Soil Slurry Sampling for Concurrent 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
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional drying and grinding processes are used for soil samples, then sample preparation thoroughness is improved, 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 (removing the need to change moisture content) and grinding (removing the need to change particle size distribution). Instead, raw soil samples are directly mixed with extraction solution to form slurry, fundamentally altering the preparation parameters from solid-state processing to liquid-state extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the time-consuming drying and grinding steps from the traditional sample preparation workflow. By taking out these intermediate processing stages and proceeding directly to extraction with raw samples, the system eliminates the trade-off between thoroughness and time consumption.
2Measurement precision
If traditional sequential processing is used for soil samples, then individual sample analysis accuracy is maintained, but overall productivity and throughput decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sample processing system into multiple independent but parallel processing channels. Each channel can handle a different sample simultaneously through separate extraction, filtration, and analysis units, allowing multiple samples to be processed concurrently while maintaining individual analysis accuracy through isolated processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing where sample introduction, extraction, filtration, and analysis occur in an uninterrupted flow. Multiple samples move through the system in continuous succession without idle time between processing steps, maximizing productivity while automated controls ensure each sample receives appropriate treatment for accurate measurement.
3Ease of operation
If manual sample preparation steps are used, then process control flexibility is maintained, but automation level and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control systems that automatically monitor and adjust processing parameters throughout the sample analysis workflow. Sensors detect sample properties, extraction efficiency, and instrument conditions, with the control system making real-time adjustments to maintain optimal performance, providing automated flexibility without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automated sample introduction, reagent addition, filtration, and data processing. The instrument autonomously completes the entire workflow from raw sample to analytical result without requiring manual operation at each step, achieving high automation while maintaining process control through programmed sequences and automated decision-making algorithms.
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.