Agricultural house cleaning agent and method for producing the same

Abstract

To provide an agricultural house cleaning agent that enables easy removal of dirt without brushing and reduces chemical injury to cultivated crops, and a method for producing the same.SOLUTION: An agricultural house cleaning agent is provide which is an aqueous solution containing chlorinated isocyanurates and having a pH of 9.5 or more and less than 13.0, and a method for producing the same is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning agent for agricultural greenhouses and a method for producing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Agricultural greenhouses generally accumulate dirt within two to three years, depending on usage, reducing their sunlight transmittance. This has a negative impact on the growth of cultivated crops, causing problems such as poor growth, spindly growth, and reduced yields. Traditionally, such dirt has been dealt with by cleaning the greenhouse with a brush or by discarding it and replacing it with new film.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for cleaning agricultural greenhouses, in which an aqueous solution of a cleaning agent containing polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and alkali hypochlorite is sprayed evenly onto the film surface of a plastic greenhouse, and after leaving it to stand, the greenhouse is brushed and rinsed with a jet of water.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a detergent composition for agricultural facilities that consists of a specific water-soluble solvent and an alkaline agent, to which a surfactant and hypochlorous acid or a salt thereof have been added, and a cleaning method in which the detergent composition is applied to agricultural facilities and then dirt is removed by a water flow without using a brush.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses an agricultural greenhouse cleaner that is composed of sodium hypochlorite and a surfactant and that can remove pollen and other contaminants simply by spraying and then running water.

[0006] On the other hand, Patent Document 4 discloses a composition containing alkali so that an aqueous solution of a free chlorine-generating biocide containing sodium isocyanurate has a pH of 10 or higher. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 160179 / 1983 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-355000 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-256290 [Patent Document 4] Special publication 2009-524673 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Cleaning agricultural greenhouses by brushing them is a labor-intensive process that takes 4 to 5 days, especially in large agricultural greenhouses, and replacing the film with new one is very costly.

[0009] The three patent documents above disclose hypochlorous acid or its salts, including sodium hypochlorite, as a common chemical. Patent document 2 discloses a water-soluble solvent, typically a glycol, in claim 1. Agricultural greenhouse cleaners using hypochlorous acid or its salts and glycols are likely to cause phytotoxicity to cultivated crops if accidentally applied to the crops, and in the worst case, may even lead to their death.

[0010] Furthermore, the composition disclosed in Patent Document 4 is a composition that provides antimicrobial effects in water systems such as pulp and paper processing lines that involve aqueous slurries, but it has a different reaction mechanism and a low concentration range, making it completely unsuitable for use as an agricultural greenhouse cleaner.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural greenhouse cleaner that can easily remove dirt without the need for brushing and that causes little chemical damage to cultivated crops, and a method for using the cleaner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] As a result of intensive research to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that an agricultural greenhouse cleaner comprising an aqueous solution containing a chlorinated isocyanurate and adjusted to a pH within a specific range can solve the above-mentioned problems, and have thus completed the present invention.

[0013] That is, the present invention relates to an agricultural greenhouse cleaner which is an aqueous solution containing a chlorinated isocyanurate and has a pH of 9.5 or more and less than 13.0.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a method for producing the above-mentioned agricultural greenhouse cleaner, which comprises supplying a chlorinated isocyanurate in a solid state, supplying an alkali metal salt and / or an alkaline earth metal salt in the form of an aqueous solution, and dissolving or diluting them in water immediately before use as the agricultural greenhouse cleaner.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for cleaning an agricultural greenhouse, which comprises spraying the above-mentioned agricultural greenhouse cleaner onto the agricultural greenhouse.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention provides an agricultural greenhouse cleaning agent kit comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) Solid chlorinated isocyanurates (B) Aqueous solution of alkali metal salts and / or alkaline earth metal salts [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention can easily remove dirt accumulated on the surface of an agricultural greenhouse without brushing, and even if the cleaner does come into contact with cultivated crops, it causes little chemical damage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention is an aqueous solution containing a chlorinated isocyanurate and has a pH of 9.5 or more and less than 13.0, preferably 10.0 or more and less than 12.5. By adjusting the pH within this range, the release reaction of chlorine from the chlorinated isocyanurate is promoted, resulting in a significant improvement in cleaning properties. This fact has not been known to those skilled in the art.

