Title - THIOSULFATE-UREA BASED PRODUCT, MANUFACTURING PROCESS, COMPOSITION AND FERTILIZER KIT INCLUDING IT

Abstract

The present product provides thiosulfate-urea-based products (IIa) and / or polysulfide-urea-based products (IIb) and / or (bi)sulfate-urea-based products (IIc) comprising: one or more urea-containing compounds (a), one or more compounds (b), optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors, which are different from compounds (b), and / or optionally, one or more additives (d) which are different from any of the preceding compounds, wherein the amount of water (e) in the product (II) is less than approximately 10% by weight, preferably less than approximately 5% by weight, wherein compounds (a) are selected from urea (a1) and / or urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or urea-triazone compounds (a3), wherein compounds (b) are selected from thiosulfates (b1) and / or polysulfides (b2) and / or (bis)sulfites (b3).One advantage of the products herein is that only minimal amounts of degradation products of the compounds (b) are formed. The products herein can be prepared in various forms and by different methods. All the materials herein are suitable for use in fertilizers and combine well with conventional solid and liquid fertilizers.

Description

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING SOLID THIOSULFATES, POLYSULFIDES AND / OR (BI)SULFITES AND METHODS FOR PREPARING THEM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from provisional application US N062 / 716.243 filed on August 8, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to fertilizer compositions prepared from dry (solid, powdered, etc.) thiosulfates, polysulfides, or (bis)sulfites and their manufacturing processes. The products of the invention are simple to prepare, have broad applicability, and are useful in both the liquid and solid fertilizer end markets. The products of the invention allow for the preparation of easy-to-use NS fertilizers and / or a new type of stabilized fertilizer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The thiosulfate ion, S₂O₃²⁻, is a structural analogue of the SO₄²⁻ ion in which one oxygen atom is replaced by a sulfur atom. However, the two sulfur atoms in S₂O₃²⁻ are not equivalent. One of the sulfur atoms is a sulfide-type sulfur atom, which gives thiosulfate its reducing properties and complexing capabilities. YOU' II S = S = OOO:::::rS::::O II oo folder 233890 IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 1 of 60 Thiosulfates are used in leather tanning, paper and textile manufacturing, flue gas desulfurization, cement additives, dechlorination, ozone and hydrogen peroxide deactivation, coating stabilizers, as an agricultural fertilizer, as a leaching agent in mining, etc. Given their ability to form complexes with metals, thiosulfate compounds have been used in commercial applications such as those related to photography, waste treatment, and water treatment. Thiosulfates are easily oxidized to dithionates, trithionates, tetrathionates and finally sulfates: 2S2O32+ 3O2 —♦ 2S20e2 S2O62' + O2->2SO42' 7S2O32- + 3 / 2(¾ -> 2S3O62' +2S4O62' 2S3O62' + 6O2 -»6SO42S4O62-+ 5O2 —4SO42' Due to this transformation, thiosulfates are used as fertilizers in combination with cations such as ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Ammonium, alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal thiosulfates are water-soluble. The water solubility of thiosulfates decreases from ammonium to alkali metal to alkaline earth metal thiosulfates. Potassium (K) is a primary plant nutrient. Potassium thiosulfate fertilizer contains the highest percentage of K in liquid form compared to other potassium sources such as potassium chloride (KCl), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and potassium sulfate (K2SO4). Furthermore, it combines potassium with sulfur (17%), which is also an essential plant nutrient. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 2 of 60 Magnesium is an important element in the nutrition of animals and plants. It is a component of every animal cell. Magnesium thiosulfate is a liquid source of magnesium with concentrations up to 32%. It is used in industrial and waste treatment applications, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Calcium is an essential plant nutrient. Calcium availability is crucial for plant biochemistry and, as has recently been understood, for the effectiveness of nitrogen fertilizers, particularly surface-applied urea. The addition of soluble calcium salts to urea can reduce ammonia volatilization by as much as 90%. Calcium polysulfide, potassium polysulfide, calcium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate, and mixtures thereof are effective in inhibiting the catalytic effect of urease in the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia (U.S. Patent 7,494,525 B2). Therefore, these compounds are effective in increasing the rate of nitrogen supply, or utilization, in the nitrification of urea-containing fertilizers. Ammonium thiosulfate is a nitrogen- and sulfur-based liquid commonly used as a 12-0-0-26 grade fertilizer, in combination with urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and other fertilizers. Ammonium thiosulfate has been used with urea and urea-containing fertilizers to reduce nitrogen loss through bacterial nitrification of urea or its conversion to ammonia by the enzyme urease. For example, it has been suggested that adding ammonium thiosulfate to a urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertilizer solution can slow the rate of urea hydrolysis after application to the soil. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 3 of 60 Thiosulfate is an important intermediate in the microbial sulfur cycle in soils and sediments. It has been suggested that tetrathionate could be an inhibitor of soil urease by reacting with -SH groups in bean urease to form an S-sulfo derivative, as follows: RSH + S4O62-> RS-S2O3H + S2O3-2RS-S2O3H + O2-* RS-SO3H + SO2 Thiosulfates such as ammonium thiosulfates are also nitrification inhibitors, see for example, Sallade and Sims, in Plant & Soil, December 1992. The effect of soil pH on ammonia volatilization is minimal at low soil pH (approximately 3.5), but increases rapidly to 8.5 (He et al., Soil Science, 164, 750-758, 1999). Calcium and magnesium polysulfides are acidifying soil conditioners and capture ammonium carbonate forms from urea hydrolysis, as well as forming related carbonates. Carbonate precipitation and the resulting soil pH depression reduce the rate of hydrolysis of added urea and thus decrease ammonia loss. In addition to their use as soil conditioners, polysulfides are also a well-known source of sulfur fertilizers. Sulfites and other reduced sulfur compounds have been shown to inhibit urease activity (Inhibition of Urease By Sulfur Compounds' by John Ambrose, et al, in Contributions from Gibbs Chemical Laboratory of Harvard University. Sept 1949). Sulfites and bisulfites can react with the nickel enzyme site and inhibit its activity (L. Mazzei et al. in J. of Inorq Biochem., January 2016). (Bis)sulfites also prevent oxygen-induced oxidation. Since they are reducing agents, they can also prevent the oxidation of NBPT to NBPO (which IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 of 60 is the active mode of NBPT for urease inhibition) and, consequently, prolong the inhibitory effect of NBPT in the soil. And, of course, (bis)sulfites are well-known fertilizers. Thiosulfates, polysulfides, and / or (bis)sulfites are known for their urease and / or nitrification inhibition properties. Furthermore, some of these compounds also protect NBPT from oxidative degradation. Elemental sulfur, on the other hand, can be used as a nitrogen inhibitor (Soaud et al., Journal of Australian Crop Science, May 2011). Thiosulfates, polysulfides, and (bis)sulfites are usually supplied as saturated saline solutions in water. Commercially available calcium and magnesium thiosulfate fertilizers contain approximately 75% water by weight. Ammonium and potassium thiosulfate fertilizers typically contain approximately 40–50% water by weight. For example, ammonium bisulfite is a 60–67% liquid solution with a pH of approximately 5–5.8. These compounds proved difficult to dry using conventional drying techniques due to oxidation. One of the main reasons is that these compounds, and particularly thiosulfates such as calcium thiosulfates, are highly susceptible to thermal and / or oxidative degradation. Sulfur generally prefers the [+6] oxidation state (as, for example, in SO42). This means that all these species tend to oxidize readily to S*6. The formation of elemental sulfur can be another indicator of thiosulfate degradation. U.S. Patent No. 5,618,658 (Fuji Hunt Photographic Chemicals) describes methods for preparing a sulfur-free ammonium thiosulfate by spray drying, starting with an approximately 60% solution of ATS in water, with carbonate and sulfite components as stabilizers. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 5 of 60 Dehydrated thiosulfates are commercially available (for example, for use in photography), but as fertilizers, these products are not usually very suitable. Furthermore, commercially available dehydrated thiosulfates are often hygroscopic, which creates storage problems when the products are not stored properly to avoid contact with moisture. Bulk storage of these products is therefore cumbersome. Freeze-drying can produce more stable products, but it is an expensive drying method. In the fertilizer industry, freeze-drying is not commercially viable. Another challenge is obtaining products that are not overly hygroscopic, store well, and have a sufficient shelf life. There is a demand for solid thiosulfates, polysulfides, and / or (bis)sulfites that are stable, easy to handle, and compatible with other conventional NPK fertilizers. There is also a demand for combination fertilizers (NS fertilizers) in the form of a premix that is user-friendly and reduces dosing errors. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for urea-based stabilized / protected fertilizers. In this description, materials in which urea nitrogen protection is provided through various mechanisms are preferred. The inventors have discovered that adding urea-containing compounds [and urea in particular] to liquid thiosulfates helps prevent / reduce their oxidation in air. During the drying process, fewer of their degradation products, such as sulfite and / or sulfate, were formed, meaning that drying did not result in significant product degradation. Likewise, less elemental sulfur appears to be formed as a degradation product. A similar method proved beneficial for drying IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 6 of 60 liquid polysulfides and / or liquid (bis)sulfites intended to form solid products useful as fertilizers. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Against this state of affairs, we come to provide solid fertilizers and ways to make them, with which we intend to solve one or more of the problems mentioned above. A first aspect of the invention relates to aqueous solutions of thiosulfates, polysulfides, and / or (bis)sulfites to which one or more urea-containing compounds [and in particular urea] are added. Other compounds may be present, such as compounds (c) and / or (d) described below. When these aqueous solutions are subjected to a drying process, fertilizer-grade solid materials can be obtained without significant signs of product degradation. The invention provides an aqueous composition (I) suitable for preparing a solid thiosulfate-urea product and / or a solid polysulfide-urea based product and / or a solid (bi)sulfite-urea based product, said aqueous composition (I) comprising: - one or more compounds containing urea (a), preferably urea (a1). - one or more liquid thiosulfates (bV) and / or liquid polysulfides (b2') and / or liquid (bis)sulfites (b3')_ - optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors, which are different from compounds (b'), and / or - optionally, one or more additives (d) different from any of the above, and / or - optionally, some extra water (e); IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 7 of 60 wherein the sum of the weight percentages (% wt) of the compounds (a) to (e) usually present is at least approximately 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 or 85% wt, preferably at least approximately 86, 87, 88 or 89% wt, more preferably at least approximately 90, 91, 92, 93 or 94% wt or even at least approximately 95% wt; and wherein the aqueous composition (I) comprises not more than approximately 5% wt of UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate). The weight percentages (% wt) in the present description are relative to the total weight of the aqueous composition (I). Generally, the amount of urea in said aqueous composition (I) is at least approximately 1% by weight and at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87 or 86% by weight, preferably at most approximately 85% by weight.Preferably, the amount of compounds (b) in said aqueous composition (I) is at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or 4.5% by weight or at least approximately 5% by weight. