Zinc coated urea fertilizer

Abstract

Fertilizer granules comprising a core containing a nitrogen-containing fertilizer such as urea and a film on the core containing an organic zinc (Zn) complex and an inorganic Zn compound, and methods of making and using the fertilizer granules.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of priority from Indian Provisional Application No. 202011014247 filed on March 31, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background of the Invention

[0003] A. Technical field

[0004] The present invention generally relates to a granular fertilizer composition containing zinc (Zn)-enriched urea. In particular, the present invention relates to a Zn-coated urea fertilizer granule, which comprises a core containing urea and a membrane containing an organic Zn complex and an inorganic Zn compound, the membrane forming a coating on the outer surface of the core.

[0005] B. Background Technology

[0006] Soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur, and trace elements, such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium, are useful for achieving prosperous agriculture and plant growth. During repeated cropping cycles, the amount of these nutrients in the soil can become depleted, resulting in inhibited plant growth and reduced yields. To counteract this effect, fertilizers have been developed to help replace depleted important nutrients and create the proper nutrient balance.

[0007] Farmers often overlook the importance of minor and trace nutrients. Among trace nutrients, zinc (Zn) has become one of the most deficient nutrients in most soils. Zinc deficiency results in reduced plant yield, impaired quality, poor growth, poor tillering, shortened internode length, interveinal chlorosis, stunted growth and / or bronzeing.

[0008] In the past, Zn was supplied to plants as a fertilizer by soil application, foliar application, spraying seeds with Zn powder or soaking them in Zn solution, and dipping the roots of transplanted crops in Zn salt solution or suspension. Among them, soil application and foliar spray are the most widely used. Soil application of Zn is preventive, while foliar spray is a typical treatment method. Soil application of Zn for annual crops is a superior method to foliar spray.

[0009] Most applications of Zn in plants or soil use inorganic-based Zn, such as ZnO, ZnSO4, Zn(NO3)2, or Zn salts (U.S. Patent No. 4,565,564, U.S. Patent No. 3,941,578, U.S. Patent No. 3,617,239, Australian Patent No. 2015226280, Chinese Patent No. 1165801(A), Indian Patent No. 262879(B), Indian Patent No. 201617029700(A), Indian Patent No. 2875KON2012(A), Chinese Patent No. 104447010(A), Chinese Patent No. 103695914(A)). Some have used Zn complexes in fertilizers (U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,603, International Patent Application No. WO2015 / 017329, Australian Patent No. 4557696, Indian Patent No. 262879(B)). In addition, some have used organic chelated Zn as a source of Zn in coated fertilizer cores or whole fertilizer particles (China Patent No. 106518463(A), China Patent No. 105859388(A), China Patent No. 105837312(A), China Patent No. 105418299(A), China Patent No. 104892123(A), China Patent No. 104016798(A), China Patent No. 106631271(A), U.S. Pat. No. 2017 / 0253534). Some people have used water-based slurries or solutions to coat organically chelated Zn on fertilizer cores (U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,932) or acids to increase the solubility of Zn in fertilizers (Canadian Patent No. 2995400(A)). Foliar sprays or fertilizer solutions can contain zinc-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ZnEDTA for therapeutic treatment of plants (International Patent No. 2017178342, Chinese Patent No. 105906456(A)). However, solid fertilizers containing organically chelated Zn typically contain small amounts of Zn, while liquid fertilizers can be difficult to transport and costly. In addition, coating with organically chelated Zn can cause stickiness and require curing before bagging. Anti-caking agents, synthetic calcium silicate, fine silica and / or talc have been used to reduce the stickiness of organically chelated Zn coatings, but anti-caking agents and / or talc can reduce the nitrogen content and added value of the coated products.

[0010] There remains a need for improved fertilizers that reduce the cost, complexity, transportation difficulties, and application burden. Summary of the invention

[0011] Solutions to at least some of the above problems have been found. In some respects, the solution is to provide Zn-coated urea fertilizer granules, which are included in a film of micronized inorganic Zn particles on organic Zn-coated urea. The addition of micronized inorganic Zn particles reduces the viscosity of organic Zn-coated urea granules. The Zn-coated urea granules of the present invention have reduced viscosity, flow relatively freely, and the nitrogen content and added value reduction of the coated urea product are relatively less. The Zn-coated urea granules of the present invention can be configured to provide Zn and nitrogen to crops in a consistent manner. In addition, the coated fertilizer can contain high concentrations of nitrogen (e.g., up to 46 weight %) or Zn (e.g., up to 2 weight %) or a combination thereof. These nutrients can be provided in a single application by using coated fertilizers as described herein.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention relates to fertilizer particles. The fertilizer particles may include a core and a membrane, and the membrane forms a coating on the outer surface of the core. The core may include nitrogen fertilizer. The core may include urea. The membrane may include Zn. In some aspects, the membrane may include an organic Zn complex and an inorganic Zn compound. In some aspects, the organic Zn complex is one or more than one chelated Zn complex. In some aspects, the chelated Zn complex may include Zn chelated with a chelating agent selected from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (DCTA), ethylenediaminedi-o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA), ethylene glycol bis (aminoethyl ether) tetraacetic acid, or dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG), or a salt thereof, or any combination thereof. In some specific aspects, the chelated Zn complex may be Zn (ZnEDTA) chelated with EDTA. ZnEDTA can be Zn2EDTA and / or a ZnEDTA salt, such as (Na)2ZnEDTA ([[N,N'-diethylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)glycine]]( 4- )-N,N',O,O',ON,ON']zinc acid( 2- ) disodium) and / or (NH4)2ZnEDTA ([[N,N'-diethylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)glycine]]( 4- )-N,N',O,O',ON,ON']zinc acid( 2-) diammonium). In some specific aspects, the chelated Zn complex can be Na2ZnEDTA and / or (NH4)2ZnEDTA. The inorganic Zn compound can include ZnO, ZnSO4, ZnCO3, Zn(NO3)2, ZnCl2 or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the inorganic Zn compound can be ZnO and / or ZnSO4. The film can be a single coating. The film can include a first coating and a second coating. The first coating can include an organic Zn complex, and the second coating can include an inorganic Zn compound. The first coating can include an inorganic Zn compound, and the second coating can include an organic Zn complex. The first coating and the second coating can form separate coatings on the core. At least a portion of the first coating can be arranged between the core and the second coating. In some aspects, the first coating can form a coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the core to form an organic Zn-coated core, and the second coating can form a coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the organic Zn-coated core. In some aspects, the second coating layer can form an outer coating layer of the fertilizer particles. In some aspects, the inorganic Zn compound can include solid micronized particles of the inorganic Zn compound. In some aspects, the second coating layer can include micronized particles containing the inorganic Zn compound. In some aspects, the average diameter of the micronized particles can be 0.1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 0.3 μm to 50 μm, preferably 0.3 μm to 10 μm. In some aspects, the diameter of the inorganic Zn particles greater than 90% is less than 10 μm. In some aspects, the diameter of the inorganic Zn particles greater than 50% is greater than 2.5 μm.

