The document discusses how fertilizer injectors work to dilute concentrated fertilizer solutions. It explains that injectors introduce a small amount of concentrate from a stock tank into a water line. Different types of injectors include venturi and positive displacement injectors. Venturi injectors have no moving parts while positive displacement injectors can adjust ratios. The document provides examples of calculating fertilizer ratios and parts per million concentrations.

1. Understanding Injectors and Fertilizer Ratios Steven E. Newman, Ph.D., A.A.F. Greenhouse Crops Extension Specialist and Professor of Floriculture Colorado State University Extension

3. Injectors are ideal for applying

4. Water soluble fertilizers,

5. Pesticides,

6. Plant growth regulators,

7. Wetting agents,

8. Disinfectants, and

9. Mineral Acids2 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer To plants Fertilizer Concentrate

10. How Fertilizer Injectors Work One part of stock solution is mixed with “x” parts of water in the waterline, where “x” is determined by the injector ratio. The size of the stock tank can vary from as small as 5 gallons to as large as 2,000 gallons. A 5-gallon stock tank used with a 1:100 injector ratio will yield 500 gallons of final solution. Often, injector ratios are expressed as a percentage. Injector ratios expressed as percentages 1:50 = 2% 1:100 = 1% 1:200 = 0.5% 1:500 = 0.2% 3 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

11. How Fertilizer Injectors Work 4 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 100 parts to plants 99 parts water Fertilizer Concentrate 1 part fertilizer concentrate

12. How Fertilizer Injectors Work Types of Injectors Venturi Injectors Hozon and Syphonex Positive Displacement Injectors Dosotron DosMatic Anderson Smith Gewa 5 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

14. No moving parts

15. Inject at a constant rate

16. Inexpensive

18. Venturi Injectors Venturi designs Simplistic No moving parts Inject at a constant rate Inexpensive Siphon Hose 16:1 Ratio Dispenses fertilizers as well as other pesticides 8 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

19. Venturi Fertilizer Injectors Pros Simple with no moving parts Inexpensive Flexible for many chemicals including wettable powders Portable Cons Back pressure can stop siphon (check valve) Unit should not be further than 50 feet from hose end Reduction in water pressure and flow Minimum 35 psi water pressure 9 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

20. Positive Displacement Injectors Consistent injector ratios over a wide range of water pressures and flow rates Many models use water pressure as the power source Injector ratios can often be adjusted while in use The limiting factor is the minimum and maximum flow rates permissible 10 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

21. Positive Displacement Injectors Smith Measuremix Water driven pump Cast metal and stainless steel construction Injector ratios are factory set at 1:100, or 1:200 11 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

22. Positive Displacement Injectors Smith Measuremix Water driven pump Cast metal and stainless steel construction Injector ratios are factory set at 1:100, or 1:200 Some models have dual heads for simultaneous injection of different chemicals Repairs are expensive and the units are heavy 12 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

23. Positive Displacement Injectors Dosatron / DosMatic Water driven Polymer construction Typically installed directly in the water line 13 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

24. Positive Displacement Injectors Dosatron / DosMatic Water driven Polymer construction Typically installed directly in the water line Multiple units for dual injection of different chemicals 14 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

25. Positive Displacement Injectors Dosatron / DosMatic Simultaneously inject products that may not be compatible in a stock solution May be easier to install inexpensive injectors in-line Multi-head systems for greater volumes of water 15 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

26. Positive Displacement Injectors Anderson Ratio:Feeder water driven cast metal construction polymer construction module injection heads 16 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

27. Positive Displacement Injectors Positive Displacement Pump Proportioner water driven cast metal construction polymer construction module injection heads metering device 17 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

28. Positive Displacement Injectors 18 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Anderson Ratio:Feeders can be automated with sensors and a computer to regulate fertilizer ratios. InjectorHead Water Motor Water flow in Mixing Tank FertilizerStockTank Water/Fertilizerflow out pH and EC electrodes

