AU2020102019B4 - Mobile liquid blending apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a mobile liquid blending apparatus to prepare a liquid agricultural chemical comprising a concentrate and a diluent. The apparatus includes a vessel mounted on a transportable frame and a mixer to blend the concentrate and the diluent in the vessel. The vessel is provided with a first inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a first pump to transfer diluent from a diluent source to the vessel; a second inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a second pump to transfer concentrate from a concentrate reservoir to the vessel; and an outlet port arranged in fluid communication with a transfer pump to discharge the agricultural liquid chemical from the vessel. The transportable frame is provided with pockets configured to receive forklift tines to facilitate loading of said apparatus between a vehicle tray and one of a plurality of sites. The transportable frame being further provided with a load sensor associated with the vessel, the load sensor being in electronic communication with a controller arranged in operative communication with the first and second pumps in an arrangement to control the relative amounts of diluent and concentrate transferred to the vessel.

Description

"Mobile liquid blending apparatus"

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure relates to a mobile liquid blending apparatus, in particular a mobile liquid blending apparatus to prepare liquid agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, fertilisers, soil conditioners, growth hormones, liming agents and acidifiers suitable for spray application.

Background

[0002] The discussion of the background to the disclosure is intended to facilitate an understanding of the disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Agricultural chemicals (or agrichemicals) may be used for several purposes including, but not limited to, promoting crop growth (fertilizers) and protecting crops against competing organisms (pesticides and herbicides). Many agricultural chemicals are formulated as liquids so that they can be readily applied as sprays over large surface areas, such as broad acre crops.

[0004] Typically, such liquids may be transported to farms in 1000 L intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), with freight costs to remote sites of $200-$200 per IBC unit. Interstate freight may be in excess of $400 per IBC unit. As it is usual for these liquids to be delivered in volumes of from 5,000-10,000 L, freight costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with their transport to site may be considerable.

[0005] Many of the liquid agricultural chemicals are water-based, wherein a concentrate is pre-mixed with water at a ratio of about 1:9. The cost of freighting pre mixed liquid chemicals could be considerably reduced if the liquid agricultural chemical were prepared by diluting the concentrate on site.

[0006] The mobile liquid blending apparatus as described herein seeks to overcome at least some of the problems described above.

Summary

[0007] The disclosure provides a mobile liquid blending apparatus, in particular a mobile liquid blending apparatus to prepare liquid agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, fertilisers, soil conditioners, growth hormones, liming agents and acidifiers suitable for spray application.

[0008] One aspect of the disclosure provides a mobile liquid blending apparatus to prepare a liquid agricultural chemical comprising a concentrate and a diluent, said apparatus comprising: a vessel mounted on a transportable frame and a mixer to blend the concentrate and the diluent in the vessel, wherein the vessel is provided with: a first inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a first pump to transfer diluent from a diluent source to the vessel, a second inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a second pump to transfer concentrate from a concentrate reservoir to the vessel, and an outlet port arranged in fluid communication with a transfer pump to discharge the liquid agricultural chemical from the vessel, wherein the transportable frame is provided with pockets configured to receive forklift tines or lifting points to facilitate loading of said apparatus between a vehicle tray and one of a plurality of sites, the apparatus further comprising a sensor associated with the vessel, the sensor being in electronic communication with a controller arranged in operative communication with the first and second pumps in an arrangement to control the relative amounts of diluent and concentrate transferred to the vessel.

[0009] In one embodiment, the sensor may be a load sensor. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor may comprise a first flow meter and a second flow meter arranged to monitor flow of the diluent and the concentrate, respectively, to the vessel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first and second pumps maybe capable of drawing diluent and concentrate from respective source and reservoir in a defined ratio through said first and second pumps to said vessel. The defined ratio may be pre programmed in the controller.

[0011] In one embodiment, the transportable frame maybe provided with a lock positionable between a locked configuration and a released configuration, the lock being associated with the load sensor in an arrangement whereby when the lock is in the locked configuration the load sensor may be protected from damage when said apparatus is transported.

