Design, development, and evaluation of a device for the monitoring of liquid manure distribution using big gun sprinkler distribution systems

This project covers the design, development, and preliminary testing of a device for monitoring the distribution of animal waste effluents using big gun sprinkler distribution systems. The purpose of the study is to define a system that is reliable and effective both in farm management and to certify activities carried out with respect to environmental regulations. The proposed system results in the integration of the records of the main operating parameters related to the distribution process (flow rate, wetted radius, quantity of distributed sewage) with those regarding operating times and distances covered by the big gun-supporting trolley (measured through a GPS receiver). The main strength of the device lies in its autonomy in terms of power supply as the slurry flowing inside the distribution pipe is used to generate, through a dynamo, enough electric power to ensure its operation. Results obtained confirm the effectiveness of the proposed system. The monitoring device allows, with a low relative percent error compared to real values measured directly in the field, the flow rate of liquid manure distributed (deviation ranges from 0.3% to 2.9%), the wetted radius (deviation ranges from 0 to 4.7%), the treated area, and the corresponding volume of livestock manure distributed per hectare.