Method for applying NH3 in deep bands for agricultural crops using a process of direct high pressure injection
AssigneeExactrix Global Systems
InventorGuy J Swanson
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Abstract
A method of applying anhydrous ammonia to soil is disclosed as including the step of pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source. The pressurized anhydrous ammonia is conducted to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the outlets is configured to maintain a back pressure and preferably a liquid state of the anhydrous ammonia. The anhydrous ammonia is discharged from the plurality of terminal outlets to thereby contact the soil.
Claims33
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source to a variable pressure level within a conduit, wherein step (a) occurs during application of the anhydrous ammonia to the soil;
- (b) conducting the anhydrous ammonia through the conduit to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the plurality of terminal outlets has a restrictive orifice for maintaining an anhydrous ammonia back-pressure;
- and
- (c) discharging the anhydrous ammonia from the plurality of terminal outlets.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) separating an anhydrous ammonia source flow into multiple discharge flows;
- (b) dampening any pressure surges of the anhydrous ammonia source flow;
- (c) maintaining the pressure of the anhydrous ammonia above vapor pressure as the source flow is separated into the discharge flows;
- and
- (d) discharging each of the discharge flows.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing an anhydrous ammonia source flow to a variable pressure level, wherein
- step (a) occurs during application of the anhydrous ammonia to the soil;
- (b) separating the source flow into multiple discharge flows;
- (c) maintaining the pressure level of the anhydrous ammonia above vapor pressure as the source flow is separated into the discharge flows;
- and
- (d) discharging each of the discharge flows.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source to a variable pressure level,
- wherein step (a) occurs during application of the anhydrous ammonia to the soil;
- (b) conducting the anhydrous ammonia to a plurality of terminal outlets;
- (c) maintaining the pressure of the anhydrous ammonia above vapor pressure while the anhydrous ammonia is conducted to the plurality of terminal outlets;
- and
- (d) discharging the anhydrous ammonia from the plurality of terminal outlets.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source to a variable pressure level within a conduit;
- (b) conducting the anhydrous ammonia through the conduit to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the plurality of terminal outlets has a restrictive orifice for maintaining an anhydrous ammonia back-pressure;
- and
- (c) discharging the anhydrous ammonia from the plurality of terminal outlets, step (a) including the step of pumping the anhydrous ammonia with a pump,
- wherein the pressure of the anhydrous ammonia conducted between the pump and the plurality of terminal outlets is greater than the vapor pressure of the anhydrous ammonia,
- wherein the pump is a positive displacement pump,
- wherein the pump is capable of metering the flow of the anhydrous ammonia and controlling the flow rate of the anhydrous Ansonia.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source;
- (b)after step (a), conducting the anhydrous ammonia to a manifold, said manifold capable of receiving the anhydrous ammonia through a manifold inlet and discharging the anhydrous ammonia through a plurality of manifold outlets;
- (c) after step (b), conducting the anhydrous ammonia from each of the manifold outlets to a respective one of a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the terminal outlets has a restrictive orifice for maintaining an anhydrous ammonia back-pressure, wherein an accumulator is connected in fluid-flow communication with the manifold and fluidly interposed between the manifold inlet and the plurality of manifold outlets, said accumulator operable to dampen pressure surges in the anhydrous ammonia flowing through the manifold;
- and
- (d) discharging the anhydrous ammonia from the plurality of terminal outlets.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing an anhydrous ammonia source flow to a variable pressure level;
- (b) separating the source flow into multiple discharge flows;
- (c) maintaining the pressure level of the anhydrous ammonia above vapor pressure as the source flow is separated into the discharge flows;
- and
- (d) discharging each of the discharge flows,
- step (b) including the step of passing the anhydrous ammonia through a manifold having an inlet and a plurality of outlets,
- step (b) including the step of dampening any pressure surges in the manifold.
An anhydrous ammonia application method for applying anhydrous ammonia to soil, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressurizing an anhydrous ammonia source flow to a variable pressure level;
- (b) separating the source flow into multiple discharge flows;
- (c) maintaining the pressure level of the anhydrous ammonia above vapor pressure as the source flow is separated into the discharge flows;
- and
- (d) discharging each of the discharge flows,
- step (c) including the step of restricting each of the discharge flows,
- step (d) including the step of restricting each of the discharge flows as they are discharged,
- step (c) including the step of passing each of the discharge flows through a first restrictive orifice,
- step (d) including the step of passing each of the discharge flows through a second restrictive orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.