[0012] Several different types of agricultural liquid chemicals may be required at any one of the plurality of sites and therefore it is advantageous for the mobile fluid blending apparatus to be configured to prepare more than one agricultural liquid chemical. It may be important, however, to avoid cross-contamination of one type of liquid agricultural chemical with another type of liquid agricultural chemical.

[0013] In one embodiment, the vessel may be further provided with a third inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a third pump to transfer an alternative concentrate from an alternative concentrate reservoir to the vessel, the controller being arranged in operative communication with the third pump in an arrangement to control the relative amounts of diluent and alternative concentrate transferred to the vessel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the apparatus may be associated with a bund to mitigate spillage of any one or more of the concentrate, diluent or liquid agricultural chemical therefrom. The bund may be capable of being transported in a collapsible configuration. In use, the apparatus may be disposed within a space defined by a bund wall.

[0015] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a mobile liquid blending apparatus when used to prepare a liquid agricultural chemical.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] Notwithstanding any otherforms which may fall within the scope of the process as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures below:

[0017] Figure 1 is one embodiment of a transportable frame for a mobile liquid blending apparatus as described herein;

[0018] Figure 2 is a partial front view of one embodiment of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in Figure 1, with some elements depicted in phantom;

[0019] Figure 3 is a side view of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with some elements depicted in phantom;

[0020] Figure 4 is an alternative side view of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in Figures 1-3, with some elements depicted in phantom;

[0021] Figure 5 is a further alternative side view of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in Figures 1-4, with some elements depicted in phantom;

[0022] Figure 6 is another alternative side view of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in Figures 1-5, with some elements depicted in phantom;

[0023] Figure 7 is still another alternative side view of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in Figures 1-6, with some elements depicted in phantom; and,

[0024] Figure 8 is a front view of the mobile liquid blending apparatus as shown in the preceding figures.

Description of Embodiments

[0025] The disclosure relates a mobile liquid blending apparatus, in particular a mobile liquid blending apparatus to prepare agricultural liquid chemicals.

GENERALTERMS

[0026] Throughout this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, reference to a single step, composition of matter, group of steps or group of compositions of matter shall be taken to encompass one and a plurality (i.e. one or more) of those steps, compositions of matter, groups of steps or groups of compositions of matter. Thus, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to "a" includes a single as well as two or more; reference to "an" includes a single as well as two or more; reference to "the" includes a single as well as two or more and so forth.

[0027] Each example of the present disclosure described herein is to be applied mutatis mutandis to each and every other example unless specifically stated otherwise. The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific examples described herein, which are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally-equivalent products, compositions and methods are clearly within the scope of the disclosure as described herein.

[0028] The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0029] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0030] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0031] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0032] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0033] The term "and/or", e.g., "X and/or Y" shall be understood to mean either "X and Y" or "X or Y" and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning.

[0034] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0036] The term "about" as used herein means within 5%, and more preferably within 1%, of a given value or range. For example, "about 3.7%" means from 3.5 to 3.9%, preferably from 3.66 to 3.74%. When the term "about" is associated with a range of values, e.g., "about X% to Y%", the term "about" is intended to modify both the lower (X) and upper (Y) values of the recited range. For example, "about 20% to 40%" is equivalent to "about 20% to about 40%".

MOBILE LIQUID BLENDING APPARATUS

[0037] Referring to the figures, where like numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is shown an embodiment of a mobile apparatus 100 for blending liquids, in particular liquid agricultural chemicals. The liquid agricultural chemicals may be water based liquids used for agricultural purposes. Suitable examples include, but are not limited to, water-based pesticides such as herbicides for control of weeds, insecticides for control of insects, acaricides for control of spiders, fungicides for control of fungi, larvicides for control of larvae, miticides for control of mites, and fertilisers including trace element mixtures, plant growth regulators and plant hormones. In particular, the apparatus as described herein may be used to prepare liquid fertilizers including, but not limited to, trace element mixtures, liquid fertilisers containing copper, manganese and zinc sulphate, liquid fertilisers or adjuvants containing ammonium sulphate, liquid nitrogen fertilizers. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus as described herein may be used to prepare liquid herbicides including, but not limited to, glyphosate, paraquat, MCPA and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), all of the foregoing containing any one or more of sodium, potassium, ammonium or quaternary salts of dimethylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine.

