Floating Manure Agitator With Jet Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manure agitators are inefficient in suspending sludge solids uniformly across manure lagoons, often leading to sludge buildup, are difficult to maneuver, and pose risks to the lagoon bottom due to high-speed operations, which can result in groundwater contamination.
Innovation Solution
A floating manure agitator with a slurry pump and multiple slurry outputs, equipped with a remote control system for steering and speed control, allowing for deep agitation and vortex creation to suspend sludge solids effectively while minimizing hydrogen sulfide release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a propeller or auger is used to agitate sludge, then solids are suspended into the supernatant, but the agitation is limited to a narrow area and requires time-consuming movement to achieve even distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation function is segmented into multiple independent nozzles distributed across the lagoon surface. Each nozzle independently suspends sludge at its location, and by moving the floating vehicle across the lagoon, comprehensive coverage is achieved without requiring a single large agitator to be moved repeatedly.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating vehicle is self-propelled through water jet propulsion generated by the slurry pump system. The same pump that suspends sludge also propels the vehicle, eliminating the need for separate propulsion mechanisms and enabling autonomous movement to different lagoon areas for comprehensive sludge distribution.
2Productivity
If the propeller or auger rotation speed is increased to move more sludge into suspension, then agitation effectiveness improves, but the risk of damaging the lagoon bottom increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic jet propulsion and hydraulic suspension instead of mechanical contact with the lagoon bottom. High-pressure water jets suspend sludge particles and propel the vehicle without mechanical parts contacting or scraping the lagoon bottom, eliminating the risk of bottom damage while maintaining effective agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical propeller or auger system that directly contacts and stirs sludge is replaced with a hydraulic system. The slurry pump creates high-velocity water jets that suspend sludge particles and provide propulsion, substituting mechanical agitation with hydraulic forces that do not damage the lagoon bottom.
3Ease of operation
If prior art agitators are operated from shore with long agitators, then some sludge mixing is achieved, but it is difficult to mix sludge at the center of the lagoon
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation system transitions from a static shore-based operation to a dynamic floating vehicle that can move freely across the entire lagoon surface. The vehicle's ability to navigate to the center and all areas of the lagoon enables comprehensive sludge mixing that was previously unachievable from shore.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating vehicle combines multiple functions in one device: sludge suspension, water jet propulsion, and autonomous navigation. This multi-functional system can operate independently in the center of the lagoon without requiring shore-based infrastructure, achieving universal coverage of the entire lagoon area.
4Speed
If a large vehicle with fluid intake and pump is lowered into the lagoon for agitation, then deep sludge agitation is possible, but the device is not easily maneuverable and requires elaborate guide systems
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle uses its own slurry pump system to generate propulsion through water jet thrust. The same pump that provides deep agitation capability also creates the propulsion force, making the vehicle self-propelled and highly maneuverable without requiring external cables, winches, or guide systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic jet propulsion replaces mechanical cable-based maneuvering systems. The slurry pump directs high-velocity water jets to propel the vehicle in desired directions, providing easy and precise control without requiring elaborate shore-based guide wires and securement posts.
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
The floating agitator efficiently suspends sludge solids across the lagoon, reduces sludge buildup, is easily maneuverable, and minimizes the risk of groundwater contamination by allowing precise control and quick operation.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle may be equipped with a fluid intake, a pump and a fluid output to draw supernatant into the pump and force the supernatant at high speed downward toward the sludge. The nozzles are configured to direct the fluid downward into the lagoon a sufficient distance to agitate the solids in the bottom of the lagoon into suspension and create vortices within the lagoon to assist in carrying solids within the sludge into suspension in the supernatant.
Implementation Method 2
a floating manure agitator is provided with a floating vessel and a power source
Data Source
AI summary
A floating manure agitator that floats on the surface of a manure lagoon and that may be remotely controlled to agitate manure supernatant into a slurry with sludge settling on the bottom of the lagoon. The agitator is provided with a plurality of fluid outputs, the direction of which may be controlled to motivate and steer the agitator. The outputs are angled to develop vortices of supernatant into the sludge to further mix the materials into a slurry.