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Tuesday, August 30, 2016
At the next IAA
transport trade fair, trailer Builder D-TEC will be demonstrating a revamped
tanker trailer fitted with a Near Infra-red sensor. This sensor measures the
mineral levels in the transported manure or bio-gas cargo, such as nitrogen,
phosphate and potassium, in real time.
D-TEC
has been working on making Near Infra-Red usable on manure tank trailers for
more than two and a half year. Soon, D-TEC will
complete the NIR-pilot project at the Government. We have since analysed over
2,300 freights, with an accuracy of 15% for nitrogen and 20% for phosphate. The
accuracy for dry matter and potash were not definitely established, but also seems
to be heading in the right direction.
Real time nutrient composition
This
innovative NIR system can be inspected at the IAA. Van Vlastuin explains how the system works: The
manure is measured by a Near Infra-Red (NIR) sensor in the sampling tube of the
tank, enabling real time detection of the
levels in the manure (nitrogen,
phosphate). The composition of the various nutrients (including nitrogen,
phosphate and potassium) in slurry can differ significantly, both between
different animal species and within a single batch of slurry. A D-TEC manure
tank trailer fitted with a NIR sensor offers end users the possibility
to be able to anticipate on the composition of the manure in real time. Nutrients can be added until the
correct proportions of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium have been achieved.
This means that the user can apply the total manure requirement on a parcel in
a single processing action.
Near
Infra-Red will produce cost savings
Many arable farmers spread animal slurry on their crops. This produces a
significant financial benefit in relation to artificial fertiliser. After all,
you have to pay for artificial fertiliser, while also animal manure can be
obtained whereby you frequently even receive money for it. Analysing a batch of
slurry in advance with a Near Infra-Red Sensor facilitates more accurate
manuring. This produces a saving of between € 30 and € 60 per hectare for those
arable farmers who already use slurry. The difference with manuring with
artificial fertiliser is even greater, a saving of approximately € 140 per
hectare.
More stringent European legislation
Finally,
Van Vlastuin has one more tip for all European farmers: 'Currently, several
European countries are tightening legislation for registration of manure
transports. D-TEC has had the solution to this for quite some time already, the
ADR-system (Automatic Data Registration). This system links the complete
transport documentation to the business administration and minerals accounting.
Video tanktrailer with Near Infra-red
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