[0038] Prior to spray application, the above liquid agricultural chemicals may be prepared by diluting a concentrate with a diluent at a suitable concentrate:diluent ratio. The concentrate:diluent ratio will vary according to the nature of the liquid agricultural chemical and the purpose of the agricultural application. For example, glyphosphate may be diluted with a diluent, such as water, in a ratio of about 1:10, whereas 2,4-D may be diluted with water in a ratio of about 1:50.

[0039] The term 'mobile' as used herein refers to the ability of said apparatus 100 to be transported on a vehicle tray, such as on a flatbed truck or trailer, from one site to another. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 as described herein may be configured and sized to be readily transported on or in a variety of vehicles. For example, said apparatus 100 may be configured and sized to be readily transported from site to site within a shipping container on a container truck or trailer.

[0040] The apparatus 100 includes a vessel 12 mounted on a frame 14. The vessel 12 may be any suitable container for storing liquids, such as a cylindrical tank or an intermediate bulk container (IBC), as shown in the figures.

[0041] The frame 14 includes abase frame 16, a support frame 18 mounted on the base frame 16, a first upright frame 20 mounted proximal to a front 22 of the base frame 16 and a second upright frame 24 spaced apart from, and mounted rearwardly with respect to, the first upright frame 20. The first and second upright frames 20, 24 may be interconnected by a plurality of braces 26.

[0042] The base frame 16 is generally rectangular and includes forward and rear members 28, 30 interconnected by longer opposing side members 32. In this particular embodiment, the forward, rear and side members 28, 30, 32 of the base frame 16 may be fabricated from parallel flange channels (PFC). The side members 32 may be provided with a plurality of gusset plates 32a spaced along a length of said member 32 to rigidify the PFC.

[0043] The base frame 16 is provided with two bracing members 34 extending between the opposing side members 32 proximal to the forward and rear members 28, , respectively. The bracing members 34 may be fabricated from circular hollow sections. In use, respective chains may be threaded through the circular hollow sections to secure the base frame 16 to a vehicle tray during transport. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the circular hollow sections also provide additional tie down points and alternative ties, other than chains, may be employed.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in the figures, a pair of rectangular hollow sections 36 extends between the opposing side members 32. The rectangular hollow sections 36 are spaced from one another at a distance to receive respective tines of a forklift handler. The rectangular hollow sections 36 are also spaced with respect to the forward and rear members 28, 30 of the base frame 16. In this way, the load of the apparatus 10 mounted on the frame 14 may be generally balanced between front and rear tines of the forklift handler when the respective tines are received in the rectangular hollow sections 36 and the apparatus 100 is loaded or unloaded from the vehicle tray.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment the frame 14 may be provided with lifting points (not shown) to facilitate loading of said apparatus 10 between a vehicle tray and one of a plurality of sites.

[0046] In other embodiments, the base frame 16 may be adapted to be fastened to a deck of a trailer, such as with twist locks. In these embodiments, the mobile liquid blending apparatus 100 could be driven directly to site and deployed to prepare liquid agricultural chemicals as desired, still mounted on the deck of the trailer without the need for loading or unloading with a forklift handler. In these particular embodiments, the deck may be bunded to mitigate spillage of diluent, concentrate or the liquid agricultural chemicals. It will also be appreciated that a source of diluent, such as a reverse osmosis water treatment unit, may also be mounted on the deck of the trailer alongside said apparatus 100.

[0047] Referring to the figures, the base frame 16 includes a mounting platform 38 proximal the forward side member 28. The mounting platform 38 includes a plurality of parallel slats 40 extending between the opposing side members 32 and mounted on an upper surface 42 thereof.