[0013] The core can be any suitable shape. Unrestricted shape comprises sphere, cube, cylinder, disc, ellipse and rectangle, although also can be made into the core with other shapes. In some respects, the core can be spherical. In some respects, the core can be the cylinder with circular, elliptical, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon or hexagonal cross section, although also can be made into the cylindrical core with other shape cross section. In some respects, the size of core can be 0.5mm to 2.5mm such as length, width, height and / or cross-sectional diameter. In some respects, the core can have the basic spherical shape that mean diameter is 1mm to 5mm.

[0014] In some aspects, the fertilizer granules can contain 98.6 wt% to 99.9 wt% or 99 wt% to 99.9 wt% of a nitrogen fertilizer such as urea. In some aspects, the fertilizer granules can contain 0.01 wt% to 0.2 wt%, or 0.01 wt% to 0.1 wt%, or 0.02 wt% to 0.08 wt%, or 0.01 wt% to 0.06 wt%, or 0.04 wt% to 0.1 wt%, or 0.08 wt% to 0.15 wt% Zn, based on the total amount of Zn atoms in the granules. In some specific aspects, the fertilizer granules can include 99 wt% to 99.9 wt% of a nitrogen-containing fertilizer such as urea, 0.01 wt% to 0.9 wt%, or 0.01 wt% to 0.6 wt%, or 0.01 wt% to 0.05 wt% of an organic Zn compound such as ZnEDTA, and 0.01 wt% to 0.2 wt%, 0.01 to 0.3 wt%, or 0.01 wt% to 0.1 wt%, or 0.02 wt% to 0.08 wt%, or 0.12 wt% to 0.2 wt%, or 0.02 wt% to 0.08 wt% of an inorganic Zn compound such as ZnO and / or ZnSO4. In some specific aspects, the fertilizer granules can include 99 wt% to 99.9 wt% of a nitrogen-containing fertilizer such as urea, 0.002 wt% to 0.15 wt%, or 0.002 wt% to 0.1 wt%, or 0.002 wt% to 0.009 wt% of organic Zn (e.g., present and / or provided as an organic Zn complex), and 0.006 wt% to 0.12 wt%, or 0.006 wt% to 0.18 wt% of inorganic Zn (e.g., present and / or provided as an inorganic Zn compound).

[0015] The core may optionally include a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor. In some aspects, the urease inhibitor may be a thiophosphoric triamide derivative, such as N-n-butylthiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). In some aspects, the nitrification inhibitor may be 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), thiourea (TU), dicyandiamide (DCD), 2-chloro-6 (trichloromethyl)-pyridine (trichloromethylpyridine), 5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (clozolin), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methyl-pyrimidine (AM), 2-mercapto-benzothiazole (MBT), or 2-sulfathiazole (ST) or any combination thereof, preferably DCD. In some aspects, based on the total weight of the core, the core may include 0.02 wt % to 0.1 wt % of a urease inhibitor, such as NBPT, and / or 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % of a nitrification inhibitor, such as DCD.

[0016] In some cases, nitrogenous fertilizer contains urea or is urea. In some specific aspects, core can be made up of nitrogenous fertilizer or be basically made up of nitrogenous fertilizer. In some specific aspects, core can be made up of urea or be basically made up of urea.

[0017] The coated fertilizer may or may not include other ingredients. The other ingredients that may or may not include may be preservatives, pesticides, bactericides, essences, micronutrients, fertilizers, plant growth agents, nutrients, secondary nutrients, trace elements, plant protection agents, fillers, coloring agents, etc., or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the fertilizer particles and / or cores are substantially free of i) binders, such as plaster of Paris, flour, chalk powder, bleached wheat flour, starch, gluten, kaolin, bentonite and / or colloidal silicon dioxide, ii) fillers, such as silicon dioxide, distillers dried grains and solubles thereof (DDGS), MgO, CaO, bone meal, chalk powder, rice bran, and / or iii) pH buffers, such as CaCO , Na CO , K CO , MgO, KH PO , NaHCO and / or MgCO . In some specific aspects, the fertilizer granules can consist of or consist essentially of a nitrogen-containing fertilizer such as urea, an organic Zn compound such as ZnEDTA, and an inorganic Zn compound such as ZnO and / or ZnSO4, and optionally a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor.

[0018] The fertilizer granules of the present invention may contain the components and / or other ingredients described above in any concentration, ratio, weight percentage, volume percentage, etc. In some cases, based on the total weight of the film, the film comprises 0.001 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 0.6 wt%, 0.7 wt%, 0.8 wt%, 0.9 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 20 wt %, 25 wt %, 30 wt %, 35 wt %, 40 wt %, 45 wt %, 50 wt %, 55 wt %, 60 wt %, 65 wt %, 70 wt %, 75 wt %, 80 wt %, 85 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, 100 wt % or any concentration or range thereof of the components and / or the other ingredients mentioned above.

[0019] In some aspects, the film may cover at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 10% to 50% of the outer surface of the core. In other aspects, the film may cover a majority of the outer surface of the core (e.g., greater than 50%). In some aspects, the film may cover greater than 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or 100% of the outer surface of the core. In certain aspects, the film may cover 60% to 100% or 80% to 100% or 90% to 100% of the outer surface of the core. In some aspects, the weight ratio of the film to the core in the fertilizer granules may be about 0.0005:1 to 0.02:1 or 0.001:1 to 0.01:1. In some aspects, the core may account for about 98.5% to 99.9% or 99% to 99.9% of the total weight of the fertilizer granules. In some aspects, the core may account for about 0.1% to 1% of the total weight of the fertilizer granules. In some aspects, the first coating layer can comprise about 0.05% to 0.9% of the total weight of the fertilizer granule. In some aspects, the second coating layer can comprise about 0.01% to 0.1% of the total weight of the fertilizer granule.

[0020] In some aspects, the core can be a pellet, or can be a granular, pelletized, compacted and / or agglomerated core. In some aspects, the inorganic Zn compound is not dispersed in the whole core. In some aspects, the organic Zn complex is not dispersed in the whole fertilizer core. In some aspects, the organic Zn complex penetrates the outer surface of the core, but is not uniformly dispersed in the whole fertilizer core. In some cases, the film is continuous or substantially continuous.

