Npk nano-fertilizer and process of manufacturing said nano-fertilizer

Abstract

It is provided an NPK nano-fertiliser (F) comprising an aqueous solution (s) in which are dissolved a first component (n) consisting of one or more of urea in a total weight percentage amount of between 10-15% and ammonia in a total weight percentage amount of between 6-7%, a second component (p) consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate in a total weight percentage amount of between 8-12%, and a third component (k) consisting of tripotassium citrate in a total weight percentage amount of between 4-6%.

Description

[0001] NPK NANO-FERTILIZER AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING SAID NANO-FERTILIZER

[0002] The present invention relates to an NPK nano-fertihser, and a process for making

[0003] 5 said nano-fertiliser, of the type specified in the preamble to the first claim.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to an NPK nano-fertiliser, i.e. including as nutrients at least nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, manufactured as a liquid preparation or in the powder or micro-granular or granular state micro-encapsulated.

[0005] As is well known, today's agriculture has to meet the demand for greater efficiency in food production due, above all, to population growth and the simultaneous decrease in an arable land and water resource base. Therefore, fertilisers or manures are commonly used to increase crop productivity.

[0006] In general, the fertilisers are natural or synthetic products applied to soil-crop systems to satisfy the essential nutrient needs of plants.

[0007] In particular, commercial fertilisers play a key role in improving yields.

[0008] However, the known technique described includes some major drawbacks.

[0009] Indeed, the inherent inefficiencies in conventional fertiliser management can lead to serious economic and environmental consequences. For example, at least half of the fertilising nitrogen applied to farmland is often lost to water, air and other processes, resulting in negative environmental impacts such as nitrate leaching into marine ecosystems and the release of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

[0010] The NPK fertilisers also play an important role in crop productivity, especially for high yields. However, the extensive use of such fertilisers causes negative effects, 5 as approximately 40-70% of the nitrogen and 80-90% of the phosphorus in applied fertilisers are lost to the environment or become unavailable to crops.

[0011] Therefore, even the common NPK fertilisers cause serious economic and resource losses and are also responsible for serious environmental pollution.

[0012] To overcome these problems, the nano-fertilisers have evolved as an effective sustainable alternative to traditional fertilisers. However, known nano-fertilisers are still not as high-performing and low-polluting as needed in today's agriculture.

[0013] In this situation, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to devise an NPK nano-fertiliser, and a process for making said nano-fertiliser, which is capable of substantially obviating at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0014] Within the scope of this technical task, it is an important aim of the invention to obtain NPK nano-fertiliser, and the process for making said nano-fertiliser, which can drastically reduce environmental pollution due to its use in agriculture.

[0015] Another important aim of the invention is to realise NPK nano-fertiliser, and the process for making said nano-fertiliser, which makes it possible to avoid or at least reduce the economic and resource losses that normally plague fertilisers of the known technique.

[0016] The specified technical task and purposes are achieved by a NPK nano-fertiliser, and the process for making said nano-fertiliser, as claimed in the annexed claim 1 . Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

[0017] The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the Fig. 1 shows a schematic process of a nano -fertiliser realisation according to the invention in which the nano-fertiliser is in the liquid phase and made from a single component; the Fig. 2a illustrates a schematic process of realisation of a first form of realisation of nano-fertiliser according to the invention in which the nano-fertiliser is NPK nano-fertiliser in liquid form; the Fig. 2b is a schematic process of realisation of a first form of realisation of a plurality of nano-fertilisers according to the invention in which the nanofertilisers are nano-nitrogen, nano-phosphorus and nano-potassium in liquid form; the Fig. 3a depicts a schematic process of realisation of a second form of realisation of nano-fertiliser according to the invention in which the nano-fertiliser is NPK nano-fertiliser in granular form; the Fig. 3b shows a schematic process of realisation of a second form of realisation of a plurality of nano-fertilisers according to the invention in which the nano-fertilisers are nano-nitrogen, nano-phosphorus and nano-potassium in granular form subsequently mixed to make NPK nano-fertiliser in granular form; the Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic process of realisation of a third form of realisation of NPK nano-fertiliser according to the invention in which the NPK nanofertiliser is in the micro-granular phase; and the Fig. 5 is a schematic process of realisation of a fourth form of realisation of NPK nano-fertiliser according to the invention in which the NPK nano-fertiliser is in a micro-encapsulated granular phase.

