What Is a Liquid Fertilizer Mixer?
A liquid fertilizer mixer is a device that blends liquid chemical fertilizer with raw water to achieve a specific concentration of liquid fertilizer. It’s crucial in various agricultural practices for consistent and effective fertilization.
The choice of a liquid fertilizer mixer depends on factors like field area, flow rate, dilution ratio, and power supply availability. Additionally, to prevent equipment malfunction, a filtration unit is often necessary to remove impurities from the raw water. Generally, these mixers prepare solutions with a low concentration, typically around 0.4%-4%.
They use a substantial amount of raw water and offer a wide range of flow rates, adjustable from a few tens of liters per hour to several cubic meters per hour. The proportional pump, which supplies the liquid chemical fertilizer, operates by the force of the incoming raw water and delivers liquid additives in proportion to the water supplied. This method is beneficial as it incurs low water pressure loss and doesn’t require additional power sources.
Uses of Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
Liquid fertilizer mixers are widely used in floriculture, livestock farming, and environmental protection sectors, particularly in liquid fertilizer cultivation. This method involves supplying a small amount of water through a drip tube, which is less stressful for plants than traditional cultivation methods. It ensures a continuous and balanced supply of water, oxygen, and fertilizer, promoting the growth of high-quality roots and improving yield and quality.
Beyond agriculture, these mixers find applications in wastewater irrigation, equipment maintenance, water treatment, industrial hygiene, vehicle washing, and the printing industry.
Features of Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
Pros
Liquid fertilizer mixers maintain a constant dilution ratio and concentration, crucial for effective fertilizer application. Since inconsistent concentrations can adversely affect crop growth, these mixers play a vital role in preventing such issues.
Cons
However, they may require large tanks depending on water usage and irrigation area. Additionally, the necessity of filtration equipment to improve raw water quality can add complexity and cost. Sometimes, since a liquid fertilizer mixer alone may not suffice, it’s important to assess these needs in advance.
Types of Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
There are primarily two types of liquid fertilizer mixers:
1. Proportional Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
These are installed in irrigation piping for nutrient solution soil cultivation. They mix fertilizer proportionally to the raw water flow, allowing for easy adjustment of dilution ratios.
2. Pressure-Type Metered Volume Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
Used with mixing tanks in nutrient solution cultivation, these mixers operate a metering pump via a motor for precise mixing.
How to Select Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
The choice of a liquid fertilizer mixer depends on the specific cultivation method:
1. For Nutrient-Driven Soil Cultivation
In this scenario, proportional liquid fertilizer mixers, which mix directly into the raw water piping, are commonly used. They are easy to operate and cost-effective for nutrient solution soil cultivation.
2. For Hydroponic Cultivation
When considering hydroponic cultivation, the decision to use a mixing tank is crucial. Mixers with mixing tanks allow for storage and multipurpose use of the nutrient solution, such as temperature adjustment or medium recycling. Metering pumps enhance accuracy and ease of use in hydroponic systems but may involve higher equipment and maintenance costs.
How to Use a Liquid Fertilizer Mixer
1. Proportional Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
These mixers, lacking control functions, are used to set irrigation on/off and mix ratios via a dial.
2. Pressure-Type Metered Volume Liquid Fertilizer Mixers
These mixers can be controlled by turning on/off the irrigation and operating the metering pump according to EC sensor readings. When used with a mixing tank, a heater can also regulate the temperature.