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Abstract

An apparatus is used for distributing a slurry flow to plural feed conduits. It has particular application in the injection of swine manure into the soil as fertilizer. The apparatus includes a circular manifold with a central inlet for delivering slurry to the manifold and outlet ports spaced around the outer wall of the manifold for connection to the respective feed conduits. An impeller in the manifold has back swept impeller blades mounted for rotation so that the impeller blades sweep in sequence past the outlet ports. The impeller blades produce pressurized zones in front of them as they sweep in sequence past the outlet ports. This produces a pulsating flow in the feed conduits, ameliorating blockage problems with the conduits. The impeller also includes knives that rotate around the inside of the outer wall and anvils mounted on the outer wall so the knives will act with the anvils to sever trash in the slurry flow. The knives and the anvils are oppositely inclined to produce a shearing action. This cutting arrangement co-operates with the pulsing flow to clear trash that might otherwise build up and plug the ports. It also reduces the size of solids that are included in the slurry, so that they will pass more readily through the feed conduits and the delivery boots used for injecting the slurry into the soil. The impeller drive is preferably an hydraulic motor mounted on the manifold.

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