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compound (b) in said aqueous composition (I) is at least approximately 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19% by weight, and even at least approximately 20% by weight. Generally, the amount of compound (b) in said aqueous composition (I) is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, preferably at most approximately 85% by weight. Of course, the sum of the weight percentages does not exceed 100% by weight. The invention therefore provides an aqueous composition (I) suitable for preparing a solid thiosulfate-urea product and / or a solid polysulfide-urea product and / or a solid (bis)sulfite-urea product, said aqueous composition (I) comprising: IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 8 of 60 - one or more compounds containing urea (a), preferably urea (a1). - one or more liquid thiosulfates (b1') and / or liquid polysulfides (b2') and / or liquid (bis)sulfites (b3')< - optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors, which are different from compounds (b'), and / or - optionally, one or more additives (d) different from any of the above, and / or - optionally, some extra water (e), wherein the sum of the weight percentages (wt. %) of the compounds (a) to (e) usually present is at least approximately 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 or 85 wt., preferably at least approximately 86, 87, 88 or 89 wt., more preferably at least approximately 90, 91, 92, 93 or 94 wt., even at least approximately 95 wt.; and wherein the aqueous composition (I) comprises no more than approximately 5 wt. of UAN. The weight percentages (wt. %) in the present description are relative to the total weight of the aqueous composition (I). In this embodiment, the amount of compound (b) in said aqueous composition (I) is generally at least approximately 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14% by weight. In one particular embodiment, this amount is at least approximately 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20% by weight.In particular embodiments of the invention, the amount of compound (b) is at least approximately 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50% by weight. Generally, the amount of compound (b) is at most approximately 92, 91, or 90% by weight. In this embodiment, the amount of urea (a1) is at least approximately 1, 2, 3, or 4% by weight, at least approximately 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9% by weight, or even at least approximately. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 9 of 60 10% by weight. Of course, the sum of the percentages by weight does not exceed 100% by weight. The compounds (a) may be selected from urea (a1, Cbh^O, MW approximately 60) and / or from urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or urea-triazone compounds (a3), although 'urea' and more particularly 'dry' or 'solid' urea is preferred. The aqueous compositions (I) of the invention are generally substantially free of UAN. By substantially free, it is meant that they comprise less than approximately 1 wt% of UAN. Preferably, they comprise less than approximately 0.5 wt%, and more preferably, less than approximately 0.1 wt% of UAN, with respect to the total weight of the aqueous composition (I). In general, the ratio of compounds (a) to compounds (b), and more particularly the ratio of urea (a1) to compounds (b), in the aqueous compositions (I) of the invention is 1:99 to 99:1, or 1.5:98.5 to 98.5:1.5, or 2:98 to 98:2. Also preferably, and particularly when compound (b) comprises or consists of ammonium thiosulfate, the ratio of compounds (a) to compounds (b) is 5:95 to 95:5, 10:90 to 90:10, 15:85 to 85:10, or 15:85 to 85:15. A preferred compound (a) is urea (a1, CH4N2O, MW of approximately 60). Preferably, the ratio of urea to compounds (b) is 5:95 to 95:5, 10:90 to 90:10, 15:85 to 85:10, or 15:85 to 85:15. In some embodiments of the invention, this ratio will be 1:4 to 4:1, preferably 1:3 to 3:1, or 2:3 to 3:2. In one particular embodiment of the invention, this ratio is 1:2 to 2:1.In a highly particular embodiment of the invention, compounds (a) and (b) are present in equal amounts. The aqueous compositions (I) of the invention are easy to prepare by bringing the different compounds into contact and mixing them. Typically, the IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 10 of 60 The amount of water present in liquid thiosulfates and / or liquid polysulfides and / or liquid (bis)sulfites allows for thorough mixing of the different compounds. When using large quantities of compound (a) and / or compound (b), it may be useful to add some extra water. In general, the total amount of water present in the aqueous compositions (I) of the invention is from approximately 5% by weight to approximately 75% by weight, more preferably from approximately 10% by weight to approximately 70% by weight, more preferably from approximately 15% by weight to approximately 65% ​​by weight. By subjecting the aqueous compositions (I) of the invention to a drying process (e.g., by water evaporation), solid products with a shelf life of at least approximately 6 months, and even up to approximately 1 year, could be obtained. Furthermore, the products thus obtained proved highly suitable for use as fertilizers. A second aspect of the invention relates to 'dry', 'dehydrated' or 'solid' products / compositions that can be obtained according to the invention, obtained through this process or by any other suitable means. The invention provides in particular a thiosulfate-urea based product (lia) and / or a polysulfide-urea based product (Ifb) and / or a (bi)sulfite-urea based product (lie), comprising: - one or more compounds containing urea (a), - one or more compounds (b). - optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors, which are different from compounds (b), and / or - optionally, one or more additives (d) that are different from any of the above compounds; IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 11 of 60 wherein the amount of water (e) in the product (II) is less than approximately 10% by weight, preferably less than approximately 5% by weight; wherein the compounds (a) are selected from urea (a1) and / or from urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or from urea-triazone compounds (a3); and wherein the compounds (b) are selected from thiosulfates (b1) and / or from polysulfides (b2) and / or from (bis)sulfites (b3); said product (II) comprises, with respect to its total weight, at least approximately 1% by weight, preferably at least approximately 2% by weight of urea and at most approximately 99, 98, 97, or 96% by weight of urea. Preferably, the amount of urea is at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92, or 91% by weight. In one particular embodiment, in particular when compound (b) comprises or is ammonium thiosulfate, the amount of urea present in the products (II) is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, and even at most approximately 85% by weight. Preferably, the compounds (b) described herein are present in an amount of at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or 4.5% by weight, or at least approximately 5% by weight. Preferably, the compounds (b) described herein are present in an amount of at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92 or 91% by weight.Preferably, the compounds (b) are present in an amount of at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, 86 or at most approximately 85% by weight. The weight percentages in this description are relative to the total weight of the product (II) and, of course, the sum of the weight percentages does not exceed 100% by weight. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 12 of 60 The invention also provides in particular a thiosulfate-urea based product (lia) and / or a polysulfide-urea based product (llb) and / or a (bis)sulfite-urea based product (lie), comprising: - one or more compounds containing urea (a), - one or more compounds (b), - optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors, which are different from compounds (b), and / or - optionally, one or more additives (d) that are different from any of the above compounds; wherein the amount of water (e) in the product (II) is less than approximately 10% by weight, preferably less than approximately 5% by weight; wherein the compounds (a) are selected from urea (a1) and / or from urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or from urea-triazone compounds (a3); and wherein the compounds (b) are selected from thiosulfates (b1) and / or from polysulfides (b2) and / or from (bis)sulfites (b3); Said product (II) comprises at least approximately 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% by weight of compounds (b). Preferably, the amount of compounds (b) is then at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92, or 91% by weight. More preferably, this amount is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, and more preferably, at most approximately 85% by weight. Preferably, the amount of urea in the present description is at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, or 4.5% by weight, and even at least approximately 5% by weight. Preferably, the urea in this description is present in an amount of at most approximately 93, 92, or 91% by weight. In a particular embodiment, in particular when compound (b) comprises or is IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 13 of 60 ammonium thiosulfate, the amount of urea present in the products (II) is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87 or 86% by weight, and at most approximately 85% by weight. The percentages by weight in this description are relative to the total weight of the product (II) and, of course, the sum of the percentages by weight does not exceed 100% by weight. The invention provides in particular a thiosulfate-urea based product (lia) and / or a polysulfide-urea based product (llb) and / or a (bis)sulfite-urea based product (lie), comprising: - one or more compounds containing urea (a), - one or more compounds (b), - optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors, which are different from compounds (b), and / or - optionally, one or more additives (d) that are different from any of the above compounds; wherein the amount of water (e) in the product (II) is less than approximately 10% by weight, preferably less than approximately 5% by weight; wherein the compounds (a) are selected from urea (a1) and / or urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or urea-triazone compounds (a3); and wherein the compounds (b) are selected from thiosulfates (b1) and / or polysulfides (b2) and / or (bis)sulfites (b3); wherein the compounds (a) and (b) are substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the product (II); wherein in general the amount of urea in the product (II) is at least approximately 1% by weight and at most approximately 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92 or 91% by weight. However, typically, the amount of urea in product (II) is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, 86% by weight or even at most IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 14 of 60 approximately 85% by weight when compound (b) comprises or is ammonium thiosulfate. Preferably, compounds (a) and (b) in the products (II) of the invention are substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the product (II). More preferably, said product (II) comprises at least approximately 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, or 15% by weight of compound (b), when compound (b) is ammonium thiosulfate. More preferably, said product (II) comprises at most 90, 89.5, 89, 88.5, 88, 87.5, 87, 86.5, 86, 85.5 or 85 wt% urea, when compound (b) is ammonium thiosulfate. When compound (b1) is ammonium thiosulfate, then the ratio of compounds (a) to compounds (b) is typically 10:90 to 90:10, 15:85 to 85:15 or 20:80 to 80:20. In all of the foregoing, the urea-containing compound (a) is preferably selected from urea proper (a1, CH4N2O, MW approximately 60) and / or from urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or from urea-triazone compounds (a3). