Patent Description:
Soil testing is an important aspect of the agricultural arts. Test results provide valuable information on the chemical makeup and characteristics of the soil (e.g. levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, etc.) so that various amendments may be added to the soil to maximize the quality and quantity of crop production. Liquid cartridges have traditionally been used for soil testing in which a solid soil sample is added to the tube to which deionized water is added. After the static mixture rests for a period of time, the liquid is manually extracted from the sample and filtered for subsequent chemical analysis of the clear supernatant. This is generally a cumbersome process because the filtration process involves multiple sieving steps through progressively smaller size sieves in order to prevent blinding the finer sieves with smallest openings. In addition, samples are generally processed on a piece-meal basis for each analyte (i.e. substance or chemical constituent of interest) to be detected and analyzed.

Improvements in soil testing are desired. <CIT> discloses an apparatus for disrupting, separating and isolating biological materials and components thereof, the apparatus including a separation unit having: a) an inlet for receipt of a biological sample; b) a first chamber coupled to the inlet, the first chamber including at least one translocatable member that translocates in response to a fluctuating magnetic field; c) a second chamber disposed adjacent to, and in fluidic communication with, the first chamber; d) a third chamber adjacent to, and in fluidic communication with, the second chamber; and e) an outlet coupled to the third chamber.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an analytical cartridge according to the appended claims is provided. The cartridge includes: a centerline axis; a main body defining a plurality of sample processing trains arranged around the centerline axis, the main body having a mounting opening configured for mounting to a spindle of a rotary machine; each processing train including an extractant mixing chamber having a slurry fill hole for introducing a soil slurry and an extractant, and a reagent mixing chamber fluidly coupled to the extractant mixing chamber. The cartridge further includes a sediment filter fluidly interposed between the extractant and reagent mixing chambers, the filter configured to deliquify the slurry for producing a supernatant collected in the reagent mixing chamber for analysis by removing dissolved and/or suspended particulate matter (including soil particles) from the slurry-extractant mixture. Each processing train further includes a set of an upper slurry filtration chamber adjoining and in fluid communication with the extractant mixing chamber and a lower supernatant collection chamber arranged below the upper slurry filtration chamber and fluidly coupled to the reagent mixing chamber. The lower supernatant collection chambers of each processing train are formed by an annular filter ring separately attached to the main body of the cartridge.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for analyzing a soil sample that includes: providing a cartridge according to the first aspect; adding a soil slurry and an extractant to the extractant mixing chamber to produce an extractant-slurry mixture; rotating the cartridge for mixing the extractant-slurry mixture; deliquifying the soil slurry to produce a supernatant; transferring the supernatant to the reagant mixing chamber; adding a reagant to the reagent mixing chamber; rotating the cartridge to mix the supernatant and the reagent into a supernatant-reagent mixture; and analyzing the supernatant-reagent mixture to measure a property of the soil.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are labeled similarly and in which:.

All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Components numbered and appearing in one figure but appearing un-numbered in other figures are the same unless expressly noted otherwise. A reference herein to a whole figure number which appears in multiple figures bearing the same whole number but with different alphabetical suffixes shall be constructed as a general refer to all of those figures unless expressly noted otherwise.

The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein by reference to exemplary ("example") embodiments.

In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical,", "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.

As used throughout, any ranges disclosed herein are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range.

The apparatus <NUM> described herein can test any type of fluid. As described below, apparatus <NUM> is illustrated for soil analysis. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a non-limiting example of a rotary soil analysis apparatus <NUM>. Apparatus <NUM> generally includes a rotary machine <NUM> which is shown with a removable disk-type rotary analytical cartridge <NUM>. Rotary machine <NUM> may include a stepped cylinder housing <NUM> supporting a rotating hub <NUM> and spindle <NUM> combination onto which the cartridge slips for rotating the cartridge. The spindle <NUM> includes a timing feature such as flat 102a which mates with a corresponding flat on the cartridge <NUM> to rotationally lock the cartridge in position on the spindle and ensure proper orientation and lockup of the cartridge. Spindle <NUM> is driven by an electric motor <NUM> supported by the housing <NUM> and configured to rotate the spindle in a single or opposing userselectable directions. A power supply such as power cord <NUM> provides electric to the motor. In one embodiment, motor <NUM> may be a servo type motor with the hub directly mounted on top of it, but it could be any type of spindle with position sensing so the rotary machine <NUM> always knows real time rotational position of the cartridge <NUM> relative to the rotary machine. As non-limiting examples, an optical encoder or Hall Effect sensor may be used to automatically sense the rotational position of the cartridge <NUM>. This allows the machine to keep track of what reaction and property of the soil sample is positioned in what processing chamber. Rotary machine <NUM> may also be configured as and incorporate a colorimeter including a single or multiple light sources <NUM> (e.g. LEDs or other type lighting) to perform the color analysis of the samples while spinning or in a stopped and selectively indexed operating mode for detecting color.

Cartridge <NUM> is removably mounted on spindle <NUM> and rotated by the rotary machine <NUM> for processing soil samples in the manner further described herein. In some representative examples, the cartridge may be rotated or spun at speeds of about and including <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> rpm (revolutions per minute). Other speeds may be used.

Rotary machine <NUM> may include a programmable controller <NUM> in some embodiments for controlling the motor <NUM> and processing of samples including colorimetric analysis of the sample for various properties or analytes. The programmable controller <NUM> may includes a programmable processor, and computer readable medium which may include volatile memory and non-volatile memory operably and communicably coupled to the processor. The non-volatile memory may be any permanent or removable type memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SDD), a removable SD card, USB drive, read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, ferroelectric RAM, and the like. Both the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory are used for saving data or results from processed samples, for storing programming (program instructions or software), and storing operating parameters associated with operation of the rotary machine <NUM> or processing samples, etc. Controller <NUM> may further include an input/output communication interface or module configured for wireless and/or wired communication for programming the processor and exchanging sampling results or other data with the rotary machine <NUM> via an external electronic device (e.g. computer, cell phone, tablet, laptop, etc.). Wireless communication protocols used may include Bluetooth, NFC (near field communication), Wi-Fi, or others. It is well within the ambit of one skilled in the art to provide and configure a controller with all the required appurtenances to provide a fully function control system for operating the rotary machine and processing soil samples in the manner disclosed herein.

