TYPES OF DOSING UNITS AND Nickie Theron

TYPES OF DOSING UNITS AND
THEIR SELECTION FOR

GREENHOUSES
SABI Congress 2017

Nickie Theron
AGENDA
 Control Types
 Dosing Types
 Dosing Channel
 Control Cycle
 Dosing Units
 Flow Rates
 Examples
 Summary
TYPES OF DOSING UNITS AND THEIR SELECTION
Control Types
Inputs and outputs – levels of sophistication
 Digital outputs.
 Electric command
 Pumps
 Irrigation valves
 Fertiliser valves
 Digital inputs.
 Pulsed input
 Water meters
 Fertiliser meters
 Analogue inputs.
 Continuous signal
 EC
 pH
 Radiation (sunlight).
Control Types
Inputs and outputs – levels of sophistication
 Digital outputs.
 Electric command
 Time based controller
 Garden / landscape irrigation controller
 Simple filter flushing timer
 Digital inputs.
 Pulsed input Increasing level of sophistication
 Advanced filter flushing controller
 Irrigation by volume
 Analogue inputs.
 Continuous signal
 Highest level
 Fertigation – EC pH
 Irrigation based on radiation, temperature, RH.
Fertiliser Dosing Types
Two main methods
 Batch
 No Specific concentration
 Continuous
 Proportional dosing
 EC pH monitoring
 EC pH control.
Two main methods
 Batch
 Only in soil
 Mainly in the open field: not greenhouses
Irrigation – no fertiliser Irrigation period – with fertiliser Irrigation – no fertiliser

Two main methods
 Continuous
 Soil
 Soilless
 Essential
 Greenhouses.
 Fixed concentration - Direct proportional. Flow-on-flow. Fixed litres fertiliser per m³ irrigation
water.
Irrigation period – with fertiliser

Continuous dosing
 Three levels
 Proportional dosing
 Proportional dosing with EC pH monitoring Increasing level of sophistication.
 EC pH control

Continuous dosing
 Homogeneous fertiliser
 From fertiliser storage tanks
 To the crop
 Doing this with precision. Perfect

EC/pH controlling.

Continuous dosing
 Link
 From tanks
 To the crop
 Dosing Unit

Fertiliser Dosing Channel
Continuous dosing
 Link
 From tanks
 To the crop
 Dosing channel
Dosing channel key
components
Dosing channel key
components
 Venturi
Dosing channel key
components
 Venturi
 Solenoid valve
Dosing channel key
components
 Venturi
 Solenoid valve
 Manual throttle valve
Dosing channel key
components
 Venturi
 Solenoid valve
 Manual throttle valve
 Visual flow meter.
Venturi
 One flow rate
 (Measured in litres / hour).
Fertiliser in
Solenoid valve
 De-energised (at rest)
 Closed
Solenoid valve
 Energised
 Open
Solenoid valve
 Either
 Fully closed
 Fully open
 One flow rate

Manual throttle
 Fully open
Visual flow meter

 Solenoid valve open
 Float risen
Manual throttle
 Partially close (choke)
 Less flow rate
Visual flow meter

 Solenoid valve open
 Flow rate reduces
 Float falls
 Less fertiliser through to
venturi.
Dosing channel
 Venturi
 Fixed flow rate
 Solenoid
 Either
 Open
 Closed
 Either
 Flow
 No flow
 Either
 Fertiliser
 No fertiliser
Dosing channel example
 Required flow rate of fertiliser solution into the irrigation system = 100 ℓ/h
80%
 Venturi flow rate = 125 ℓ/h
 If the solenoid remains open for a 1 h period, 125 ℓ will pass = Too much
 The solenoid valve opens for 0,8 h (48 minutes)