[0048] The support frame 18 is mounted on a rear portion 44 of the base frame 16 and is configured to support the vessel 12. In the embodiments described herein, the vessel 12 is an IBC. Accordingly, in this particular embodiment the support frame 18 is generally rectangular and includes forward and rear members 46, 48 interconnected by opposing side members 50. It will be understood that in embodiments wherein the vessel 12 is a cylindrical tank, the support frame 18 may be generally circular or at least have arcuate sections to support a base of the cylindrical tank.

[0049] The support frame 18 is provided with a weigh platform 51 and a load sensor (not shown) in association with the vessel 12 in an arrangement whereby the vessel 12 is supported on the weight platform 51 and the load sensor measures the weight of diluent and concentrate delivered to the vessel 12. The load sensor may be any suitable force transducer that converts tension, compression, pressure or torque into an electrical signal that can be measured and standardized. Suitable examples of load sensors include, but are not limited to, hydraulic, pneumatic, and strain gauge load cells. In the embodiment shown in the figures, four load sensors are positioned underneath each corner of the weigh platform 51 supporting the IBC.

[0050] As the specific gravity of the diluent and the concentrates are different from one another, it is possible to determine the volume of diluent and the concentrates delivered to the vessel 12 from the weight measurements of the load sensor, as well as the volume of liquid agricultural chemical discharged from the vessel 12.

[0051] The load sensor is generally sensitive to vibration and motion which may cause it to drift or misalign and provide incorrect load measurements. Consequently, in transit, the load sensor is particularly vulnerable to drift and misalignment, thereby requiring re-calibration when the apparatus 100 reaches its destination.

[0052] Accordingly, to protect the load sensor from drift and misalignment, the support frame 18 is provided with a pair of clamps 52a, 52b positionable between a locked configuration and a released configuration. The pair of clamps 52a, 52b are disposed on the forward and rear members 46, 48. In the locked configuration, the clamps 52a, 52b are generally configured to engage with and stabilise the weight platform 51 and the vessel 12 mounted on the support frame 18 by preventing or reducing vibrational movement of the vessel 12 with respect to the base frame 16 while the apparatus 10 is in transit. In this way load sensor 148 is protected from drift or misalignment due to vibration and motion when the apparatus 100 is transported. It will be appreciated that over time the load sensor 148 will inherently experience some drift, age and misalignment and will still require re-calibration on at least an annual basis.

[0053] It will be appreciated that the clamps 52a, 52b may be configured in varied ways corresponding to the type of vessel 12 mounted on the support frame. In this particular embodiment, the clamps 52a, 52b include mounting bracket 54, an L-shaped clamp 56 hinged at one end to the mounting bracket 54, and a clamp tab 58 extending from the L-shaped clamp 56. In the locked configuration, the clamp tab 58 engages with a flange extending from the weigh platform 51 and the L-shaped clamp 56 is hinged downwardly to tension the clamp tab 58 against the flange, thereby locking the weigh table to the support frame 18. The clamps 52a, 52b may be unlocked by upwardly pivoting the L-shaped clamp 56 about its hinge, thereby allowing the clamp tab 58 to be disengaged from the flange.

[0054] Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 10 may be provided with a first flow meter (not shown) and a second flow meter (not shown) arranged to monitor flow of the diluent and the concentrate, respectively, to the vessel 12. The first and second flow meters may be any suitable conventional flow meter.

[0055] The first and second upright frames 20, 24 respectively include a pair of opposing upright members 60 mounted at lower ends 62 thereof to respective side members 32 with a mounting plate 64 and a mounting gusset 66. The opposing upright members 60 are interconnected at upper ends 68 thereof by an upper member 70.

[0056] A plurality of spaced members 72 also extend between the pair of opposing upright members 60 of the first and second upright frames 20, 24. The spaced members 72 of the first upright frame 20 may be provided with mounting brackets 74.

