A Retrofit Variable-Rate Control System for Pressurized Slurry Tankers

Abstract

<abstract> <b><i>Abstract. </i></b> In the last several decades, livestock effluent management practices and field slurry spreading operations have received increasing attention due to their economic and environmental implications. In this study, a variable-rate control system for pressurized slurry tankers was developed according a retrofit approach (i.e., as a self-standing module that can be adapted and mounted on existing slurry tanker equipment). The system provides farmers with a useful tool for achieving compliance with environmental protection regulations and for developing good practices for livestock and nitrogen management. This system is suitable for new and used pressurized tanker equipment. For field-testing purposes, this system was mounted on a double-axis 10 m³ slurry tanker equipped with a crawling nozzle distribution unit. Field experiments were conducted at two typical forward speeds (2 and 3 km h^-1) and three different nitrogen application rates (170, 250, and 340 kg ha^-1). Based on the experimental results, the system was generally capable of limiting the differences between the nominal and measured application rates to less than 9%. In addition, the data analysis indicated that the slurry spreading was not significantly affected by the forward speed of the tanker. The uniformity of nitrogen spreading was evaluated according to the UNI EN 13406:2002 standard. The results showed that the transverse field distribution was uniform throughout the working width of the machine and at all tested operating conditions, with maximum deviations that were limited to less than 15%.