closes for 0,2 h (12 minutes).
20%
 In a one hour period (60 minutes), 100 ℓ will have passed through the
solenoid. Target achieved.
 Solenoid must be open for 80% of the time
closed for 20 % of the time
Venturi and solenoid
 EC stability needed quickly and accurately
Overshoot
Too high
Target EC
EC Too low
Time
Venturi and solenoid
 Ratio - venturi flow rate : irrigation flow rate (dependant / linked)
 Achieved by opening and closing dosing channel
Dosing method Min channel Max channel Irrigation pulse

opening time opening time
EC pH control 60 % 80 % < 30 minutes
Flow-on-flow 40 % 80 % 30 to 120 minutes
(with EC pH monitoring)
Flow-on-flow control 40 % 80 % 30 to 120 minutes
Volume - spread 10 % 80 % > 120 minutes
Volume bulk 10 % 80 % > 120 minutes

Time 10 % 80 % > 120 minutes
Dosing channel example
Too much (Dosing flow rate too high)
EC Spike: high and low points
Target EC
Dosing unit must reach target EC
Target EC
 Mixing EC
 Thorough
 Reached quickly
 Function of
 Controller software (firmware)
 Dosing unit design
Fertiliser Dosing Units
Hydraulic proportional injection unit
 Three levels
 Proportional dosing.
 Proportional dosing with EC pH monitoring. Increasing level of sophistication
 EC pH control.
Open mixing tank
 EC pH control.
Bypass units
PSV PRV
 EC pH control
Mainline Mixing
chamber
 Mixing chamber.
Booster pH pH
Dosing Unit Pump
EC EC
C
1 2 3 4 5
fertiliser Dosing Units System Inlet System Outlet
Mixing
Inline units chamber
PSV PRV
 Limited to flow constrains, as
pH pH
mainline runs through the unit.
 EC pH control EC EC
Booster
Mainline Pump
C
1 2 3 4 5
Dosing Unit
Control Cycle
The control cycle
 EC/pH control
Control Cycle
The control cycle
Control Cycle
Dosing unit design
 By pass with mixing chamber
Water
downstream -
to the unit
Water from the unit pushed back into

mainline - upstream
Control Cycle
Dosing unit design
 By pass with mixing chamber Main Homogeneous
line solution returns
to the mainline.
Mixing chamber
Some water
from the
Pump mainline is
pH
EC pumped through
the dosing unit
Control Cycle
Dosing unit design
 Open mixing tank
Pump
Venturis pH pH
Solenoid valves EC EC
Control Cycle
Dosing method Channel open time % Irrigation pulse Control cycle time
(minutes) (seconds)
Min % Max %
Proportional EC pH control 60 80 Less than 30 6 to 12
Flow-on-flow with EC pH 40 80 More than 30 9 to 18
monitoring
Flow-on-flow 40 80 More than 30 9 to 18
Batch Spread, Bulk or by Time 10 80 More than 120 n/a
Mixing
chamber
Main line
pH
Pump EC
Control Cycle
Never exceed a maximum opening time of 80%
 Required flow rate of fertiliser into the solution is 100 litres per
hour.
 Channel manually chocked to a flow rate of 100 litres / hour.
 Solenoid must be open for 80% of the time. – This case 100%
80%
 If the injection falls behind and needs to inject 110 litres / hour to
catch up, it will never catch up .
 It needs the 20% cushion to catch up.
 Do not use a 125 litre / hour venturi if the required dosing rate
is 125 litres / hour.
 Some probable causes: 20%

 Increase of irrigation flow rate
 Fertiliser injected are incorrect (mixed).
Control Cycle
Never drop below the prescribed
minimum % opening time
Mixing chamber
 Required flow rate of fertiliser into the
solution is 50 litres / hour.
 Venturi has a flow rate of 125 litres / hour.
 Solenoid must be open for 40% and closed
for 60% of the time. pH
 Insufficient mixing in the control cycle. EC
 Fertiliser in the irrigation water may not be
homogenous.
 Time from injection to EC pH sensors too
long.
 EC pH fluctuations in irrigation water.
Irrigation Flow Rates
 Reasonably equal flow rates from block to block
 Normally means equal size blocks.
P
 Irrigation flow rates can vary by not more than 25% at
one time.
 Irrigation flow rate to first block = 20 m³/h
 Dosing rate = 10 ℓ fertiliser / 1 m³ irrigation water
 Dosing rate into the control cycle = 200 ℓ/h
 Venturi flow rate for 80% opening time = 200 ℓ/h / 80% = 250 ℓ/h
 Throttle set to 250 ℓ/h
 Irrigation flow rate to second block = 15 m³/h (25% less than 20