The programmable controller <NUM> is programmable to control the rotary machine for spinning, rotating, and oscillating the cartridge <NUM> in the two different operating modes described above: the continuous single rotational direction for multiple complete revolutions for sample mixture distribution, or the back and forth oscillating motions in less than a full revolution for mixing contents of the processing chambers. The controller <NUM> is programmed to initiate each of these operating modes in a timed sequential manner in accordance with the sample processing methods disclosed elsewhere herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, the first embodiment of an analytical cartridge <NUM> comprises a plurality of processing cavities or chambers arranged in an array for processing multiple wetted soil samples simultaneously. Cartridge <NUM> is illustrated with a circular disk shape and includes a circular main body <NUM>, a top cover <NUM>, and an annular bottom cover <NUM> defined by a filter ring <NUM> in one embodiment attachable to the main body. While illustrated herein with a circular shape, cartridge <NUM> can have any shape that is balanced about centerline axis Cv. In other embodiments, cartridge <NUM> can be a polygon, a lemniscate, or a rose curve. In one embodiment, preferably at least the top cover <NUM> and filter ring <NUM> are made of a clear transparent plastic material. This allows the user see the contents of the multiple chambers when processing soil samples and importantly allows detection light from an external light source <NUM> of a colorimeter (e.g. LEDs) to be shone through reagent mixing chambers <NUM> (further described herein) for colorimetric detection of analytes in the sample supernatant deposited in these chambers (see, e.g. <FIG>). An example of a suitable clear plastic material is Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) which possesses high clarity, chemical resistance, strength, and rigidity making this material suitable for withstanding centrifugal forces created by the rotary machine <NUM>. In one embodiment, the top cover <NUM>, filter ring <NUM>, and intermediate main body <NUM> may all be formed of a clear material such as SAN so that the optical properties of these parts are consistent and don't skew the absorbance measurements recorded by the colorimeter.

The cartridge body <NUM>, top cover <NUM>, and filter ring <NUM> may each be injection molded into the configurations and having the features shown. The molded top cover <NUM>, and filter ring <NUM> (bottom cover <NUM>) preferably may be permanently attached to the top and bottom of main body <NUM> by any suitable method. In one embodiment, ultrasonic welding may be used to permanently join these components; however, other suitable attachment means such as adhesives or other may be used in other embodiments. Permanent attachment provides a fluidly tight and leak-proof coupling of the covers to the main body <NUM>. The ultrasonic welding may further be to join the components of the cartridge main body along seal lines which will fluidly isolate the chambers of each of the sample processing trains <NUM> from each other to prevent cross contamination. Accordingly, top cover <NUM> may be sealed welded along the perimeters of each of the chambers in each processing train <NUM> to accomplish this. An example of ultrasonic seal lines <NUM> for one processing train <NUM> is shown in <FIG> (recognizing that the chambers of all processing trains would be sealed with covered <NUM> in a similar manner).

Cartridge <NUM> defines vertical centerline axis Cv and a horizontal reference plane Hp extending horizontally and located midway between the top surface of the top cover <NUM> and bottom surface of the filter ring <NUM>. Centerline axis Cv in turn defines an axis of rotation of the cartridge <NUM> when mounted on the spindle <NUM> of the rotary machine <NUM> which becomes coaxial with axis Cv. A central mounting opening <NUM> is formed at the centerline axis Cv for insertion of the spindle <NUM> of the rotary machine <NUM>. Opening <NUM> is D-shaped in one embodiment and includes a flat <NUM> which engages the flat 102a formed on the spindle <NUM> of the rotary machine <NUM> to rotationally lock the cartridge in position relative to the spindle and machine. This ensures position lockup between the spindle <NUM> and cartridge for rotating the cartridge to process the soil samples.

Main body <NUM> of cartridge <NUM> includes a top surface <NUM>, bottom surface <NUM>, and annular sidewall <NUM> extending between the top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, sidewall <NUM> may extend parallel to vertical centerline axis CA and perpendicularly to the top and bottom surfaces. Sidewall <NUM> may have a solid construction in one embodiment.

In one embodiment, a plurality of radially-protruding arcuate flanges <NUM> may be integrally formed with the cartridge main body <NUM> which are spaced apart circumferentially around the sidewall <NUM> of the main body. The arcuate flanges <NUM> are received in mating downwardly open arcuate sockets <NUM> spaced apart perimetrically around the top cover <NUM>. In one embodiment, the sockets <NUM> may be formed by the underside of a plurality of arcuate protrusions <NUM> extending radially outward from the peripheral edge of the top cover as shown. The protrusions <NUM> have an arc length slightly longer than their corresponding flanges <NUM>. The flanges and sockets ensure proper orientation of the top cover <NUM> relative to the main body <NUM>.

The various sample processing chambers of cartridge <NUM> will now be further described. Referring to <FIG>, the analytical cartridge <NUM> includes an array of fluidly isolated sample processing trains <NUM> arranged circumferentially around the cartridge. Each processing train <NUM> generally comprises in fluid communication an extractant mixing chamber <NUM>, an upper slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, a lower supernatant collection chamber <NUM>, and a reagent mixing chamber <NUM>. The listing of the chambers <NUM>-<NUM> is in order of the soil sample slurry and supernatant flow path starting from the initial innermost chamber <NUM> to the final chamber <NUM> of each sample processing train <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, there are eight processing trains <NUM> shown; however, more or less trains may be used. The chambers associated with each processing train <NUM> are generally arranged in different sectors (eight sectors in this embodiment) of the disk-shaped analytical cartridge <NUM>. The processing trains <NUM> may arbitrarily be assigned alphabetic and/or numeric designations. Indicia (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) may therefore be provided in some embodiments on the top cover <NUM> and underside of the cartridge main body <NUM> for each train, as illustrated. This allows the user to easily keep track of the different analytes or chemical properties being detected in each sample processing train <NUM> (e.g. potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.).

