Fertilizer Distribution Fertilizer Distribution for Strip-till for Strip-till EquipmentEquipment
Ben Feider, Tyson Meeks, Tim MillerBen Feider, Tyson Meeks, Tim Miller
Prior Work (Kyle Prior Work (Kyle Gutknecht)Gutknecht)
FeaturesFeatures 16” vertical distribution band16” vertical distribution band Air compressor drivenAir compressor driven 10 individual channels10 individual channels Balance flow rate between Balance flow rate between
channelschannels Our useOur use
Sleek packaging provided concept Sleek packaging provided concept for final designfor final design
Provided venturi for air seeder Provided venturi for air seeder simulationsimulation
Project SpecificationsProject Specifications
Can operate behind a 3/4 inch wide shankCan operate behind a 3/4 inch wide shank Will pass application rates of 300 Lbs Will pass application rates of 300 Lbs
fertilizer/acre at 5 MPH travel speedfertilizer/acre at 5 MPH travel speed Can attach to common air seeder outputsCan attach to common air seeder outputs Can withstand subsoil environmentCan withstand subsoil environment Costs less than $300 per unit for productionCosts less than $300 per unit for production Distributes fertilizer on 4-6 inch vertical bandDistributes fertilizer on 4-6 inch vertical band Distribution between ports of Distribution between ports of ±5% of mean±5% of mean Attaches to tillage shanks in under 10 minutes Attaches to tillage shanks in under 10 minutes
DeliverablesDeliverables Oral concept review (7/06)Oral concept review (7/06) Mid project report (8/06)Mid project report (8/06) Detailed design review (today)Detailed design review (today) Final Proof of Concept (10/15)Final Proof of Concept (10/15) Field prototype (11/1)Field prototype (11/1) Project Website (ongoing updates)Project Website (ongoing updates) Design Snapshot (12/1)Design Snapshot (12/1) Final project report (12/15)Final project report (12/15)
Prototype 1 – ManifoldingPrototype 1 – Manifolding
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned Prototyping with wood and Prototyping with wood and
plexiglass is very quickplexiglass is very quick Diffuser/manifold concept Diffuser/manifold concept
has potentialhas potential Short diffuser caused Short diffuser caused
reverse flow on edgesreverse flow on edges Flat areas made Flat areas made
unpredictable flow patternsunpredictable flow patterns
Prototype 2 – DiffuserPrototype 2 – Diffuser
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned Fewer plugged holes with new Fewer plugged holes with new
manifold and diffusermanifold and diffuser Upstream flow patterns caused Upstream flow patterns caused
uneven particle inputuneven particle input Air measurements needed to Air measurements needed to
judge flow balancingjudge flow balancing
Prototype 3 Prototype 3
2 Different Modules 2 Different Modules for conditioning for conditioning incoming air/particle incoming air/particle mixturemixture Physical Randomizer Physical Randomizer
(Plinko) above (Plinko) above diffuserdiffuser
Flow straightener Flow straightener below venturibelow venturi
Prototype 3 - FeaturesPrototype 3 - Features
PlinkoPlinko Two banks for thorough mixingTwo banks for thorough mixing Removable pins to test best configurationRemovable pins to test best configuration
Flow straightenerFlow straightener Large diameter tubes to allow particle Large diameter tubes to allow particle
passagepassage
Next PrototypeNext Prototype
Convert manifold and diffuser Convert manifold and diffuser to 1X6 geometryto 1X6 geometry
Merge plinko and diffuser to Merge plinko and diffuser to one pieceone piece
Take individual air flow Take individual air flow measurementsmeasurements
Numerically evaluate air Numerically evaluate air seeder simulationseeder simulation
Test effect of different length Test effect of different length hoses on air flowhoses on air flow
Test PlanTest Plan
Venturi Nozzle
DiffuserManifold
Individual Tubes
Pressure GaugeHot Wire
Anemometer
Hot WireAnemometer
MassBalance
Performance TestingPerformance Testing
Determine effect of various flow rates on Determine effect of various flow rates on distributiondistribution
Determine effect of small tube length on Determine effect of small tube length on distributiondistribution
Is fertilizer variation <10% across depth?Is fertilizer variation <10% across depth?
Manufacturing PlanManufacturing Plan
Single Test UnitSingle Test Unit CNC Mill distributor in plasticCNC Mill distributor in plastic Weld plates together for shroudWeld plates together for shroud Bend or weld strap for connectorBend or weld strap for connector
Mass ProductionMass Production Mold two halves of distributorMold two halves of distributor Bend shroud from large stockBend shroud from large stock Bend strap for connectorBend strap for connector