A device and method for dispensing precise amounts of dry particulate
matter, such as agricultural chemicals, directly into a liquid carrier
stream, such as a flow of water, and a method of employing such a device
to distribute chemicals. The device includes a bin for holding a quantity
of particulate matter, a conduit for transporting a stream of liquid
carrier, and a meter at the bottom of the bin for controllably releasing
a desired amount of the particulate matter from the bin into the conduit
while disallowing entry of the liquid carrier to the bin. The bin,
conduit and meter are all mounted upon a portable structure for
transportation with particulate matter in the bin. The meter includes a
multi-vaned rotor turned by a controlled motor, and defines discrete
pockets of known volume. The operator simply connects the device to a
flow of water and keys into the controller an amount of material to be
released. The rotor releases the material into a chamber under vacuum
pressure generated by a venturi, through a check valve, and into an
eductor. Agricultural chemicals may be advantageously distributed to end
users in particulate form, to be mixed with a liquid carrier at the work
site, without possibly harmful exposure to chemical dust and fumes.