m³/h)
 Venturi flow rate has already been set at 250 ℓ/h with the throttle.
 Venturi opening time = 60% (OK)
 Irrigation flow rates can vary by not more than 25% at
one time.
 Irrigation flow rate to first block = 20 m³/h
 Dosing rate = 10 ℓ fertiliser / 1 m³ irrigation water
 Venturi flow rate for 80% opening time = 200 ℓ/h / 80% = 250 ℓ/h
 Throttle set to 250 ℓ/h
 Irrigation flow rate to second block = 10 m³/h (50% less than 20

m³/h)
 Venturi flow rate has already been set at 250 ℓ/h with the throttle.
 Venturi opening time = 40% (Too little)
 When selecting a fertiliser dosing unit
with regard to its ability to dose the correct and
consistent quantity of fertiliser.
 All irrigation flow rates
 Highest and lowest
 All dosing flow rates

 Variations through the year
 Method of dosing
 Ability to cope within the open / closing times of the dosing channel
 Batch
 Proportional
 Flow-on-flow
 EC pH control.
Example – Selection sheet extract
DOSING UNIT DOSING CHANNELS IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Minimum calibration (% of time Maximum calibration (% of time
Compensation Channel
Dosing rate (ℓ fert/m3 water)
open) open)
Qty
Q
Model
100 80 60 40 10 100 80 60 40 10 min 12 10 4 2

(m3/h)
Flow rate (ℓ/h) per channel for Flow rate (ℓ/h) per channel for Maximum irrigation flow rate
Max
Min
minimum calibration and % maximum calibration and % open (m3/h) with channel 80% open on
open time time maximum calibration. (Note 1)
NetaJet 3G Inline 3 5 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 5 20 (Restricted by mixing chamber)

NetaJet 3G Bypass 3 5 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 20 27 32 80 160
NetaJet HF Bypass 3 5 1 300 240 180 120 30 1000 800 600 400 100 60 67 80 200 400
FertiKit 3G PL 3x150
3 3 0 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 12 30 60
230VAC
3 3 0 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 12 30 60
400VAC
FertiKit 3G PL 4x400 4 4 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 20 27 32 80 160
FertiKit 3G PL 4x150 4 4 1 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 12 30 60
FertiKit 3G Inline
4 4 1 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 (Restricted by mixing chamber)
4x150
FertiKit 3G PL 4x1000 4 4 1 300 240 180 120 30 1000 800 600 400 100 60 67 80 200 400
Example
 Scenario:
 How many fertiliser tanks?
 Controlling pH? (Acid or Alkali)
 Controlling EC?
 Injection only (no EC/pH controlling)
 Let’s say: 1 x Acid tank (for decreasing pH); 3 x tanks of fertiliser that influence
EC (for increasing EC)
 What concentration of fertiliser does the crop require?

 The recipe
 How many litres of fertiliser per 1 000 litres water?
 Let’s say the 3 x EC tanks: 8 litres and 1 x Acid Tank 3 litres.
 What is the irrigation flow rate?