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the urea-containing compound includes or is urea (a1). Preferably, it is urea (a1). The use of urea (a1) has several advantages: (1) Urea is a source of nitrogen nutrients, therefore the products serve as fertilizer, (2) urea is inexpensive and readily available, (3) surprisingly, urea helps prevent the oxidation / degradation of liquid fertilizers, and (4) surprisingly, urea also appears to act as a processing aid during the drying process. Surprisingly, fewer oxidation byproducts are formed when compounds (b) are dried in the presence of urea-containing compounds, more specifically 'urea'. In all of the above, the term 'thiosulfates' refers to the active ingredient itself and not to the aqueous solution. However, impurities possibly present in the 'thiosulfate' are included. The same applies to the IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 15 of 60. The terms 'polysulfides' and '(bi)sulfites' are used. Thiosulfates (b1), polysulfides (b2), and (bi)sulfites (b3) are generally provided as a solution or suspension in water. These solutions are very often saturated, meaning that the active ingredient is present, dissolved or dispersed, in the greatest possible amount. Aqueous solutions of thiosulfates, polysulfides, and (bi)sulfites are designated compounds (bT), (b2'), and (b3'), respectively. Removal of the water contained in these compounds (b'), and possibly in other compounds present, will result in the 'dry' or 'dehydrated' or 'solid' products / compositions of the invention. In general, the ratio of compounds (a) to compounds (b), and more particularly the ratio of urea (a1) to compounds (b), in the products (II) of the invention is 1:99 to 99:1, 1.5:98.5 to 98.5:1.5, or 2:98 to 98:2. Also preferably, and particularly when compound (b) is ammonium thiosulfate, the ratio of compounds (a) to compounds (b) is 5:95 to 95:5, 10:90 to 90:10, 15:85 to 85:10, 15:85 to 85:15, or 20:80 to 80:20. In some embodiments of the invention, this ratio will be from 1:4 to 4:1, preferably from 1:3 to 3:1 or from 2:3 to 3:2. In one particular embodiment of the invention, this ratio is from 1:2 to 2:1. In one highly particular embodiment of the invention, compounds (a) and (b) are present in equal amounts. A third aspect of the invention relates to possible drying processes that can yield the solid products of the invention. In general terms, a process is provided for manufacturing a thiosulfate-urea-based product (Illa) and / or a polysulfide-urea-based product (lllb) and / or a (bis)sulfite-urea-based product (lile) with low water content. This process comprises the following steps: IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 16 of 60 (i) Providing a mixture of one or more urea-containing compounds (a) with one or more compounds (b), said mixture containing water (e), (ii) Optionally adding one or more compounds (c) and / or (d) as described, (iii) Optionally adding extra water (e), (iv) Obtaining a substantially homogeneous mixture, (v) Removing water from this mixture to obtain a product (III) with a water content of at most approximately 10% by weight, more preferably at most approximately 5% by weight; wherein the compounds (a) are selected from urea (a1) and / or urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or urea-triazone compounds (a3); and wherein the compounds (b) are selected from thiosulfates (b1) and / or polysulfides (b2) and / or (bis)sulfites (b3); said product (III) comprises at least approximately 1% by weight, preferably at least approximately 2% by weight of urea and at most approximately 99, 98, 97 or 96% by weight of urea. Preferably, the amount of urea is at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92 or 91% by weight. In one particular embodiment, the amount of urea present in the products (III) is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, and at most approximately 85% by weight. Preferably, the compounds (b) described herein are present in an amount of at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, or 4.5% by weight, and at least approximately 5% by weight.Preferably, the compounds (b) described herein are present in an amount of at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92, or 91% by weight. Preferably, the compounds (b) are present in an amount of at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, even at most. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 17 of 60 approximately 85% by weight. The percentages by weight in this description are relative to the total weight of the product (III) and of course the sum of the percentages by weight does not exceed 100% by weight. In general terms, a process is also provided for manufacturing a thiosulfate-urea based product (Illa) and / or a polysulfurourea based product (lllb) and / or a (bis)sulfite-urea based product (Ule) with low water content, said process comprising the following steps: (i) Providing a mixture of one or more urea-containing compounds (a) with one or more compounds (b), said mixture containing water (e), (ii) Optionally adding one or more compounds (c) and / or (d) as described, (iii) Optionally adding extra water (e), (iv) Obtaining a substantially homogeneous mixture, (v) Extracting water from this mixture to obtain a product (III) with a water content of at most approximately 10% by weight, more preferably at most approximately 5% by weight, wherein the compounds (a) are selected from urea (a1) and / or urea-aldehyde products (a2) and / or urea-triazone compounds (a3) ​​and wherein the compounds (b) are selected from thiosulfates (b1) and / or polysulfides (b2) and / or (bis)sulfites (b3); Said product (III) comprises at least approximately 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% by weight of compounds (b). Preferably, the amount of compounds (b) is then at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92, or 91% by weight. More preferably, this amount is at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, and more preferably, at most approximately 85% by weight. Preferably, the amount of urea herein is at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, or 4.5% by weight. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 18 of 60 by weight, including at least approximately 5% by weight. Preferably, the urea in this description is present in an amount of at most approximately 93, 92, or 91% by weight. Preferably, the compounds (b) are present in an amount of at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86% by weight, including at most approximately 85% by weight. The weight percentages in this description are relative to the total weight of the product (III), and, of course, the sum of the weight percentages does not exceed 100% by weight. The processes of the invention typically also include one or more of the following steps: a shredding step, a grinding step, a granulation step, a sieving step, a final drying step, a polishing step, a cooling step, and / or a packaging step. The term 'granulation' should not be interpreted in an exclusive sense and may include a shot blasting process, a pelletizing process, a compounding process, fluidized bed granulation, drum granulation, falling curtain granulation, agglomeration granulation, a spheroidizing process, spray drying and compaction, vortex granulation, or any other suitable granulation process or means used in the art to form granules, globules, pellets, tablets, etc., of solid fertilizer. In one particular embodiment, an aqueous composition (I) of the invention is provided, from which water is extracted by evaporation, with or without a vacuum. By applying a vacuum to the aqueous solution (I) of the invention, temperatures can be kept below approximately 100, 95, or 90°C. If no vacuum is applied, then maximum boiling temperatures of approximately 130, 120, 115, or even 110°C are reached to obtain a solid particulate product. Even at these temperatures, products with a IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 19 of 60. Excellent shelf life. Higher temperatures did not cause discoloration and / or substantial degradation of the compounds (b). In general, the solids remaining from evaporation were further dried at room temperature to remove any remaining traces of water. If necessary, the resulting particulate products can then be crushed and / or sieved to obtain granules of a specific size. An alternative method for preparing the products (II) and (III) of the invention involves adding the compounds (b) to a molten mass of urea (the melting temperature of urea is approximately 133°C). This can be done in several ways; the compounds (b) can be added in solid form. In a preferred embodiment, the solid compound (b) is a compound (II) and / or (III) of the invention. Liquid compounds (b') can also be added to the molten mass of urea. Partial or complete drying of the liquid compounds (b') can be carried out upon addition to the molten mass of urea. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an aqueous composition (I) according to the invention is added to the molten mass of urea.When the liquid compounds (b') and / or the aqueous composition (I) according to the invention are added to the urea melt, it may be necessary to remove some of the water before the compounds (a) contained in the urea melt and any compounds (c) and / or (d) before granulation. This allows for the production of products that have at least compounds (a) and (b) distributed more or less homogeneously throughout the resulting solid product. Alternatively, this may result in solid products where compounds (a) are present mainly in the outer layers of the product, such as in a coating. Another additional way of preparing the products (II) and (III) of the invention consists of adding the solid compounds (b), the liquid compounds IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 20 of 60 (b'J and / or an aqueous solution (I) of the invention to liquid urea at a temperature, for example, of at least approximately 130, 135, 140, or 145°C, and processed to form granules by drum coating and / or drum coating with sufficient heat to extract the water. Due to their high water solubility, it is even possible to add the solid products (II) or (III) of the invention by spray drying. This can result in solid products where the compounds (a) are present mainly in the outer layers of the product, or where the compounds (a) are present in a coating provided on a urea granule. Another additional way of preparing compounds (II) or (III) of the invention consists of adding the materials of the invention to a liquid urea, for example, in a drum granulator, preferably one equipped with a spray dryer. When compounds (b) are added to hot (molten or liquid) urea, it may be advisable to keep the retention time short and / or add additives that lower the urea's melting point. Preferably, less than approximately 60, 30, or 15 minutes elapse between the addition of compounds (b) to the hot urea and granulation. Even more preferable is a retention time of approximately 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or even 15 seconds. It is preferable that the temperature of the mixture containing compounds (a) and (b) does not exceed approximately 250, 245, 240, 235 or approximately 230°C, preferably not exceeding approximately 220, 210, 205 or approximately 200°C. Preferably, the temperature of the hot (molten or liquid) urea is below approximately 230°C, more preferably below approximately 200°C when compounds (b) are added. Preferably IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 21 of 60 This temperature is at most approximately 195, 190, 185, 180 or even at most approximately 175°C. An example of an additive that can be used to lower the melting temperature of urea is, for example, the urea-formaldehyde conditioning agent UF80 (a mixture of urea / formaldehyde / water in a ratio of 23 / 57 / 20, from Dynea). One advantage of the processes of the invention is that they allow flexibility in the use of operating temperatures, ranging from low (at most approximately 115°C, even lower under vacuum) to minimize product degradation, to high (preferably approximately 250°C, more preferably approximately 230°C max.) to optimize energy efficiency and equipment sizing while still maintaining low product degradation. In addition, NBPT is sensitive to temperatures and may benefit from the above recommendations. Another method for preparing the products (II) or (III) of the invention is by freeze-drying. Alternative drying processes that may be employed, depending on the amount of water present, include, but are not limited to, drum granulation drying, centrifugal drying, fluidized bed drying, spray drying, or drying during pelleting. The products (II) and (III) of the invention may vary widely in composition and have different uses: (1) Products with a high urea content (preferably those with an N content of up to 40% by weight) can be used directly as urea fertilizer. If necessary, they can be combined with standard urea. These materials are suitable for combination with conventional NPK fertilizers. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 22 of 60 (2) Products with low urea and low thiosulfate and / or polysulfide and / or (bis)sulfite content can be used as carrier materials for nitrogen stabilizers such as NBPT and / or DCD. Resolubilized in water, they can be added to conventional liquid fertilizers such as, for example, UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate). Or they can be used as an intermediate product to be added to a urea melt (see below). (3) Products with high urea content and high thiosulfate and / or polysulfide and / or (bis)sulfite content can be used as is as solid fertilizers, or can be combined with some other solid fertilizers. Due to their high water solubility, they can also be combined with liquid fertilizers. The solid products (II) or (III) can be provided in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from hydrates to crystals, powder, beads, granules, globules, pellets, tablets, compressed forms of granules, globules, pellets, tablets, etc. They can be stored or transported in bulk or packaged in bags, containers, cubicles, etc., of various sizes, preferably well sealed. Although the solid products of the invention are less hygroscopic than commercial products for photographic applications, it is recommended to avoid contact with moisture and / or atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, etc., or to provide them with a suitable moisture-repellent coating. Ideally, dehydrating agents or desiccants such as silica gel or anti-caking agents should be added to further improve the product's shelf life. Preferably, the products (II) and (III) of the invention are appropriately packaged in containers, bags, etc., sealed, with little or no free space (e.g., less than approximately 1% free space). The products (II) and (III) of the invention can also vary widely in composition. In one embodiment of the invention IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 23 of 60 (any of the above), these products contain compounds (c). Since compounds (b) can exert urease and / or nitrification inhibitory effects, the addition of compounds (c) is optional. And if the objective is not to provide stabilized urea, then compounds (c) are optional anyway. In one particular embodiment of the invention, products (II) and (III) of the invention comprise no NBPT and preferably no DCD either. It was discovered that products (II) and (III) contain little or no degradation products of compounds (b). In general, products (II) and (III) of the invention contain less than approximately 5% by weight of oxidation byproducts of compounds (b), such as the corresponding sulfates and / or sulfites, or elemental sulfur. Products (II) and (III) of the invention have broad applicability, but are particularly well-suited for use in or as fertilizers. They are generally compatible with liquid and / or solid fertilizers or conventional fertilizer ingredients. A fourth aspect of the invention, therefore, relates to a fertilizer (IV) comprising a product (II) or (III) of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the fertilizer is a liquid fertilizer. In another embodiment of the invention, the fertilizer is a solid fertilizer. In a fifth aspect of the invention: Products (II) and (111) of the invention can serve as liquid or solid carriers for nitrogen inhibitors such as NBPT and / or DCD. These carrier materials for NBPT and / or DCD can be added to liquid and / or solid fertilizers. An advantage of the materials of the invention is that they require less or even no organic solvents such as NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), etc. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 24 of 60 Preferably, the products (II) and (III) of the invention are redissolved in water or any other suitable liquid - it may be UAN - before adding them to a liquid fertilizer. A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a protected urea containing at least one thiosulfate (b1) and / or at least one polysulfide (b2) and / or at least one (bis)sulfite (b3) in an amount sufficient to exert inhibitory effects on urease and / or nitrification. The inventors also discovered that a urea-containing material (particularly urea) is a good carrier for nitrogen inhibitors such as NBPT (N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide) and / or DCD (dicyandiamide). Thus, these can be added without difficulty, if desired. The presence of a urea-containing compound (particularly urea) allows the amount of organic solvents used as liquid carriers for NBPT and / or DCD to be considerably reduced, or even eliminated. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to the use of an aqueous composition (I) of the invention and / or the use of a product (II) or (III) of the invention to be added to hot urea, such as a urea melt. Preferably, the urea granules thus produced also comprise NBPT and / or DCD, although the presence of the latter is optional, since compounds (b) can exert sufficient urease- and / or nitrification-inhibiting effects. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the aqueous composition (I) of the invention and / or the use of a product (II) or (III) of the invention for coating the granular urea. A final aspect relates to a kit comprising product (II) and / or (III), along with a nitrogen-stabilizing composition containing NBPT and / or DCD, and optionally, instructions on how to mix and apply these materials as a liquid or solid fertilizer. Therefore, IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 25 of 60. Compounds (II) and / or (III) typically do not contain compound (c). The addition of a tincture to the different products and / or solutions can therefore be useful to facilitate dosage control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ADDITION OF UREA TO THIOSULFATES / POLYSULFIDES / IBOSULFITES AND VICE VERSA A first aspect of the invention relates to an aqueous composition (I) having a urea-containing compound (a) added to a liquid thiosulfate (b1') and / or a liquid polysulfide (b2') and / or a liquid (bis)sulfite (b3'). The aqueous composition (I) of the invention may further contain urease inhibitors (c1) and / or nitrification inhibitors (c2) and / or additives (d) such as dyes, colorants, buffers, surfactants, stabilizers, etc. The aqueous compositions (I) of the invention are simple and inexpensive materials that can be used for the preparation of solid thiosulfates, polysulfides, and / or (bis)sulfites, for the preparation of protected urea, and can serve as carrier materials for nitrogen inhibitors such as NBPT and / or DCD. The aqueous compositions (I) of the invention and their constituents will now be described. A second aspect of the invention relates to the products (II) or (III) as briefly described herein and to their methods of manufacture. Throughout the description of the invention, unless otherwise specified, the following compounds are used as described and in the specified amounts. Unless otherwise specified, weight percentages (% wt) are always relative to the total weight of the product or composition in question. For compounds (c1), and more particularly NBPT, the weight percentages (% wt) are relative to the total amount of urea nitrogen present in the product or composition. For compounds (c2), and more particularly IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 26 of 60 DCD, the percentages by weight (% by weight) are relative to the total amount of urea nitrogen and ammonium present in the product or composition. Compounds to The term 'urea-containing compound' (a) in this description refers to a compound containing a certain amount of free urea or a urea derivative. This term specifically refers to urea itself (a1, CH4N2O, MW about 60) and / or a urea-aldehyde product (a2) and / or a urea-triazone compound (a3). In the context of the invention, urea (CH4N2O, MW about 60) is preferred. Depending on how the products of the invention are prepared, the 'urea' may be 'dry urea' (a11), 'liquid urea' (a12), and / or a 'urea melt' (a13). The use of 'dry' or 'solid' urea is generally preferred. Any type of dry urea can be used, including, but not limited to, urea granules, globules, pellets, tablets, caplets, pearls, powders, crystals, etc., since all these forms of urea are easily soluble in water. The term 'liquid urea', as used in the present description, refers to solutions of urea in water.Liquid urea products generally available on the market contain approximately 40-60% by weight of urea in water. The term 'liquid urea', in the context of the present invention, does not encompass 'molten urea' or 'melted urea mass' which has urea in molten form at elevated temperatures (typically above approximately 130°C). Preferably, urea is used with a purity of at least approximately 50%, preferably at least approximately 70%, more preferably at least approximately 90%, and most preferably at least approximately 95%. Preferably, the urea has a purity of at least approximately 99, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, or 99.6, or up to approximately 99.7%. Dry urea may contain up to approximately 1% by weight of biuret. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 27 of 60 Compounds bv b1 The compounds (b) in the context of the invention may be thiosulfates and / or polysulfides and / or (bis)sulfites. In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds (b) include or are (bis)sulfites and / or polysulfides. In another embodiment of the invention, the compounds (b) include or are thiosulfates and / or polysulfides. Compounds that include or are thiosulfates are much more preferred. The compounds (b) are generally provided as solutions or dispersions in water. The latter are referred to as compounds (b1) in this description. Thiosulfates Thiosulfates are typically commercially available as liquid thiosulfates (bT) containing the active compound (b1) in water. In the invention, thiosulfate solutions are preferably used at their maximum concentrations. The thiosulfates in thiosulfate solutions are generally salts of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals such as zinc, iron, manganese, and / or copper. In the invention, ammonium thiosulfates and / or potassium thiosulfates and / or calcium thiosulfates and / or magnesium thiosulfates and / or manganese thiosulfates and / or iron thiosulfates are preferred. For use in the invention, ammonium thiosulfates and / or potassium thiosulfates and / or calcium thiosulfates and / or magnesium thiosulfates are preferred. The most preferred are ammonium thiosulfates and / or magnesium thiosulfates and / or calcium thiosulfates.Magnesium thiosulfates and / or calcium thiosulfates have the strongest urease-inhibiting effect. Consequently, magnesium thiosulfates and / or calcium thiosulfates are highly preferred. Potassium thiosulfate may be used, but then preferably in combination with compounds (c). Ammonium thiosulfate may also be used, though. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 28 of 60 preferably along with some extra iron and / or molybdenum to increase its effectiveness. Liquid fertilizers based on thiosulfates (bT) are well known and include, for example: - Potassium thiosulfate, 50% aqueous solution (grade 0-0-25-17S). - Magnesium thiosulfate, 5-25% aqueous solution (grade 0-0-0-10S4Mg) - Calcium thiosulfate, 5-25% aqueous solution (grade 0-0-0-10S-6Ca) - Ammonium thiosulfate, 50-60% aqueous solution (grade 12-0-0-26S). Polysulfides Polysulfides are commonly marketed as liquid polysulfides (b2') containing the active compound (b2) in water. Polysulfide solutions are preferably used at their maximum concentrations. The polysulfides (b2) are preferably selected from calcium polysulfides, potassium polysulfides, sodium polysulfides, and / or iron polysulfides. Calcium polysulfides, potassium polysulfides, and / or ammonium polysulfides are preferred. Calcium polysulfides and / or potassium polysulfides are particularly preferred due to their effective urease inhibition. (Bisulfites Furthermore, (bi)sulfites are commonly marketed as liquid (bi)sulfites (b3') containing the active compound (b3) in water. The term '(bi)sulfite' is used to designate sulfites, bisulfites, and mixtures of both. Liquid (bi)sulfite solutions are preferably used at their maximum concentrations. Examples of compounds (b3) that may be used in the context of the invention are: potassium sulfite, potassium bisulfite, ammonium sulfyl, ammonium bisulfite, iron sulfite, and / or iron bisulfite. