Delta-T RWC-UM-2 User manual
Delta-T RWC-UM-2 is a root washer that helps automate the time-consuming and labor-intensive task of root washing, making it an essential tool for root structure analysis. It comprises four buckets with a central overflow downpipe and two nozzle jets at the base of each bucket. Water from the jets swirls around and up, teasing apart the soil from the roots, while the overflow downpipe ensures a continuous flow of water, removing the loosened soil particles.
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User Manual for the
Root Washer
type RWC
RWC-UM-2
DELTA-T DEVICES
Installation Guide
Root Washer
Version 2
Editor: N Webb
Document code: RWC-UM-01-3
Date: Feb1995, last revised Aug 2001
Delta-T Devices Ltd
128 Low Road, Burwell
Cambridge, CB5OEJ, England
International + 44 1638 742922
Fax: UK 01638 743155
International + 44 1638 743155
© Delta-T Devices Ltd., 1995
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under copyright laws.
Delta-T is a UK registered trademark of Delta-T Devices Ltd.
Table of Contents
SPECIFICATIONS, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
Basic Root Washer System : type RWB
Root Washer System with Water Tank and Electric Pump : type RWC
Optional Extras and Accessories
Spares Kit for Pump : type SKP
Spares and Consumables for Basic Root Washer : type SKR
SERVICING, WARRANTY AND REPAIRS 12
INTRODUCTION
Root washing is an essential but time consuming and labour intensive precursor to the measurement and analysis of root structure. Anything that can help automate this task is highly desirable. The Delta-T Root Washer has evolved from a design used by CSIRO Cunningham Laboratory in Brisbane, Australia.
This was modified by Kirchhof & Pendar (authors of the Delta-T SCAN image analysis software) who produced designs for a do-it-yourself kit published in the
Delta-T SCAN User Manual. The Kirchhof/Pendar design has been further improved by Delta-T, and is more rugged and easier to use and service.
BASIC ROOT WASHER
The Root Washer Basic, type RWB comes complete with four buckets with a central overflow downpipe and two nozzle jets. These are mounted on a corrosion resistant table with four filters mounted in funnels underneath. Water is fed to the buckets via a series of hoses and connectors from a mains water supply.
The basic root washer has a four-tap connector which enable the user to turn off and adjust the water to each bucket when required.
For optimum performance a pressure of 50 to 70 psi and a flow rate of 10 gallons per minute is required. The UK mains water pressure is about 40 psi, just a bit less than ideal, but still useable.
OPTIONAL TANK
This is a shallow, cylindrical, open topped, UV-protected, polypropylene tank.
The Basic Root Washer stands in it.
The tank catches the dirty water, which can either be recycled using the pump, or drained away via an overflow pipe.
The tank is fitted with two outlets, one with a tap to allow for controlled drainage, and the other for filling or as an overflow.
OPTIONAL PUMP
This is useful where a mains water or sufficient pressure is not available.
The pump, type RWP can be used in conjunction with the root washer tank, type
RWT to recirculate the washing water.
The pump is fitted with a bypass hose and tap for adjusting the flow rate inside the buckets.
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WARNINGS
PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Non-slip footwear and waterproof clothing are recommended, particularly in colder climates. Protective eyewear is not normally required, but there is some water spray from the buckets when the root washer is first connected to the water supply.
WET FLOORS
Provide non-slip flooring. Root washing inevitably results in water spills.
Carefully site the water hoses to prevent personnel tripping over them.
SUITABLE DRAINAGE
Drainage of some sort will be required for the root washer. In warm climates it may make sense to site the root washer outside so that waste water can be used for irrigation. In colder climates this may be impractical, in which case it is doubly important to ensure that drainage is adequate.
When assessing the suitability of drainage arrangements indoors consider the following:
Is a sump or settling tank required for removing the soil washings, or can the drainage system tolerate the soil burden without clogging? (The optional water tank type RWT may be sufficient)
Can soil washings be removed from the sump or tank safely without he threat of mechanical damage to any local electrical cabling?
Does the siting of the root washing equipment guarantee that the delicate computer and scanning electronics are adequately protected from condensation and high humidity? Refer to the
Hewlett Packard Installation Guide for the exact environmental specifications for temperature and humidity. If in doubt, site the scanner and computer in a separate air conditioned room.