[0057] The second upright frame member 24 is provided with a first mounting plate 76 affixed proximal to the lower end 62 of one of the upright members 60 and a second mounting plate 78 affixed to the spaced member 72. The first and second mounting plates 76, 78 are spaced apart in parallel alignment with one another and the opposing side member 30 of the base frame 16. The first mounting plate 76 has holes a, 80b and the first and second mounting plates 76, 78 are provided with correspondingly aligned holes 80c.

[0058] The vessel 12 is configured to receive the concentrate and the diluent in a prescribed volume ratio (e.g. about 1:9) and to mix or blend the concentrate and the diluent to prepare the liquid agricultural chemical. The vessel 12 is provided with an agitator 82, such as an impeller configured to mix and blend liquids, which is driven by a motor 84. The motor 84 may be any suitable motor to drive liquid mixing and blending equipment. Examples of suitable motors 84 include, but are not limited to, an electric direct drive motor, an electric gear drive motor or a variable speed direct drive motor.

[0059] The agitator 82 and the motor 84 are supported on a bracket 86, such as a tote bracket, which extends across and above an upper surface 88 of the vessel 12. Rotors 90 of the agitator 82 are suspended in an interior 92 of the vessel 12 by inserting a shaft 94 of the agitator 82 through a port 96 in the upper surface 88 of the vessel 12.

[0060] The vessel 12 is configured to receive diluent, such as water or glycol, from a diluent source (not shown). The diluent source may be any source which provides water of sufficient quality for preparation of the liquid agricultural chemicals as described above. It will be appreciated that on some sites, in particular some farms, available groundwater or surface water may have a high TDS content (>1500 mg/L) and consequently may be unsuitable for direct preparation of liquid agricultural chemicals. Accordingly, available water may have to be treated to lower the TDS content by techniques such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, or desalination. In practice, it is envisaged that the mobile fluid blending apparatus 10 as described herein may be associated with a water treatment plant, such as a reverse osmosis water treatment plant, to produce water of sufficient quality for use as the diluent in the preparation of the liquid agricultural chemical. The term 'sufficient quality' refers to water with a TDS content that would not impart undesirable characteristics to the liquid agricultural chemical. The vessel 12 may be configured in fluid communication with the water treatment plant which would act as the diluent source. It is envisaged that the water treatment plant would be co-located with said apparatus 10 and transported on the vehicle tray, with said apparatus 10, from one site to another.

[0061] The vessel 12 is provided with a first inlet port 98 arranged in fluid communication with a first pump 102 via conduit 104 to transfer diluent from the diluent source to the vessel 12. The first inlet port 98 may be disposed in the upper surface 88 of the vessel 12. The conduit 104 may be provided with a valve 106, such as a ball valve, to control the flow of diluent to the vessel 12, as will be described later. An end 108 of conduit 104 may be coupled with a conduit (not shown) from the diluent source with a coupling adaptor 110 disposed in the first hole 80c in first mounting plate 76 on the second upright frame member 24.

[0062] The vessel 12 is provided with a second inlet port 112 arranged in fluid communication with a second pump 114 via conduit 116 to transfer a first concentrate from a first concentrate source (not shown) to the vessel 12. The second inlet port 112 may be disposed in the upper surface 88 of the vessel 12. The conduit 116 may be provided with a valve 118, such as a ball valve, to control the flow of first concentrate to the vessel 12, as will be described later. An end of conduit 116 may be coupled with a conduit (not shown) from the first concentrate source with a coupling adaptor 118 disposed in the first hole 80a in first mounting plate 76 on the second upright frame member 24.

[0063] The vessel 12 is also provided with a third inlet port 120 arranged in fluid communication with a third pump 122 via conduit 124 to transfer a second concentrate from a second concentrate source (not shown) to the vessel 12. It is convenient to configure the apparatus 100 to be able to prepare more than one type of liquid agricultural chemical and to avoid cross-contamination of one type of liquid agricultural chemical with another type of liquid agricultural chemical. The third inlet port 120 may be disposed in the upper surface 88 of the vessel 12. The conduit 124 may be provided with a valve 126, such as a ball valve, to control the flow of second concentrate to the vessel 12, as will be described later. An end 128 of conduit 124 may be coupled with a conduit (not shown) from the second concentrate source with a coupling adaptor 130 disposed in the first hole 80b in first mounting plate 76 on the second upright frame member 24.