[0021] In some aspects, the fertilizer granules can be included in a fertilizer blend or compound fertilizer. In addition to the fertilizer granules, the fertilizer blend or compound fertilizer can contain a second fertilizer granule. In some aspects, the second fertilizer granule can contain urea, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), potassium chloride (MOP), monopotassium phosphate (MKP), triple superphosphate (TSP), rock phosphate, superphosphate (SSP), etc.

[0022] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for preparing fertilizer granules, such as the fertilizer granules disclosed herein. The method may include: forming or providing a core containing a nitrogen fertilizer such as urea, coating the outer surface of the core with an organic Zn complex to form an organic Zn-coated core, and coating the outer surface of the organic Zn-coated core with an inorganic Zn compound to form fertilizer granules. The method may include: forming or providing a core containing a nitrogen fertilizer such as urea, coating the outer surface of the core with an inorganic Zn compound to form an inorganic Zn-coated core, and coating the outer surface of the inorganic Zn-coated core with an organic Zn complex to form fertilizer granules. The method may include: forming or providing a core containing a nitrogen fertilizer such as urea, coating the outer surface of the core with a mixture of an inorganic Zn compound and an organic Zn complex to form fertilizer granules.

[0023] In some aspects, the core can be coated with an aqueous solution containing an organic Zn complex to form an organic Zn coated core. In some aspects, the aqueous solution can include 1 wt % to 20 wt % or 5 wt % to 15 wt % or 2 wt % to 8 wt % or 12 wt % to 18 wt % organic Zn complex. In some aspects, the aqueous solution can have a pH of 6 to 8. In some aspects, the aqueous solution can be sprayed on the outer surface of the core to form an organic Zn coated core, or sprayed on an inorganic Zn coated core to form fertilizer particles. In some aspects, the inorganic Zn compound is coated as micronized particles. In some aspects, the core can be coated with micronized particles containing an inorganic Zn compound to form an inorganic Zn coated core, or the organic Zn coated core can be coated with micronized particles containing an inorganic Zn compound to form fertilizer particles. In some aspects, the core can be coated at ambient temperature and / or pressure.

[0024] In some respects, the composition containing nitrogenous fertilizer such as urea and optional urease inhibitor and / or nitrification inhibitor can be made into pellet or form core by granulation, compaction and / or granulation.In some respects, the core that core or inorganic Zn is coated can be coated with the organic Zn complex solution of 1kg to 5kg of nitrogenous fertilizer in every ton of core.In some respects, the core that core or organic Zn is coated can be coated with the inorganic Zn compound solution of 0.1kg to 3kg of nitrogenous fertilizer in every ton of core.In some respects, the core that core or inorganic Zn is coated can be coated with the organic Zn complex of 0.1kg to 0.5kg of nitrogenous fertilizer in every ton of core.In some respects, the core that core or inorganic Zn is coated can be coated with the organic Zn (for example providing as organic Zn complex) of 0.02kg to 0.09kg of nitrogenous fertilizer in every ton of core. In some aspects, the core or organic Zn coated core can be coated with 0.06 kg to 1.8 kg of inorganic Zn (eg, as an inorganic Zn compound) per ton of nitrogen fertilizer in the core.

[0025] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for fertilizing, the method comprising applying fertilizer granules and / or a fertilizer blend containing fertilizer granules to at least a portion of soil, crops, or soil and crops. A method for promoting plant growth is also disclosed, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising the fertilizer blend of the present invention to soil, plants, or soil and plants.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, fertilizer granules and / or fertilizer blend granules may also be referred to as particles, granules, fertilizer granules, pellets or fertilizer pellets.

[0027] The term "fertilizer" is defined as a material applied to soil or plant tissue to provide one or more than one plant nutrient and / or a stimulant or enhancer that is necessary or beneficial to plant growth or to promote or enhance plant growth. The non-limiting examples of fertilizer include materials with one or more than one urea, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, one or more than one superphosphate, binary NP fertilizer, binary NK fertilizer, binary PK fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, molybdenum, zinc, copper, boron, cobalt and / or iron. In some respects, fertilizer includes agents that promote plant growth and / or enhance the ability of plants to benefit from fertilizers, such as but not limited to biostimulants, urease inhibitors and nitrification inhibitors. In some specific cases, fertilizer is urea, such as urea granules or pellets.

[0028] The term "particle" may include solid matter. Particles may have a variety of shapes, non-limiting examples of which include spheres, discs, ellipses, rods, rectangles, or random shapes.

[0029] The term "particle" may include solid matter having a largest dimension smaller than a millimeter.

[0030] The term "particulate" or "powder" may include a plurality of particles.

[0031] The term "aqueous-based" is defined as containing water or previously contained in water prior to drying.

[0032] The term "organically chelated zinc" or "organically chelated Zn" refers to Zn chelated to an organic molecule, which organic molecule contains carbon.

[0033] The term "inorganic zinc" or "inorganic Zn" refers to Zn that is not chemically bonded or chelated to an organic molecule that contains carbon. Non-limiting examples include Zn ions, nonionic Zn metals, ZnO, ZnSO4, Zn(NO3)2, or Zn salts.

[0034] The term "about" or "approximately" as used herein is defined as close as understood by those skilled in the art. In a non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

[0035] The terms "wt %, "volume %" or "mole %" refer to the weight, volume or mole percentage of a component based on the total weight, total volume or total moles of the substance including the component, respectively. In a non-limiting example, 10 g of a component in 100 g of a substance is a 10 wt % component.

[0036] The term "substantially" and variations thereof are defined to include ranges within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, or within 0.5%.

[0037] The terms "inhibit" or "reduce" or "prevent" or "avoid" or any variation of these terms, when used in the claims and / or specification, include any measurable reduction or complete inhibition to achieve the desired result.

[0038] The term "effective," as used in the specification and / or claims, means sufficient to achieve a desired, expected, or intended result.

[0039] When used in conjunction with any of the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," or "having" in the claims or description, an element without a quantifier may mean "a," but also includes the meaning of "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than one."

[0040] The phrase "and / or" may include "and" or "or". For example, A, B and / or C may include: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B and C.

[0041] The words "comprising", "having", "including" or "containing" are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0042] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following drawings, specific embodiments and examples. However, it should be understood that although the drawings, detailed description of specific embodiments and examples illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, they are only for illustration, not for limitation. In addition, it is expected that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the specific embodiments. In other embodiments, features from a specific embodiment can be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, features from an embodiment can be combined with features from any other embodiment. In other embodiments, additional features can be added to the specific embodiments described herein. In the context of the present invention, at least the following 20 aspects are described.

[0043] Aspect 1 relates to a fertilizer granule comprising: a core comprising urea; and a film comprising an organic zinc (Zn) complex and an inorganic Zn compound, the film forming a coating on an outer surface of the core.