[0019] Examples of chlorinated isocyanurates used in the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention include salts of dichloroisocyanuric acid (chemical name: 1,3-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione) and salts of trichloroisocyanuric acid (1,3,5-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione). Metal species of the salts include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc., but sodium is most preferred due to its solubility in water and ease of industrial product availability. These chlorinated dichloroisocyanurates can be used alone or in combination of two or more. However, when trichloroisocyanurates are used as chlorinated isocyanurates, they have lower solubility in water than dichloroisocyanurates, resulting in relatively inferior cleaning effects, and therefore dichloroisocyanurates are preferred.

[0020] When dissolved in water, chlorinated isocyanurates generate chlorine through a decomposition reaction, and exhibit a cleaning effect by oxidatively decomposing organic matter. They are particularly effective against dirt on agricultural greenhouse surfaces, including pollen, algae such as Spirogyra, mold, moss, oils contained in exhaust gases, and pesticide and fertilizer residues. Chlorinated isocyanurates are significantly less harmful to cultivated crops than hypochlorites, which are already used as ingredients in agricultural greenhouse cleaners.

[0021] The concentration of chlorinated isocyanurate in the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is, for example, in the range of 0.1% by mass (hereinafter simply referred to as "%") or more and less than 3.0%, preferably 0.5% or more and less than 2.5%. If the concentration is lower than this range, a sufficient cleaning effect may not be obtained. Conversely, if the concentration is higher, isocyanuric acid, which is the decomposition residue of chlorinated isocyanurate, has low solubility in water and precipitates over time, resulting in undesirable appearance and, in the worst case, clogging the nozzle of a high-pressure washer or power sprayer, which is used to spray the cleaning solution on agricultural greenhouses.

[0022] After dissolving in water, chlorinated isocyanurates gradually decompose to generate gases such as hydrogen chloride and oxygen in addition to chlorine. When the concentration of chlorinated isocyanurates is high, a foaming phenomenon due to gas foaming may occur depending on the conditions and usage environment. This not only results in an unfavorable appearance of the cleaning agent, but also reduces the contact area of ​​the cleaning liquid with the film surface, which may result in a decrease in the cleaning effect. Therefore, it is preferable to include chlorinated isocyanurates at the above-mentioned concentrations.

[0023] The agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention has a pH of 9.5 or more and less than 13.0, and the method for adjusting the pH to such a level is not particularly limited. For example, the pH can be adjusted using an alkali metal salt and / or alkaline earth metal salt that becomes alkaline when dissolved in an aqueous solution.

[0024] Examples of the alkali metal salt include hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and lithium hydroxide; carbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and lithium carbonate; bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and lithium bicarbonate; sodium metasilicate, potassium metasilicate, and lithium metasilicate.

[0025] Examples of the alkaline earth metal salt include those in which the alkali metal of the alkali metal salt is replaced with an alkaline earth metal such as calcium, magnesium, etc. These alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts can be used alone or in combination of two or more, but polyvalent metal ions of alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium may inhibit the action of anionic surfactants, thereby limiting their use, and alkali metal salts themselves have the effect of decomposing oily and protein-based stains and also have the effect of adjusting the pH of the detergent and effectively exhibiting the detergency of chlorinated isocyanurates. Therefore, it is preferable to use an alkali metal salt as the metal salt, and sodium hydroxide is most preferably used from the viewpoints of availability and economy.

[0026] The concentration of the alkali metal salt and / or alkaline earth metal salt in the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention depends on the type of alkali metal salt and / or alkaline earth metal salt, but is, for example, 0.05% or more and less than 2.0%, preferably 0.1% or more and less than 1.0%. If the concentration is lower than this range, a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained, and if the concentration is higher, phytotoxicity may occur if the agent comes into contact with cultivated crops.

