Soil Slurry Sampling Workflow 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
An 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 is thorough, but processing time is excessive and labor intensity is high
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 original wet state, fundamentally altering the preparation parameters to achieve both quality results and reduced processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the time-consuming drying and grinding operations from the sample preparation workflow. By taking out these unnecessary steps and directly processing samples in liquid form, the system eliminates the contradiction between thorough preparation and processing speed
2Measurement precision
If traditional sequential processing is used for soil samples, then each sample is analyzed carefully, but multiple samples cannot be analyzed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sample processing workflow into independent parallel streams, where multiple samples can be prepared and analyzed simultaneously in separate reaction vessels or flow channels. This segmentation allows each sample to receive individual attention for accurate analysis while enabling high-throughput processing of multiple samples concurrently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing system that can handle multiple different sample types and analysis requirements through a single integrated platform. The system's multi-functional capability allows it to process various samples simultaneously while maintaining the precision required for accurate measurement of each
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual sample preparation steps are used, then flexibility in handling different samples is maintained, but automation and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic automated system that can adapt its processing parameters and protocols based on the specific sample type being analyzed. The automation includes programmable controls that allow flexible adjustment of mixing speeds, extraction times, and analysis parameters, maintaining adaptability while achieving high-level automation and 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 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 increased efficiency.
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 for processing in the chemical analysis sub-system
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.