[0044] Aspect 2 relates to the fertilizer granules described in aspect 1, wherein the organic Zn complex is a chelated Zn complex.

[0045] Aspect 3 relates to the fertilizer granules of Aspect 2, wherein the chelated Zn complex comprises Zn chelated with a chelating agent selected from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (DCTA), ethylenediaminedi-o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA), ethylene glycol bis(aminoethyl ether)tetraacetic acid, or dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG), or a salt thereof, or any combination thereof, preferably Zn chelated with EDTA.

[0046] Aspect 4 relates to the fertilizer granules according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the inorganic Zn compound comprises ZnO, ZnSO4, ZnCO3, Zn(NO3)2, ZnCl2 or any combination thereof, preferably ZnO and / or ZnSO4.

[0047] Aspect 5 relates to the fertilizer granule of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the film comprises a first coating layer comprising an organic Zn complex and a second coating layer comprising an inorganic Zn compound, wherein the first coating layer and the second coating layer form separate coating layers on the core.

[0048] Aspect 6 relates to the fertilizer granule of aspect 5, wherein at least a portion of the first coating layer is disposed between the core and the second coating layer.

[0049] Aspect 7 relates to the fertilizer granules according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the inorganic Zn compound is contained in micronized particles.

[0050] Aspect 8 relates to the fertilizer granules of Aspect 7, wherein the average diameter of the micronized particles is 0.1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 0.3 μm to 50 μm.

[0051] Aspect 9 relates to the fertilizer granule of any one of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein the diameter of the core is 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0052] Aspect 10 relates to the fertilizer granules of any one of Aspects 1 to 9, comprising 98.6 wt % to 99.9 wt % or 99 wt % to 99.9 wt % urea.

[0053] Aspect 11 relates to the fertilizer granule according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, comprising 0.01 wt% to 0.2 wt% of Zn, calculated using the total amount of Zn atoms in the granule.

[0054] Aspect 12 relates to the fertilizer granules according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the organic zinc (Zn) complex is (NH4)2ZnEDTA ([[N,N'-diethylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)glycine]]( 4-)-N,N',O,O',ON,ON']zinc acid( 2- ) diammonium) and / or (Na)2ZnEDTA ([[N,N'-diethylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)glycine]]( 4- )-N,N',O,O',ON,ON']zinc acid( 2- ) disodium).

[0055] Aspect 13 relates to the fertilizer granules according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, comprising 99 wt% to 99.9 wt% urea, 0.01 wt% to 0.6 wt% ZnEDTA, and 0.01 wt% to 0.2 wt% ZnO and / or ZnSO4.

[0056] Aspect 14 relates to the fertilizer granule of any one of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein the core further comprises a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor.

[0057] Aspect 15 relates to the fertilizer granule of aspect 14, wherein the core comprises 0.02 wt% to 0.1 wt% of the urease inhibitor and / or 0.1 wt% to 1 wt% of the nitrification inhibitor, based on the weight of the core.

[0058] Aspect 16 relates to the fertilizer granules of aspect 14 or aspect 15, wherein the urease inhibitor comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and / or the nitrification inhibitor comprises dicyandiamide (DCD).

[0059] Aspect 17 relates to the fertilizer granules according to any one of Aspects 1 to 16, which are contained in a fertilizer blend or a compound fertilizer.

[0060] Aspect 18 relates to a method for preparing the fertilizer granules described in any one of Aspects 1 to 17, the method comprising: forming or providing a core comprising urea, coating the outer surface of the core with an organic Zn complex to form an organic Zn-coated core, and coating the outer surface of the organic Zn-coated core with an inorganic Zn compound to form fertilizer granules.

[0061] Aspect 19 relates to the method of aspect 18, wherein 1 wt % to 20 wt % of an organic Zn complex aqueous solution is coated on the outer surface of the core to form an organic Zn-coated core.

[0062] Aspect 20 relates to a method of applying fertilizer, comprising applying the fertilizer granules according to any one of Aspects 1 to 17 to at least a portion of soil, crops, or soil and crops. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art through the following specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although various modifications and alternative forms may be made to the present invention, its specific embodiments are shown in the drawings by way of example. The accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0064] Figure 1 Fertilizer granules according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 2 A flow chart of a method for preparing fertilizer granules according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0066] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a system for preparing fertilizer granules according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The fertilizer blend of the present invention may contain Zn-coated nitrogen-containing fertilizer particles. As shown in a non-limiting manner in Example 1, it was found that coating the organic Zn complex-coated nitrogen-containing fertilizer core with micronized particles containing an inorganic Zn compound reduced the viscosity and curing time of the particles before bagging and improved the processability of the particles. Relatively less reduction in nitrogen content and reduction in product added value was obtained with the composition and method of the present invention.

[0068] These and other non-limiting aspects of the present invention are discussed in further detail in the following sections.

[0069] A. Fertilizer granules

[0070] The fertilizer granules can contain a core and a film forming an envelope on the core. The fertilizer granules can contain 99% to 99.9% by weight of the core, for example, the core comprises 99% to 99.9% by weight of the fertilizer granules. The core can comprise a nitrogenous fertilizer, such as urea. In some respects, based on the gross weight of the core, the core can comprise at least any one of 98.9% to 100% by weight or 98.9% by weight, 99% by weight, 99.1% by weight, 99.2% by weight, 99.3% by weight, 99.4% by weight, 99.5% by weight, 99.6% by weight, 99.7% by weight, 99.8% by weight, 99.9% by weight and 100% by weight, or equal to any one or between any two nitrogenous fertilizers, such as urea. The core can optionally contain a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor. In some respects, the urease inhibitor can be a thiophosphorus triamide derivative, such as N-n-butylthiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). In some aspects, based on the total weight of the core, the core can contain at least any one of 0.02 wt% to 0.1 wt% or 0 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt% and 0.1 wt%, or equal to any one, or between any two of a urease inhibitor such as NBPT. In some aspects, the nitrification inhibitor can be 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), thiourea (TU), dicyandiamide (DCD), 2-chloro-6 (trichloromethyl)-pyridine (trichloromethylpyridine), 5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (clozolin), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methyl-pyrimidine (AM), 2-mercapto-benzothiazole (MBT), or 2-sulfathiazole (ST) or any combination thereof, preferably DCD. In some aspects, the core can contain 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % or 0 wt %, 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt % and 1 wt % at least any one, or equal to any one, or between any two of a nitrification inhibitor, such as DCD, based on the gross weight of the core. In some aspects, the core does not contain or is substantially free of a binder, a filler, a pH buffer, a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor. In some aspects, the core can consist of or consist essentially of urea.