 Let’s say 85 to 100m3/h
 At what pressure?
 Let’s say 4.5Bar.
Example
 Scenario requirements:
 Flow Rate: 100m3/h @4.5Bar
 Tank 1 (Acid) 3 litre per 1m3/h
 Thus: 100 x 3 = 300 ℓ/h
 300 ℓ/h /80% = 375 ℓ/h
 Tank 2,3 and 4 (EC) 8 litre per 1m3/h

 Thus: 100 x 8 = 800 ℓ/h
 800 ℓ/h /80% = 1 000 ℓ/h
 Dosing unit required:

 Dosing unit with 4 channels:
 1 x 375 ℓ/h and 3 x 1 000 ℓ/h
 Flow rate 100m3/h at 4.5Bar

 EC and pH Controlling
Example – Selection sheet
DOSING UNIT DOSING CHANNELS IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Minimum calibration (% of time Maximum calibration (% of time
Compensation Channel
Dosing rate (ℓ fert/m3 water)
open) open)
Qty
Q
8
Model
100 80 60 40 10 100 80 60 40 10 min 12 10 4 2

(m3/h)
Flow rate (ℓ/h) per channel for Flow rate (ℓ/h) per channel for Maximum irrigation flow rate
Max
Min
minimum calibration and % maximum calibration and % open (m3/h) with channel 80% open on
open time time maximum calibration. (Note 1)
NetaJet 3G Inline 3 5 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 5 20 (Restricted by mixing chamber)

NetaJet 3G Bypass 3 5 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 20 27 32 80 160
NetaJet HF Bypass 3 5 1 300 240 180 120 30 1000 800 600 400 100 60 67 80 200 400
3 3 0 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 12 30 60
230VAC
3 3 0 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 12 30 60
400VAC
FertiKit 3G PL 4x400 4 4 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 20 27 32 80 160
FertiKit 3G PL 4x150 4 4 1 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 12 30 60
FertiKit 3G Inline
4 4 1 75 60 45 30 8 150 120 90 60 15 2 10 (Restricted by mixing chamber)
4x150
FertiKit 3G PL 4x1000 4 4 1 300 240 180 120 30 1000 800 600 400 100 60 67 80 200 400
Summary
 When selecting a fertiliser dosing unit with regard to its
ability to dose the correct and consistent quantity of
fertiliser.
 Designing an irrigation system together with a fertiliser dosing
system at the same time is relatively straightforward.
 Fitting a fertiliser dosing system to an existing irrigation system
can be more challenging.
THANK
YOU

TYPES OF DOSING UNITS AND Nickie Theron

Încărcat de

Informații document

Descriere originală:

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

TYPES OF DOSING UNITS AND Nickie Theron

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

TYPES OF DOSING UNITS AND

THEIR SELECTION FOR

SABI Congress 2017

Irrigation – no fertiliser Irrigation period – with fertiliser Irrigation – no fertiliser

Irrigation period – with fertiliser

Irrigation period – with fertiliser

 Doing this with precision. Perfect

Irrigation period – with fertiliser

Irrigation period – with fertiliser

 One flow rate

Visual flow meter

Visual flow meter

 The solenoid valve opens for 0,8 h (48 minutes)

Dosing method Min channel Max channel Irrigation pulse

Volume - spread 10 % 80 % > 120 minutes

Volume bulk 10 % 80 % > 120 minutes

EC Spike: high and low points

Water from the unit pushed back into

 Some probable causes: 20%

 Irrigation flow rate to second block = 15 m³/h (25% less than 20

 Irrigation flow rate to second block = 10 m³/h (50% less than 20

 All dosing flow rates

Minimum calibration (% of time Maximum calibration (% of time

100 80 60 40 10 100 80 60 40 10 min 12 10 4 2

NetaJet 3G Inline 3 5 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 5 20 (Restricted by mixing chamber)

 What concentration of fertiliser does the crop require?

 What is the irrigation flow rate?

 Tank 2,3 and 4 (EC) 8 litre per 1m3/h

 Dosing unit required:

 Flow rate 100m3/h at 4.5Bar

Minimum calibration (% of time Maximum calibration (% of time

100 80 60 40 10 100 80 60 40 10 min 12 10 4 2

NetaJet 3G Inline 3 5 1 75 60 45 30 8 400 320 240 160 40 5 20 (Restricted by mixing chamber)

S-ar putea să vă placă și