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 29 of 60 prefer potassium sulfyl, potassium bisulfite, ammonium sulfite, and / or ammonium bisulfite. Potassium sulfite and / or potassium bisulfite are the most preferred. In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds (b) include or are selected from thiosulfates (b1). In another embodiment of the invention, the compounds (b) include or are selected from polysulfides (b2). In another embodiment of the invention, the compounds (b) include or are selected from (bis)sulfites (b3). A mixture of any of these may also be used. In a particular embodiment of the invention, at least two compounds (b) are present. Optional compounds c Optionally, urease inhibitors (c1), such as NBPT, and / or nitrification inhibitors (c2), such as DCD, may be added to the products of the invention without negatively impacting the stability of the thiosulfates and / or polysulfides and / or (bis)sulfites during drying. They may help protect and stabilize the urea present in products (I), (II), and (III) of the invention. N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and phenylphosphorodiamidate (PPD) are two examples of widely studied and / or used urease inhibitors. NBPT is marketed under the Agrotain® brand, available from Agrotain International, St. Louis, MO (Koch). KOCH recently launched DUROMIDE™ technology, based on novel, potent urease inhibitors such as ANVOL™. Dicyandiamide (DCD) and 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine (Nitrapyrin) are two examples of widely used nitrification inhibitors. The urease inhibitor (c1) can be a liquid at room temperature, a liquid at elevated temperature, or a solid that dissolves, disperses, or suspends in a liquid carrier. The same applies to the nitrification inhibitor (c2). IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 30 of 60 An advantage of the system and materials of the invention is that the urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors can be added as is. By "as is" is meant that they are added in dry or solid form, without being dissolved or diluted in a suitable liquid or solid carrier, as is customary in the art. In the invention, fewer or even no organic solvents are required. Preferably, the NBPT used has a purity of at least approximately 90% by weight, preferably at least approximately 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% by weight. High-purity grades are available, for example, in powder form from Sunfit Chemical Co. (China). In one embodiment of the invention, a urease inhibitor (c1) comprising or being NBPT is used. In the same or another embodiment, a nitrification inhibitor (c2) comprising or being DCD is used. Alternatively or additionally, other types of urease and / or nitrification inhibitors, as described in the art, may also be added, if desired. In the invention, the compounds (c1) and (c2) are different from each other and differ from the compounds (b) used or present. Optional compounds d The additional additives or compounds (d) that may optionally be present in the products and compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to, dyes, colorants, odor-masking agents, flow aids, processing aids (such as, for example, a granulation binder), conditioning agents (such as, for example, mineral oil), anti-caking agents (such as lime, gypsum, silicon dioxide, kaolinite, and / or PVA), hardening agents (such as, for example, UF 85), surfactants, silicas, thickeners, viscosity modifiers, pH regulating agents, buffers, copper, molybdenum, elemental sulfur, additives to lower the IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 31 of 60 urea melting point, bactericides, etc. The compounds (d) in the invention are different from any of the compounds (a), (b), (c) and (e). MODES OF ELABORATION OF THE PRODUCTS (II) AND (111) OF THE INVENTION The processes of the invention for the preparation of the compounds (II) or (III) of the invention preferably comprise at least the following steps: (i) Providing a mixture of one or more urea-containing compounds (a) with one or more compounds (b), said mixture containing water (e), (ii) Optionally adding one or more compounds (c) and / or (d) as described, (iii) Optionally adding extra water (e), (iv) Obtaining a substantially homogeneous mixture, and (v) Removing water from this mixture to obtain a product (II) or (III) with a water content of at most approximately 10% by weight, more preferably at most approximately 5% by weight. The processes of the invention frequently also contain one or more of the following additional stages: a shredding stage, a grinding stage, a granulation stage, a sieving stage, a final drying stage, a polishing stage, a cooling stage and / or a packaging stage. In one particular embodiment, an aqueous composition (I) of the invention is provided, from which water is extracted by evaporation, with or without a vacuum. By applying a vacuum to the aqueous solution (I) of the invention, temperatures can be maintained below approximately 100°C, which is beneficial for product stability. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 32 of 60. At approximately 95°C, below approximately 90, 89, 88, 87, or 86°C, or below approximately 85, 84, 83, 82, or 81°C, or even below approximately 80°C, temperatures of up to approximately 130°C, up to approximately 120°C, or even up to approximately 115, 114, 113, 112, 110, or 110°C are sufficient to obtain a solid particulate product. Even at these temperatures, products with excellent shelf life were obtained. The higher temperatures did not result in discoloration and / or substantial degradation of the compounds (b). In general, the solids remaining after evaporation were further dried at room temperature to remove every last trace of water. If necessary, the particulate products obtained can be crushed and / or sieved to obtain granules of a particular size. In this embodiment, urea is preferably added to liquid thiosulfates <b1’) y / o polisulfuros líquidos (b2’) y / o (bi)sulfitos líquidos (b3‘). Para favorecer la disolución de la urea, los compuestos líquidos (b’) son precalentados preferiblemente hasta una temperatura de por lo menos aproximadamente 40, 45 o 50°C. Opcionalmente se pueden agregar uno o varios compuestos (c1) y / o (c2) y / o (d). In this embodiment, 'dry' urea is preferably used, although in some cases commercially available liquid urea may also be practical. This is the case, for example, if large quantities of compound (a) and / or compound (b) are used. Alternatively, 'dry' urea can be used, and a minimal amount of extra water added, just enough to allow sufficient mixing of the compounds present. An alternative method for preparing the products (II) and (III) of the invention involves adding compounds (b) to a molten mass of urea (the melting point of urea is approximately 133°C). This can be done in several ways. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 33 of 60. In one preferred embodiment, the compounds (b) can be added in solid form. The solid compound (b) is a compound (II) and / or (III) of the invention. Liquid compounds (b') can also be added to the urea melt. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an aqueous composition (I) according to the invention is added to the urea melt. When liquid compounds (b') and / or the aqueous composition (I) according to the invention are added to the urea melt, it may be necessary to remove at least some of the water before granulation. This allows for the production of products having at least compounds (a) and (b) substantially homogeneously distributed within the solid particulate being produced.Alternatively, this can result in solid products where compounds (b) are mainly present in the outer layers of the solid particulate being produced, such as in a coating. Another method of preparing the products (II) and (III) of the invention involves adding solid compounds (b), liquid compounds (b1), and / or an aqueous solution (I) of the invention to liquid urea at a temperature, for example, of at least approximately 130, 135, 140, or 145°C and processing them into granules by drum coating and / or drum coating with sufficient heating to remove water. Due to their high water solubility, it is also possible to add the solid products (II) or (III) of the invention by spray drying. This can result in solid products where the compounds (a) are present mainly in the outer layers of the product, or where the compounds (a) are present in a coating provided on a urea granule. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, any urea granule produced in this manner further contains a coating that provides moisture-repellent and / or anti-caking properties. Examples IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 34 of 60 Suitable anti-caking and / or moisture-repellent coatings are vegetable oil (rapeseed or neem), paraffin and Novoflow anti-caking and / or moisture-repellent agents (Novochem Fertilizer Additives, Netherlands). When NBPT is present in combination with elemental sulfur, it may be advantageous to have some stabilizers present, such as the alkali-forming inorganic or organic compounds disclosed in patent WO 2018 / 069486. Otherwise, the use of stabilizers is not really necessary. In some cases, it may be necessary to add a little extra water, for example, if large quantities of compounds (a) and / or (b) are used, to make the mixture viscous or sticky. A homogeneous mixture is generally obtained by proper mixing or stirring. The time required to obtain a homogeneous mixture may vary from one product to another. Preferably, the mixture is heated to a temperature of, for example, approximately 40°C to approximately 70°C to promote the dissolution of the added urea-containing compound (particularly urea). The urea-containing compound (particularly urea) is preferably added slowly, either continuously or in stages. In general, heating to at least approximately 40°C, preferably at least approximately 45°C (the temperature of the heating oil or fluid), is sufficient for the compounds (a) to dissolve. Then, the heating is gradually increased to initiate the removal of water, particularly the evaporation of water. Water removal (e.g., by evaporation) can be carried out at ambient pressure and / or using a vacuum (at least partially). Air drying (e.g., at the end of the drying process) is also possible. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 35 of 60 using a fluidized bed drying system. An advantage of the processes of the invention is that heating to a maximum of approximately 150, 149, 148, 147, 146 or 145°C, frequently to a maximum of approximately 140, 139, 138, 137, 136, 135, 134, 133, 132 or 131°C, preferably to a maximum of approximately 130, 129, 128, 127, 126 or 125°C, frequently to a maximum of 120, 119, 118, 117 or 116°C, even to a maximum of approximately 115°C, may be sufficient to dry the products. When a vacuum is applied, even lower drying temperatures are possible (e.g., up to approximately 110°C), which has a positive effect on product stability, as liquid thiosulfates, polysulfides, and / or (bis)sulfites are generally susceptible to thermal and / or oxidative degradation. Furthermore, NBPT (optional compound c1) is somewhat sensitive to high-temperature degradation. In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum is applied during at least part of the drying stage. Optionally, additional compounds (c) and / or (d) may be intermixed. These may be provided in step (i) or in a later step, depending on their nature and function. For example, processing aids such as a granulation binder (d) may be added in a later step. When liquid compounds (b1) are used in a method of the invention, it may be practical in some cases to remove at least some of the water before mixing them with the urea-containing compounds (a), for example, by evaporation. This applies generally, but is particularly useful in the following embodiments. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the materials (I), (II) and / or (III) of the invention are added to a standard production process of IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 36 of 60 urea, either to the molten urea in the urea synthesis unit or to the shot blasting tower. The materials (I), (II), and / or (III) of the invention are preferably added to the molten urea just before the urea leaves the urea synthesis unit, or just after the urea has left the urea synthesis unit, before it proceeds to granulation. In this way, the retention time, i.e., the time that elapses between the addition of these products or the composition to the molten urea and the mixture proceeding to granulation, is kept short (below approximately 30 minutes, below approximately 15, 10, or 5 minutes, below approximately 60, 50, 40, 30, or even 20 seconds). Alternatively, the melt temperature of urea can be kept low by adding an additive that allows the melting temperature of urea to be lowered, such as UF80. In one embodiment of the invention, a solid product (II) and / or (III) is added to molten urea in the urea synthesis unit or shot blasting tower. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a liquid thiosulfate and / or a liquid polysulfide and / or a liquid (bis)sulfite is added to molten urea in the urea synthesis unit or shot blasting tower. Alternatively, the materials (I), (II), and / or (III) of the invention may be added to heated liquid urea in a granulation drum, preferably one equipped with a spray dryer. In any of the processes, the process often also contains one or more of the following stages: a compaction stage, a granulation stage, a sieving stage, a grinding stage and / or a packaging stage. In any of the above processes, the compounds (b) are generally provided in quantities such that the final product (III) contains compounds (b) in an amount of approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.3 or IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 37 of 60 2.5% by weight. Preferably, this amount is at least approximately 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% by weight. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compound (b) is at least approximately 10% by weight, more preferably at least approximately 15% by weight. In general, the amount of compound (b) in the final product (III) is at most approximately 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 34, 33, 32, or 31% by weight. In other particular embodiments of the invention, the amount of compounds (b) is at most approximately 30, 29, 29, 28, 27, 26 or 25% by weight, or is at most approximately 24, 23, 22, 21, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15% by weight, or is even at most approximately 14, 13, 12, 11 or 10% by weight. In any of the preceding processes, the compounds (a) are generally provided in quantities such that the final product (III) contains compounds (a) in an amount of approximately 1, 1.5, 2, or 2.5% by weight. Preferably, this amount is at least approximately 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% by weight. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compounds (a) is at least approximately 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% by weight. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compounds (a) is at least approximately 60, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, or 70% by weight. Often, the amount of compound (a) is at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, or 90% by weight, or at most approximately 89, 88, 87, 87, or 86% by weight, or even at most approximately 85% by weight. The preferred compound (a) is urea (a1). CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRODUCTS (II) AND (III) OF THE INVENTION In the context of the invention, products (II) and (III) are preferred, having compounds (a) and (b) distributed in a substantially homogeneous manner. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 38 of 60 within the solid particulate being produced. When present, compounds (c) and (d) are preferably also distributed substantially homogeneously over the product. When these latter compounds are added in later stages, for example, by spraying the compounds onto the solid granules within a drying process (coating process), then a core-shell type product class is possible where compounds (c) and / or (d) and / or (e) are present in the outer layers of the solid particulate formed, for example, a urea granule. The following provides an idea of ​​the different types of products (II) and (III) that are possible in the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, product (II) or (III) is a solid thiosulfate-urea-based product. In another embodiment, product (II) or (III) is a polysulfide-urea-based product. In yet another embodiment, product (II) or (III) is a (bis)sulfite-urea-based product. In yet another embodiment, product (II) or (III) may contain a mixture of compounds (b): a mixture of compounds (b1) and (b2), of compounds (b1) and (b3), of compounds (b2) and (b3), or of compounds (b1), (b2), and (b3). Information on the preferred compounds (b1), (b2), and (b3) can be found in the preceding paragraphs. In their simplest form, the products (II) and (III) of the invention contain water (e), urea-containing compounds (a), and compounds (b) only. The preferred ratios of compounds (a) to compounds (b) have been indicated in the preceding paragraphs. In general, the amount of compound (a), with respect to the total of a+b, is at least approximately 2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, or 3% by weight. Typically, this amount is at most approximately 98, 97, 96, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, or 90% by weight. More preferably, the amount of compound IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 39 of 60 (a) is at least approximately 4% by weight, with respect to the total of a+b. In a particular embodiment, this amount is at least approximately 20, 30 or 40% by weight, with respect to the total weight of a+b. In general, the amount of compound (b), relative to the total of a+b, is at least approximately 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, or 3% by weight. Typically, this amount is at most approximately 98, 97, 96, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, or 90% by weight. More preferably, the amount of compound (b) is at least approximately 4% by weight, relative to the total of a+b. In one particular embodiment, this amount is at least approximately 20, 30, or 40% by weight, relative to the total weight of a+b. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the compounds (a) are present in the product (II) or (III) of the invention in an amount of at least approximately 3, 4, 5 or 6% by weight, preferably at least approximately 7, 8, 9 or 10% by weight, or more preferably at least approximately 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15% by weight and more. In particular embodiments of the invention, the compounds (a) are present in these products in an amount of at least approximately 85, 86, 87, 88 or 89% by weight, or even at least approximately 90% by weight. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the compounds (a) are present in an amount of at most approximately 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, or 10% by weight, or even at most approximately 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5% by weight. The compounds (b), in general, are present in the products (II) or (III) of the invention in an amount of approximately 1 to approximately 99% by weight, more preferably from approximately 2 to approximately 98% by weight, and, most preferably, from approximately 2.3 to approximately 97.7% by weight, from approximately 2.4 to approximately IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 40 of 60 97.6% by weight or from approximately 2.5 to approximately 97.5% by weight. Preferably, this amount is at most approximately 95, 94, 93, 92 or 91% by weight, more preferably at most approximately 90, 89, 88, 87 or 86% by weight, even more preferably at most approximately 85, 84, 83, 82 or 81% by weight, and most preferably at most approximately 80% by weight. At high concentrations (above approximately 85% by weight, and more specifically above approximately 90% by weight), the products benefit from additional vacuum drying to remove excess water. This improved their storage stability. The use of dryers, desiccants, storage in sealed boxes, and / or vacuum storage, or other means to prevent contact with air (oxygen) and / or moisture, can help reduce deliquescence, which can begin after a couple of days, or typically after a couple of weeks. When stored in well-sealed containers, the tested products were found to remain stable for up to one year. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compounds (b) in these products is at least approximately 2, 3, 4, or 5% by weight, even at least approximately 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15% by weight, up to a maximum of approximately 25% by weight, more preferably a maximum of approximately 20% by weight. Preferably, the compounds (b) in this embodiment are selected from those compounds that have a well-established effect of inhibiting urease and / or nitrification, so that compounds (c) are not required. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compounds (b) in these products is at most approximately 15, 14, 13, 12 or 11% by weight, more preferably at most approximately 10. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 41 of 60 or 8% by weight. In this embodiment, the amount of compound (b) is frequently at least approximately 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5% by weight. When present, urease inhibitors (c1) are generally found in an amount from approximately 0.001% to approximately 85% by weight. Preferably, this amount is at most approximately 80, 75, 70, 60, or 50% by weight. Generally, this amount is at least approximately 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, or 0.04% by weight. Generally, this amount is at most approximately 40, 39, 38, 37, or 36% by weight, most frequently at most approximately 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, or 30% by weight. A person skilled in the art will know how to adjust the amounts of NBPT according to the manner in which the solid products of the invention are prepared and used in practice, so that the amount of NBPT added is approximately 900 mcg / kg of urea. In one particular embodiment, the amount of compound (c1) present in the products (II) and (III) of the invention is approximately 0.001 to approximately 1.5% by weight, preferably approximately 0.01 to approximately 1% by weight. The concentration of NBPT in the urea granules is generally approximately 0.04 to approximately 0.1% by weight. When present only in the outer layers, this amount may be at most approximately 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, or 0.2% by weight, or even at most approximately 0.1, 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, or 0.06% by weight. Frequently, at least approximately 0.0001, and preferably at least approximately 0.02, 0.03, or 0.04% by weight of NBPT is present. There may be higher quantities present, for example, in carrier materials for compounds (c1).These materials may contain from approximately 0.1% by weight to approximately 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60 or 55% by weight, or preferably, up to approximately 50, 45, 40, 39, 38, 36, 37, 35, 34, 33, 32. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 2 of 60 or 30% by weight of compounds (c1). In the present description, the compounds (c1) are preferably present in an amount of at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 or 5% by weight. When present, nitrification inhibitors (c2) are generally found in an amount of approximately 0.01 to approximately 85% by weight, frequently up to approximately 80% by weight. Preferably, this amount is at most approximately 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, or 50% by weight. Compounds (c) are frequently present in an amount of approximately 0.04 to approximately 40% by weight. Preferably, this amount is at least approximately 0.1% by weight, more preferably at least approximately 0.2% by weight. Generally, this amount is at most approximately 39, 38, 37, or 36% by weight, most frequently at most approximately 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, or 30% by weight. In urea granules, the amount of compound (c2) is typically from 0.01 to approximately 4% by weight, more preferably from approximately 0.1 to approximately 3% by weight. When present only in the outer layers, this amount may be lower. Higher amounts may be present, for example, in carrier materials for compound (c2). These materials may contain from approximately 0.5 to approximately 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, or 55% by weight, preferably up to approximately 50, 45, 40, 39, 38, 36, 37, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, or 30% by weight of compound (c2). In one particular embodiment of the invention, this amount is at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 or 5% by weight. In general, the total amount of compounds (c) is at most approximately 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, or 55% by weight. Very often, this amount is at most approximately 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, or even IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 of 3 of 60 25% by weight. In a particular embodiment of the invention, however, the compounds (c) are present in an amount of approximately 15 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 50% by weight, more preferably approximately 25 to approximately 40% by weight. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the compounds (c1) and / or (c2) are present in an amount of approximately 0.01 to approximately 20% by weight. In all of the foregoing, a preferred compound (c1) is NBPT and a preferred compound (c2) is DCD. In the invention, the term 'NBPT' is used to refer not only to N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide in its pure form, but also to commercial grades that may contain a given amount of impurities. The same applies to 'DCD'. One particular embodiment of the invention relates to products (II) or (III) of the invention that have NBPT, but not DCD. Another particular embodiment of the invention relates to products (II) or (III) that have DCD, but not NBPT. Yet another particular embodiment of the invention relates to products (II) or (III) that have both NBPT and DCD. Another embodiment of the invention relates to products (II) or (III) that have neither NBPT nor DCD. A particular embodiment of the invention relates to products (II) or (III) in which no compounds (c) are present. Even if compounds (c) are present, it is possible and preferable to have products that are substantially free of organic solvents, including those with a boiling point above approximately 150°C. Preferably, they are also substantially free of organic solvents, including those with a boiling point above approximately 125°C. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 44 of 60 In another particular embodiment of the invention, compounds (c1) and / or (c2) are present in an amount of approximately 2.5 to approximately 50% by weight. Preferably, compounds (c1) and / or (c2) are present in an amount of at least approximately 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14% by weight, preferably at least approximately 15, 16, 17, 19, or 20% by weight, frequently at least approximately 25% by weight. In this embodiment, the amount of compound (a) is generally from approximately 1 to approximately 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, or 10% by weight at most. In this embodiment, the amount of compound (b) is generally from approximately 1 to approximately 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, or 10% by weight at most. Of course, the sum of the percentages by weight does not exceed 100% by weight. In another embodiment of the invention, the compounds (b) are present in an amount of at least approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or approximately 5% by weight. The majority of the amount of compound (b) in the products (II) or (III) of the invention is from approximately 2% by weight to approximately 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 34, 33, 32, or 31% by weight. The amount of compound (b) is frequently at most approximately 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, or 10% by weight. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the amount of compound (b) is between approximately 2% by weight and approximately 90, 85, or 80% by weight. The products (II) and (III) to be used as N&S fertilizer frequently contain at most approximately 85, 84, 83, 82, or 81% by weight, and even at most approximately 80, 79, 78, 77, 70, or 75% by weight of urea.A commonly used N&S fertilizer is, for example, a 25-0-0-6S fertilizer. In this embodiment, compounds (c1) and / or (c2) may also be present, although. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 of 60. Not necessarily. Compounds (c1), when present, are typically in an amount of approximately 0.01 to approximately 0.1% by weight. Compounds (c2), when present, are typically in an amount of approximately 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight. Of course, the sum of the weight percentages does not exceed 100% by weight. One particular embodiment of the invention relates to urea granules comprising compounds (b) and compounds (c1) and / or (c2). Preferably, the urea granule of the invention has a nitrogen (N) content of at least approximately 35, 36, or 37% by weight, preferably at least approximately 38 or 39% by weight, or more preferably at least approximately 40, 41, or 42% by weight. The amount of water (e) in the products (II) or (III) of the invention, after drying, is generally from approximately 0.01 to approximately 10% by weight, preferably from approximately 0.02 to approximately 8% by weight. The final water content in the products (II) or (III) is preferably less than approximately 8% by weight, preferably less than approximately 7, 6, 5, 4, or 3% by weight. More preferably, the water content is less than approximately 2, 1.5, or 1% by weight. In one particular embodiment, the water content is less than approximately 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, or even 0.2% by weight. The 'water content' in this description refers to the free water content as determined by a Karl Fischer titration method. In one particular embodiment of the invention, water and compounds (a)+(b) are the primary constituents of products (II) or (III) of the invention. Preferably, the sum of their weight percentages (of a+b+e) is at least approximately 80% by weight, and most frequently at least approximately 85% by weight. Generally, this sum is at least IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 46 of 60 approximately 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% by weight and in particular this sum may be equal to 100% by weight. Of course, the sum of the percentages by weight of a+b+c+d+e will not exceed 100% by weight. The products (II) or (111) of the invention have many different applications and can vary widely in their composition. In general, however, the sum of the weight percentages of a+b+c+d+e is at least approximately 80, 85, 90, or even 95%. In one embodiment of the invention, for example, the sum of the weight percentages of a+b+c+d+e = 100%, while in other embodiments the sum of a+b+c+e = 100%, the sum of a+b+d+e = 100%, the sum of a+b+c+e = 100%, the sum of a+b+e = 100%, the sum of a+b+e = 100% (possible impurities and possible degradation by-products included therein). The products (II) or (III) of the invention generally contain less than approximately 5% by weight of oxidation byproducts of compounds (b). Examples of oxidation byproducts include the corresponding sulfates and / or sulfites, and also elemental sulfur. Preferably, less than approximately 3% by weight, more preferably less than approximately 2% by weight, or even more preferably less than approximately 1% by weight of these oxidation byproducts of compounds (a) are formed during the drying process. Although the products (II) and (III) of the invention can be readily combined with UAN, the products themselves typically contain little to no UAN. They are sufficiently stable on their own. Usually, they comprise less than approximately 1% by weight of UAN.Preferably, they comprise less than approximately 0.5% by weight, more preferably less than approximately 0.1% by weight of UAN, relative to the total weight of the product [in the case of a product (I), (II) or (III)]. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 47 of 60 The products (II) or (III) of the invention generally have higher amounts of N and S. In any case, there will be an increased amount of nutrients (N, S, Ca, Mg and K) in the final products, due to evaporation and concentration. In another particular embodiment, the products (II) or (III) of the invention are solid thiosulfates, solid polysulfides, and / or solid (bis)sulfites, depending on the type of compound (b) present. In such products, the amounts of compound (a) and, when present, of compound (c) and / or (d) are generally low. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least compounds (a) and (b) are substantially homogeneously distributed within the products (II) or (III) of the invention. Furthermore, compounds (c) and / or (d), when present, may be substantially homogeneously distributed within the products (II) or (III). Alternatively, compounds (c) and / or (d) may be present mainly in the outer layers of the forming solid particles and / or may be present in a coating applied over the formed solid particle, for example, a urea granule. Alternatively, compounds (a) and (b) and, when present, (c) and / or (d) may all be present mainly in the outer layers of the forming solid particles and / or may be present in a coating applied over the formed solid particle, for example, a urea granule.Thus, different forms and variations are possible, depending on how and when the different compounds are added. A WIDE VARIETY OF END USES Fertilizers The products (I), (II) and (III) of the invention have broad applicability, but in particular are highly suitable for use in compositions IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 48 of 60 fertilizers or as such. They proved highly compatible with conventional liquid and solid NPK fertilizers or fertilizer ingredients. Accordingly, a liquid or solid fertilizer composition is also provided, comprising an aqueous composition (I) and / or a product (II) or (III) of the invention. Typically, this fertilizer composition comprises at least one other fertilizer compound that is different from compounds (I), (II), and (III) of the invention. That other fertilizer may be a standard NPK fertilizer, either liquid or solid. Suitable fertilizers with which the products of the invention may be mixed have been previously established. In the invention, a liquid fertilizer composition comprising materials (I), (II), or (III) of the invention is provided. The products (I), (II), or (III) of the invention, when added to a liquid fertilizer, are preferably resolubilized in water or another suitable liquid, possibly UAN (urea ammonium nitrate fertilizer), before being added to the liquid fertilizer. The liquid fertilizer composition of the invention may contain other conventional ingredients such as UAN (e.g., UAN 28, UAN 32, etc.). Other liquid fertilizers with which the products of the invention are compatible include liquid ammonium polyphosphates (APP), monoammonium phosphates (MAP), diammonium phosphates (DAP), liquid urea-triazone fertilizers such as N-SURE®, etc.Possibly, the liquid fertilizer may also contain a certain amount of solid fertilizers such as additional urea, solid ammonium sulfate, solid magnesium sulfate, solid potassium sulfate, solid ammonium nitrate, solid calcium nitrate, solid potassium nitrate, etc. The invention also provides a solid fertilizer composition comprising materials of the invention, in particular products (II) or (III) of the invention. These materials can be easily combined with fertilizers. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 of 60 conventional solids such as dry urea, solid ammonium sulfate, solid magnesium sulfate, solid potassium sulfate, solid ammonium nitrate, solid calcium nitrate, solid potassium nitrate, etc. A particular fertilizer of the invention is a protected urea containing at least one thiosulfate (b1) and / or at least one polysulfide (b2) and / or at least one (bis)sulfite (b3) in an amount that enables them to exert urease- and / or nitrification-inhibiting effects. This type of urea fertilizer is typically provided in the form of a urea granule. Optionally, this urea granule may also contain NBPT and / or DCD. In one embodiment of the invention, the urea granule contains NBPT, DCD, or a mixture of both. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the urea granule contains NBPT. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the urea granule is substantially free of NBPT, preferably containing no NBPT. In yet another particular embodiment of the invention, the urea granule contains neither NBPT nor DCD. One particular embodiment of the invention relates to products (I), (II), or (III) of the invention, which can be characterized as liquid or solid carriers for nitrogen inhibitors such as NBPT and / or DCD. These carrier materials can be incorporated into liquid and / or solid fertilizers. An advantage of the products of the invention is that they require fewer organic solvents such as NMP, DIVISO, etc. It is even possible, and preferred, to use 'dry' NBPT and / or dry DCD, without liquid or solid carriers, to prepare the materials of the invention. The invention will be better clarified in light of the following examples, without being limited to them. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 50 of 60 EXAMPLES General settings In the following steps, a specific quantity of dry urea was mixed with the respective thiosulfate, such as ammonium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate, calcium polysulfide, or ammonium (bis)sulfite. DCD and NBPT were added in dehydrated form. Solid products were prepared with varying quantities of compounds (a), (b), and (c), and all proved to have a good shelf life when stored in sealed containers. Throughout the description and in the Examples section, the following methods were used: The determination of Kjeldahl nitrogen in fertilizers is by AOAC Method 978.02. The amount of sulfur (S) is determined by AOAC Gravimetric Method No. 980.02. Unless otherwise stated, the amount of thiosulfates is determined by ion chromatography using an AS 11 4x250 mm chromatography system with an AG11 4x50 mm protective column. Mobile phase: 20 mM KOH (Socratic). Flow rate: 1 ml / min. Detection: Conductivity. The amount of potassium (K) was determined by AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy). The water content is measured according to the Karl-Fisher method. Example 1: 40 grams of 24% aqueous calcium thiosulfate solution were mixed with 60 grams of dry urea (maximum approximately 1% biuret by weight). The resulting mixture was heated. At approximately 60°C, all the urea dissolved. Heating continued, and the mixture was heated to approximately 100°C until solids began to form. IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 51 of 60 mixture. Ion chromatography analyses showed approximately 14 wt% calcium thiosulfate in the solid product. The total nitrogen in the obtained solid product was approximately 39 wt%. The same procedure was repeated, but using a vacuum of approximately 0.7 bar (22 mmHg). This reduced the heating to approximately 80°C. Example 2: Forty grams of a 24% by weight liquid calcium thiosulfate solution were mixed with 55 grams of dry urea, 1 gram of solid NBPT, and 4 grams of solid DCD. The mixture was heated under vacuum or without vacuum as before, and the water was removed. The resulting solid was then air-dried and packaged as is. The solid product contains approximately 14% by weight of calcium thiosulfate. Example 3: Eighty grams of 50% by weight ammonium thiosulfate and 20 grams of dry urea were mixed, and the water was removed using heat at approximately 100–105°C. The resulting solid was then air-dried and packaged as is. The solid product contains approximately 67% by weight ammonium thiosulfate. Example 4: 197.6 grams of urea, 199.46 grams of water, 0.999 grams of NBPT, 3.95 grams of DCD, and 52.4 grams of ammonium thiosulfate were mixed to a 50% by weight solution. The total volume was 400 ml. Theoretically, this yields a liquid mixture of 20-0-0-3S-1% by weight NBPT-4% by weight DCD. The mixture was heated to approximately 100-110°C. The volume reduced from 400 ml to approximately 180 ml. The mixture became cloudy, and solids formed in the solution. Heating was stopped, and the mixture was cooled to room temperature. The resulting solid was further air-dried and packaged as is. The solid product contains approximately 11.6% by weight ammonium thiosulfate. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 52 of 60 Example 5: Larger-scale samples were prepared using a 400-liter Kemutec reactor dryer. A solid agitator scrapes the product from inside the reactor and pulverizes the products. The dryer can be placed under vacuum for drying, allowing drying temperatures to be reduced to approximately 70°C. First, the thiosulfate, urea, and some extra water are loaded into the reactor. At approximately 60°C, when everything is in solution, the water is evaporated under vacuum with low-speed stirring. After evaporation, the reactor is cooled to approximately 25°C, and the vacuum is broken with a stream of nitrogen. To prevent larger lumps, the product is sieved (5 mm sieve). Thus, products based on calciourea thiosulfate were prepared containing 4 wt%, 6 wt%, and 8 wt% CaS₂O₃, respectively. A sample was prepared with 6 wt% CaS₂O₃ and 1 wt% NBPT. Similarly, products based on ammoniumurea thiosulfate were prepared containing 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt% (NH₄)₂O₃, respectively. The sample proved stable after drying: no degradation and / or discoloration was observed. The amount of residual free water ranged from 0.4 to 0.1 wt%. Example 6: Ammonium bisulfite is a 60–67% liquid solution with a pH of approximately 5–5.8. A solid product was obtained by mixing this ammonium bisulfite solution with dry urea in a 1:1 weight ratio (i.e., 100 grams of dry urea were added to 100 grams of this 60–70% wt% ammonium bisulfite solution in water). The urea was added as described above, employing some preheating (approximately 50–60°C). The water was removed by heating to approximately 100°C. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 53 of 60 obtained a white solid after drying slowly for approximately 2 hours at this temperature. Example 7: Calcium polysulfide (lime sulfur) is a compound with high urease activity. Calcium polysulfide with the formula CaSx (X=24.5) was used to prepare the dry product in question. This product was found to contain a mixture of calcium sulfide, calcium trisulfide, calcium tetrasulfide, and calcium pentasulfide. A solid product was obtained by mixing this calcium polysulfide with dry urea in a 1:1 weight ratio (i.e., 100 grams of dry urea were added to 100 grams of a 24–29% by weight calcium polysulfide solution in water), and the mixture was heated to approximately 100°C with constant stirring to remove most of the water. A slightly yellowish solid was collected by filtration and air-dried. The crystalline material was collected and stored as is. Final liquid and solid fertilizers: Example 8: Mixture of Urea, CaTs®, NBPT and DCD: 15-0-0 + 4 Ca + 0.0375 NBPT and 0.75 DCD Product Kq / ton (Pounds / ton) Urea 291.6 (643) CaTs® 604.6 (1333) NBPT 0.34 (0.75) DCD 68.0 (15.0) Added water 3.74 (8.25) IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 54 of 60 Example 9: Urea, KTS®, NBPT, DCD mixture: 21-0-10 + 0.0525 NBPT + 0.75 DCD Product Urea KTS® NBPT DCD Added water Example 10: Kq / ton (Pounds / ton) 393.4 (867.4) 362.8 (800) 0.4 (1.0) 9.5(21.0) 140.8 (310.6) Mixture of Urea, MagThio®, NBPT and DCD: 15-0-0 + 2.0 Mg + 0.037 NBPT + 1.15 DCD Product Kq / ton (Pounds / ton) Urea 285.7 (630) MagThio® 453.6 (1000) NBPT 0.34 (0.75) DCD 68.0 (15.0) Added water Example 11: 160.7 (354.25) Mixture of Urea, Thio-Sul®, NBPPT and DCD: 20-0-0 + 8 S + 0.037 NBPT + 1.0 DCD Product Kq / ton (Pounds / ton) Urea 308.4 (680) Thio-Sul® 278.9 (615) NBPT 0.35 (0.78) DCD 9.07 (20) Added water 310.4 (684.4) IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 55 of 60 To comply with fertilizer regulations, all percentages for NBPT and DCD in Examples 8-11 are expressed with respect to the total weight of the product. The removal of water from the liquid mixtures described herein results in a solid particulate according to the invention. The amount of compounds (b) on a dry weight basis is approximately 16.7% by weight in Example 8, approximately 20% by weight in Example 9, approximately 9.5% by weight in Example 10, and approximately 17.8% by weight in Example 11. In the foregoing, 'CaTs®' refers to the brand of a commercial 24-25% by weight calcium thiosulfate; 'KTS®' refers to the brand of a commercial 50% by weight potassium thiosulfate solution; 'MagThio®' refers to the brand of a commercial 24% by weight magnesium thiosulfate solution; and 'Thio-Sul®' refers to a commercial 57-60% by weight ammonium thiosulfate solution. Example 12: Stability of thiosulfates The following calcium thiosulfate-urea based products were prepared according to Example 5: - Calcium thiosulfate-urea based products containing 2% by weight of CaS2O3 - Calcium thiosulfate-urea based products containing 4% by weight of CaS2O3 - Products based on calcium thiosulfate-urea containing 6% by weight of CaS2O3 The following ammonium thiosulfate-urea based products were prepared according to a procedure similar to Example 3: - Product based on ammonium thiosulfate-urea containing 10% by weight of (NH3)2S2O3 IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 56 of 60 - Product based on ammonium thiosulfate-urea containing 15% by weight of (NH3)2S2O3 - Product based on ammonium thiosulfate-urea containing 20% ​​by weight of (NH3)2S2O3 The products were measured for storage stability, specifically the stability of the CaS₂O₃ or (NH₃)₂S₂O₃ content. Measurements were taken at month 0 after production (i.e., the initial CaS₂O₃ or (NH₃)₂S₂O₃ content), 2 months after production, and 4 months after production. Samples were stored at room temperature (approximately 18°C ​​to 25°C) in sealed polyethylene containers. The amount of thiosulfates is measured according to the following method of the American National Standards Institute; SPECIFICATION FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC GRADE AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE SOLUTION; Procedure # ANSI-PH4.252-1980; 1980. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 57 of 60 The results are shown in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Sample 0 months 2 months 4 months CaTs 2% CaS2O3 2.1 2.0 2.0 H2O 0.8 0.2 0.2 Color white white white CaTs 4% CaS2O3 3.7 3.7 3.6 H2O 0.8 0.2 0.3 Color white white white CaTs 6% CaS2O3 6.2 6.0 5.9 H2O 0.8 0.2 0.2 Color white white white Thio-Sul 10% <nh3)2s2o3 9,8 9,7 9,5 h2o 2,1 1,9 1,6 Color blanco blanco blanco Thio-Sul 15% c(nh3)2s2o3 15,1 15,1 15,0 h2o 2,7 2,3 2,3 Color blanco blanco blanco Thio-Sul 20% tNH3)2S2O3 18,6 18,9 18,5 H2O 3,1 2,8 2,7 Color blanco blanco blanco Thi-Sul® 20% + NBPT (NH3)2S2O3 18,1 17,8 18,0 HjO 2,8 2,4 2,3 Color______________ blanco blanco blanco IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 58 of 60 Example 13: Stability of thiosulfates Calcium thiosulfate-urea based products are evaluated to determine if elemental sulfur is formed during storage. The samples were prepared by dissolving 12.5 g, 25 g, and 50 g of anhydrous calcium thiosulfate-urea product with different CaTs / urea ratios (see table below) in 87.5 g, 75 g, and 50 g of water, respectively, to produce 12.5%, 25%, and 50% solutions, respectively. After dissolution, all samples were clear, with no visible particles. The samples were stored in sealed glass containers for 5 months. After 5 months, the samples were observed to determine the presence of elemental sulfur. When present, elemental sulfur was visible to the naked eye as precipitated particles. A clear solution indicated that elemental sulfur had not formed. The results are shown in the table below. The amount of thiosulfates is measured according to the following method of the American National Standards Institute; SPECIFICATION FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC GRADE AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE SOLUTION; Procedure # ANSI-PH4.252-1980; 1980. IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 59 of 60 The results are shown in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Sample 12.5% ​​Solution 25% Solution 50% Solution CaTs / Urea 2 / 98 w / w Clear aqueous solution Clear aqueous solution Clear aqueous solution CaTs / Urea 4 / 96 w / w Clear aqueous solution Clear aqueous solution Clear aqueous solution CaTs / Urea 6 / 94 w / w Clear aqueous solution Clear aqueous solution Clear aqueous solution IF-20 2 0-8 6 270374-APN-ANP#INPI Page 60 of 60 Argentine Republic - National Executive Branch 2020 - Year of General Manuel Belgrano Additional Signature Sheet Graphic Report Number: IF-2020-86270374-APN-ANP#INPI CITY OF BUENOS AIRES Friday, December 11, 2020 Reference: 20190102254 The document was imported by the GEDO system with a total of 60 page(s). Digitally signed by Electronic Document Management Date: 2020.12.11 15:15:08-03:00 Marcelo Esteban Rubino Administrative Assistant National Patent Administration National Institute of Industrial Property Digitally signed by Electronic Document Management Date: 2020.12.11 15:15:09-03:00

Claims

1. A thiosulfate-urea-based product (IIa) characterized in that it comprises: - urea (a); - one or more thiosulfates (b); - optionally, one or more urease (c1) and / or nitrification (c2) inhibitors other than the thiosulfates (b); and / or - optionally, one or more additives (d) other than any of the above compounds; wherein the amount of water (e) in the product (IIa) is less than 10% by weight; wherein the thiosulfate-urea-based product (IIa) is a particulate solid in which at least (a) and (b) are substantially homogeneously distributed within the particles of the particulate solid.wherein the amount of urea (a) in the product (IIa) is at least 1% by weight and at most 98% by weight; provided that, if the thiosulfates (b) are ammonium thiosulfate, the amount of urea (a) in the product (IIa) is at least 1% by weight and at most 90% by weight, wherein the thiosulfates (b) are present in an amount of at least 2% by weight; wherein the ratio of urea (a) to thiosulfates (b) is from 10:90 to 90:

10. 38 Claims follow.