Single Pump Agitation Nozzle for Liquid Manure Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for liquid manure transfer in large animal farming require two separate pumps for agitation and transfer, increasing equipment costs, maintenance, and operator time, while often resulting in inadequate agitation and incomplete emptying of holding tanks.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single pump with a directable agitation nozzle and electronic controller for automated liquid manure transfer, where the pump is partially immersed in the liquid manure, allowing for simultaneous agitation and transfer, reducing the need for multiple pumps and optimizing emptying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate pumps are used (one for agitation, one for transfer), then agitation function is provided, but equipment cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it can pump liquid manure from the holding tank to the lagoon, and it can also agitate the liquid manure by directing pumped liquid back into the tank through a nozzle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate agitation and transfer pumps, reducing equipment cost and maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable agitation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the agitation function and transfer function into a single pump system. The pump merges both operations by using the pumped liquid itself as the agitation medium, directing it back into the holding tank through a nozzle to create agitation, thereby consolidating two separate functions into one integrated system
2Reliability
If recirculating pump is used for agitation, then agitation is provided, but complete emptying of holding tank is prevented or requires longer agitation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary agitation by pumping liquid manure from the bottom of the holding tank and directing it back into the tank through a nozzle before complete transfer begins. This preliminary action suspends settled solids and ensures uniform mixture, enabling complete and rapid emptying without requiring prolonged agitation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system dynamically alternates between agitation mode (directing liquid back into the tank) and transfer mode (pumping to lagoon). This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve both thorough agitation and complete emptying by switching between functions during the transfer process, maximizing productivity while ensuring complete tank emptying
3Reliability
If agitating pump runs for sufficient period to ensure adequate suspension, then manure particles are adequately suspended, but operator time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-regulating and automatic. The single pump automatically performs both agitation and transfer functions based on tank level sensors, eliminating the need for operator intervention to switch between pumps or monitor agitation duration. The system ensures adequate suspension through its design while minimizing operator time to simple monitoring and startup/shutdown tasks
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
This solution reduces capital and maintenance costs, minimizes operator time, and ensures more thorough agitation and complete emptying of the tank in a shorter period.
Implementation Method 1
a pump comprising a pump motor configured to move the liquid manure from the receptacle into the pump
Implementation Method 2
a second valve configured to control liquid flow out of the pump through a directable agitation nozzle into the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method that automatically transfer liquid manure from an intermediate holding receptacle to a lagoon involves a common pump for both agitating the liquid manure in and pumping the liquid manure from the receptacle. A pump motor, first valve, second valve and directable agitation nozzle of the pump are controlled by an electronic controller. The electronic controller switches on the pump motor, ensures that the first valve is closed and ensures that the second valve is open when the receptacle is full, directs the nozzle to at least two different locations in the receptacle to permit liquid manure to be redirected to the at least two different locations to agitate the liquid manure for a predetermined period of time, and opens the first valve after the predetermined period of time to permit pumping of the liquid manure from the receptacle to the lagoon. The system and method reduce equipment cost, equipment maintenance and the amount of operator time required to perform liquid manure transfer, while providing better agitation and more complete emptying of the receptacle in a shorter period of time.