Apparatus and method for reducing anhydrous ammonia application by optimizing distribution
AssigneeIowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsH. Mark Hanna, Paul M. Boyd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, method, and system for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations and distribution. The apparatus includes a body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. In one aspect, a rotatable impeller is positioned between inlet and plurality of outlets. The impeller includes a spiral fluid pathway relative to direction of substance through the inlet so that the substance passes through the impeller and is distributed to the outlets through a spinning impeller.
Claims25
A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising:
- a. a body;
- b. an inlet to the body;
- c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit;
- d. a rotatable member inside the body between the inlet and outlets, the rotatable member including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end moveable past the plurality of distribution outlets of the body with rotation of the rotatable member, at least a major part of the fluid pathway comprising a groove on an external surface of the rotatable member;
- e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets.
A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising:
- a. a body;
- b. an inlet to the body;
- c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit;
- d. a rotatable member inside the body including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end in fluid communication with the plurality of distribution outlets of the body, the fluid pathway comprising multiple flow paths along the body from entry to exit end, at least one flow path at an incline to the direction of substance flow;
- e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets.
A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising:
- a. a body having an internal surface defining a cavity;
- b. an inlet to the body;
- c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit;
- d. a rotatable member inside the cavity in the body, the rotatable member including an external surface, a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body, and an exit end in fluid communication with the plurality of distribution outlets of the body, the rotatable member having no substantial bearing or bearing surface between the external surface of the rotatable member and the internal surface of the body, and an end of the rotatable member with the entry end for the fluid pathway is tapered towards a point;
- e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets.
A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising:
- a. a body;
- b. an inlet to the body;
- c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit;
- d. a rotatable member inside the body including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end in fluid communication with the plurality of distribution outlets of the body, at least a major part of the fluid pathway on an external surface of the rotatable member, the rotatable member comprising a rotatable impeller which rotates in response to pressure from the gas and/or liquid substance, the rotatable impeller comprising a generally conical member having a tip end and a base end;
- e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets.
A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising:
- a. a body;
- b. an inlet to the body;
- c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit;
- d. a rotatable member inside the body between the inlet and outlets, the rotatable member including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end moveable past the plurality of distribution outlets of the body with rotation of the rotatable member, at least a major part of the fluid pathway on an external surface of the rotatable member and at an incline to the direction of substance flow into the inlet of the body so that the rotatable member rotates in response to pressure from the gas and/or liquid substance;
- e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.