29. Positive Displacement Injectors Positive Displacement Pump Proportioner water driven cast metal construction polymer construction module injection heads metering device electronic control 19 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

30. Positive Displacement Injectors Gewa Injector 20 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Flow in Flow out Water pressure Water pressure PolybutyleneBladder with Fertilizer Concentrate

31. Which injector is best for you? Size of your operation Greenhouses up to 10,000 square feet are easily serviced with small units Larger greenhouses may want to consider a more permanent installation Types of fertility programs Different crops may have different fertility regimens Consider future expansion Water flow rates Injector ratios Fixed ratio injectors Variable ratio injectors Water pressure Water quality Stock tank size At least large enough to satisfy daily irrigation needs May need two separate tanks Opaque to sunlight Make sure that the stock tank is lower than the injector to prevent back siphoning Chemicals being injected Portable or stationary Ease of repair, parts availability, longevity Manufacturer’s support 21 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

32. Positive Displacement Injectors Bypass Permanently installed injectors may be plumbed off the main water line in several configurations. open/closed Check valve closed/open Parallel Series

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34. Chemicals to be injected Acid injection Backflow protection 24 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

35. Filtration 25 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

36. Water hammer Many injectors are made of ABS plastic Over time these may become brittle ¼ - turn valves increase water hammer Water hammer arrestors will prolong the life of your injector Place the arrestor between your valve and your injector (outlet side) 26 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Water hammer is the energy that is in water traveling in one direction. When a valve abruptly closes, the ricocheting water increases up to four times the original pressure.

37. Calibrating an Injector Injectors are mechanical devices that require periodic checks and adjustments. There are two means of checking the calibration of an injector Volume ratio method Electrical conductivity 27 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

38. Volume Ratio Calibration Method Equipment Graduated cylinder One or two liter is best Large container with a known volume Five gallon bucket Injector with hoses and tubes Procedure Place the siphon tube into the graduated cylinder and operate the water and injector at a normal pressure Allow the system to empty one volume of the graduated cylinder to charge the system Refill the graduated cylinder and run the injector until the cylinder is half empty Discharge the water from the injector into the large bucket. Measure the uptake volume and the discharge volume The injector equals the output volume divided by the input volume 28 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

39. 29 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Injector ratio = output volume ÷ input volume

40. 30 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Injector ratio = output volume ÷ input volume 5 gallonsor 18,925 ml 1:50 18,925 ÷ 370 = 51 1:51 370 ml

41. Calculating Parts per Million Most greenhouse fertilization recommendations are based on parts per million or ppm Most manufacturers provide tables for easy reference, but they are not necessary. With a little knowledge, a calculator, and some patience, you can do this on your own. 31 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

42. Calculating Parts per Million Most greenhouse fertilization recommendations are based on parts per million or ppm Most manufacturers provide tables for easy reference, but they are not necessary. With a little knowledge, a calculator, and some patience, you can do this on your own. Quick 75 Formula To calculate the amount of fertilizer required, divide the desired ppm by 75 and then divide by the decimal fraction of the desired nutrient (such as nitrogen, potassium or phosphorous) contained in the fertilizer. 32 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

43. Calculating Parts per Million Most greenhouse fertilization recommendations are based on parts per million or ppm Most manufacturers provide tables for easy reference, but they are not necessary. With a little knowledge, a calculator, and some patience, you can do this on your own. Quick 75 Formula To calculate the amount of fertilizer required, divide the desired ppm by 75 and then divide by the decimal fraction of the desired nutrient (such as nitrogen, potassium or phosphorous) contained in the fertilizer. This results in the number of ounces of fertilizer to use in 100 gallons of water. 33 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

