Customer Case: Flow Regulation in Fertilizer Spreaders

Cases , Pressure sensors
Tuesday 24 January 2023

Ranaverken is a manufacturer of trailer fertilizer spreaders for agriculture. These trailers are equipped with flow measurement systems that measure and present the flow of liquid in real time. This provides the tractor driver with valuable insights into how much fertilizer is being spread at any given moment. An app gives the driver indicators if the flow needs to increase or decrease to ensure the right amount of fertilizer is applied. Regal Components supplies the pressure transmitters used in the system.

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New Smart Flow Regulator

Now, Ranaverken has introduced a new, smarter flow regulator that uses the same app but with extended functionality. The smart flow regulator features automatic calibration, which was previously a complicated and extensive process but is now accomplished with a simple push of a button. The flow regulator also incorporates a history function and the ability to export data for invoicing, statistics, and control purposes. A smart map provides a clear overview of where and how the fertilizer has been spread on the field.

Development and Design

Insight Engineering was assigned to develop the control unit with cables and the iOS application for the flow regulator. The control unit is specifically designed for Ranaverken, from hardware to software, with WiFi and CAN-bus communication. Insight Engineering also manufactures the control unit. A robust design with a clear and simple user interface is important, and both hardware and software are designed and tested to ensure reliability throughout the entire lifetime.

A robust design with a clear and simple user interface is important, and both hardware and software are designed and tested to ensure reliability throughout the entire lifetime.

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High Requirements of Pressure Transmitters

Regal Components supplies the pressure transmitters used in the system. The pressure transmitter measures in direct contact with the liquid fertilizer, requiring high levels of robustness and long-term stability, as the liquid fertilizer is often contaminated with solid debris that can damage the sensor. Due to the contamination and the high viscosity of the fertilizer, it is not possible to use a pressure transmitter with a traditional pressure connection, as it would clog up, affecting accuracy or, in the worst case, causing malfunction. Instead, a pressure transmitter with a flush membrane pressure connection is used, creating a flat process connection designed to prevent media from clogging the connection.

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Testing and Selection Process

Insight Engineering performed CFD simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and field-tested pressure transmitters from different suppliers to ensure that the high requirements were met. The pressure transmitters were examined after extensive field tests to evaluate damage and changes in measurement accuracy. After the examination, the final choice was a flush membrane pressure transmitter model FPT from Regal Components.

Features of the FPT Pressure Transmitter

FPT is a very robust front membrane pressure transmitter with a thin-film-on-steel sensor and a duplex stainless steel 1.4462 front membrane. Many other front membrane pressure transmitters have piezoresistive sensors, which use a liquid, such as silicon oil, between the front membrane and the sensor as a transmission medium. This makes them sensitive to impacts on the front membrane. FPT, with its thin-film-on-steel sensor, is directly connected to the frontal membrane without a transmission medium, hence it has solid material behind the membrane. This design also allows for a thicker frontal membrane, making FPT a very robust pressure transmitter well-suited for applications with contaminated fertilizer and corrosive and chemical environments.

Explore Further

You can read more about the fertilizer spreaders on Ranaverken website.

Learn more about the pressure transmitter FPT 8236.

If you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact us at any time.