[0071] The core can be any suitable shape.Unrestricted shape comprises sphere, cube, cylinder, disc, ellipse and rectangle.In some respects, the core can be the cylinder with circular, elliptical, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon or hexagonal cross section, although also can be made into the cylindrical core with other shape cross section.In some respects, the size of core such as length, width, height and / or cross-sectional diameter can be 0.5mm to 5mm or be at least any one or equal to any one or between any two in 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm and 5mm.In some respects, the core can have mean diameter be 1mm to 5mm or at least any one or equal to any one or between any two in 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm and 5mm.

[0072] The fertilizer granules can contain 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % of film, for example the film comprises 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % of fertilizer granules. The film can contain Zn. The film can contain a single coating or at least two coatings, a first coating and a second coating. The first coating and the second coating can form a separate coating on the core. The first coating can form a coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the core. In some aspects, the first coating can form a relatively uniform coating on the core. The second coating can form a coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the core coated by the first coating. At least a portion of the first coating can be located between the core and the second coating. In some aspects, the second coating can form the outer coating of the fertilizer granules.

[0073] The core can be coated with a single coating containing a mixture of an organic Zn complex and an inorganic Zn compound. When there are two or more coatings, the first coating can contain one or more organic Zn complexes or one or more inorganic Zn compounds, and the second coating can contain another. In some aspects, the first coating can include one or more chelated Zn complexes, and the second coating can contain one or more inorganic Zn compounds. In some aspects, the organic Zn complex can be a chelated Zn complex. In some aspects, the chelated Zn complex can include Zn chelated with a chelating agent selected from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (DCTA), ethylenediaminedi-o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA), ethylene glycol bis (aminoethyl ether) tetraacetic acid or dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG), or its salt or its arbitrary combination. In some specific aspects, the chelated Zn complex can be Zn (ZnEDTA) chelated with EDTA. ZnEDTA can be Zn2EDTA and / or ZnEDTA salts such as Na2ZnEDTA and / or (NH4)2ZnEDTA. In some specific aspects, the chelated Zn complex can be Na2ZnEDTA and / or (NH4)2ZnEDTA. In some specific aspects, the first coating layer can include one or more than one chelated Zn complex. The second coating layer can contain an inorganic Zn compound. In some respects, the second coating layer can include the micronized particles that comprise the inorganic Zn compound. In some respects, the inorganic Zn compound can include ZnO, ZnSO , ZnCO , Zn (NO ) , ZnCl or its any combination. In some respects, the inorganic Zn compound can be ZnO and / or ZnSO . In some aspects, the average size of the micronized particles, such as the average diameter, is 0.1 μm to 100 μm, or 0.3 μm to 50 μm, or 0.3 μm to 30 μm, or 0.1 μm, 0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 2 μm, 4 μm, 6 μm, 8 μm, 10 μm, 15 μm, 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 35 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 60 μm, 70 μm, 80 μm, and 100 μm, or at least any one, or equal to any one, or between any two. In some aspects, the film does not contain or is substantially free of binders, fillers, pH buffers, talc, anti-caking agents, urease inhibitors, and / or nitrification inhibitors.In some aspects, the molar ratio of the organic Zn complex to the inorganic Zn compound in the film and the fertilizer granules can be 0.75:1 to 1.25:1 or at least any one of 0.75:1, 0.8:1, 0.85:1, 0.9:1, 0.95:1, 1:1, 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.15:1, 1.2:1 and 1.25:1, or equal to any one, or between any two.

[0074] The first coating layer can cover 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, 100% of the outer surface of the core. The second coating layer can cover 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, 100% of the outer surface of the core of the first coating layer. The entire membrane can cover 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, 100% of the outer surface of the core. Figure 1 A fertilizer granule 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which contains a core 101, an organic Zn complex containing a first coating layer 102 coating the outer surface of the core, and a second coating layer 103 containing micronized particles containing inorganic Zn coated on the outer surface of the core coated by the first coating layer. The first coating layer 102 is shown to cover the entire outer surface of the core 101, although fertilizer granules having the first coating layer 102 covering a portion of the outer surface of the core can be easily prepared. The second coating layer 103 is shown to cover the entire outer surface of the core coated by the first coating layer, although fertilizer granules having the second coating layer 103 covering a portion of the outer surface of the core coated by the first coating layer can be easily prepared.

[0075] In some specific aspects, the fertilizer granules may contain 98.6 wt% to 99.9 wt% or at least any one of 98.6 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.1 wt%, 99.2 wt%, 99.3 wt%, 99.4 wt%, 99.5 wt%, 99.6 wt%, 99.7 wt%, 99.8 wt%, 99.9 wt%, or equal to any one or between any two of the nitrogen-containing fertilizers such as urea fertilizer granules, and 0.01 wt% to 0.2 wt% calculated using the total amount of zinc atoms in the fertilizer granules. Or at least any one of, or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 0.01 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.11 wt%, 0.12 wt%, 0.13 wt%, 0.14 wt%, 0.15 wt%, 0.16 wt%, 0.17 wt%, 0.18 wt%, 0.19 wt% and 0.2 wt% Zn.

