste valve fluidly coupled thereto.

[0422] 23C. The method according to Example 22C, wherein the filter unit is operated in a self-cleaning mode when the waste valve is opened to expel the portion of the slurry with entrained oversized particles simultaneously with the step of passing the unfiltered slurry through the filter screen in a countercurrent direction to the aerated water stream to produce a filtrate.

[0423] 24C. The method according to any one of Examples 18C-23C, wherein the step of injecting pressurized air and water into the lower cavity comprises injecting pressurizes water first followed by applying air pressure to produce the aerated water stream.

[0424] 25C. The method according to any one of Examples 18C-24C, wherein the air is injected through an air inlet port in the lower cavity which is separate from water inlet portion therein through which the pressurized water is injected.

[0425] While the foregoing description and drawings represent some example systems, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods / processes described herein may be made. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. 2022278695   22 Jun 2026

[0426] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0427] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A slurry stirring device comprising:an elongated housing defining a vertical centerline and a stirring chamber;a slurry inlet configured to receive the slurry, a slurry recirculation inlet configured for fluid coupling to a closed slurry recirculation flow loop, and a slurry recirculation outlet configured for fluid coupling to the slurry recirculation flow loop;a rotatable blade mechanism configured to maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition in the stirring chamber; anda motor operably coupled to the rotatable blade mechanism and configured to rotate the rotatable blade mechanism, wherein the rotatable blade mechanism comprises:a first blade assembly including a first drive shaft operably coupled to the motor and a first set of blades fixedly coupled thereto, first drive shaft is vertically oriented and the first set of blades disposed in a bottom portion of the stirring chamber;a second blade assembly including a vertically oriented second drive shaft operably coupled to the motor and a second set of blades fixedly coupled thereto and disposed in a bottom portion of the stirring chamber;wherein the stirring chamber has a figure eight shape in transverse cross section forming a first section and a second section separated by a narrowed throat area of the stirring chamber;characterized in that the slurry recirculation outlet is disposed in the narrowed throat area of the stirring chamber between the first and second sections.

2. The slurry stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second drive shafts are operably coupled to the motor by a gear train.

3. The slurry stirring device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the first blade assembly is rotatable in a first rotational direction and the second blade assembly is rotatable in a second rotational direction.

4. The slurry stirring device according to claim 3, wherein the slurry recirculation inlet is configured to introduce slurry from the slurry recirculation flow loop tangentially to an interior sidewall of the stirring chamber.2022278695   22 Jun 20265. The slurry stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the slurry recirculation inlet is further configured to introduce the slurry into the stirring chamber in a same direction as the second rotational direction of the second blade assembly.

6. The slurry stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the first blade assembly is disposed in the first section of the stirring chamber and the second blade assembly is disposed in the second section of the stirring chamber.

7. The slurry stirring device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the stirring device further comprises an overflow port fluidly coupled to a top end of the stirring chamber and a waste outlet port fluidly coupled to a bottom of the stirring chamber.

8. The slurry stirring device according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a water inlet configured to add water to the slurry to dilute the slurry.

9. The slurry stirring device according to any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a level sensor configured to measure a level of slurry in the stirring chamber, wherein a rotational speed of the stirring blade mechanism is controlled and adjusted based on the level of slurry in the stirring chamber measured by the level sensor.

10. The slurry stirring device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the housing of the stirring device has a segmented construction comprising a removable top cover, a top section, a mid-section, and a bottom section.

11. The slurry stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the slurry inlet is positioned to introduce slurry into an upper portion of the stirring chamber, and the slurry recirculation inlet and the slurry recirculation outlet are positioned to introduce and extract the slurry from a lower portion of the stirring chamber.

12. The slurry stirring device according to claim 11, wherein the slurry inlet is formed through a top section of the housing and obliquely angled to the vertical centerline of the housing to deliver slurry at a similar angle inwards into the stirring chamber.

13. The slurry stirring device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the slurry recirculation inlet and the slurry recirculation outlet are configured to introduce and extract slurry from the stirring chamber respectively in a direction transverse to the vertical centerline of the housing.2022278695   22 Jun 202614. The slurry stirring device according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the slurry recirculation inlet is configured to introduce slurry from the slurry recirculation flow loop tangentially along a sidewall of the stirring chamber to reduce air entrainment in the slurry.

Images