[0027] If the pH of the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention is less than 9.5, not only will sufficient cleaning properties be insufficient, but severe phytotoxicity to crops may occur. Generally, a higher pH is more likely to cause phytotoxicity due to alkaline cell damage. However, when a chlorinated isocyanurate is used, the chlorinated isocyanurate dissolves in water and releases chlorine, generating isocyanuric acid, which reduces its solubility in water and can precipitate. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced at pHs below 9.5, and if isocyanuric acid precipitates in crops, it can clog the xylem vessels in the crops, resulting in poor growth or even death of the crops. On the other hand, if the pH is 13.0 or higher, cleaning properties are further improved, but alkaline cell damage becomes more pronounced, causing phytotoxicity to the crops.

[0028] The agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention preferably further contains a surfactant, which imparts wettability to the film surface of the agricultural greenhouse, improves cleaning properties, and, if necessary, foams the detergent, thereby improving retention of the cleaning solution on inclined or vertical surfaces.

[0029] The type of surfactant is not particularly limited, and a wide range of available anionic, nonionic, betaine, and cationic surfactants can be used. Typical surfactants include the following. These surfactants can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] Examples of anionic surfactants include aliphatic monocarboxylates (soaps), linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, (mono)alkyl phosphates, α-sulfofatty acid methyl esters, α-olefin sulfonates, and alkanesulfonic acids. Examples of nonionic surfactants include sucrose fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, fatty acid alkanolamides, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, alkyl glycosides, and polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers. Examples of betaine-based surfactants include alkylamino fatty acid salts, alkyl betaines, and alkyl amine oxides. Examples of cationic surfactants include alkyltrimethylammonium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, and N-methylbishydroxyethylamine fatty acid esters·hydrochloride.

[0031] The surfactant concentration in the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention, while depending on the type, is determined, for example, within the range of 0.02% or more and less than 3.0%, preferably 0.05% or more and less than 1.0%. If the surfactant concentration is lower than this range, the desired wetting, cleaning, and foaming properties may not be obtained. Conversely, if the surfactant concentration is higher, phytotoxicity to crops may occur, excessive foam may be generated, which may deteriorate handling during preparation and spraying, or may take a long time to rinse.

[0032] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention can contain other components, such as water-soluble solvents that swell and remove dirt, improving cleaning performance. Preferred water-soluble solvents include glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, butyl carbitol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. The concentration of these water-soluble solvents is determined to be between 0.1% and 10.0%, preferably between 0.5% and 5%. If the concentration is lower than this range, no improvement in cleaning performance can be expected, while if the concentration is higher, depending on the type, it may cause phytotoxicity to crops.

[0033] In addition to water-soluble solvents, thickeners such as polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, and carrageenan can be added in appropriate amounts to adjust the viscosity of the cleaner. Furthermore, to maintain the performance of the anionic surfactant, metal chelating agents such as EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid), ASDA (L-aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid tetrasodium salt), and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) can be added in appropriate amounts.

[0034] In addition, to further enhance cleaning performance while monitoring the effects on phytotoxicity, it is possible to use a small amount of a known oxidizing agent in combination. Examples of oxidizing agents include sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid water, sodium percarbonate, sodium persulfate, and peracetic acid. In particular, aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is widely used due to its low cost and has high oxidizing power, but if the concentration in the cleaning solution exceeds 1.5%, phytotoxicity to crops frequently occurs. When used in combination, it is desirable to use it at a concentration of less than 1.2%.

[0035] The other components, namely, the water-soluble solvent, the thickener, the metal chelating agent, and the oxidizing agent, may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention is one containing 0.1% or more and less than 3.0% of dichloroisocyanurate, 0.05% or more and less than 2.0% of an alkali metal salt, and 0.02% or more and less than 3.0% of a surfactant.

[0037] The agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention can be prepared by dissolving a chlorinated isocyanurate in water and adjusting the pH of the resulting aqueous solution to fall within the above range.

[0038] When chlorinated isocyanurates are dissolved in water, the cleaning effect may decrease over time. Therefore, it is important from the viewpoint of shelf life and cleaning performance to provide the chlorinated isocyanurates as a solid and the alkali metal salts and / or alkaline earth metal salts as an aqueous solution, and then dissolve or dilute them in water immediately before use as an agricultural greenhouse cleaner (immediately before cleaning an agricultural greenhouse). The alkali metal salts and / or alkaline earth metal salts are originally solids and can be provided as solids, but because they are highly alkaline and dangerous to handle, it is preferable to handle them as an aqueous solution. If the surfactant and other components are solids, they can be provided together with the chlorinated isocyanurates. If not, they can be provided together with the alkali metal salts and / or alkaline earth metal salts in an aqueous solution.