[0076] In some aspects, the fertilizer granules may contain i) 99% to 99.9% by weight or at least any one of 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% by weight, or equal to any one, or between any two of urea, ii) 0.01% to 0.9% by weight or 0.01% by weight. %, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 0.6 wt%, 0.7 wt%, 0.8 wt% and 0.9 wt%, or equal to any one, or between any two of an organic Zn complex, such as % ZnEDTA and iii) 0.01 wt % to 0.2 wt % or 0.01 wt % to 0.3 wt % or 0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.1 wt %, 0.11 wt %, 0.12 wt %, 0.13 wt %, 0.14 wt %, 0.15 wt %, 0.16 wt %, 0.17 wt %, 0.18 wt %, 0.19 wt %, 0.20 wt %, 0.21 wt %, 0.22 wt %, 0.23 wt %, 0.24 wt %, 0.25 wt %, 0.26 wt %, 0.27 wt %, 0.28 wt %, 0.29 wt %, 0.30 wt %, 0.31 wt %, 0.32 wt %, 0.33 wt %, 0.34 wt %, 0.35 wt %, 0.36 wt %, 0.37 wt %, 0.38 wt %, 0.39 wt %, 0.40 wt %, 0.41 wt %, 0.42 wt %, 0.43 wt %, 0.44 wt %, 0.45 wt %, 0.46 wt %, 0.47 wt %, 0.48 wt %, 0.49 wt %, 0.50 .16 wt%, 0.17 wt%, 0.18 wt%, 0.19 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.21 wt%, 0.22 wt%, 0.23 wt%, 0.24 wt%, 0.25 wt%, 0.26 wt%, 0.27 wt%, 0.28 wt%, 0.29 wt% and 0.3 wt%, or equal to any one, or between any two of an inorganic Zn compound such as ZnO and / or ZnSO4.In some aspects, the fertilizer granules may contain i) 99% to 99.9% by weight or at least any one of 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% by weight, or equal to any one, or between any two of urea, ii) 0.002% to 0.15% or 0.002% by weight. %, 0.003 wt%, 0.004 wt%, 0.005 wt%, 0.006 wt%, 0.007 wt%, 0.008 wt%, 0.009 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.11 wt%, 0.12 wt%, 0. % or more; iii) 0.006 wt % to 0.18 wt % or 0.006 wt %, 0.007 wt %, 0.008 wt %, 0.009 wt %, 0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.10 wt %, 0.11 wt %, 0.12 wt %, 0.13 wt %, 0.14 wt %, 0.15 wt %, or equal to any one, or between any two of organic Zn (e.g., present and / or provided as an organic Zn complex); and iii) 0.006 wt % to 0.18 wt % or 0.006 wt %, 0.007 wt %, 0.008 wt %, 0.009 wt %, 0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, % , or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.1 wt %, 0.11 wt %, 0.12 wt %, 0.13 wt %, 0.14 wt %, 0.15 wt %, 0.16 wt %, 0.17 wt % and 0.18 wt % inorganic Zn (e.g., present and / or provided as an inorganic Zn compound).

[0077] In some respects, core and / or film contain filler, binder and / or pH buffer.In some respects, based on the gross weight of core and / or film respectively, core and / or film contain less than 0.5 % by weight or less than 0.1 % by weight or substantially free of filler, such as silicon dioxide, distiller's grains and solubles thereof (DDGS), CaCO , MgO, CaO, bone meal and rice bran each kind.In some respects, based on the gross weight of core and / or film respectively, core and / or film contain less than 0.5 % by weight or less than 0.1 % by weight or substantially free of binder, such as plaster of Paris, flour, chalk powder, bleached wheat flour, starch, gluten, kaolin, bentonite and colloidal silicon dioxide each kind. In some aspects, the core and / or membrane contains less than 0.5 wt % or less than 0.1 wt % or is substantially free of a pH buffer, such as CaCO3, Na2CO3, K2CO3, MgO, KH2PO4, NaHCO3 and / or MgCO3, based on the total weight of the core and / or membrane, respectively.

[0078] In some aspects, other fertilizer materials except urea may be included or not included in the core of the fertilizer granules. If included, other fertilizers can be selected according to the specific needs of certain types of soil, climate or other growth conditions to maximize the effectiveness of fertilizer granules in promoting plant growth and crop yield. Other additives may also be included or not included in the fertilizer granules. Non-limiting examples of additives that may be included or not included in the fertilizer granules of the present invention include micronutrients, other nitrogen nutrients and / or secondary nutrients. Micronutrients are a kind of botanically acceptable inorganic or organometallic compounds, such as boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese, molybdenum, nickel or zinc. Other nitrogen nutrients are nutrients that can deliver nitrogen to plants except urea. In some aspects, other nitrogen nutrients may include ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, urea-formaldehyde, ammonium chloride and potassium nitrate. Secondary nutrients are substances that can deliver calcium, magnesium and / or sulfur to plants. In some aspects, secondary nutrients may include lime, gypsum, superphosphate or a combination thereof.

[0079] The core of the fertilizer granule may have desirable physical properties, such as desirable abrasion resistance, granule strength, granulation ability, hygroscopicity, granule shape and particle size distribution levels, which are important properties of the fertilizer core.

[0080] Fertilizer granules as described herein can be included in compositions that can be applied to soil. In addition to fertilizer granules, compositions can include other fertilizer compounds, micronutrients, major nutrients, other ureas, other nitrogen nutrients, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides or combinations thereof. Fertilizer granules as described herein can also be included in mixed compositions that include other fertilizer granules. Other fertilizer granules can be granules of urea, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), potassium chloride (MOP), monopotassium phosphate (MKP), triple superphosphate (TSP), rock phosphate, superphosphate (SSP), ammonium sulfate, etc.

[0081] B. Methods for Preparing Fertilizer Granules

[0082] The method for preparing fertilizer granules can include providing or forming a core containing nitrogenous fertilizer such as urea, contacting and coating at least a portion of the outer surface of the core with an organic Zn complex to form the coated core of organic Zn, such as the coated core of the first coating layer, and contacting and coating at least a portion of the outer surface of the core coated with an inorganic Zn compound to form fertilizer granules. In some aspects, at least a portion of the outer surface of the core can be contacted with a solution containing an organic Zn complex. In some aspects, solution can be containing 1 wt % to 20 wt % or 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt % and 20 wt % at least any one or equal to any one or between any two organic Zn complex aqueous solutions, such as ZnEDTA. In some aspects, the pH of the aqueous solution is 6 to 8. In some aspects, the micronized particle containing inorganic Zn compound can contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the core that organic Zn coats to form fertilizer particles. In some aspects, for nitrogenous fertilizer such as urea in every ton of core, core can contact with at least any one of 1kg to 5kg or 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 4kg and 5kg or equal to any one or between any two organic Zn complex solution. In some aspects, for nitrogenous fertilizer core in every ton of core, core can contact with at least any one of 0.1kg to 0.5kg or 0.1kg, 0.15kg, 0.2kg, 0.25kg, 0.3kg, 0.35kg, 0.4kg, 0.45kg and 5kg or equal to any one or between any two organic Zn complex. In some aspects, the core can be contacted with 0.02 kg to 0.09 kg, or at least any one of, or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 0.02 kg, 0.03 kg, 0.04 kg, 0.05 kg, 0.06 kg, 0.07 kg, 0.08 kg, and 0.09 kg of organic Zn (e.g., provided as an organic Zn complex) per ton of nitrogen fertilizer in the core.In some aspects, for each ton of nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea, in the core, the organic Zn coated core can be contacted with, e.g., coated with, 0.1 kg to 0.2 kg, or 0.1 kg to 3 kg, or 0.1 kg, 0.2 kg, 0.3 kg, 0.4 kg, 0.5 kg, 0.6 kg, 0.7 kg, 0.8 kg, 0.9 kg, 1 kg, 1.1 kg, 1.2 kg, 1.3 kg, 1.4 kg, 1.5 kg, 1.6 kg, 1.7 kg, 1.8 kg, 1.9 kg, 2 kg, 2.1 kg, 2.2 kg, 2.3 kg, 2.4 kg, 2.5 kg, 2.6 kg, 2.7 kg, 2.8 kg, 2.9 kg, and 3 kg of at least any one, or equal to any one, or between any two of the inorganic Zn compound. In some aspects, for each ton of nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea, in the core, the organic Zn coated core can be contacted with, e.g., coated with, 0.06 kg to 1.8 kg, or 0.06 kg, 0.07 kg, 0.08 kg, 0.09 kg, 0.1 kg, 0.2 kg, 0.3 kg, 0.4 kg, 0.5 kg, 0.6 kg, 0.7 kg, 0.8 kg, 0.9 kg, 1 kg, 1.1 kg, 1.2 kg, 1.3 kg, 1.4 kg, 1.5 kg, 1.6 kg, 1.7 kg, and 1.8 kg of at least any one, or equal to any one, or between any two of the organic Zn. Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method 200 for preparing fertilizer granules according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The urea granules 201 can be coated with a solution containing an organic Zn complex 202 to form an organic Zn-coated core 203 , and the organic Zn-coated core 203 can be coated with micronized particles containing an inorganic Zn complex 204 to form a Zn-coated urea fertilizer granule 205 .

