Soil Slurry Sampling for Parallel Nutrient Analysis
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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 soil sampling processes are used (drying and grinding samples), then sample preparation is thorough, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the soil sample by creating a slurry (suspension in liquid) instead of drying and grinding solid samples. This parameter change allows direct chemical analysis without time-consuming drying and grinding steps, resolving the contradiction between preparation quality and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential component needed for analysis - the soluble chemical nutrients from soil - by dissolving soil in water to create slurry. This extraction approach eliminates unnecessary steps (drying, grinding) while retaining the critical analytical information, reducing time while maintaining preparation quality
2Productivity
If traditional soil sampling processes are used, then samples are processed sequentially, but multiple samples cannot be analyzed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis system into multiple independent processing channels, each capable of handling one sample. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing system where the same apparatus (mixer, filter, analysis chamber) can handle multiple different sample types (soil, manure, vegetation) through standardized procedures. This multi-functionality increases productivity across diverse samples without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Loss of time
If samples are processed in 'as collected' condition, then processing time is reduced, but sample handling requirements change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance that mediates between the raw soil sample and the analysis system. The water transforms the solid soil into a liquid slurry, making it easier to handle, filter, and analyze without requiring time-consuming drying and grinding, thus reducing preparation time while simplifying handling through the liquid medium
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, improving the speed and accuracy of nutrient and chemical property determination, thereby optimizing crop production.
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.