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ADVANCEMENT OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
APPLICATION4/21/2010
Background
Fertilizer use exploded after WWII Plants built during the war to supply nitrogen for
bombs; after war supplied ammonia for fertilizer Most of ammonia applied in 1940’s was
ammonium nitrate pellets, but this was highly explosive
Research on anhydrous ammonia started in mid 1940’s
1943 researchers at Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station developed a way of injecting anhydrous into soil
Fertilizer Prices
At local coop in Grant county UAN - $280/ton
28-0-0 $0.50/lb of N
Anhydrous Ammonia $390/ton 82-0-0 $0.23/lb of N
Problems with traditional application systems
Do a good job of applying consistent amounts over a field, but not to each knife.
Poor distribution of ammonia is more evident in strip-till
Problems with traditional application systems
Anhydrous ammonia is a liquid under pressure
A small percentage of ammonia vaporizes when pressure drops
Majority of mass in ammonia is in liquid while gaseous ammonia is a large part of the volume Up to 90% of space inside metering valve can
be gas, making uniform distribution difficult
Remedies to the problem
Traditional systems Over-apply to compensate for rows with less
ammonia Application at an angle to planting rows Equal hose lengths between the manifold and
knife Unused manifold ports should be plugged
equally Upgrade to newer metering systems
Advanced delivery systems
aNH3 Equaply System Maintains constant pressure of ammonia
distributed to knives Allows for anhydrous ammonia to be distributed
over a wide variation in tank pressure Flow control system is used to assure rate of
application and to allow for variable rate application
Liquimatic System No need for heat exchanger Works almost like a steam trap Can handle higher rates
aNH3 Equaply System
aNH3 Equaply System
Nurse Tank Requires a high flow globe valve at the nurse
tank For high rates, dual tanks are recommended
Heat Exchanger Cools anhydrous ammonia below its boiling
point and condenses vapor into liquid Pump increases pressure of liquid and lowers
the boiling point
aNH3 Equaply System
Pump Uses a Hypro centrifugal pump with a
hydraulic motor Avoids surges like in a piston pump
Pump keeps anhydrous ammonia at a liquid until it is split evenly at the manifold
aNH3 Equaply System
Flow and Measurement Control Signals from flow sensor go to a cab console
which operates the servo valve Can interface with AgLeader, Raven, and John
Deere Greenstar II Also uses a gauge tree to monitor flow to
individual rows
aNH3 Equaply System
Monitor and Gauge tree
aNH3 Equaply System
Manifolds and Orifices From servo valve, anhydrous ammonia goes to one or
more manifolds that are controlled by an electronic on/off valve
From these manifolds, EVA ammonia tubing runs to individual knives
Connecting lines also go to gauge tree
Benefits of Equaply System
Accurate control of anhydrous ammonia application
Ability to achieve variable rates Decrease of streaking in fields Can be used in no-till situations
Liquimatic System
Anhydrous Ammonia flows from tank to a Liquimatic tower
Tower has a metal dam in it making incoming vapor and liquid move upward
When pressure from vapor reaches a certain point, a solenoid opens a valve and lets off liquid
This also keeps a head pressure on liquid ammonia, ensuring it remains a liquid
Liquimatic system
Flow meter after the tower is metering only liquid which makes it much more accurate
Benefits of Liquimatic System
Eliminates the need for a heat exchanger Allows for higher rates
Can apply up to 80 gallons/minute 60 ft applicator can apply 250 lb/ac anhydrous
at 12 mph
Questions?
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