초록 ▼

The present invention is generally directed to a system and to a process for dispensing a volatile liquid fertilizer and particularly ammonia into a field. The ammonia is placed in a vessel under sufficient pressure to maintain a substantial portion of the ammonia in a liquid form. From the pressuri

The present invention is generally directed to a system and to a process for dispensing a volatile liquid fertilizer and particularly ammonia into a field. The ammonia is placed in a vessel under sufficient pressure to maintain a substantial portion of the ammonia in a liquid form. From the pressurized vessel, the ammonia is fed to a distribution manifold where it is ultimately injected into a soil through a plurality of dispensing tubes. According to the present invention, a constant pressure flow rate control device is placed at each dispensing tube for metering the amount of ammonia fed to the soil. In particular, the flow control devices allow ammonia to be dispensed from the system while maintaining sufficient back pressure within the distribution manifold to maintain the ammonia in a liquid form. By preventing vaporization of the ammonia within the system, uniform and accurately controlled flow rates can be dispensed from the dispensing tubes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for maintaining a volatile liquid fertilizer in a liquid form while dispensing controlled amounts of the volatile liquid fertilizer into a soil, said system comprising:a fertilizer reservoir for holding a volatile liquid fertilizer under pressure sufficient to ma

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for maintaining a volatile liquid fertilizer in a liquid form while dispensing controlled amounts of the volatile liquid fertilizer into a soil, said system comprising:a fertilizer reservoir for holding a volatile liquid fertilizer under pressure sufficient to maintain at least a portion of said fertilizer in a liquid form, said fertilizer reservoir including an outlet for dispensing said liquid fertilizer;a distribution manifold in communication with said outlet of said fertilizer reservoir, said distribution manifold being connected to a plurality of dispensing tubes designed to inject said volatile liquid fertilizer into the soil;at least one flow meter for monitoring the flow rate of said volatile liquid fertilizer;a plurality of constant pressure flow rate control devices, each of said flow rate control devices being in communication with and placed on a corresponding dispensing tube, said constant pressure flow rate control devices controlling the flow rate at which said volatile liquid fertilizer is dispensed from said dispensing tubes while preventing said volatile liquid fertilizer from vaporizing within said distribution manifold; anda controller in communication with said at least one flow meter and said constant pressure flow rate control devices, said controller receiving flow rate information from said at least one flow meter and, based on said information, adjusting said constant pressure flow rate control devices for dispensing said volatile liquid fertilizer at a selected flow rate while maintaining said volatile liquid fertilizer at a pressure within said distribution manifold sufficient to maintain said volatile liquid fertilizer in a liquid form.