In one configuration, the extractant mixing chamber <NUM>, slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, and supernatant collection chamber <NUM> of each of the sample processing trains <NUM> may be arranged and radially aligned along a respective radial reference axis Rn of the train, where "n" equals the train number such as R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, etc.). Reference axes Rn of each processing trains <NUM> shown in <FIG> passes through the center of an arcuate flange <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM>. Portions of chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> fall on each side of its respective reference axis Rn. In the present embodiment, the mixing chamber <NUM> and slurry filtration chamber <NUM> may conveniently share a common upwardly open recess molded into the main body <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> as shown. This advantageously facilitates sealing attaching the cover <NUM> to the main body <NUM> of cartridge <NUM> and minimizes the number of ultrasonic seal lines <NUM> required for one processing train <NUM>. Thought of another way, the slurry filtration chamber <NUM> may be considered to define a radially outward shallower portion of the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> than the deeper inward extractant mixing portion (see, e.g. <FIG>).

Extractant mixing chambers <NUM> are radially elongated and include a circumferential inner wall <NUM> nearest central mounting opening <NUM>, an opposing circumferential outer wall <NUM>, a pair of opposing vertical radial walls <NUM>, and a horizontal bottom wall <NUM>. The top of mixing chamber <NUM> is open and closed by the top cover <NUM> when attached to the main body <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. Radial walls <NUM> may be non-parallel in one embodiment and gradually diverge moving outwards from the vertical centerline axis Cv of the cartridge forming a wedge shaped chamber. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, one of the radial walls <NUM> of the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> may be radially straight and lies on a radius line RL of the circular shaped cartridge main body <NUM>. The other opposing radial wall <NUM> may be concavely curved which may promote better mixing.

In one embodiment, inner wall <NUM> of extractant mixing chamber <NUM> may have a substantially vertical orientation and the outer wall <NUM> may be obliquely inclined and angled relative to the vertical centerline axis Cv of the cartridge <NUM>. Outer wall <NUM> defines an upwards sloping surface (moving from the bottom wall <NUM> outwards to the top of the mixing chamber <NUM>) and leads to the slurry filtration chamber <NUM> positioned radially outwards from the extractant mixing chamber <NUM>. Outer wall <NUM> is disposed at oblique angle A1 to vertical centerline axis Cv, which in some representative non-limiting examples may be between about and including <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, and preferably between about and including <NUM>-<NUM> degrees. The sloped outer wall <NUM> facilitates the outward flow of the extractant and soil slurry mixture from the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> to the radially outer slurry filtration chamber <NUM> by centrifugal force when the cartridge <NUM> is rotated or spun by the rotary machine <NUM>.

Slurry filtration chamber <NUM> is vertically positioned on top of the supernatant collection chamber <NUM> in a stacked manner in the cartridge <NUM> as shown. Supernatant collection chamber <NUM> may be relatively smaller in volume than the extractant or reagent mixing chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and serves a temporary plenum for collecting and allowing the supernatant to continue flowing towards and be deposited in the reagent mixing chambers.

A horizontally oriented sediment filter <NUM> disposed at the bottom of the upper slurry filtration chamber <NUM> separates that chamber from the lower supernatant collection chamber <NUM> which are fluidly connected through the filter. Filters <NUM> may be circumferentially elongated and oblong ovals, and may be slightly arcuately shaped (in top plan view) to comport with the circular shape of the cartridge <NUM>. A plurality of filters <NUM> are provided and arranged along the same reference circle in circumferentially spaced apart relationship. Each extractant mixing chamber <NUM> has an associated sediment filter <NUM> positioned radially outwards therefrom as shown. Filter <NUM> automatically deliquifies (i.e. dewaters and removes dissolved/suspended matter in the water) the slurry by filtering out or trapping soil particles above a predetermined size from the extractant-slurry mixture using centrifugal force created by rotating/spinning the cartridge <NUM> with rotary machine <NUM>. The resulting filtered and substantially visually clear liquid passing through filter referred to "supernatant" flows downwards through the filter <NUM> and is collected in the supernatant collection chamber <NUM> below. In one non-limiting example, sediment filters <NUM> used may be about <NUM> to <NUM> micron filters having openings sized to prevent passage of particles larger than the rated opening sizes; however, other suitable size filters may be used. Filters <NUM> may be pliable filter paper like in construction and made of Teflon, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or other materials as some non-limiting examples.

To prevent blinding the sediment filters <NUM> with the soil particles in the extractant-slurry mixture, each slurry filtration chamber <NUM> includes an integrally formed sludge trap such as sludge collection area <NUM>. Sludge collection area <NUM> is positioned radially outward from the sediment filters <NUM> and represents the outermost peripheral portion of the slurry filtration chamber <NUM>. In operation when the cartridge <NUM> is rotated or spun, the deliquified thickened sediment sludge remaining above the filter <NUM> which contains highly concentrated solids is forced radially outwards by centrifugal force to collect in the sludge collection area <NUM>. The sludge collection area <NUM> has a solid circumferential vertical outer wall <NUM>, two solid opposing vertical radial end walls <NUM>, and a horizontal solid floor <NUM> as shown. Collection area <NUM> has sufficient volume to at least receive and contain the sludge produced during processing of a single soil sample in the rotary analytical cartridge <NUM>.

The filters <NUM> may be detachably mounted on a separate annular filter ring <NUM> insertable into and attachable to the cartridge main body <NUM> from below. Filter ring <NUM> includes a plurality of protruding filter housings <NUM> (aka drumheads) projecting upwards from an annular mounting base <NUM> of the ring. Housings <NUM> are circumferentially spaced apart on the base <NUM> as shown. The filter housings <NUM> are insertable upwardly into downwardly open receptacles <NUM> formed in cartridge main body <NUM> when the filter ring <NUM> is attached thereto from beneath the body. Receptacles <NUM> are further upwardly open for exposing the tops of the filter housings <NUM> to the slurry filtration chambers <NUM>.

Each filter housing <NUM> is arcuately elongated and oblong in configuration having a pseudo-rectangular cuboid configuration comprising arcuately curved and parallel inner and outer walls <NUM>, <NUM>, an open radial end wall <NUM>, and an opposing closed radial end wall <NUM>. The supernatant collection chambers <NUM> may be formed as an integral unitary structural part of the raised filter housings <NUM> as shown. The open radial end wall <NUM> allows supernatant to flow from the collection chamber <NUM> to the reagent mixing chambers <NUM> as further described herein.

