North Yorkshire based J.F. Hudson has further developed the Agricultural Tank Monitoring System (ATMS) to include LF (Liquid Fertiliser) and U (Underground) versions.
Developed for tank systems linked by underground piping, the first ATMS-U system has already been installed on a Lincolnshire farm to connect three digestate storage tanks directly to the AD plant.
Allowing digestate to be pumped through existing underground pipes originally installed for irrigating potatoes, this bespoke installation combines a standard ATMS system and radar tank level monitor, with a flow meter mounted on the tank’s inlet pipe. A dedicated LoRaWAN communication system is integrated within the existing system at the AD plant.
Essentially, the operator knows that digestate leaving the AD plant arrives at the storage tanks. “In this installation, the initial cost has been covered by the significant saving on transport costs,” says director James Hudson.
One tank is 1.5km from the plant and the other two neighbouring tanks are 2.4km away as the crow flies. Previously, lorries and tankers were used to fill the storage tanks with 42 road-transport loads needed to fill each tank.
The ATMS LF can cater up to four tanks on one system or site and, like the original ATMS, which monitors and relays information on liquid levels in digestate tanks in remote locations, are solar powered which makes them suitable for off-grid sites. Essentially, the system’s monitors react to both maximum fill levels being reached, or leaks, and send alerts by email.
“This facility makes for better logistics management with the level alert reducing the risk of running out of fertiliser during ideal application weather windows,” adds Mr Hudson. “The leak alert guards against the loss of valuable product during longer term storage when it might have been purchased at favourable out-of-season prices.”
Prices for the ATMS LF start at £2,500 for one tank (a four-tank system costs £3,990). Prices exclude VAT and installation.
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