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?