Refrigerated Organic Soil Amendment Storage and Metered Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for storing and dispensing concentrated organic soil amendments or fertilizers are cumbersome and pose occupational hazards when diluting large quantities, particularly in large administering areas, as they require heavy containers and lack efficient metering and refrigeration for maintaining microorganism viability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated storage and metered dilution system comprising a storage tank with a fluid inlet and outlet, connected to a product tank via a flow meter and an eductor, which mixes the concentrate with water from a supply line, utilizing quick connect couplings and backflow check valves for safety and precision, along with a recirculation pump and venturi mixer for efficient dilution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If concentrated organic soil amendment is stored and diluted using traditional vehicle mounted tanks, then large quantities can be stored, but the system becomes cumbersome and poses occupational hazards due to heavy containers
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage and dispensing function into separate components: a stationary storage tank for bulk concentrate storage and a portable spray unit for dispensing. This segmentation allows large quantities to be stored safely in place while the dispensing unit remains lightweight and easy to operate, eliminating the need to handle heavy containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the flow meter and eductor system) between the storage tank and the spray unit. This intermediary enables automatic metering and mixing of the concentrate with water, eliminating the need for manual handling and mixing of heavy concentrate containers while maintaining precise control over the application rate.
2Quantity of substance
If concentrated organic soil amendment is diluted manually in large quantities, then sufficient volume is available for large areas, but the dilution process becomes slow and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical mixing with an automatic eductor-based mixing system. The eductor uses water pressure to automatically draw in and mix the concentrate from the storage tank, eliminating slow manual mixing operations and enabling rapid production of large volumes of diluted solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation where water flows continuously through the eductor, continuously drawing in and mixing concentrate from the storage tank. This continuous process allows for rapid and efficient production of large quantities of diluted solution without interruption or manual intervention.
3Device complexity
If concentrated organic soil amendment is stored without refrigeration, then storage is simpler, but microorganism viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the storage tank with refrigeration capability, combining the functions of storage and temperature control in a single integrated unit. This allows the concentrate to be stored with maintained microorganism viability through refrigeration while keeping the system relatively simple and manageable.
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 provides a safe, efficient, and precise method for storing and dispensing organic soil amendments or fertilizers, maintaining microorganism viability through refrigeration and precise dilution, reducing operator hazards and improving handling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the storage tank is refrigerated
Implementation Method 2
an eductor connecting to a water supply on one end and the product tank on the other end, wherein the concentrate stored in the storage tank is metered in via the first flow meter and mixed in the product tank with water from the water supply
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid storage and dispensing system for an organic soil amendment concentrate or fertilizer, comprises a storage tank (100), which comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the storage tank is refrigerated, a first flow meter (420) connecting the fluid outlet of the storage tank on one end and a product tank (800) on the other end, a second flow meter (440) connecting to a water supply line on one end, an eductor (540) connecting to the second flow meter on one end and the product tank (800) on the other end, wherein the a concentrate stored in the storage tank (100) is metered in via the first flow meter (420) and mixed in the product tank (800) with water metered via the second flow meter (440). The storage tank may comprise interconnected holding tanks that are re-circulated. At least one water tank may be included between the water supply and the second flow meter.