[0083] In some specific aspects, can be in container, for example drum coating machine provides the core of urea bead or particle form of size of 1mm to 5mm.Can contain 5 % by weight to 15 % by weight organic Zn complex aqueous solution such as ZnEDTA sprayed on the urea granules in container to form the coated core of organic Zn, for example the coated urea of ​​ZnEDTA.Can contain inorganic Zn compound such as ZnO and / or ZnSO4 micronized particle join in container to coat the coated urea of ​​ZnEDTA with micronized particle.In some respects, in the process of coating organic Zn complex and / or inorganic Zn compound, container (for example rotary drum) can rotate with 10RPM to 40RPM so that organic Zn complex and / or inorganic Zn compound are respectively relatively evenly distributed on the outer surface of the nitrogenous fertilizer of the core of nitrogenous fertilizer and / or the coated nitrogenous fertilizer of ZnEDTA. Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for preparing fertilizer granules according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3, 1 is a pan drum, 2 is Zn-coated urea granules, 3 is a motor gearbox, 4 is a peristaltic pump, 5 is a feed tank, 6 is a nozzle, 7 is a hot air inlet, 8 is an exhaust system, 9 shows the rotation of the pan drum 1, 10 is a temperature controller, and 11 is an atomizing spray.

[0084] The core may be a pellet or may be formed by granulating, pelletizing and / or compacting a composition containing the core ingredients, such as urea and optionally a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor.

[0085] In some aspects, the granulation process for core formation can include granulating a powdered composition containing the core ingredients.

[0086] In some aspects, the granulation process of core formation can include forming the powdered composition containing core component and pressing the powdered composition by a mold to form the spherical core of the desired shape. Granulation process can be carried out using a granulation press known in the art. In some aspects, the core component can be mixed in a mixer such as a turbine mixer to form a powdered composition, and the powdered composition from the mixer can be fed into the screw feeder connected to the granulation press. In some aspects, the powdered composition can be fed to the screw feeder at a speed of 40kg / hr to 100kg / h or 50kg / hr to 80kg / h. In some aspects, the granulation press can include a double roller rotating at a speed of 150RPM to 200RPM, and the powdered composition can be pressed by a mold by a roller.

[0087] In some aspects, the compaction process of core formation can include forming a powdered composition by forming a core component in a mixed dry form, compacting the powdered composition to form a compacted composition, and crushing, grinding and / or granulating the compacted composition to form a core of a desired shape and size. The compaction process can be completed using a roller press known in the art. In some aspects, the powdered composition is compacted by feeding the powdered composition into a roller press comprising a rotating roller and a fixed roller, and forming a sheet-like compacted composition from the powdered composition.

[0088] In some aspects, the extrusion process of core formation may include forming an extrudable composition containing the core component and extruding the extrudable composition. The method may also include a drying step after extrusion to remove the added solvent that makes the composition extrudable. In some aspects, if necessary, the extrudable composition can be formed by drying the core component in a dry form and adding any solvent. In some aspects, the solvent can be water. Extrusion can use a suitable extruder device known in the art and can be carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C and a screw speed of 1rpm to 500rpm, wherein the extruder includes a multi-feeder, and the feeder includes an extrusion component including a central drive, a shaft, a screw, a barrel and / or a die.

[0089] C. How to use fertilizer granules

[0090] Fertilizer granules and fertilizer blends containing fertilizer granules of the present invention increase the amount of i) nitrogen and optionally ii) phosphorus and / or potassium in soil and promote plant growth. These methods can include applying an effective amount of a composition comprising a blended fertilizer of the present invention to soil. The method can include increasing the growth and yield of crops, trees, ornamental plants, such as palm trees, coconuts, rice, wheat, corn, barley, oats and soybeans. The method can include applying the fertilizer granule blend of the present invention to at least one of soil, organisms, liquid carriers, liquid solvents, etc.

[0091] Non-limiting examples of plants that can benefit from fertilizers of the present invention include lianas, trees, shrubs, straw plants, ferns, etc. These plants can include orchard crops, lianas, ornamental plants, food crops, timber and harvesting plants. Plants can include gymnosperms, angiosperms and / or ferns. Gymnosperms can include plants of Araucariaceae, Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, Bamboo Cupressaceae, Chrysopogonaceae, Taxaceae, Cycadaceae and Ginkgoaceae. The angiosperms may include Aceraceae, Agavaceae, Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Apocynaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Araliaceae, Palmaceae, Monocotaceae, Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, Bignoniaceae, Kapokaceae, Boraginaceae, Oleaceae, Boxwoodaceae, Lauraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Caricaceae, Casuarinaceae, Celastraceae, Glechomaceae, Theobromaceae, Hypericaceae, Combretaceae, Cornaceae, Laganaceae, Catalpaaceae, Diospyros, Elaeagnaceae, Ericaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, Ribesceae, Hamamelis, Aesculetaceae, Illicaceae, Juglandaceae, Lauraceae, Leythraceae, Lythraceae, Magnoliaceae, Malvaceae, Malvaceae Plants of the family, Melastomataceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Moringaceae, Mendingaceae, Oleaceae, Myricaceae, Myrsinaceae, Myrtaceae, Cyclobalanopsisaceae, Mirabilis jalapa, Blueberry family, Aspergillus family, Oleaceae, Oxalis, Pandanaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Pittosporaceae, Platanaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Proteaceae, Punica, Rhamnaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Quassiaceae, Solanaceae, Proteaceae, Sterculiaceae, Banana family, Styracaceae, Sea lily family, Asteraceae, Tamarix family, Theaceae, Acanthaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Tiliaceae, Ulmaceae, Verbenaceae and / or Vitaceae.