For mounting the filters <NUM> to the filter ring <NUM>, each filter housing <NUM> may be terminated at its top end with a stepped shoulder <NUM> that defines an inwardly recessed filter retention rim <NUM> having an oblong annular configuration complementary configured to filters <NUM>. The filters <NUM> each include a downwardly extending oblong annular lip <NUM> which slips over and engage the retention rims <NUM> of the filter housings <NUM>. Filters <NUM> thus have an inverted U-shape in transverse cross-section in this example embodiment. The top surface of each housing <NUM> structure may be slotted in one embodiment including a plurality of arcuately curved, parallel, and elongated slots <NUM> which allow passage of supernatant from the slurry filtration chamber <NUM> down into the supernatant collection chambers <NUM> below the filter <NUM> in the filter housing <NUM>. The solid portions of the top surface of the filter housings <NUM> between the spaced apart slots <NUM> provide support for the filters <NUM>. In other possible embodiments, the top of the filter housings <NUM> may be completed open without slots <NUM> and solid portions.

Use of the annular filter ring <NUM> advantageously allow the filters to be completely preassembled onto the filter housings <NUM> outside of the main body <NUM> of the analytical cartridge <NUM>, thereby greatly facilitating assembly of the cartridge.

The reagent mixing chambers <NUM> may be angularly and laterally (i.e. circumferentially) offset from the radial reference axes Rn and the supernatant collection chambers <NUM>. Mixing chambers <NUM> are interspersed between each set of an upper slurry filtration chamber <NUM> and corresponding lower supernatant collection chamber <NUM>. The mixing chambers <NUM> may be located laterally adjacent to and spaced apart from the supernatant collection chambers <NUM> in one configuration of cartridge main body <NUM>. Pairs of mixing chambers <NUM> and supernatant collection chambers <NUM> may be arranged perimetrically around the outer peripheral portion of the cartridge <NUM> disposed proximate to the annular peripheral edge <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM> defined by the sidewall <NUM>. Chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may therefore be located on the same imaginary reference circle of the cartridge. In the present arrangement shown, the slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, supernatant collection chamber <NUM>, and mixing chambers <NUM> are located radially outwards from the extractant mixing chambers <NUM>. The extractant mixing chambers <NUM> and reagent mixing chambers <NUM> may extend for a majority of the full height of the cartridge main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the supernatant collection chambers <NUM> are each fluidly connected to a respective reagent mixing chambers <NUM> via a laterally and circumferentially extending flow passage <NUM>. Flow passage <NUM> may have a circuitous multi-stepped configuration in one non-limiting embodiment so that there is no straight line of sight between chambers <NUM> and <NUM>. This inhibits backflow of supernatant from the mixing chambers <NUM> into the collections chamber <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is spun by the rotary machine <NUM>. In other embodiments, a more straight fluid passage configuration may be used. In one embodiment, the floor <NUM> of the supernatant collection chamber <NUM> may be spaced apart from and elevated above bottom surface <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM>. The floor <NUM> of collection chamber <NUM> may also be elevated above the floor <NUM> of the mixing chamber <NUM> which is formed by the filter ring <NUM> for the same purpose. Supernatant flow from collection chamber <NUM> to mixing chamber <NUM> is lateral and downwards.

Each reagent mixing chamber <NUM> has an associated reagent fill hole <NUM> formed through the top cover <NUM> for the addition of reagent to the supernatant in chamber <NUM>. The fill holes <NUM> may be spaced radially inwards of the detections chambers <NUM>. Each fill hole <NUM> is fluidly connected to its mixing chamber <NUM> by a reagent injection conduit <NUM> which extends radially between the chamber and fill hole. The injection conduits <NUM> may be located proximate to the top surface <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM> and penetrate the top surface as shown. Each injection conduit in some embodiments may further be elevated above the floor <NUM> of the mixing chamber <NUM> to inhibit backflow of supernatant from the chamber to the fill hole <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is spun by the rotary machine <NUM>.

The top cover <NUM> further includes a plurality of soil sample slurry fill holes <NUM> which open into the extractant mixing chambers <NUM>. This permits the mixture of soil slurry and extractant to be injected into each mixing chamber <NUM> for complete mixing to extract the analyte from the mixture. Fill holes <NUM> may be located radially inwards of the reagent fill holes <NUM> and are circumferentially spaced apart proximate to the central mounting opening <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> as shown.

In the non-limiting illustrated construction of the cartridge <NUM>, the extractant mixing chambers <NUM>, slurry filtration chambers <NUM>, reagent mixing chambers <NUM>, and reagent injection conduits <NUM> may be upwardly open as shown for example in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The tops of these chambers and the conduit become closed when top cover <NUM> is sealingly attached to the main body <NUM> of the cartridge. The reagent mixing chambers <NUM> may further be downwardly open until closed by the filter ring <NUM> (bottom cover <NUM>) when attached to cartridge main body <NUM> which thereby forms the floors <NUM> of these chambers. In other possible embodiments, the floors <NUM> may be integrally molded into the cartridge main body <NUM> itself instead but preferably formed of a transparent plastic material to allow illumination and colorimetric detection of the supernatant and reagent mixture in the mixing chambers <NUM>.

A process or method for analyzing a soil sample using the rotary soil analysis apparatus <NUM> including analytical cartridge <NUM> will now be briefly described with general initial reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The process will be explained with reference to a single sampling train <NUM> of the cartridge for convenience recognizing that the same procedure applies to the remaining sample trains.

First, a color-changing reagent (previously described herein) is added to the reagent mixing chamber via the reagent fill hole <NUM> in top cover <NUM> and the injection conduit <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG> and dashed directional flow arrows). The rotary machine <NUM> is started which rotates or spins the analytical cartridge <NUM> in a single rotational direction which drives the reagent fully into the reagent mixing chamber <NUM> via centrifugal force from the injection conduit. In some embodiments, the reagent may be automatically injected into the cartridge <NUM> by the rotary machine <NUM> which may be equipped to store the type of reagents used for processing the sample in all processing chambers. The rotary machine <NUM> is then stopped.

