Automated Soil Sampling System Slurry Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling processes are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring drying and grinding of samples before analysis, which slows down the testing process and limits the ability to analyze multiple samples simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An automated computer-controlled sampling system that processes agricultural samples, such as soil, in their 'as collected' condition, using a sample preparation subsystem to create a slurry and a chemical analysis subsystem for rapid and simultaneous analysis of multiple samples without the need for drying and grinding, allowing for continuous processing and analysis of plant-available nutrients and other chemical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional drying and grinding processes are used for soil samples, then sample preparation is thorough, but processing time increases and multiple samples cannot be analyzed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the sample from dry to wet/slurry form, eliminating the need for drying. It also changes the particle size parameter by using coarse grinding instead of fine grinding, which suffices for chemical analysis. These parameter changes enable rapid simultaneous analysis of multiple samples while maintaining analytical integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mixing of soil samples with water to create slurries before analysis, and maintains a ready supply of reagents and filters. This preliminary preparation allows multiple samples to be processed simultaneously through pre-configured analysis stations, dramatically reducing total processing time
2Productivity
If traditional sequential processing is used, then each sample receives adequate attention, but the ability to analyze multiple samples simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis system is divided into multiple independent stations, each capable of processing a sample through the complete analysis sequence. Multiple samples can be processed in parallel at different stations, increasing throughput. Each station is a simplified replicate of the others, making the system scalable without proportionally increasing individual station complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal components such as identical filter types, common reagent reservoirs, and standardized analysis protocols across all processing stations. This multi-functionality allows the same equipment to handle multiple samples simultaneously while maintaining consistent quality, without requiring unique complex equipment for each sample
3Loss of time
If samples are processed in 'as collected' condition, then processing time is reduced, but sample integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Water serves as an intermediary medium that preserves sample integrity during rapid processing. The slurry formation prevents sample degradation while enabling quick processing. The water-based medium maintains chemical stability of nutrients and allows for immediate analysis without the time loss associated with traditional drying, thus preserving both sample integrity and processing efficiency
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 enables rapid and efficient analysis of multiple agricultural samples, improving the speed and accuracy of nutrient analysis and reducing the time required for soil testing, while maintaining the integrity of the samples.
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.