[0064] The vessel 12 is provided with an outlet port 132 arranged in fluid communication with a transfer pump 134 via conduit 136 to discharge the vehicle fluid from the vessel 12. The outlet port 132 may be disposed in a lower portion 138 of a side wall 140 of the vessel 12. Conduit 142 may be coupled with a hose reel assembly 144 supported from the braces 26 disposed between the upper members 70 of the first and second upright frames 20, 24. The hose reel assembly 144 may be used to discharge the liquid agricultural chemical prepared in the vessel 12 into another storage container.

[0065] The first pump, second pump, third pump and transfer pump 102, 114, 122, 134 may be any suitable electrically powered pump for conveying liquids. In particular the first pump, second pump, third pump and transfer pump 102, 114, 122, 134 may be a variable speed drive pressure pump. The second pump, third pump and transfer pump are disposed adjacent one another on the mounting platform 40 of the base frame 14.

[0066] The apparatus 100 is provided with a controller 146 mounted on the first upright frame 20 via mounting brackets 74. The controller 146 is arranged in electronic communication with the load sensor and in operative communication with the first, second and third pumps 102, 114, 122 whereby the controller 146 controls the relative volume of diluent and concentrate transferred to the vessel 12 by the first, second and third pumps 102, 114, 122. A pre-determined ratio of diluent to first concentrate or diluent to second concentrate may be pre-programmed in the controller. The diluent may be delivered simultaneously with the first or second concentrate or sequentially before or after the first or second concentrate.

[0067] It will be appreciated that in most embodiments the second pump 114 will not operate at the same time as the third pump 122 and that valve 118 will be closed to prevent the first concentrate from being conveyed to the vessel 12 when valve 126 is open, and vice versa. Valves 106, 118 and 126 may be arranged to be opened or closed electronically by the controller 146. Alternatively, valves 106, 118 and 126 may be manually opened or closed.

[0068] In use, the apparatus 100 is adapted to be transported to a desired location on a flatbed truck or trailer. The apparatus 100 may be loaded onto a flatbed truck or trailer by inserting the tines of the forklift handler into the pair of rectangular hollow sections 36 to facilitate loading and unloading of the apparatus 100 from the flatbed truck or trailer. Storage containers respectively holding the first concentrate and the second concentrate (or further concentrates) may be also transported together with the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, a water treatment plant, such as a reverse osmosis water treatment plant, may also be transported together with the apparatus 100 and said concentrates.

[0069] Prior to transporting the apparatus 100, the clamps 52a, 52b are positioned in the locked configuration to isolate the load sensor 148. When the apparatus 100 is transported to site and (optionally) unloaded from the flatbed truck or trailer, the clamps 52a, 52 are positioned in the unlocked configuration to allow the load sensor 148 to function.

[0070] To mitigate spillage of any one or more of the concentrate, diluent or liquid agricultural chemical, the apparatus may be associated, in use, with a bund. In some embodiments, the bund may be capable of being transported in a collapsed configuration so as to occupy as little space as possible during transit. The bund may be inflatable or be fabricated from a flexible, impermeable material (e.g. PVC) which can be engaged with a rigid frame. When the bund is erected on site, an operator may load the apparatus 100 and centrally position the apparatus 100 in the bund so that the apparatus 100 is located in a space defined by a bund wall.

[0071] The operator couples the end 108 of conduit 104 with the conduit (not shown) from the diluent source via coupling adaptor 110, the end 120 of conduit 116 is coupled with the conduit (not shown) from the first concentrate source via coupling adaptor 118, and the end 128 of conduit 124 is coupled with the conduit (not shown) from the second concentrate source via coupling adaptor 130. The hose reel assembly 144 is coupled with another storage container on site which has been designated to store the desired liquid agricultural chemical, in readiness for discharging said liquid from the vessel 12.