[0018] In the present document, the measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like “about” or other similar terms such as “approximately” or “substantially”, are to be considered as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors, and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measurements, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For instance, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.

[0019] Moreover, when used, terms such as “first”, “second", “higher", “lower", “main” and “secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to clearly distinguish between their different components.

[0020] Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as “treatment”, “computing”, “determination”, “calculation”, or similar, refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and / or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices.

[0021] The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

[0022] With reference to the Figures, the NPK nano-fertiliser according to the invention is globally referred to as F.

[0023] The NPK nano-fertiliser F is basically a compound, which can be realised in both liquid and solid phases, particularly granular, to improve crop efficiency.

[0024] In detail, the NPK nano-fertiliser F comprises an aqueous solution s.

[0025] The solution s is basically the liquid base from which the NPK nano-fertiliser F can be realised. Preferably, the solution s comprises at least demineralised water.

[0026] However, the solution s could include other substances in addition or as an alternative. For example, solution s could include acetic acid. In the latter case, acetic acid could be present in a concentration of 1% of the solution.

[0027] If the solution s includes acetic acid, it preferably also includes chitosan c.

[0028] Furthermore, in detail, preferably the chitosan is present in molecular weights below 5 kDa.

[0029] In addition, the NPK nano-fertiliser F comprises a plurality of components dissolved in the solution s.

[0030] In detail, the NPK nano-fertiliser F comprises at least a first component n, a second component p and a third component k dissolved in the solution s.

[0031] The first component n consists of one or more of urea and ammonia.

[0032] More specifically, if the first component n includes urea, the latter is present in a percentage quantity by total weight of solution s of between 10-15%. Furthermore, if the first component also includes ammonia or only ammonia, the latter is present in a percentage amount by total weight of solution s of between 6-7%.

[0033] The second component p, on the other hand, preferably consists of potassium dihydrogen phosphate. The latter is appropriately present in a percentage amount by total weight of the solution of between 8-12%.

[0034] In conclusion, third component k is preferably tripotassium citrate. The latter is appropriately present in between 4-6% by weight of the total solution.

[0035] Preferably, but not necessarily, the components n, p, k define a mutually equivalent total weight percentage concentration. More specifically, preferably, this concentration is between 5-10%.

[0036] This means that the components n, p, k define ratios in solution defined between 5:5:5 and 10:10:10.

[0037] In addition, the NPK nano-fertiliser F may also include other components.

[0038] In particular, for example, the NPK nano-fertiliser F may include excipients e dissolved in the solution s.

[0039] If present, the excipients e include, in detail, one or more of your choice of surfactants, detergents and emulsifiers.

[0040] In particular, if surfactants are present, they are between 5-10% by total weight. Further, even more in detail, the surfactants may comprise, or consist of, one or more of a choice of sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium sulphate and cyclodextrin. In particular, preferably, the surfactants comprise, or consist of, sodium tripolyphosphate.

[0041] If present, the detergents are between 5-10% by total weight. Furthermore particularly, the detergents may comprise, or consist of, one or more of sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myretu sulphate, sodium pareth sulphate, sodium stearate, a olefin sulphonate and ammonium laureth sulphate. Preferably, the detergents comprise, or consist of, sodium lauryl sulphate.

[0042] In conclusion, if present, the emulsifiers are in quantity between 1 -10% by total weight. Further, more particularly, the emulsifiers may comprise, or consist of, one or more of a choice of polysorbate 80, lecithin, soy lecithin, monoglyceride diacetyl tartaric acid ester, sodium stearoyl lactylate and sodium phosphate. In particular, preferably, the emulsifiers comprise, or consist of, polysorbate 80.

[0043] The NPK nano-fertiliser F as just described can, of course, be manipulated into a solid state.

[0044] In particular, preferably, in liquid phase NPK nano-fertiliser F can be spray-dried to make a granular phase of NPK nano-fertiliser F.

[0045] Furthermore, depending on the nominal size of the nozzle used for spray drying, the granular phase can take on different consistencies. The NPK nano-fertiliser F can in fact be in powder form, or by using nozzles with diameters between 0.5-5 mm, micro-granular phases of NPK nano-fertiliser F can be defined.

