Grantee Research Project Results
Automated Mixing and Application of Agricultural Chemicals
EPA Contract Number: 68D00032Title: Automated Mixing and Application of Agricultural Chemicals
Investigators: Magnuson, Michael H.
Small Business: MAIS Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: August 1, 1990 through February 1, 1991
Project Amount: $46,275
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1990) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Current methods for applying agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers herbicides, and pesticides, require premixing of concentrated chemicals with water and pose problems of disposing of the unused mixed chemicals and the premix tank wash solution in an environmentally acceptable man- ner. In addition, current sprayers cannot adjust concentra- tions for changes in sprayer speed. The objective of MAIS, Inc. is to develop a micro automated injection system (MAIS) to solve these problems by mixing the chemicals as they are pumped to the spray boom and using an electronic microprocessor to calculate and control the amount of each chemical.Phase I research and development will design and construct a prototype of the mixing system incluchng the valves, pumps, manifold, mixing chamber, and microprocessor controller. Phase II will confirm the design with field testing and will develop a commercially manufacturable product based on the Phase I prototype.
Supplemental Keywords:
Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Engineering, pollution prevention, automated mixing of agricultural chemicals, application of agricultural chemicals, waste reduction, micro automated injection system (MAIS), pollution controlProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.