Mobile Slurry Distribution System pH Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fertilizing crops with slurry are inefficient, leading to ammonia emission and nutrient imbalance, resulting in reduced fertilizing effect and environmental damage due to overdosing or under-dosing of nutrients.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system that adjusts the pH of slurry by adding acid and nitrogen-containing compounds, optimizing the nutrient balance and reducing ammonia emission through a slurry tanker mounted on a mobile unit, equipped with acid and nitrogen tanks, and sensors for real-time nutrient measurement and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If slurry is distributed on top of the soil, then distribution speed and ease of operation are improved, but ammonia emission increases and fertilizing effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by adjusting the pH of slurry before distribution, converting ammonia to ammonium in advance. This prevents ammonia emission during distribution while maintaining the ease and speed of top-dressing application method.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the chemical parameter (pH) of the slurry by adding acid, transforming the ammonia-nitrogen to ammonium-nitrogen. This parameter change eliminates ammonia volatilization while preserving the benefits of surface application.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If acid is added to reduce pH and prevent ammonia emission, then ammonia emission is reduced, but the nutrient balance is disrupted and additional fertilizer distribution is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the slurry itself as the source of nitrogen by converting its ammonia content to ammonium, which then serves the dual purpose of fertilization and pH adjustment. The ammonium decomposition later provides additional acidification, creating a self-regulating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the chemical form of nitrogen from ammonia to ammonium through pH adjustment, and utilizes the subsequent decomposition of ammonium to naturally restore pH balance, eliminating the need for additional fertilizer applications.
3Quantity of substance
If slurry is used for fertilization, then organic nitrogen and minerals are provided, but ammonia evaporates depleting nitrogen source and reducing fertilizing value
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conversion of ammonia to ammonium before distribution, preventing nitrogen loss through evaporation. This preserves the nitrogen content in the slurry, maintaining its fertilizing value while providing both organic and mineral nitrogen to crops.
4Ease of operation
If traditional slurry distribution is used, then application is simple and fast, but nutrient ratio does not match crop needs resulting in under-treating or overdosing
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the chemical composition and pH of the slurry to optimize nutrient availability and balance. This enhances the precision of nutrient delivery while maintaining the simplicity of the distribution process, as the pH adjustment occurs automatically during the distribution operation.
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 system enhances the fertilizing value of slurry, reduces ammonia emission, and optimizes nutrient distribution, minimizing the need for additional fertilizers, thereby saving time and money while ensuring sustainable nutrient delivery to crops.
Implementation Method 1
lowering the pH of the slurry converts ammonia into ammonium which does not evaporate
Implementation Method 2
The balance between ammonium and ammonia depends on the pH of the slurry
Implementation Method 3
The nitrogen present in the slurry is both organically bound nitrogen as well as mineral nitrogen
Implementation Method 4
a slurry conduit, where said slurry tanker is in liquid communication with acid adding means for adding/injecting an acid to said content of said slurry tanker
Implementation Method 5
said mobile system further comprises a foam generating means, said foam generating means turns at least a part of said content of said slurry tanker into foam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
This invention describes a mobile system (101) for optimising the fertilizing value of a slurry, such as a liquid manure, where said mobile system is mounted on a mobile unit (103) and comprises a slurry tanker (105, 107); where said slurry tanker comprises a container (105) and a slurry conduit (107), where said slurry tanker is in liquid communication with acid adding means (111, 113) for adding/injecting an acid to said content of said slurry tanker, where said slurry tanker and/or acid adding means is in liquid communication with distributing means (110) for allowing a modified slurry to be placed on the application site, and where said slurry conduit transports a content of said slurry tanker from said container to said distributing means, wherein said mobile unit comprises at least one nitrogen tank (109) containing a liquid nitrogen-containing composition and nitrogen injecting means (238, 239, 240) for adding said liquid nitrogen-containing composition to said content of said slurry tanker.