What are the challenges posed by rising raw material costs in industrial fertilizer production?

Rising prices for natural gas, a key raw material in the production of nitrogen fertilizers, have created significant problems for the agricultural sector. The limited availability of fertilizers and the significant increase in their prices directly translate into higher agricultural production costs. In such a situation, farmers are looking for ways to optimize their processes to minimize expenses while maintaining crop efficiency.

One of the key solutions in this situation is the precise dosage of fertilizers, which not only reduces the costs associated with their consumption, but also contributes to environmental protection. Proper fertilizer dosage reduces the risk of over-application, which in turn reduces soil and groundwater contamination.

Why is precise fertilizer dosing crucial to sustainable agriculture?

Precise fertilizer dosing plays a fundamental role in modern and efficient agriculture. It allows for the precise delivery of the right amount of nutrients to the soil, which not only maximizes crop yields, but also minimizes financial losses associated with overuse of fertilizers. Optimizing the amount of fertilizer used directly translates into a reduction in agricultural production costs, which is especially important in an era of rising commodity prices.

However, it is not just a matter of economics. Precise fertilizer dosage also contributes to environmental protection, as it reduces the risk of over-fertilization, which leads to soil and groundwater contamination. Excessive fertilizer use can cause serious environmental problems, such as water eutrophication, which negatively affects aquatic ecosystems.

Lack of precise dosage is associated with the waste of valuable resources, increased production costs and potential penalties associated with exceeding environmental standards. In the long term, this can undermine the operational efficiency of farms and negatively affect their profitability.

What are the difficulties associated with flow measurement in low-pressure dispensing systems? The customer's problem

An OEM customer, a manufacturer of fertilizer dispensing stations, faced the challenge of providing precise flow measurement in an application where very high accuracy was required. The media he was dealing with were water and liquid fertilizers, which further complicated the process because the flow rates were low and the system operated at low pressure. Measurement accuracy was crucial, because without it, optimal metering could not be ensured, which could lead to wasted fertilizer or over-fertilization.

Process conditions also posed a challenge - operation took place at ambient temperatures that could affect measurement accuracy, and the entire installation ran in PVC pipes, requiring the flow meter to be compatible with the construction materials and easy to install in the existing infrastructure.

How does an ultrasonic flowmeter improve the precision of fertilizer dosing? Our solution

To meet the customer's requirements, we proposed the flowTRANS US W01 ultrasonic flow meter. The device provides precise flow measurement of both conductive and non-conductive media, such as water and fertilizers, which was a perfect fit for the specific requirements of this application. With an accuracy of 2%, and even better under real-world conditions, the flow meter enables precise metering, leading to optimized fertilizer consumption.

Its compact design and easy installation in PVC pipes greatly facilitated installation, which was an important factor for the OEM customer. In addition, the unit is corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for fertilizer handling, and temperature compensation ensures measurement stability and accuracy under varying environmental conditions.

Our solution met all the customer's requirements, offering reliability, precision and value for money, making it an excellent choice for applications requiring high accuracy at low flow rates.

How has precision fertilizer dosing increased crop efficiency? Customer benefits

The implementation of the JUMO flowTRANS US W01 ultrasonic flow meter has brought tangible benefits to the OEM customer. Precise fertilizer metering allowed for significant optimization of the process, resulting in lower operating costs, reducing losses due to over-fertilization. Thanks to the greater accuracy of measurements, the customer was able to control the amount of fertilizer applied more precisely, which directly translated into better crop efficiency.

The use of this solution not only increased the efficiency of the metering station, but also contributed to environmental protection by minimizing the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. This pro-environmental approach, combined with cost optimization, gave the client a competitive advantage, enabling it to offer more sustainable and cost-effective solutions to the market.

In precision fertilizer dosing, in addition to accurate flow measurement, control of the pH and conductivity of the media is crucial. The proper pH of fertilizers directly affects their effectiveness, as well as the health of the soil and plants. Contact us to complete a full system from one supplier!

About the author

My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been working in content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I am convinced that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I unleash my creativity by creating newspaper collages. I like to spend my free time being active, walking my dog or running.

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