[0046] In conclusion, it is possible to dissolve components n, p, k e excipients in a solution including acetic acid and chitosan c. Chitosan c can be dissolved in the solution s, e.g. before introducing components n, p, k and the excipients e.

[0047] More specifically, preferably, the chitosan c may have a molecular weight greater than 200 kDa. The presence of chitosan c in the solution s with acetic acid makes it possible to realise a micro-encapsulated granular phase of NPK nano-fertiliser F, e.g. following spray drying.

[0048] The invention comprises a novel process for making a nano-fertiliser X. The nanofertiliser X is essentially any substance for improving, or otherwise altering, the growth capacity of crops.

[0049] Thus, for example, the nano-fertiliser X may correspond to NPK nano-fertiliser F, or nano-fertiliser X may also simply correspond to nano-nitrogen N or nanophosphorus P or nano-potassium K.

[0050] The process comprises, in brief, at least a dissolving I and a sonicating III phase.

[0051] In the dissolving phase I, at least one of the components n, p, k is substantially dissolved in the aqueous solution s.

[0052] In particular, the dissolution of one or more components n, p, k results in a formulation f. The formulation f may, in particular, correspond to a solution s in which one or more components n, p, k are essentially or exclusively dissolved. In this case, the f-formulation thus corresponds to a first formulation fi.

[0053] The first formulation fi essentially corresponds to the combination of solution s and first component n and / or second component p and / or third component k. Preferably, in the first formulation fi each of the components n, p, k present defines a total weight percentage concentration, with respect to the solution s, of at least 5%.

[0054] More specifically, first component n and / or second component p and / or third component k could define in the first formulation fi a total weight percentage concentration between 15-25%.

[0055] Naturally, all the components n, p, k could be dissolved in solution s. In this case, therefore, the components n, p, k could be present simultaneously and could define a mutually equivalent total weight percentage concentration.

[0056] In this sense, then, the components n, p, k could define ratios in solution s defined between 15:15:15 and 25:25:25.

[0057] If in the dissolving phase I the components n, p, k are all dissolved together in the same aqueous solution s, the nano-fertiliser X realised by the process corresponds to, or consists of, the NPK nano-fertiliser F.

[0058] If, on the other hand, in the dissolving phase I each of the components n, p, k is dissolved in a respective aqueous solution s separately, the process may allow the realisation of three nano-fertilisers X corresponding to, or comprising, nano-nitrogen N or nano-phosphorus P or nano-potassium K. In particular, in this case, the dissolving phase I allows three distinct formulations f to be obtained.

[0059] In addition, the process may also include a mixing phase II.

[0060] In particular, if present, in mixing phase II, the excipients e are mixed in the first formulation fi, or in the first formulations f1 , to obtain a second formulation f2 or a plurality of second formulations f2.

[0061] The second formulation f2, therefore, is nothing other than the first formulation f1 with the addition of the excipients. Thus, the second formulation f2 may consist of the solution s in which at least one component n, p, k and the excipients are dissolved together. In this case, formulation f can then correspond to the second formulation f2.

[0062] As with the dissolving phase I, the mixing phase II can also be carried out by mixing excipients e with a first formulation fi including all components n, p, k or separately by mixing excipients and with a plurality of distinct first formulations fi to obtain respective second formulations f2 . In detail, if all components n, p, k are used, the second f2 formulations obtained are three in number.

[0063] In sonicating phase III, essentially the formulation f, whether corresponding to a first formulation fi or a second formulation f2, is sonicated in an ultrasonic bath. In detail, the second formulation f2 is sonicated at a frequency of between 20-100 Hz for a period of between 5-180 minutes. Specifically, the sonicating can take place with or without homogenisation and micro-fluidification.

[0064] Therefore, following the sonicating phase III, at least one nano-fertiliser X is obtained in the liquid phase.

[0065] The latter can consist of one of your choice of NPK nano-fertiliser F, nano-nitrogen N, nano-phosphorus P and nano-potassium K.

[0066] If, as described above, distinct f-formulations were obtained from mixing phase II, in sonicating phase III each of the f-formulations can be sonicated separately so as to obtain three distinct liquid-phase nano-fertilisers X consisting of nano-nitrogen N, said nano-phosphorus P and said nano-potassium K, respectively.

[0067] The process just described enables a first form of realisation of nano-fertiliser X in the liquid state.

[0068] However, other forms of realisation of nano-fertiliser X can be obtained from the same process.