Before or after depositing the reagent in its mixing chamber <NUM> in the foregoing manner, a previously collected soil sample is mixed with a sufficient amount of clean water in a sample container to produce a relatively thick slurry. An extractant is then added to the soil slurry which will chemically react with and separate the analyte (substance of interest) to be analyzed from the mixture. Thorough and complete mixing of the extractant with the soil slurry necessary to extract the analyte is performed within the cartridge <NUM>. Examples of typical extractant used in practice are weak acids; however, other types of extractant may of course be used depending on the chemical nature of the analyte to be separated. The soil sampleextractant mixture is now readied for injection into the cartridge <NUM> and mixing.

The slurry and extractant mixture is then added (e.g. via injection or pouring) to the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> through the slurry fill hole <NUM> in the top cover <NUM>. In some embodiments, the slurry-extractant mixture may be automatically injected into the cartridge <NUM> by the rotary machine <NUM> which may be equipped to temporarily store the slurry mixture for addition to all extractant mixing chambers <NUM>. Next, the cartridge <NUM> is rotated with the rotary machine <NUM> until the extractant is thoroughly mixed with the soil slurry. In one embodiment, a "shaking" type action of the cartridge <NUM> may be particularly effective. The shaking action may be performed by rapidly oscillating the cartridge <NUM> in opposing and reverse rotational directions in multiple repetitive cycles each having an angular extent of less than <NUM> degrees. This effectively shakes and mixes the extractant and slurry mixture thoroughly. In some implementations, the cartridge <NUM> may preferably be oscillated <NUM> degrees or less per oscillation in reverse directions. A non-limiting representative example for the total angular range or extent of each oscillation that may be used for cartridge <NUM> is about and including <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, which is sufficient to mix the extractant with soil slurry in situ within the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> but avoid flowing the extractant-slurry mixture radially outward in the cartridge for further processing of the soil sample as explained herein. This is achieved by shaking the cartridge <NUM> as opposed to rotating/centrifugating it in a single direction greater than <NUM> degrees per rotation.

Next, the cartridge <NUM> may be rotated and spun in a single direction for multiple revolutions and cycles greater than <NUM> degrees. The extractant-slurry mixture is driven and flows radially outwards into the slurry filtration chamber <NUM> via centrifugal force (see, e.g. <FIG> and solid directional flow arrows). The soil particles in the slurry mixture are filtered out by the sediment filter <NUM> and clear supernatant flows downwards into and is collected by the supernatant chamber <NUM>. From there, the supernatant flows from chamber <NUM> laterally and circumferentially into the reagent mixing chamber <NUM> with reagent already present as previously described herein (see, e.g. <FIG> and solid directional flow arrows). Optionally, another oscillating "shake and mix" sequence may be performed again to ensure thorough mixing of the supernatant and reagent in the reagent mixing chambers <NUM> if desired for added reassurance.

Once the reagent has completely been mixed and reacted with the supernatant to cause a detectable color change, the rotary machine <NUM> may be stopped to stop spinning the cartridge <NUM> for static colorimetric analysis, or the cartridge may continue to spin for dynamic colorimetric analysis. The concentration of the analyte in the reagent mixing chamber <NUM> may be quantified using the colorimeter integrated into the rotatory machine <NUM> by shining light form light source <NUM> (e.g. LEDs) through the chamber and measuring the emitted wavelength of light produced as in a usual colorimetric detection process. The same foregoing process is completed in each of the processing trains <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> in parallel so that multiple analytes may be processed and analyzed simultaneously.

Although in the foregoing example process/method the extractant was first mixed with the soil slurry outside of the analytical cartridge <NUM>, in other embodiments the extractant may instead be added directly to the extractant mixing chamber in liquid form or as a dried/evaporated film.

<FIG> depict a disk-type rotary analytical cartridge <NUM> not in accordance with the present invention for use with rotary machine <NUM>. Analytical cartridge <NUM> includes the same processing chambers as cartridge <NUM> previously described herein; however, they are arranged in a slightly different manner as explained below. Furthermore, cartridge <NUM> is distinguishable from cartridge <NUM> because cartridge-mounted injection plungers are provided for convenience to inject the extractants and reagents to the soil sample being processed. While illustrated herein with a circular shape, cartridge <NUM> can have any shape that is balanced about centerline axis Cv. In other examples, cartridge <NUM> can be a polygon, a leminiscate, or a rose curve.

Cartridge <NUM> has a circular disk shape and includes a main body <NUM> and a top cover <NUM>. A D-shaped central mounting opening <NUM> is formed at the centerline axis Cv for insertion of the spindle <NUM> of the rotary machine <NUM>. Opening <NUM> includes a flat <NUM> for engaging flat 102a formed on the spindle <NUM> of the rotary machine <NUM>. Top cover <NUM> may preferably be transparent or alternatively translucent. This allows the user see the contents of the multiple chambers when processing soil samples and allow light from an external light source <NUM> of a colorimeter such as LEDs to be shone through reagent mixing chambers <NUM> (further described herein) for colorimetric detection of analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample supernatant in these chambers. The cartridge main body <NUM> and top cover <NUM> may each be formed of a suitable same or different plastic. These components may be injection molded into the configurations and having the features shown. The top cover <NUM> preferably may be permanently attached to the cartridge main body <NUM> by any suitable method similar those described with respect to cartridge <NUM>. Ultrasonic welding may be used.

Main body <NUM> of cartridge <NUM> includes a top surface <NUM>, bottom surface <NUM>, and annular sidewall <NUM> extending between the top and bottom surfaces. Sidewall <NUM> may extend parallel to vertical centerline axis CA and perpendicularly to the top and bottom surfaces. Sidewall <NUM> may have a solid construction.