[0092] The effectiveness of a composition comprising the granules of the present invention can be determined by measuring the nitrogen content in the soil at different times after the fertilizer composition is applied to the soil. It is understood that different soils have different properties that affect the stability of nitrogen in the soil. The effectiveness of a fertilizer composition can also be directly compared to other fertilizer compositions by making a side-by-side comparison in the same soil under the same conditions.

[0093] Example

[0094] The present invention will be described in more detail by specific examples. The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. It will be easy for those skilled in the art to identify various non-critical parameters that can produce substantially the same result by changing or modifying.

[0095] Example 1

[0096] Preparation of fertilizer granules

[0097] Zn coated urea fertilizer granules were formed in a drum coater system. A series of coating studies were conducted to evaluate the processability of the coated material and the addition of dry powders to reduce the stickiness of the coated product.

[0098] A laboratory-scale drum coater with a capacity of 200 grams to 2 kilograms was used, which had a drum interchange facility based on the required volume. The drum contained four baffles with a height of 0.5 inches and a width of 1 inch along the length of the drum. The baffles were placed at an angle of 45° from the center. The drum coater system starts with feeding, pumping, spraying, exhausting, drying, and discharging the coated material in manual and automatic modes. According to the ideal formula, the required amount of sieved (>1.00mm and <4.00mm) granular urea was weighed and fed into the drum. The drum was then rotated at a speed of 15RPM to 20RPM for 5 minutes. The drum coating process is carried out in an intermittent process. Powders based on (NH4)2ZnEDTA and inorganic Zn (ZnO and ZnSO4) were obtained from commercial sources as raw materials for the coating process. An aqueous solution of ZnEDTA containing 9% by weight of (NH4)2ZnEDTA was obtained. The pH of the solution was 6 to 8. The ZnEDTA solution is pumped into a drum containing urea with a peristaltic pump. The pump is connected to a nozzle with an orifice design to atomize the solution with compressed air. The exhaust line at the top of the drum discharges the compressed air. The solution is sprayed on the granular urea in the drum with a nozzle. After the spray coating, the pump is stopped and the drum is rotated for about 5 more minutes to ensure the dispersion of the liquid coating. Then an inorganic Zn powder containing 62% by weight of Zn is added to the drum. The drum continues to rotate for about 3 minutes before collecting the coated product for packaging. Two experiments were conducted. In one experiment (Experiment 1), 2.8kg to 3.0kg of (NH4)2ZnEDTA solution and 0.5kg of inorganic Zn powder were added to the drum per ton of urea in the coating process. In another experiment (Experiment 2), 2.8kg to 3.0kg of (NH4)2ZnEDTA solution and 1.5kg of inorganic Zn powder were added to the drum per ton of urea in the coating process.

[0099] Figure 2 The present invention is a flow chart of a method for preparing fertilizer granules according to Example 1. Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the coating system and process of Example 1. The coating process parameters are shown in Table 1. Table 2 shows the physical properties of urea granules, ZnEDTA-coated urea and fertilizer granules (inorganic Zn-coated ZnEDTA-coated urea) of Example 1. As can be seen from Table 2, the fertilizer granules according to Example 1 show good physical properties. The coated fertilizer granules of the present invention have higher compressive strength and lower viscosity than the urea granules coated with only ZnEDTA. It is expected that the coated fertilizer granules of the invention require reduced curing time or no curing time before bagging.

[0100] Table 1: Coating process parameters

[0101]

[0102] Table 2: Physical properties of urea granules, ZnEDTA-coated urea and fertilizer granules of Example 1

[0103]

Claims

1. A fertilizer granule comprising: a core comprising urea; and A membrane comprising: a first coating layer, the first coating layer comprising an organic Zn complex, the organic Zn complex comprising Zn chelated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Zn chelated with ethylenediaminetetraacetate, or Zn chelated with any combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetate and ethylenediaminetetraacetate; and a second coating layer comprising a powder containing an inorganic Zn compound, The membrane forms a coating on an outer surface of the core, and wherein at least a portion of the first coating is disposed between the core and the second coating.

2. The fertilizer granule according to claim 1, wherein the organic Zn complex further comprises Zn chelated with a chelating agent selected from nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (DCTA), ethylenediaminedi-o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA), ethylene glycol bis(aminoethyl ether)tetraacetic acid, N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)glycine (DHEG), or a salt thereof, or any combination thereof.

3. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic Zn compound comprises ZnO, ZnSO4, ZnCO3, Zn(NO3)2, ZnCl2 or any combination thereof.

4. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic Zn compound comprises ZnO and / or ZnSO4.

5. The fertilizer granules according to claim 4, wherein the inorganic Zn compound comprises ZnO. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic Zn compound is contained in micronized particles.

7. The fertilizer granules according to claim 6, wherein the average diameter of the micronized particles is 0.1 μm to 100 μm.

8. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the core is 1 mm to 5 mm.

9. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1, comprising 98.6 to 99.9 wt% urea.

10. The fertilizer granule according to claim 1, comprising 0.01 to 0.2 wt% of Zn calculated using the total amount of Zn atoms in the granule.

11. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1, wherein the organic Zn complex comprises (NH4)2ZnEDTA and / or (Na)2ZnEDTA.

12. The fertilizer granules according to claim 1, comprising 99 to 99.9 wt% urea, 0.01 to 0.6 wt% ZnEDTA, and 0.01 to 0.2 wt% ZnO.

13. The fertilizer granule of claim 1, wherein the core further comprises a urease inhibitor and / or a nitrification inhibitor.

14. The fertilizer granule according to claim 13, wherein the core comprises 0.02 to 0.1 wt% of the urease inhibitor and / or 0.1 to 1 wt% of the nitrification inhibitor, based on the weight of the core.

15. The fertilizer granule of claim 13, wherein the urease inhibitor comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and / or the nitrification inhibitor comprises dicyandiamide (DCD).

16. The fertilizer granules of claim 1, contained in a fertilizer blend or a compound fertilizer.

17. A method for preparing the fertilizer granules according to claim 1, the method comprising: forming or providing a core comprising urea; coating the outer surface of the core with an organic Zn complex to form an organic Zn-coated core; and The outer surface of the organic Zn-coated core is coated with micronized particles containing an inorganic Zn compound to form a fertilizer granule. 18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein an aqueous solution containing 1 wt % to 20 wt % of the organic Zn complex is coated on the outer surface of the core to form the organic Zn-coated core.

19. A method of fertilizing, comprising applying the fertilizer granules according to claim 1 to at least a part of soil, crops, or soil and crops.

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