Automated Soil Slurry Sampling for Multi-Analyte Concurrent Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling processes are inefficient as they require drying and grinding of samples, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and do not allow for simultaneous analysis of multiple samples.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated computer-controlled sampling system that processes soil samples in their 'as collected' condition, creating a slurry with water and filtering it for chemical analysis, enabling simultaneous and rapid analysis of multiple samples for various chemical properties without the need for drying and grinding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional drying and grinding processes are used for soil samples, then sample preparation is thorough, but processing time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the sample preparation process by eliminating drying and grinding steps. Instead of converting wet soil to dry powder form, the system processes samples in their natural moist state, fundamentally altering the preparation parameters to achieve both speed and analytical accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the time-consuming drying and grinding operations from the traditional sample preparation workflow. By taking out these unnecessary steps and directly processing the wet sample, the system achieves rapid analysis while maintaining measurement precision through automated mixing and filtration
2Measurement precision
If traditional sequential processing is used for soil samples, then each sample receives individual attention, but multiple samples cannot be analyzed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sample processing workflow into independent modular stages (mixing, filtration, extraction, analysis) that can operate in parallel. Multiple samples are divided into separate processing streams within the automated system, allowing simultaneous handling while maintaining individual sample integrity and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous automated processing where multiple samples move through the analysis pipeline without interruption. The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically transferring samples between processing stages, eliminating idle time between samples while ensuring each receives proper individual processing attention
3Measurement precision
If manual sample processing steps are used, then detailed control over each step is possible, but labor intensity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs sample processing steps autonomously without requiring manual intervention for each operation. The system self-manages the mixing, filtration, and analysis processes through programmed automation, maintaining precise control over each step while eliminating the need for operators to manually perform repetitive tasks, thereby improving ease of 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 allows for rapid and efficient analysis of soil samples, as well as other agricultural samples like vegetation and manure, providing a comprehensive chemical profile with reduced processing time and labor, while maintaining sample integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a mixer-filter apparatus which mixes the collected raw soil sample in the 'as sampled' condition (e.g. undried and unground) with water to form a sample slurry
Implementation Method 2
The mixer-filter apparatus then filters the slurry during its extraction from the apparatus
Implementation Method 3
centrifugating the slurry sample to yield a clear supernatant
Implementation Method 4
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 (i.e. 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 sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.