Each processing train <NUM> of cartridge <NUM> generally comprises in fluid communication an extractant mixing chamber <NUM>, an upper slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, a lower supernatant collection chamber <NUM>, and a reagent mixing chamber <NUM>. The listing of the chambers <NUM>-<NUM> is in order of the soil sample slurry and supernatant flow path starting from the initial innermost chamber <NUM> to the final chamber <NUM> of each sample processing train <NUM>. In one configuration, the extractant mixing chamber <NUM>, slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, and supernatant collection chamber <NUM> of each of the sample processing trains <NUM> may be arranged and radially aligned along a respective radial reference axis Rn already described with respect to cartridge <NUM>. The mixing chamber <NUM> and slurry filtration chamber <NUM> may share a common recess molded into the main body <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. This advantageously facilitates sealing attaching the top cover <NUM> to the main body <NUM> of cartridge <NUM> and minimizes the number of ultrasonic seal lines <NUM> required for one processing train <NUM>. The processing chambers of cartridge <NUM> are each sealed to top cover <NUM> in a similar manner to cartridge <NUM> for the same reason in order to fluid isolate the chambers from those in adjacent processing trains <NUM>.

The reagent mixing chambers <NUM> are angularly and laterally offset from radial reference axis Rn and the slurry filtration chambers <NUM> which fall on the same imaginary reference circle proximate to the peripheral edge <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The extractant mixing chambers <NUM> and slurry filtration chambers <NUM> may have a symmetrical shape about radial reference axis Rn, whereas these same chambers in analytical cartridge <NUM> have an asymmetrical shape about axis Rn. The extractant mixing chambers <NUM> and reagent mixing chambers <NUM> may extend for a majority of the full height of the cartridge main body <NUM>. In the present arrangement shown, the slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, supernatant collection chamber <NUM>, and mixing chambers <NUM> are located radially outwards from the extractant mixing chambers <NUM>. Slurry filtrations chambers <NUM> each include a sludge collection area <NUM> arranged radially outwards from the sediment filters <NUM> similarly to cartridge <NUM> for collection of soil sludge during sample processing.

Extractant mixing chambers <NUM> are radially elongated and include a circumferential inner wall <NUM> nearest central mounting opening <NUM>, an opposing circumferential outer wall <NUM>, a pair of opposing radial walls <NUM>, and a bottom wall <NUM>. The top of mixing chamber <NUM> is open and closed by the top cover <NUM> when attached to the main body <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. Radial walls <NUM> may be non-parallel and gradually diverge moving outwards from the vertical centerline Cv of the cartridge. Arcuately rounded corner portions of each radial wall <NUM> adjoining the outer wall <NUM> facilitates smooth flow of the soil slurry to the slurry filtration chamber <NUM>. Inner wall <NUM> of extractant mixing chamber <NUM> may have a substantially vertical orientation and the outer wall <NUM> may be obliquely inclined and angled relative to the vertical centerline axis Cv of the cartridge <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> is sloped radially outwards from bottom to top which further facilitates flow from extractant mixing chamber <NUM> to slurry filtration chamber <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>).

The top cover <NUM> further includes a plurality of soil sample slurry fill holes <NUM> which open into the extractant mixing chambers <NUM>. This permits a soil slurry without extractant to be injected into each mixing chamber <NUM>. When testing for certain analytes present in or properties of the soil sample, extractant may be mixed with soil slurry before injection into cartridge <NUM> and a second extractant or another type of chemical may then be injected into the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> via the plungers <NUM>.

Similarly to cartridge <NUM>, slurry filtering chamber <NUM> may be vertically positioned on top of the supernatant collection chamber <NUM> in a stacked manner as shown. A horizontally oriented sediment filter <NUM> disposed at the bottom of the upper slurry filtering chamber <NUM> separates that chamber from the lower supernatant collection chamber <NUM> which are fluidly connected through the filter. Filters <NUM> may be circumferentially elongated and oblong ovals having a construction similar to sediment filters <NUM>. Filters <NUM> each include a downwardly extending oblong annular lip <NUM> which slips over and engage the annular raised lip <NUM> of cartridge main body <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG>). Filters <NUM> thus have an inverted U-shape in transverse cross-section in this example. A plurality of filters <NUM> are provided and arranged in a circular pattern in the slurry filtration chambers <NUM> so that each extractant mixing chamber <NUM> has an associated filter.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, each of the sediment filters <NUM> may be detachably mounted in main body <NUM> of cartridge <NUM> within slurry filtration chamber <NUM> via a separate annular filter retention ring <NUM>. Retention rings <NUM> have an oblong oval shape complementary configured to the sediment filters <NUM>. For each slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, the main body <NUM> of the cartridge defines an annular recessed seating surface <NUM> with annular raised lip <NUM> complementary configured to the retention ring <NUM>. Retention rings <NUM> may include a lower angled L-shaped mounting portion <NUM> including a vertical leg that engages the seating surface <NUM> and a horizontal leg that extends over the peripheral portions of the filter <NUM> and the raised lip <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, as shown. The retention rings <NUM> traps the filter <NUM> in place on the cartridge main body <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the filters <NUM> may have an inverted U-shape similar to filters <NUM> which slips over the raised lip <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. In one, retention rings <NUM> may be made of an elastomeric material that frictionally engages the seating surface <NUM>. The rings <NUM> may be made of hard plastic.

The reagent mixing chambers <NUM> may be angularly and laterally offset from the radial reference axes Rn and the supernatant collection chambers <NUM>. Mixing chambers <NUM> are interspersed between each adjacent processing train <NUM>. The mixing chambers <NUM> may be located laterally adjacent to and spaced apart from the supernatant collection chambers <NUM> in one configuration of cartridge main body <NUM>. Pairs of mixing chambers <NUM> and supernatant collection chambers <NUM> may be arranged perimetrically around the outer peripheral portion of the cartridge <NUM> disposed proximate to the annular peripheral edge <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM> defined by sidewall <NUM>. Chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may therefore be located on the same imaginary reference circle of the cartridge. In the present arrangement shown, the slurry filtration chamber <NUM>, supernatant collection chamber <NUM>, and mixing chambers <NUM> are located radially outwards from the extractant mixing chambers <NUM>. The extractant mixing chambers <NUM> and reagent mixing chambers <NUM> may extend for a majority of the full height of the cartridge main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the supernatant collection chambers <NUM> are each fluidly connected to a respective reagent mixing chambers <NUM> via a laterally and circumferentially extending flow passage <NUM>. Flow passage <NUM> may be formed proximately to the bottom surface <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM> and forms a linearly straight supernatant flow path as shown (see solid directional flow arrows). The floor <NUM> of the supernatant collection chamber <NUM> may be disposed proximate to the bottom surface <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM>. The floor <NUM> of collection chamber <NUM> may also be disposed and arranged coplanar with and at the same elevation as the floor <NUM> of the mixing chamber <NUM> and floor <NUM> of the flow passage <NUM>. Supernatant flow from collection chamber <NUM> to reagent mixing chamber <NUM> is lateral/circumferential and horizontal. Floor <NUM> may be higher and not coplanar with floor <NUM> such that supernatant flows downwards and laterally/circumferentially into reagent mixing chamber <NUM> via intermediate flow passage <NUM>.

