Agricultural Sampling Mixer-Filter for As-Collected Soil Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling processes require drying and grinding of samples, which are time-consuming and inefficient, and do not allow for simultaneous analysis of multiple samples.
Innovation Solution
An automated computer-controlled sampling system that processes soil samples in their 'as collected' condition, forming a slurry with water and filtering it for analysis, including a mixer-filter apparatus and a chemical analysis sub-system for rapid and concurrent analysis of multiple samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional drying and grinding processes are used for soil samples, then sample preparation is thorough, but processing time is excessive and multiple samples cannot be analyzed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the sample from dry to wet by using slurry preparation. Instead of drying the soil sample to a specific moisture content, the method uses samples in their natural wet state and prepares them as slurries with water, eliminating the time-consuming drying step while maintaining analytical accuracy through proper slurry formulation and filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical grinding process with a chemical/extraction-based approach. Instead of mechanically grinding dried samples to fine powder, the method uses slurry preparation followed by extraction and filtration to achieve the necessary sample homogenization and particle size reduction for analysis, significantly reducing processing time.
2Measurement precision
If traditional sequential processing is used for soil samples, then each sample is analyzed individually, but productivity is low and multiple samples cannot be processed concurrently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis process into independent parallel streams where multiple samples can be prepared as slurries, extracted, and analyzed simultaneously. Each sample follows its own processing pathway through the system, allowing concurrent analysis of multiple samples while maintaining individual sample integrity and analytical precision through separate filtration and measurement channels.
3Productivity
If drying and grinding steps are eliminated, then processing speed increases, but sample preparation complexity must be managed differently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mixing and filtration functions into an integrated slurry preparation and filtration system. The slurry mixer combines sample, water, and extractant in a single vessel, and the resulting slurry is directly filtered without intermediate drying or grinding steps, simplifying the overall process flow while maintaining preparation quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and efficient analysis of soil, vegetation, and manure samples without drying or grinding, allowing for simultaneous processing and analysis of multiple samples.
Implementation Method 1
a mixer-filter apparatus which mixes the collected raw soil sample in the 'as sampled' condition (e.g. undried and unground) with water to form a sample slurry
Implementation Method 2
The mixer-filter apparatus then filters the slurry during its extraction from the apparatus
Implementation Method 3
centrifugating the slurry sample to yield a clear supernatant
Implementation Method 4
sensing or analysis for detection of the analytes and/or chemical properties such as via colorimetric analysis
Data Source
AI summary
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. 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 (i.e. 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 sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples. A soil collection system is disclosed which captures and directs samples to the sampling system for processing.