[0072] The operator then selects the desired liquid agricultural chemical programme on the controller 146 which determines which liquid agricultural chemical will be prepared by the apparatus 100. Valves 106 and 118 or valves 106 and 126 may be opened manually, depending on which of the first agricultural liquid chemical or the second agricultural liquid chemical will be prepared. Alternatively, in embodiments where valves 106, 118 and 126 are actuated electronically by the controller 146, the required valves will be opened by the controller 146 when the operator selects the desired liquid agricultural chemical programme on the controller 146.

[0073] The controller 146 actuates the first and second pumps 102, 114 or the first and third pumps 102, 122 to draw diluent and first or second concentrate, respectively from respective sources. The relative ratios of diluent and first or second concentrate are pre-programmed into the controller 146. The controller 146 also actuates the motor 84 to drive the agitator 82 to mix the diluent and the first or second concentrate in the vessel 12, thereby preparing the first or second liquid agricultural chemical.

[0074] The load sensor and/or the first and second flow meters provide electronic feedback to the controller 146 about the relative volumes of diluent and first or second concentrate delivered to the vessel 12 and, in particular, when the vessel 12 holds the required volume of first or second liquid agricultural chemical so that the controller 146 causes the first, second and third pumps 102, 114, 122 to cease drawing diluent, first or second concentrate from their respective sources and actuates transfer pump 134 to discharge the first or second liquid agricultural chemical to storage through the hose reel assembly 144.

[0075] When the desired liquid agricultural chemicals have been prepared, valves 106, 118 and 126 may be closed (either manually or electronically) and the sources of diluent and respective concentrates may be decoupled from the apparatus 100 by detaching respective hoses from coupling adaptors 110, 118, 130, respectively. The clamps 52a, 52b are positioned in the locked configuration to isolate the load sensors and then the apparatus 100 may be loaded back onto the flatbed truck or trailer with a forklift handler as described previously. The bund may be cleaned (if necessary) and collapsed for storage and/or transport.

[0076] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. For example, the frame 14 may be configured in a different manner to the embodiment described herein. For example, in the embodiment described herein the first and second upright frames 20, 24 are provided to support the controller 146 and the conduits to the vessel. It will be understood that one or both of these upright frames may be omitted or configured in a different manner to the embodiment described herein. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0077] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A mobile liquid blending apparatus to prepare a liquid agricultural chemical comprising a concentrate and a diluent, said apparatus comprising: a vessel mounted on a transportable frame and a mixer to blend the concentrate and the diluent in the vessel, wherein the vessel is provided with: a first inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a first pump to transfer diluent from a diluent source to the vessel, a second inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a second pump to transfer concentrate from a concentrate reservoir to the vessel, and an outlet port arranged in fluid communication with a transfer pump to discharge the liquid agricultural chemical from the vessel, the apparatus further comprising a sensor associated with the vessel, the sensor being in electronic communication with a controller arranged in operative communication with the first and second pumps in an arrangement to control the relative amounts of diluent and concentrate transferred to the vessel, wherein the transportable frame is provided with pockets configured to receive forklift tines or lifting points to facilitate loading of said apparatus between a vehicle tray and one of a plurality of sites.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a load sensor and/or a first flow meter and a second flow meter arranged to monitor flow of the diluent and the concentrate, respectively, to the vessel.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the transportable frame is provided with a lock positionable between a locked configuration and a released configuration, the lock being associated with the load sensor in an arrangement whereby when the lock is in the locked configuration the load sensor is protected from damage when said apparatus is transported.

4. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second pumps are capable of drawing diluent and concentrate from respective source and reservoir in a defined ratio through said first and second pumps to said vessel, and the defined ratio is optionally pre-programmed in the controller.

5. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vessel is further provided with a third inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a third pump to transfer an alternative concentrate from an alternative concentrate reservoir to the vessel, the controller being arranged in operative communication with the third pump in an arrangement to control the relative amounts of diluent and alternative concentrate transferred to the vessel.