VEENHUIS MACHINES NUTRIFLOW 3.0
DLG-APPROVED "Ingredients in cattle manure, in pig manure and in liquid digestate"
A test mark “DLG-APPROVED for single, value-determining criteria” is awarded for agricultural products which have successfully fulfilled a reduced usability testing conducted by the DLG according to independent and recognised evaluation criteria. The test is served to highlight particular innovations and key criteria of the test object. The test may contain criteria from the DLG test frame for total tests, or focus on other value-determining characteristics and properties of the subject of the test. The minimum requirements, the test conditions and procedures, as well as the bases of evaluation of the test results are set in agreement with a DLG Experts group. They correspond to the recognised rules of technology as well as the science and agricultural knowledge and requirements. A successful test ends with the publication of a test report and the awarding of the test mark, which is valid for five years from the date of the award.
The DLG test for “Precision of NIR sensors for the determination of ingredients in passing liquid manure of animal origin and liquid digestate“ was carried out on the “NUTRIFLOW 3.0” of VEENHUIS MACHINES BV.
The measurements for determining the contents of ingredients were carried out in liquid cattle manure, liquid pig manure, and liquid digestate. In each manure type five different practice slurries were examined through the tested NIR sensor NUTRIFLOW 3.0 for their levels of dry matter content (DM in weight %), total nitrogen (NTotal in kg/m3), ammonium nitrogen (NH4N in kg/m3) and potassium oxide (K2O in kg/m3). During the measurements each slurry sample was collected. The taken samples were analysed by a total of ten different accredited specialised laboratories, preferably with wet-chemical methods and threefold repetition. For each ingredient, the averages from the results of the laboratory analyses were calculated. For the evaluation, the differences between the value measured by the NIR Sensor and the mean value of the laboratories were determined as the relative measurement deviation. The precision of the sensor was examined at different flow rates too. Other criteria were not tested.
Assessment – Brief Summary
On the basis of the results the mobile NIR sensor “NUTRIFLOW 3.0” of VEENHUIS MACHINES BV is
awarded the DLG test mark “DLG APPROVED in single criteria” in the measurement of ingredients in liquid cattle manure, liquid pig manure, and liquid digestate for the parameters listed in the following table 1.
Table 1: Approved parameters
| Manure type | Ingredient |
| Cattle Manure | Dry Matter (DM) |
| Total nitrogen (NTotal) | |
| Ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) | |
| Potassium oxide (K2O) | |
| Pig Manure | Dry Matter (DM) |
| Total nitrogen (NTotal) | |
| Potassium oxide (K2O) | |
| Liquid digestate | Dry Matter (DM) |
| Total nitrogen (NTotal) | |
| Ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) | |
| Potassium oxide (K2O) |
The Product
Description and technical data
The NUTRIFLOW 3.0 measuring system is a NIR (NearInfraRed) measuring system developed for the compositional analysis of organic substances, such as animal farm fertiliser and digestates. The NUTRIFLOW 3.0 is integrated into the existing pipe system of the pumping station or the manure tank truck. To ensure error-free functionality of the sensor, the installation positions specified by the manufacturer must be observed (refer to Fig. 2 for information on the NIR method).
During the NIR analysis, the manure flowing within the arrangement is irradiated by a sapphire window (5) with infra-red light (yellow beam) from an integrated light source (1). Parts of the light are absorbed by the sample and the rest of the light is reflected. The reflected portion is detected by an evaluation unit (2) and dispersed into its wavelength spectrum. The detected spectrum is then converted into electrical signals. The resulting data is processed in a microcomputer (4). The measured values are generated at short intervals by the data calculation in the stored calibration model, and can be displayed.
To compensate for the temperature-dependent shifts in the spectrum, the system runs regular white and dark referencing.
The measurement is performed continuously on the farm fertiliser flowing past the sensor. Measuring values are output every second when in measuring mode. Depending upon the requirements, mean values for user-specific time intervals, or live values, are displayed in real time.
The manufacturer specifies the measurement ranges shown in Table 2 for the used calibration model.
The Method
The aim of the DLG Test „Precision of NIR sensors for the determination of ingredients in passing liquid manure of animal origin and liquid digestate“ is to examine the accuracies of mobile sensors in conjunction with appropriate calibration models in comparison to laboratory analysis with officially recognised methods.
A major advantage of NIR measuring technology compared to the conventional methods for the determination of ingredients in liquid manures through sampling and laboratory analysis, consist in the immediate availability of measurement results, and in the permanent measurement of the ingredients along the complete manure volume.
The scope in the DLG Test is limited on substrates, which are described as manure according to the
Fertilizer Act (DüG), so on cattle manure, pig manure and liquid digestate. The DLG test is available for the measurement of the following ingredients:
- Dry matter content (DM in % weight)
- Total Nitrogen amount (NTotal in kg/m3)
- Ammonium nitrogen amount (NH4N in kg/m3)
- Phosphate content (Phosphorous Pentoxide; P2O5 in kg/m3)
- Potassium content (Potassium Oxide; K2O in kg/m3)
In order to cover a wide range of applications, the test attempts to use a diverse spectrum for each type of substrate:
- Cattle manure: 4 % - 9 % DM, where possible from dairy cows and fattened cattles
- Pig manure: 2 % - 7 % DM, where possible from sow-keeping and fattened pigs
- Liquid digestate: 5 % - 8 % DM
The DLG approval can be awarded for individual types of manure and individual ingredients. To get a DLG recognition, at least the requirements for the measurement of the total nitrogen content need to be met. When the requirements for the measurement of the total nitrogen content are fulfilled, other ingredients can be freely chosen.