45. 1 drop in 16 gallons,

46. 1 inch in 158 miles,

47. 1 minute in 1.9 years,

48. 1 pound in 500 tons, and

49. 1 cent in $10,000.34 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

51. 1 drop in 16 gallons,

52. 1 inch in 158 miles,

53. 1 minute in 1.9 years,

54. 1 pound in 500 tons, and

55. 1 cent in $10,000.To calculate ppm in 100 gallons of water, First multiply 100 gallons by 8.34 pounds per gallon which equals 834 pounds. Multiply 834 pounds by 16 ounces per pound which equals 13,344 ounces per 100 gallons. Therefore, 13,344 ounces per 13,344,000,000 ounces equals 1 part per million, or more simply 0.013344 ounces per 100 gallons of water equals 1 PPM. 35 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

56. ppm Revealed 100 gal. * 8.34 lbs./gal. = 834 lbs. 834 lbs. * 16 oz/lb. = 13,344 oz. 3,344 oz/100 gal. 13,344 oz./13,344,000,000 oz. = 1 PPM 0.013344 oz./100 gal. = 1 PPM 36 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

57. ppm Revealed 100 gal. * 8.34 lbs./gal. = 834 lbs. 834 lbs. * 16 oz/lb. = 13,344 oz. 3,344 oz/100 gal. 13,344 oz./13,344,000,000 oz. = 1 PPM 0.013344 oz./100 gal. = 1 PPM The next step is to multiply the desired PPM by 0.013344, which is 74.94. 37 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

58. ppm Revealed 100 gal. * 8.34 lbs./gal. = 834 lbs. 834 lbs. * 16 oz/lb. = 13,344 oz. 3,344 oz/100 gal. 13,344 oz./13,344,000,000 oz. = 1 PPM 0.013344 oz./100 gal. = 1 PPM The next step is to multiply the desired PPM by 0.013344, which is 74.94. 38 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

59. Putting the Formula to Use Assume that the fertilizer recommendation calls for 200 ppm of nitrogen from ammonium nitrate (33% N) Using the Quick 75 equation, divide 200 ppm by 75 resulting in 2.67, and then divide by 0.33. The answer is 8.09 ounces of ammonium nitrate which dissolved in 100 gallons of water will yield 200 ppm nitrogen. 39 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

60. Putting the Formula to Use Assume that the fertilizer recommendation calls for 200 ppm of nitrogen from ammonium nitrate (33% N) Using the Quick 75 equation, divide 200 ppm by 75 resulting in 2.67, and then divide by 0.33. The answer is 8.09 ounces of ammonium nitrate which dissolved in 100 gallons of water will yield 200 ppm nitrogen. 40 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

61. Relate the Quick 75 to an Injector 41 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 100 parts to plants 99 parts water Fertilizer Concentrate 1 part fertilizer concentrate

62. Relate the Quick 75 to an Injector 42 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 Fertilizer Concentrate 50 gallons

63. Relate the Quick 75 to an Injector 43 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 99 parts water X 50 gallons 4,950 gallons of water Fertilizer Concentrate 1 part fertilizer concentrate X 50 gallons 50 gallons of concentrate delivered

64. Relate the Quick 75 to an Injector 44 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 4,950 + 50 = 5,000 gallons 99 parts water X 50 gallons 4,950 gallons of water Fertilizer Concentrate 1 part fertilizer concentrate X 50 gallons 50 gallons of concentrate delivered

65. Relate the Quick 75 to an Injector 45 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 100 parts to plants 99 parts water Fertilizer Concentrate 1 part fertilizer concentrate

66. Relate the Quick 75 to an Injector 46 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010 Clear water Diluted fertilizer Injector ratio 1:100 5,000 gallons to plants 4,950 gallonswater 50 gallons Fertilizer Concentrate 404.5 ounces or 25.3 pounds of ammonium nitrate dissolved in 50 gallons of water

67. Still want a table? 47 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010

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72. 52 For more information, contact me at http://ghex.colostate.edu/ http://www.twitter.com/newman7118 http://twitpic.com/photos/newman7118 http://www.facebook.com/senewman http://ghadvisor.blogspot.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/snewman7118 stevennewman@chat.extension.org steven.newman@colostate.edu And….. (970) 491-7118 52 11 February 2010 ProGreen EXPO 2010