Is the drainage adequate to prevent damage to the building structure?
Page 2 _____________________________________________
UNPACKING
Carefully remove all packing material and keep it safe so that it can be re-used to transport the system in the future. Using the packing list(s), make sure that the consignment is complete.
Identify each component using the parts lists and drawings in this manual.
Check for damage. If you notice any damage notify your supplier.
BASIC ROOT WASHER ASSEMBLY
Using the drawings shown on pages 4 complete the assembly by plugging the yellow & grey connectors to each other.
Lay the table on its face and partially push one leg into its aperture. Push the funnel mounting frame into the hole up the inside of the leg, partially insert a leg in the opposite aperture whilst fitting the mounting frame into its hole. Continue this procedure with the other two legs, making sure the frame is supported by the four legs before pushing them fully into their apertures in the table.
Turn the whole assembly over, if you have a root washer catch tank, type RWT, stand the whole assembly roughly in the centre. One of the legs has an adjustable foot, use this to get the table level and stable. Put the four orange root funnels complete with their 550 micron filters into the mounting frame.
Fit the table funnels into their holes in the table top and then stand the four buckets over these holes. Arrange the hoses to the best positions that will easy access to the 4-way controller and spray gun.
Inside each bucket are two nozzle assemblies, the jets of these may have been moved in transit or during assembly, adjust them so that they point horizontally in a clockwise direction and secure with a spanner.
Select one of the four threaded connectors provided, to suit your tap fitting. If your local water supply connection is not compatible you will have to seek advice from a plumber or water engineer for help.
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HOSES AND CONNECTIONS
HOSE AND CONNECTORS
List of parts
1. Tap connnectors : 22mm , 3/4", 1/2", 5/8" (x1) 7. 4-way tap connector (x1)
2. Push-fit hose connectors (x8) 8. 0.5M of 12.5mm dia hose (x4)
3. 20M of 12.5mm dia hose (x1) 9. Simple Y piece connector (x4)
4. 1" BSP tap connector (x1) 10. Hose clip 15 - 18mm (x12)
5. 3M of 12.5mm dia hose (x1) 11. Hose clip 17 - 20mm (x8)
6. Spray gun and rose (x1) 12. Bucket assembly (x4)
Page 4 _____________________________________________
BUCKET, TABLE AND NOZZLES
BUCKET, TABLE & NOZZLES
List of Parts
12. Root Bucket (x4)
13. Washer Downpipe (x4)
14. Nozzle Jet Assembly (x8)
15. Downpipe Collar (x4)
16. Table Funnel (x1)
17. Root Collection Funnel (x4)
18. Root Filter 550 micron (x4)
19. Funnel Mounting Frame (x1)
20. Table (x1)
21. Root Container (x4)
22. Spare & Consumables (x1)
NOZZLE JET ASSEMBLY
BUCKET WALL
NOZZLE BODY
WITH HOSE
CONNECTION
FLANGED NUT
NOZZLE JET &
LOCKING NUT
OUTER O RING INNER O RING
____________________________________________Page 5
PUMP AND TANK INSTALLATION
TO ROOT
WASHER
LIST OF PARTS
Page 6 _____________________________________________
PUMP
The root washer stands in the centre of the tank with the pump underneath. The pump stands in the water and draws it through its base filter, up through the body and out at the top. It is designed so that is does not require any priming but it must not be allowed to run dry for many minutes. For users who have 220/240v supply at 50/60Hz there is a float switch which cuts the pump supply when the water level gets dangerously low.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
The optional root washer recirculation pump, type RWP, should only be installed by qualified electricians in accord with local Health and Safety Regulations.
Cabling should be protected against damage, with the use of protective cable trunking and by siting it out of harms way. Do not let it lie on a floor which may become wet or damaged as a result of root washing or other activities. It is good practice to run the cable overhead. The mains power supply to the pump should be fused to a 13A rating.
INSTALLATION
Stand the pump on its end, on the floor, in the centre of the tank.
Cut a 2 m length from the 20m hose.
Connect the pump to the hose with the largest hose connector.
