Agricultural Sample Slurry Preparation for Concurrent Soil Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling processes are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring drying and grinding of samples before analysis, and lack the ability to process multiple samples simultaneously for various chemical properties.
Innovation Solution
An automated computer-controlled sampling system that processes agricultural samples in their 'as collected' condition, using a sample preparation sub-system to mix samples with water, filter out large particles, and achieve a target water-to-soil ratio, followed by a chemical analysis sub-system for quantifying analytes through extractant addition, filtration, and colorimetric analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional soil sampling processes are used (drying and grinding samples), then sample preparation is thorough, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the soil sample from dry to wet/slurry form, eliminating the need for drying and grinding steps while maintaining adequate sample preparation quality for chemical analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the time-consuming drying and grinding steps from the traditional sample preparation process, retaining only the essential mixing and filtering operations needed for adequate sample preparation
2Productivity
If traditional soil sampling processes are used, then samples are processed sequentially, but multiple samples cannot be processed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sample processing system into independent parallel processing lines, each capable of handling one sample through the complete workflow (mixing, filtering, extraction, analysis), enabling multiple samples to be processed simultaneously without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal processing system where identical equipment and protocols can handle multiple different sample types and analytes simultaneously through parallel processing lines, increasing productivity without requiring specialized complex equipment for each sample type
3Productivity
If samples are processed in 'as collected' condition, then processing is rapid and simple, but filtration is required to remove large particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a two-stage filtration system that segments the filtration process into coarse filtration (removing large particles) and fine filtration (removing smaller particles), allowing rapid processing of wet samples while adequately removing particles that would interfere with chemical analysis
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 simultaneous and rapid analysis of multiple samples for different analytes and chemical properties without drying or grinding, providing accurate and efficient soil nutrient profiling for agricultural fields.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing device which mixes the collected raw soil sample in the 'as sampled' condition (e.g. undried and unground) with a diluent such as water to form a sample slurry
Implementation Method 2
The unfiltered slurry is then coarsely filtered through a coarse filter unit to remove larger than desired oversized solid particles
Implementation Method 3
The filtered slurry (filtrate) then enters a closed slurry recirculation flow loop configured to circulate the slurry for determining the water to solids ratio of the slurry
Implementation Method 4
various components forming integral parts of the flow loop are configured to circulate the slurry in the closed flow loop, suppress pressure surges, measure slurry density
Implementation Method 5
The extracted and filtered slurry is then processed through chemical analysis sub-system which quantifies the concentration or level of the analyte(s) of interest
Implementation Method 6
Extractant is added to the slurry to pull out plant available nutrients
Implementation Method 7
adding/mixing a color-changing reagent with the supernatant, and finally 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 (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.