[0039] Here, "immediately before" generally refers to up to six hours before using the agricultural greenhouse cleaner, although this depends on the temperature and water quality. If left for more than six hours, the decomposition of chlorinated isocyanurates may proceed excessively, reducing the cleaning effect. After 24 hours, foaming is often observed in the cleaning solution, which not only results in an undesirable appearance but also reduces the cleaning effect.

[0040] To achieve the above, it is preferable to use the following agricultural greenhouse cleaner kit and produce the agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention by dissolving or diluting with water immediately before use. Each kit may contain components (A) to (B) in amounts that will result in the above-mentioned concentration range when dissolved or diluted with water. It is also preferable to seal each component in a separate container and then package them together in a bag or the like as a kit. The amount of each component contained in the kit may be enough for one use or enough for multiple uses.

[0041] An agricultural greenhouse cleaning agent kit comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) Solid chlorinated isocyanurates (B) Aqueous solution of alkali metal salts and / or alkaline earth metal salts

[0042] The above kit preferably further contains a solid surfactant in component (A) and / or a surfactant in component (B).

[0043] Furthermore, the kit may contain, as component (C), one or more of the following other components: a water-soluble solvent, a thickener, a metal chelating agent, and an oxidizing agent. Component (C) may be included in either (A) or (B).

[0044] Preferred embodiments of the agricultural greenhouse cleaning agent kit of the present invention include the following. (A) Solid dichloroisocyanurate (B) Aqueous solution of alkali metal salt and surfactant

[0045] The agricultural greenhouse cleaner of the present invention is prepared as described above and then sprayed onto an agricultural greenhouse where dirt has accumulated to clean it. Examples of tools for spraying include a power sprayer, a drone, and a watering can. The amount of spray is sufficient to uniformly wet the surface of the agricultural greenhouse, and is 100 to 500 ml / m. 2 , typically 200ml / m 2 It is appropriate to do this around 10:00 AM. After spraying, rain may remove the dirt, but it is recommended to rinse with water within a few minutes to a few days. Washing with water can be done with a high-pressure washer, power sprayer, or water sprayer using a hose. The strength of the water flow should be at a pump pressure of 0.1 to 6.0 MPa; if the pressure is lower than this range, the dirt may not be removed easily, and if it is higher, it may damage the agricultural greenhouse. Brushing is generally not necessary at this time, but it can be done if necessary.

[0046] The agricultural greenhouses that are the subject of the present invention are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include vinyl greenhouses, hard film greenhouses, glass greenhouses, etc. Furthermore, the present invention can be used for other agricultural facilities, the exterior walls and outdoor floors of ordinary houses. [Example]

[0047] The present invention will be described in detail below by way of examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way.

[0048] Examples 1 to 7, Comparative Examples 1 to 5 Agricultural greenhouse cleaner preparation and testing: The cleaning properties and phytotoxicity of the agricultural greenhouse cleaners with the formulations shown in Table 1 were evaluated. The remainder of the formulation was water. (1) Preparation of cleaning agent A cleaning agent was prepared by dissolving sodium dichloroisocyanurate (Neochlor 60, manufactured by Shikoku Chemical Industries, Ltd.), sodium hydroxide (reagent, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), alkylamine oxide (Genaminox K-12, manufactured by Clariant Japan Co., Ltd.) or sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate (Neopelex GS, manufactured by Kao Corporation), glycerin (reagent, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and 12% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution (reagent, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) in a predetermined amount of water. 0.5 hours after preparation, the cleaning agent was sprayed on an agricultural greenhouse. If abnormalities such as precipitation or foaming were observed in the solution before spraying, evaluation of cleaning ability and phytotoxicity was not performed. Comparative examples of a 12% aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., reagent) and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as butyl carbitol, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., reagent) were prepared in the same manner. Sodium hypochlorite was blended so that the active ingredient concentration was 1.2%.