Position the pump bypass hose so that it can drain freely bank into the tank without restriction.
Arrange the float switch so that it does not interfere with the table legs and adjust it so that it cuts the pump when the level reaches 100mm.
Fill the tank to 75mm from the top. (There is a hose adapter at the top of the tank
which can be used to fill the tank as well as acting as an overflow).
Arrange the pump cable safely and with consideration to the electrical safety hazard warnings given on page 2.
Do not operate the pump until the electrical safety considerations have been fully complied with.
____________________________________________Page 7
HOW TO USE THE ROOT WASHER
HOW IT WORKS
The Delta-T Root Washer comprises 4 buckets modified with a central overflow downpipe. Water from two jets at the base of each bucket swirls around and up, teasing roots and soil apart. The lighter roots float up with the water flow, into the central overflow pipe, and are then caught in a 550 micron mesh filter in a funnel under the table.
The soluble fraction of the soil is washed through the filter. Gentle agitation by the operator helps free up the soil. The remainder of the roots, stones and debris remain in the bucket. Finally the water supply is turned off and the bucket emptied through the filter, to catch remaining roots. The debris in the bucket then dumped out and the cycle restarted.
The root washer has a four-tap controller, this allows the operator to adjust and switch off the water supply to individual buckets where required.
Kirchhof & Pendar, with a similar design, found they could wash about 10 samples an hour, but this depends on soil type and sample volume.
STEP BY STEP
1. Weigh. Before washing roots you may wish to measure the mass and volume of the whole soil sample and of each subsample.
2. Pre-soak. Some soils are strongly held together by electric charges. These bonds can be by soaking the soil overnight in a bucket of water to which you have added an ordinary domestic water softening agent.
3. Turn on the water slowly. Once connected to the mains water supply (or optional pump) the water can be turned on. This is best done slowly to allow for the removal of air in the pipework and minimal amounts of water spray.
Check all connections for leakage at this point and tighten where necessary.
Once the level of water has reached the nozzles in the buckets then the supply can be turned fully open and root washing can commence.
4. Adjust the flow rate: For optimum performance the root washer requires a water pressure of 50 to 70 psi and a flow rate of 10 gallons per minute. The
UK mains water pressure is about 40 psi, just a bit less than ideal but still useable. If you are using the pump use the bypass tap to control the flow rate.
The water should swirl around the buckets creating a vortex which overflows into the central tunnel.
5. Place a soil sample in a bucket.
6. Wait for the water pressure to break up the soil. The resulting vortex will lift the lighter roots over the lip, down the central tunnel, and onto the mesh in the funnel.
7. Assist the more reluctant lumps to disperse by breaking them up with your hands.
8. Continue washing until the water is clear and all roots are clear of soil.
9. Switch off the water to the bucket using the three-way hose switch provided.
Page 8 _____________________________________________
10.Pour the remaining water and roots into the funnel, leaving any remaining stones and sediment in the bucket.
11.Empty the stones and sediment out of the bucket. Do not pour this debris into the funnel or the recirculation tank.
12.Remove the roots from the filter and store them safely in one of the containers provided.
____________________________________________Page 9
SPECIFICATIONS, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
Basic Root Washer System : type RWB
Includes 4 buckets each with 2 water jets, table, funnels with filters, pistol-type spray gun, water hoses and connectors, isolation valves, 30m of ½ inch (12.5 mm) input hose, plastic containers for holding washed samples, and a consumables kit.
Note 1: Requires a pressurised water supply - approximately 10 gal/min at about
50-70 psi (or approx. 38 litre/min at about 3.5 to 5 x10 5 kgs/metre). In Great
Britain mains water pressure is about 40 psi, so for optimum performance the recirculating pump accessory is recommended.
Note 2: Water runs out over the ground, so only suitable for outside operation.
For inside use the water tank and recirculating pump are recommended.