As previously alluded to, analytical cartridge <NUM> differs from analytical cartridge <NUM> in that cartridge <NUM> incorporates plunger assemblies for storage and injection of extractants and reagents into their respective mixing chambers. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, cartridge <NUM> includes pluralities of extractant plunger assemblies <NUM> and reagent plunger assemblies <NUM>. Each plunger assembly has a volumetric capacity which holds and dispenses the appropriate premeasured dosage of extractant or reagent. One extractant plunger assembly is mounted in each extractant mixing chamber <NUM> and one reagent plunger assembly <NUM> is mounted in each reagent mixing chamber <NUM>.

Each plunger assembly <NUM>, <NUM> includes a cylinder <NUM>, <NUM> defining an internal cavity <NUM>, <NUM> having a volumetric capacity and a depressible piston or plunger <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Each plunger <NUM> and <NUM> is linearly movable and slideable within their respective cylinders <NUM>, <NUM> for dispensing their contents (i.e. extractant or reagent) into the extractant mixing chambers <NUM> or reagent mixing chambers <NUM>, respectively. The cylinders <NUM>, <NUM> may be integrally molded as unitary structural portions of the plastic top cover <NUM> as shown. The cylinders <NUM>, <NUM> are each upwardly and downwardly opened, but closed at the top and bottom when not actuated by annular upper and lower sealing portions <NUM>, <NUM> integrally formed with the plungers <NUM>, <NUM>. The sealing portions form leak-resistant seals with the interior surface of the cylinders within their internal cavities <NUM>, <NUM>. Plungers <NUM>, <NUM> may be vertically elongated as shown and formed of an elastomeric material with elastic memory for improved sealing performance. Friction between the elastomeric plungers and cylinders also prevents them from accidentally actuating.

When the plungers <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted in their cylinders <NUM>, <NUM> of the cartridge main body <NUM>, an actuator end <NUM> at the head of each plunger protrudes upwards through openings in the top cover <NUM>. The exposed actuator ends <NUM> can be depressed downwardly by corresponding automated actuators on the rotary machine <NUM> or alternatively manually b a user to dispense the contents of the plunger assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. An optional annular raised protective rim <NUM> (example of which is shown in dashed lines in <FIG>) extending upwards from the top cover <NUM> may be provided which surrounds each of the actuator ends <NUM> of the plungers <NUM>, <NUM>. The actuator ends <NUM> are disposed inside the protective rims <NUM> which prevent accidental actuation of the plungers.

To inject the reagent or extractant into its respective mixing chamber at the appropriate time, either the rotary machine <NUM> depresses plungers <NUM> or <NUM> downwards at preprogrammed times in the sequence of processing the soil sample, or alternately the user simply depresses the plungers when required. The lower sealing portion <NUM> emerges from the bottom of its cylinder, thereby breaking the lower seal. The reagent or extractant is injected under positive pressure created by displacement of plunger by the user, and flows downwards into the corresponding mixing chamber (see dashed directional flow arrows). The extractant plunger assemblies <NUM> may be larger than the reagent plunger assemblies <NUM> since the required dosage of extractant may typically be larger than the required reagent dosage needed. However, other size combinations including plunger assemblies of all the same size may be used and is not limiting of the invention.

A process or method for analyzing a soil sample using the rotary soil analysis apparatus <NUM> including analytical cartridge <NUM> will now be briefly described with general initial reference to <FIG>. The process is somewhat and generally similar to that of cartridge <NUM> with some differences noted below. Similar steps will not be repeated in their entirety but merely referenced in a general manner for the sake of brevity. The method for using cartridge <NUM> will be explained with reference to a single sampling train <NUM> of the cartridge for convenience recognizing that the same procedure applies to the remaining sample trains.

First, the reagent is added by actuating reagent plungers <NUM> to inject the reagent into reagent mixing chamber <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> is then spun in a singular direction via rotary machine <NUM> in the same manner as cartridge <NUM> previously described herein. Alternatively, this spin step may be omitted since the reagent plunger assemblies <NUM> are disposed directly in chambers <NUM>.

A soil sample having been collected is mixed with a sufficient amount of clean water in a sample container to produce a relatively thick slurry as previously described with respect to cartridge <NUM>. However, extractant may not be mixed with the slurry outside of the present cartridge. The sample soil slurry mixture is then added (e.g. via injection or pouring) to the extractant mixing chamber <NUM> through the slurry fill hole <NUM> in the top cover <NUM> by the rotary machine <NUM> or alternatively manually by a user. The extractant plunger <NUM> is depressed and actuated to inject the extractant directly into mixing chamber <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG> and dashed directional flow arrows). In an alternate sequence, the extractant may be injected into chamber <NUM> first followed by adding the soil slurry. In the alternative case where a second extractant or chemical is required to be added via plungers <NUM> to separate the analyte as previously mentioned, a first extractant may pre-mixed with the soil slurry and the second extractant or chemical is then added via the plunger.

Next, the cartridge <NUM> is oscillated and shaken with the rotary machine <NUM> until the extractant is thoroughly mixed with the soil slurry in the same reverse rotational direction partial spins less than <NUM> degrees in multiple cycles described elsewhere herein. The cartridge <NUM> is then fully spun (i.e. complete rotations greater than <NUM> degrees) until the extractant-slurry mixture is driven and flows radially outwards into the slurry filtration chamber <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG> and solid directional flow arrows). The soil particles in the slurry mixture are filtered out by the sediment filter <NUM> and clear supernatant flows downwards into and is collected by the supernatant chamber <NUM>. From there, the supernatant flows from chamber <NUM> laterally/horizontally and circumferentially into the reagent mixing chamber <NUM> through flow passage <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG> and solid directional flow arrows). The rotary machine <NUM> is then stopped, which ceases spinning the cartridge <NUM>. Optionally, another oscillating shake cycle may be repeated to thoroughly mix the supernatant and reagent if necessary.

