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

Prototype 3 - Test Prototype 3 - Test ResultsResults

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?

Field PrototypeField Prototype

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