[0069] In a second form of realisation, the process may include a drying phase IV. The drying phase IV is preferably carried out by spray-drying, also known by the English-speaking terminology spray-drying. Specifically, in drying phase IV, the nano-fertiliser X is spray-dried in such a way that a micro-granular phase of nanofertiliser X is obtained.

[0070] The micro-granular phase, in this case, is essentially assimilated to a powder. Furthermore, the nano-fertiliser X thus dried can consist of any one of NPK nanofertiliser F, nano-nitrogen N, nano-phosphorus P and nano-potassium K.

[0071] In a third form of realisation, the process may also include a dilution phase V.

[0072] If present, dilution phase V is prior to drying phase IV.

[0073] Furthermore, in the dilution phase V, nano-fertiliser X in the liquid phase is diluted in demineralised water a. The demineralised water a is essentially an addition to solution s, which thus reduces the overall concentration of the component(s) n, p, k and excipients e present in solution s.

[0074] Following the dilution phase, preferably, the drying phase IV is performed by means of a nozzle having a diameter of 0.5-5 mm, as described above. Thus, by means of drying phase IV, it is possible to obtain nano-fertiliser X in the micro-granular phase. Preferably, in this third embodiment, the first component n and / or the second component p and / or the third component k define in the formulation f, for example particularly in the first formulation fi, a total weight percentage concentration between 45 and 75%. Thus, the nano-fertilisers (X) obtained in the liquid phase comprise, or consist of, nano-nitrogen N and / or nano-phosphorus P and / or nano- potassium K defining total percentage concentration by weight between 15-25%.

[0075] In conclusion, in a fourth form of realisation, the process may include a preparation phase VI.

[0076] If present, the preparation phase VI precedes dilution phase I. Then, in preparation phase VI, chitosan c is dissolved in the solution s. Then, the process is carried out by diluting the component(s) n, p, k in the solution s with chitosan c and, in drying phase IV, nano-fertiliser X is obtained in a micro- encapsulated granular phase.

[0077] Of course, all forms of realisation can be achieved by dissolving the components n, p, k in separate solutions and carrying out all phases separately.

[0078] However, once nano-nitrogen N, nano-phosphorus P and nano-potassium K have been obtained, they can be mixed together, as shown for example in Fig. 3b, to obtain the NPK nano-fertiliser F.

[0079] Finally, the process may include a further packaging phase.

[0080] In the packaging phase, the nano-fertiliser X in the granular phase is vacuum- packed.

[0081] Of course, the nano-fertiliser X can be any of NPK F, nano-nitrogen N, nano- phosphorus P and nano-potassium K.

[0082] The NPK nano-fertiliser F and the process of making nano-fertiliser according to the invention achieve important advantages.

[0083] In fact, the nano-fertiliser process, and in particular the NPK nano-fertiliser F, drastically reduces environmental pollution due to its use in agriculture.

[0084] Furthermore, the nano-fertiliser process, and in particular the NPK nano-fertiliser F, avoids or at least reduces the economic and resource losses that normally plague common fertilisers.

[0085] The invention is susceptible to variations within the inventive concept as defined by the claims.

[0086] Here, all details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and sizes can be any.

Claims

C LAI MS1. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) comprising an aqueous solution (s) in which are dissolved:- a first component (n) consisting of one or more of a choice of urea in a total weight percentage amount of between 10-15% and ammonia in a total weight percentage amount of between 6-7%,- a second component (p) consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate in a total weight percentage amount of 8-12%,- a third component (k) consisting of tripotassium citrate in a total weight percentage amount of 4-6%.

2. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) according to claim 1 , wherein said aqueous solution (s) further comprising excipients (e) comprising one or more of surfactants, detergents and emulsifiers.

3. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said aqueous solution (s) comprising at least one of a choice of demineralised water and acetic acid present in a concentration of 1% of the solution and said first, second and third components (n, p, k) defining a mutually equivalent total weight percentage concentration of 5-10%.

4. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) according to any preceding claim, wherein said aqueous solution (s) comprising acetic acid present in a concentration of 1% of the solution includes chitosan (c) in a molecular weight of less than 5 kDa.

5. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said surfactants are in an amount of 5-10% by total weight and comprise one or more of sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium sulphate and cyclodextrin.

6. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein said detergents are in a total weight percentage amount of between 5-10% and comprise one or more of sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myretu sulphate, sodium pareth sulphate, sodium stearate, a olefin sulphonate and ammonium laureth sulphate.

7. NPK nano-fertiliser (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said emulsifiers are in a total weight percentage amount of between 1 -10% and comprise one or more of polysorbate 80, lecithin, soy lecithin, monoglyceride diacetyl tartaric acid ester, sodium stearoyl lactylate and sodium phosphate.

8. Process for making a nano-fertiliser (X) comprising:- dissolving (I) in an aqueous solution (s) comprising demineralised water or acetic acid present in a concentration equal to 1% of the solution at least one of a first component (n) consisting of one or more of a choice of urea in a total percentage by weight of between 10-15% and ammonia in a total percentage by weight of between 6-7%, a second component (p) comprising potassium dihydrogen phosphate in a total weight percentage amount of between 8-12% and a third component (k) comprising tripotassium citrate in a total weight percentage amount of between 4-6%, resulting in a formulation (f) in which said first and / or second and / or third components (n, p, k) define a minimum weight percentage concentration of 5%,- sonicating (III) of said formulation (f) in an ultrasonic bath at a frequency of 20-100 Hz for a period of 5-180 minutes resulting in at least one nano-fertiliser (X) in the liquid phase consisting of one of a choice of NPK (F), nano-nitrogen (N), nanophosphorus (P) and nano-potassium (K).

9. Process according to claim 8, wherein in said dissolving process a first formulation (f1 ) is obtained and said process further comprises mixing (II) excipients(e) comprising one or more at a choice of surfactants, detergents and emulsifiers in a total weight percentage amount of between 1 -10% with said first formulation (fi) resulting in a second formulation (f2) corresponding to said formulation (f).

10. Process according to any one of claims 8-9, wherein said first component (n) and / or said second component (p) and / or said third component (k) define in said formulation (f) a total weight percentage concentration of between 15-25%.

11. Process according to any one of claims 8-10, wherein said dissolving phase dissolves all of said first, second and third components (n, p, k) and said first, second and third components (n, p, k) define a mutually equivalent total weight percentage concentration.

12. Process according to claim 1 1 , wherein in said dissolving phase (I) said components (n, p, k) are dissolved in said aqueous solution (s) together and said nano-fertiliser (X) comprises said NPK nano-fertiliser (F).

13. Process according to claim 11 , wherein in said dissolving phase (I) each of said components (n, p, k) is dissolved in a respective said aqueous solution (s) separately obtaining three distinct first formulations (fi), in said mixing phase (II) each said first formulation (fi) is mixed with said excipients (e) separately obtaining three distinct second formulations (f2) and in said sonicating phase (III) each said second formulation (f2) is sonicated separately so as to obtain three said distinct nano-fertilizers (X) in liquid phase comprising respectively said nano-nitrogen (N), said nano-phosphorus (P) and said nano-potassium (K).

14. Process according to any one of claims 8-13, comprising spray-drying (IV) said nano-fertilizer (X) in a liquid phase by obtaining a micro-granular phase of said nano-fertilizer (X).

15. Process according to any preceding claim, comprising a dilution phase(V), preceding said drying phase (IV) in which said nano-fertiliser (X) in liquid phase is diluted in demineralised water (a) and said drying phase (IV) is performed by means of a nozzle having a diameter of between 0.5-5 mm so as to obtain said nano-fertiliser (X) in micro-granular phase.

16. Process according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein said first component (n) and / or said second component (p) and / or said third component (k) define in said first formulation (f1 ) a total weight percentage concentration in the range of 45 to 75% and said nano-nitrogen (N) and / or said nano-phosphorus (P) and / or said nano-potassium (K) define total weight percentage concentration in the range of 15 to 25%.

17. Process according to any one of claims 9-16, wherein said aqueous solution (s) comprises acetic acid in a concentration of 1 %.

18. A process according to at least claims 15 and 16, further comprising a preparation phase (VI) preceding said dissolving phase (I) in which in said aqueous solution (s) chitosan (c) having a molecular weight greater than 200 kDa is dissolved so that in said drying phase (IV) said nano-fertilizer (X) is obtained in a micro- encapsulated granular phase.

19. Process according to any one of claims 14-17, further comprising a packaging phase in which said nano-fertiliser (X) in granular phase is vacuum packed.

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