Once the reagent has completely reacted with the supernatant to cause a detectable color change, the rotary machine <NUM> may be stopped for static colorimetric analysis or may continue to spin for dynamic colorimetric analysis. The concentration of the analyte in the reagent mixing chamber <NUM> is quantified using the colorimeter integrated with the rotary machine by shining a light (e.g. LED) through the chamber and measuring the emitted wavelength of light produced as in a usual colorimetric detection process. The same foregoing process is completed in each of the processing trains <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> in parallel so that multiple analytes may be processed and analyzed simultaneously.

It bears noting that the processing chambers of the same type in rotary analytical cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g. extractant mixing chambers, slurry filtration chambers, supernatant collection chambers, and reagent mixing chambers) may of the same or different size, shape, and volumetric capacity. These chamber parameters may be varied in each cartridge depending on volume or dosage of extractant or reagent required to extract and detent different types of analytes in the soil sample. The processing chambers of each particular type are shown as having the same size, shape, and volumetric capacity.

As illustrated above, analytical cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> can be used with colorimetric analysis. Instead of colorimetric analysis, turbidimetric analysis or fluorescence analysis can be used.

As already noted herein, the analysis system and related processes/methods disclosed herein may be used for processing and testing soil, and the analysis system and related processes/methods can also be used for testing other types of fluids, such as vegetation/plants, manure, feed, milk, or other agricultural related parameters of interest. Particularly, the analysis system disclosed herein can be used to test for multitude of chemical-related parameters and analytes (e.g. nutrients/chemicals of interest) in other areas beyond soil and plant/vegetation sampling. Some non-limiting examples (including soil and plants) are as follows.

Soil Analysis: Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Nitrogen, Ammonium, Phosphate, Orthophosphate, Polyphosphate, Total Phosphate, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Cation Exchange Capacity, pH, Percent Base Saturation of Cations, Sulfur, Zinc, Manganese, Iron, Copper, Boron, Soluble Salts, Organic Matter, Excess Lime, Active Carbon, Aluminum, Amino Sugar Nitrate, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Chloride, C:N Ratio, Electrical Conductivity, Molybdenum, Texture (Sand, Silt, Clay), Cyst nematode egg counts, Mineralizable Nitrogen, and Soil pore space.

Plants/Vegetation: Nitrogen, Nitrate, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Percent Base Saturation of Cations, Sulfur, Zinc, Manganese, Iron, Copper, Boron, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Carbon, Chloride, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Selenium, Total Nitrogen, and Live plant parasitic nematode.

Manure: Moisture/Total Solids, Total Nitrogen, Organic Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, pH, Total Carbon, Soluble Salts, C/N Ratio, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Nitrate Nitrogen, Chloride, Organic Matter, Ash, Conductance, Kjeldahl Nitrogen, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Salmonella, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphate, Potash, Nitrate Nitrogen, Water Soluble Nitrogen, Water Insoluble Nitrogen, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Humic Acid, pH, Total Organic Carbon, Bulk Density (packed), Moisture, Sulfur, Calcium, Boron, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Arsenic, Chloride, Lead, Selenium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Sodium, Molybdenum, and Zinc.

Feeds: Alanine, Histidine, Proline, Arginine, Isoleucine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Threonine, Cystine, Lysine, Tryptophan, Glutamic Acid, Methionine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Phenylalanine, Valine (Requires Crude Protein), Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Antimony, Mercury.

Vitamin E (beta-tocopherol), Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), Vitamin E (deltatocopherol), Vitamin E (gamma-tocopherol), Vitamin E (total), Moisture, Crude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, ADF, Ash, TDN, Energy (Digestible and Metabolizable), Net Energy (Gain, Lactation, Maintenance), Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Manganese, Zinc, Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Copper (not applicable to premixes), Saturated Fat, Monounsaturated Fat, Omega <NUM> Fatty Acids, Polyunsaturated Fat, Trans Fatty Acid, Omega <NUM> Fatty Acids (Requires Crude or Acid Fat), Glucose, Fructose, Sucrose, Maltose, Lactose, Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2), DON, Fumonisin, Ochratoxin, T2-Toxin, Zearalenone, Vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12, Calories, Chloride, Crude fiber, Lignin, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Non Protein Nitrogen, Selenium U. Patent, Total Iodine, Total Starch, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, and Free Fatty Acids.

Forages: Moisture, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber ADF, NDF, TDN, Net Energy (Gain, Lactation, Maintenance), Relative Feed Value, Nitrate, Sulfur, Copper, Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Calcium, Manganese, Sodium, Phosphorus, Chloride, Fiber, Lignin, Molybdenum, Prussic Acid, and Selenium USP.

Claim 1:
An analytical cartridge (<NUM>) for fluid testing, the cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a centerline axis (Cv);
a main body (<NUM>) defining a plurality of sample processing trains (<NUM>) arranged around the centerline axis (Cv), the main body (<NUM>) having a mounting opening (<NUM>) configured for mounting to a spindle (<NUM>) of a rotary machine (<NUM>);
each processing train (<NUM>) including an extractant mixing chamber (<NUM>) having a slurry fill hole (<NUM>) for introducing a slurry and an extractant, and a reagent mixing chamber (<NUM>) fluidly coupled to the extractant mixing chamber (<NUM>);
a sediment filter (<NUM>) fluidly interposed between the extractant and reagent mixing chambers (<NUM>,<NUM>), the filter (<NUM>) configured to deliquify the slurry for producing a supernatant collected in the reagent mixing chamber (<NUM>) for analysis;
characterized in that each processing train further includes a set of an upper slurry filtration chamber (<NUM>) adjoining and in fluid communication with the extractant mixing chamber (<NUM>) and a lower supernatant collection chamber (<NUM>) arranged below the upper slurry filtration chamber (<NUM>) and fluidly coupled to the reagent mixing chamber (<NUM>)
and in that the lower supernatant collection chambers (<NUM>) of each processing train (<NUM>) are formed by an annular filter ring (<NUM>) separately attached to the main body (<NUM>) of the cartridge.