Fertilizer dispensing method

Details Fertilizer dispensing method Fertilizer dispensing method

2000-01-03

2002-02-26

Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application

Specific application, apparatus or process

Article handling

C700S239000, C700S241000, C700S265000, C141S104000, C141S105000, C222S014000, C222S136000, C137S606000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06351687

ABSTRACT:

The invention deals with the field of fertilizer handling and in particular with systems for distributing and dispensing fertilizer.
BACKGROUND
Demand for fertilizer is seasonal as the majority of fertilizer is applied at seeding or immediately before, usually over the course of four to six weeks out of a year. This very intense but short demand is difficult for fertilizer distributors to economically manage since it requires high labour input for a short period of time. It is difficult to find workers, as in farming areas there is a high labour demand at that time of year from everyone in agriculture.
Demand is increasing for blended fertilizers as more farmers soil test to determine what combination of nutrients is right for a particular field. They need to obtain the proper blend of different fertilizers so that the particular nutrients may be applied. Today's farmers therefore need more different blends and correspondingly smaller quantities of each blend. This makes on farm storage difficult with the result that more fertilizer is picked up by farmers as they apply it, further increasing the peak demand.
With consolidation of all kinds of rural services, including fertilizer dealers, in the larger towns, there are increased distances to the farms where the fertilizer is required. This puts a stress on the farmers' resources as well since more time and expense is involved in going to pick up the required fertilizer at a time when labour is usually already stretched to its limits.
Granular standard fertilizers are manufactured in more or less standard nutrient amounts and delivered to fertilizer dealers. The amount of a given nutrient in a standard fertilizer is designated by a number indicating the percentage of nutrient contained. The numbers are standardized, in Western Canada at least, such that the percentage of nitrogen is first, then phosphorus, then potassium and then sulfur.
For example a standard phosphate fertilizer may have an analysis of 11-52-0 meaning in 100 pounds of product there will be 11 pounds of nitrogen, 52 pounds of phosphorus and no potassium or sulfur. A standard nitrogen fertilizer may have an analysis of 46-0-0 meaning in 100 pounds of product there will be 46 pounds of nitrogen, no phosphorus, no potassium and no sulfur. A standard potassium fertilizer may have an analysis of 0-0-60 meaning in 100 pounds of product there will be no nitrogen, no phosphorus, 60 pounds of potassium and no sulfur. A standard sulphur fertilizer may have an analysis of 21-0-0-24 meaning in 100 pounds of product there will be 21 pounds of nitrogen, no phosphorus, no potassium and 24 pounds of sulfur.
The standard fertilizers are blended proportionately so that a farmer can apply, for example, 10 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of phosphorous, 10 pounds of potassium and 5 pounds of sulfur on a field.
To calculate the blend, we start with the following required ingredients:
We need 19.23 pounds/acre of 11-52-0 to apply 10 pounds/acre of phosphorus (19.23×52%)
We need 16.67 pounds/acre of 0-0-60 to apply 10 pounds/acre of potassium (16.67×60%)
We need 20.83 pounds/acre of 21-0-0-24 to apply 5 pounds/acre of sulfur (20.83×24%)
Applying the above will, because of the nitrogen present in the 11-52-0 and 21-0-0-24 standard fertilizers, result in the application of the following nutrients per acre:
N
P
K
S
11-52-0
19.23 pounds
2.16
10
0
0
0-0-60
16.67 pounds
0
0
10
0
21-0-0-24
20.83 pounds
4.37
0
0
5
56.73 pounds
6.53
10
10
5
The nitrogen amount is short 3.47 pounds, so the single nutrient standard fertilizer 46-0-0 must be added to make up the shortage:
46-0-0
 7.54 pounds
3.47
0
0
0
64.27 pounds
10
10
10
5
The proportions of each standard fertilizer in the blend is then as follows:
11-52-0
29.9%
(19.23/64.27)
0-0-60
25.9%
(16.67/64.27)
21-0-0-24
32.3%
(20.83/64.27)
46-0-0
11.9%
(7.54/64.27)
 100%
The blended fertilizer is identified by the identification number 15.55-15.55-15.55-7.75 which, when applied at 64.27 pounds/acre, will give the desired 10 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of phosphorous, 10 pounds of potassium and 5 pounds of sulfur per acre.
Other standard fertilizers may contain other nutrients, and so the blending calculation can become quite complex. Computers are commonly used to calculate the blended fertilizer and application rate thereof that is required to apply a given amount of each nutrient and the proper proportions of standard fertilizers needed to achieve the blend.
For granular fertilizer, the correct individual amounts can be placed in a weighing batch blender, such as a rotating drum blender, where they are mixed into a substantially homogeneous blend. The weighing batch blender indicates the weight of fertilizer in the blender so that the operator can put in the proper amount of each standard fertilizer.
Alternatively the granular fertilizer can be continuously blended by adding the correct proportional amounts to a mixing conveyor, such as an auger, carrying the fertilizer to the customer's truck. A system for continuous blending is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,245 to Axelson, Jr. et al.
The benefits of liquid fertilizer are becoming more accepted and recognized by farmers, with the resulting increase in demand. Liquid standard fertilizers similarly are manufactured in standard nutrient amounts and delivered to dealers. For example a liquid phosphate fertilizer will have an analysis of 10-34-0 meaning in 100 pounds of product there will be 10 pounds of nitrogen, 34 pounds of phosphorus and no potassium. A liquid nitrogen fertilizer will have an analysis of 28-0-0 meaning in 100 pounds of product there will be 28 pounds of nitrogen, no phosphorus and no potassium. Liquid fertilizer is easily blended by simply adding the correct individual amounts to a tank where the liquid will essentially mix itself.
Liquid blended fertilizer is identified in the same way as granular blended fertilizer, with the percentage of each nutrient given in the same order as for granular.
As can be seen from comparing the nutrients in liquid and granular fertilizer, the liquid requires substantially higher quantities of material to be moved for the same amount of nutrients. For a busy farmer, hauling these larger quantities of liquid fertilizer long distances can be a real problem.
Satellite fertilizer distribution sites could be located in areas remote from the main dealer and convenient to the farmer consumers, however the expense of manning the sites is prohibitive. The operator of a present fertilizer blending plant must be skilled in calculation of blends, or at least in operating a computer to calculate same, as well as in operating the equipment required to blend and load the fertilizer. Un-skilled labour is therefore not a feasible option, as a miscalculation can result in application of the wrong nutrients and costly crop losses. As well, farmers expect to be able to pick up fertilizer from early morning to late at night, which could require two shifts of labour to cover the desired operating hours at the site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for dispensing blended fertilizer that reduces the chances for errors in blending by the person dispensing the fertilizer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system and method that may be used at an unmanned dispensing site remote from the dealer site.
The invention accomplishes these objects providing in one aspect a method of dispensing blended fertilizer to a customer at a dispensing site, said blended fertilizer blended from a plurality of standard fertilizer ingredients by a blending and dispensing apparatus, said method comprising the following steps: entering the blend of standard fertilizer ingredients required to provide said customer's desired nutrients into a database identified with said customer, wherein said database is readable by a dispensing site based computer; providing an identifier to a customer, said identifier recognizable by said site based computer; presen

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Fertilizer dispensing method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Fertilizer dispensing method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fertilizer dispensing method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2954927