The KAWECO NIR sensor was tested by the German DLG last year and approved for various values.
In 2018, the KAWECO NIR sensor was extensively tested for accuracy in the DLG test center. The purpose of the DLG "Precision of NIR sensors for determining ingredients in slurry of animal origin and liquid digests" is to determine the accuracy of mobile sensors in combination with suitable calibration models for determining ingredients in passing liquid slurry compared with laboratory analysis with officially recognized methods.
An essential advantage of NIR measurement technology compared to conventional methods for determining ingredients in liquid agricultural fertilizers through sampling and laboratory analysis is the immediately available measurement values and the permanent measurement of the ingredients over the entire supported fertilizer volume.
The scope of application of the DLG test is aimed at substrates that are described as agricultural fertilizer according to the Fertilizers Act (DünG). This means that the sensor has been tested for cow slurry, pig slurry and liquid digestate.
The DLG exam is offered for measuring the following ingredients:
Dry matter content (in weight percent)
Total nitrogen content (NT total in kg / m3)
Ammonium nitrogen content (NH4-N in kg / m3)
Phosphate content (phosphorus pentoxide, P2O5 in kg / m3)
Conclusion
The "KAWECO NIR sensor with calibration model 6.0.1" was able to demonstrate in the DLG test that it meets the measurement accuracy requirements for DLG approval for the following substances and liquids: Dry matter, N total, NH4-N and K2O in bovine manure and in liquid digestate as well as Dry matter, N total, and K2O in pig manure.
An essential advantage of the NIR measurement technology compared to the conventional methods for determining ingredients in liquid slurry by sampling and laboratory analysis is the immediately available measurement values and the permanent measurement of the ingredients over the entire supported fertilizer volume.
In practice, this means that you can immediately manage based on measured values, and spread based on kilos of nitrogen or phosphate. Currently these values are not yet approved for use in, for example, the manure accounting. However, at KAWECO we see many customers who achieve better returns through our NIR sensor because they spread based on what is in the manure.
Ask your KAWECO representative!