[0049] (2) Cleaning method After 3 years of use, the top 2m of the greenhouse was covered with Spirogyra, pollen, sand and dust. 2 The cleaning agent was sprayed onto the surface of the object using a power sprayer (Koshinsha backpack-type manual sprayer, 10L tank, Ground Master RW-10DX) at a rate of 400ml (200ml / m 2 After 10 minutes, the same power sprayer was used to rinse the area with water at a pump pressure of 1.0 MPa without any special brushing.

[0050] (3)pH measurement 0.2 mL of the cleaning agent was collected, and the pH was measured immediately before spraying using a compact pH meter, LAQUA twin, manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.

[0051] (4) Cleaning evaluation method After washing, the agricultural greenhouse was visually inspected and rated on a three-point scale according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) O: The dirt is completely removed. △: Some dirt remains. ×: A lot of dirt remains.

[0052] (5) Pharmacotoxicity evaluation method The tomatoes were potted in 500ml pots and grown to a height of 25-30cm. 20ml of detergent was irrigated at the base of the plants. After five days, the condition of the plants was visually observed and rated on a four-point scale according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) 〇: Almost no wilting △: Wilting occurs in 20-40% of the total ×: Wilting occurs in more than 50% of the total XX: Withering

[0053] [Table 1]

[0054] The agricultural greenhouse cleaners of the examples of the present invention were aqueous solutions containing dichloroisocyanurate, adjusted to a specific pH range, and therefore had higher cleaning properties and lower phytotoxicity than the comparative examples. The cleaning solution of the agricultural greenhouse cleaners of the examples of the present invention foamed 24 hours after preparation. Therefore, it was found that the agricultural greenhouse cleaners of the present invention are best prepared immediately before use and used for cleaning immediately. Furthermore, when the amount of surfactant was small, it was confirmed that the film surface of the agricultural greenhouse was not sufficiently wetted with the cleaning solution, resulting in repelling, but this was within a range that was not problematic.

[0055] Example 8 Agricultural greenhouse cleaning kit: An agricultural greenhouse cleaning agent kit was prepared by placing the following components (A) and (B) in respective containers. (A) 100g of solid sodium dichloroisocyanurate (B) 1000g (approximately 1L) of 5% sodium hydroxide and 1% alkylamine oxide solution

[0056] Components (A) and (B) from this kit were dissolved in 9 L of water to prepare an agricultural greenhouse cleaner. This cleaning solution contained 1.0% sodium dichloroisocyanurate, 0.5% sodium hydroxide, and 0.1% alkylamine oxide. After 0.5 hours, the solution was sprayed onto the agricultural greenhouse using a power sprayer. After another 0.5 hours, the agricultural greenhouse was cleaned using the power sprayer with water at a pump pressure of 1.0 MPa, without any special brushing. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The agricultural greenhouse detergent of the present invention can be used to clean agricultural greenhouses.

Claims

1. 1. An agricultural greenhouse cleaner, comprising an aqueous solution containing a chlorinated isocyanurate, the aqueous solution having a pH of 9.5 or more and less than 13.

0.

2. 2. The agricultural greenhouse cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a surfactant.

3. 2. The agricultural greenhouse cleaner according to claim 1, which contains 0.1% by mass or more and less than 3.0% by mass of dichloroisocyanurate as the chlorinated isocyanurate, 0.05% by mass or more and less than 2.0% by mass of an alkali metal salt, and 0.02% by mass or more and less than 3.0% by mass of a surfactant.

4. The method for producing an agricultural greenhouse cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the chlorinated isocyanurate is supplied as a solid, the alkali metal salt and / or the alkaline earth metal salt is supplied as an aqueous solution, and these are dissolved in water or diluted with water immediately before use as the agricultural greenhouse cleaner.

5. A method for cleaning an agricultural greenhouse, which comprises spraying the agricultural greenhouse cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3 onto the agricultural greenhouse.

6. An agricultural greenhouse cleaning agent kit comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) Solid chlorinated isocyanurate (B) Aqueous solution of alkali metal salt and / or alkaline earth metal salt

7. 6. The agricultural greenhouse cleaner kit according to claim 5, further comprising a solid surfactant in component (A) and / or a surfactant in component (B).

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