The process
Depending on each type of manure (cattle manure, pig manure, liquid digestate) five individual samples that are as diverse as possible are measured and sampled on different farms. For this purpose, a subset of 3 m3 to 5 m3 is pumped from the previously stirred slurry storage in an intermediate tank.
At the intermediate tank, a pump and a common piping system are installed. On the piping system one or more sensors to be tested, a flow meter for the control of flow rates, and a bypass for sampling are attached (see figure 3).
In a preliminary phase the collected manure is intensively homogenised in the intermediate tank by continuous circulation in a closed circuit.
Following this preliminary phase, the measured values of the sensor are documented. Afterwards sub-samples for the reference analyses are then taken via the bypass while maintaining inflation around the closed circuit. In order to determine any possible influence on the sensor values, subsequently the flow velocity is varied and the measured values are re-documented.
The manure samples are clearly marked, frozen and stored frozen. Five suitable laboratories are commissioned with the reference analysis. Each laboratory receives at least three partial samples of each manure. The analyses in the laboratory must be carried out using officially recognised methods, preferably wet-chemical methods.
For each manure and each ingredient, the arithmetic mean value is calculated as a reference value from the laboratory results. The assessment of accuracy is based on the relative deviations from the sensor value in comparison with the reference value.
The Test Results in Detail
The trials were conducted jointly with the Chamber of Agriculture of North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany (Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen) in the administrative district of Kleve. Flow rates from 6 m3/min to 9 m3/min were set during the measurements. The different flow rates showed no influence on the measured values of the sensor. In table 3 the individual results are given.
Based on the obtained results, the mobile NlR Sensor “NUTRIFLOW 3.0” of VEENHUIS MACHINES BV is awarded the test mark “DLG-APPROVED in individual criteria” for the measurement of
- Ingredients in cattle manure: DM, NTotal, NH4-N, K2O
- Ingredients in pig manure: DM, NTotal, K2O
- Ingredients in liquid digestate: DM, NTotal, NH4-N, K2O
Table 3: Individual results
| Type designation | NUTRIFLOW 3.0 | Evaluation* |
| Installation position (tilt) | ||
| 90° | ||
| Installation position | ||
| horizontal 6“ pipe | ||
| Liquid Cattle manure | ||
| DM in % by weight | + | |
| NTotal in kg/m3 | ◯ | |
| NH4N in kg/m3 | + | |
| K2O in kg/m3 | ◯ | |
| Liquid pig manure | ||
| DM in % by weight | + + | |
| NTotal in kg/m3 | ◯ | |
| NH4N in kg/m3 | – | |
| K2O in kg/m3 | ◯ | |
| Liquid digestate | ||
| DM in % by weight | + | |
| NTotal in kg/m3 | ◯ | |
| NH4N in kg/m3 | ◯ | |
| K2O in kg/m3 | ◯ |
Summary
“NUTRIFLOW 3.0” of VEENHUIS MACHINES BV fulfilled the requirements for DLG approval in the accuracy of measurement of dry matter (DM), total nitrogen (NTotal), ammonium nitrogen (NH4 N), and potassium oxide (K2O) in liquid cattle manure and in liquid digestate, as well as dry matter (DM), total nitrogen (NTotal), and potassium oxide (K2O) in liquid pig manure.
A major advantage of NIR measuring technology compared to the conventional methods for the determination of ingredients in liquid manures through sampling and laboratory analysis, consist in the immediate availability of measurement results, and in the permanent measurement of the ingredients along the complete manure volume
Applicant and manufacturer
Test execution
DLG e.V.
Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs,
Max-Eyth-Weg 1, 64823 Groß-Umstadt, Germany
Chamber of Agriculture of North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany (LWK Nordrhein-Westfalen)
Teaching and research Institute Riswick,
Elsenpass 5, 47533 Kleve, Germany
DLG test scope
DLG-APPROVED for single, value-determining criteria
“Precision of NIR sensors for the determination of ingredients in passing liquid manure of animal origin and liquid digestate” (current as of 07/2017)
Department
Technology for outdoor work equipment
Members of the competent DLG Test Commission “Fertilising Technology”
Dr. Horst Cielejewski, Chamber of Agriculture of
North Rhine-Westphalia
Dr. Harm Drücker, Chamber of Agriculture of
Lower Saxony
Prof. Nils Fölster, University of Osnabrück
Prof. Hans W. Griepentrog, University of Hohenheim
Dr. Fabian Lichti, State Institute of Agriculture Bavaria
Frank Reith (farmer), Groß-Umstadt
Prof. Bernd Scheufler, University of Osnabrück
Sven Schneider (farmer and contractor), Brensbach
Peter Seeger (farmer), Otzberg
Head of Department
Dr. Ulrich Rubenschuh *
Test engineer(s)
Dipl.-Ing agr. Georg Horst Schuchmann
* Author
Contact
DLG TestService GmbH - Groß-Umstadt location • Max-Eyth-Weg 1 64823 Groß-Umstadt Germany • Tel.: +49(0)69 24 788-611 • tech@DLG.org