List of Parts :
Root washer table in UV resistant resin plastic x1
Table funnels x4 (in the table top)
Root collection funnels x4 (under the table)
550 micron filter for root collection funnels x4
Stainless steel frame for mounting root collection funnels x1
Root washer buckets x4, each includes a downpipe, collar & 2 water jets
Simple Y-piece connectors x4,
Four-way tap connectors x1
Push-fit hose connectors x8
Hose clips (15-18mm) x12
Hose clips (17-21mm) x8
Hose pipe, diameter 1/2 inch (12.5mm), 20 m, 3.0m, 0.5 m (x4)
Set of tap connectors to fit the following male threaded pipe sizes:
1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch (British Standard Pipe thread specification) and M22 (22mm) metric pipe thread specification x1
Pistol Spray gun and fine rose x1
Root Containers with screw top x4
Root Washer System with Water Tank and Electric Pump : type
RWC
This has the advantage that you can rely on the pump for ensuring adequate water pressure. It allows you also to recirculate, and so conserve water. Please specify
Page 10 _____________________________________________
the mains and frequency. Further details about the pump and tank are given overleaf.
Optional Extras and Accessories
Water Tank : type RWT
This is a shallow, cylindrical, open topped, UV-protected, polypropylene tank, diameter 4 ft (1.22 m), height 14 inches (35 mm). The Basic Root Washer stands in it from which it catches the dirty water, which can either be recycled using the pump, or drained away via an overflow pipe with tap and 5 m of ½ inch hose
(included). Two ¾ inch threaded drainage outlets are provided, the lower one with an internal tap, the upper one with a spigot.
Pump : type RWP
This is a submersible pump which sits in the water on the base of the tank . It has a 1.5 HP electric motor, and a float switch* to ensure that it does not run dry.
Also includes a bypass tap to allow for adjustment of flow and 10m electric cable. Weight : 65lb (30Kg) Specify voltage and frequency.
* Float Switch only available for 220/240v at 50/60Hz only
Spares Kit for Pump : type SKP
Includes gaskets, seals, bearings etc., suitable for two years normal operation.
Spares and Consumables for Basic Root Washer : type SKR
10 m of ½ inch (12.5mm) diameter water hose (x1)
Root collection funnel (x1)
Root filter (550 micron) (x2)
Nozzle assembly (complete) (x2)
Nozzle assembly "O" rings (x16)
Hose end connector (x2)
Simple Y-piece connector (x2)
Plastic hose clips (15-18mm) (x12)
Plastic Hose clips (17-21mm) (x8)
Screw-top Root containers (x4)
____________________________________________Page 11
SERVICING, WARRANTY AND REPAIRS
Replacement parts.
Refer to the parts lists on each of the three detailed diagrams in order to identify the names of parts when ordering replacements.
The Delta-T Root Washer design is based largely on readily available building and garden furniture and equipment, following the Kirchhof/Pendar design fairly closely. You might find it quicker and cheaper to source replacement parts locally.
Servicing the Pump
The only component requiring regular servicing is the optional water pump, which has been chosen because it is designed to work or long periods of time in dirty water. Delta-T offer an optional spares kit, type SKP, which includes those parts which may need replacing after many hours of service.
More detailed servicing information is included in the separate leaflet supplied by the pump manufacturer.
Page 12 _____________________________________________
WARRANTY
Instruments manufactured by Delta-T are guaranteed for one year against defects in manufacture or materials used. The guarantee does not cover damage through misuse or inexpert servicing, or other circumstances beyond our control.
For Great Britain this means that no charges are made for labour, materials of return carriage for guarantee repairs. For other countries, the guarantee covers free exchange of faulty parts during the guarantee period.
Alternatively, if the equipment is returned to us for guarantee repair, we make no charge for labour or materials but we do charge for carriage and U.K. customs clearance.
We strongly prefer to have such repairs discussed with us first, and if we agree that the equipment does need to be returned, we may at our discretion waive these charges.
SERVICE
We recognise that some users of our instruments may not have easy access to technically specialised backup.
Spare parts can be supplied from our works. These can normally be despatched within one working day of receiving an order.
Spare parts and accessories for the pump may take longer.
Should it prove necessary, instruments may be returned to our works for servicing. We normally expect to complete repairs of our own instruments within
2 days of receiving the equipment. Other manufacturers' products supplied by us and returned for servicing will take longer. They will have to be returned to the original manufacturer for servicing, and may be subject to additional delays.
Users in countries which have a Delta-T Representative should contact them first.
____________________________________________Page 13

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