2,4-D Mixed Salt Herbicide Formulation Low-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-strength 2,4-D herbicide formulations, particularly those containing the dimethylamine (DMA) salt, exhibit limited stability at low temperatures, leading to crystallization and precipitation, which affects their potency and storage stability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) or diethylethanolamine (DEEA) salts into the 2,4-D DMA salt mixture in specific ratios (45-60% DMEA/DEEA to 40-55% DMA) enhances the low-temperature solubility and stability of the formulation, preventing separation or crystallization at temperatures below 10°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-strength 2,4-D DMA salt formulation is used, then shipping and handling costs are reduced and packaging material is minimized, but the formulation crystallizes at low temperatures (0°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different 2,4-D salts (DMA salt and DMEA/DEEA salt) in a mixed salt formulation. This merging of different salt types prevents crystallization at low temperatures while maintaining high concentration (625-750 gae/L), thus resolving the contradiction between high strength and low temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation uses a composite salt system comprising multiple 2,4-D salts with different chemical properties. The composite nature of the salt mixture (DMA combined with DMEA or DEEA) creates a formulation that remains stable and liquid at low temperatures while achieving high herbicide concentration.
2Quantity of substance
If 2,4-D DMA salt formulation is concentrated to high strength, then economic and environmental benefits are achieved, but precipitation occurs at temperatures as low as 0°C
Solution Approach 1:
By merging DMA salt with DMEA or DEEA salt in specific ratios (45:55 to 60:40), the formulation achieves high concentration (625-750 gae/L) without precipitation. The combined salt system prevents the harmful crystallization effect that occurs with pure DMA salt at high concentrations and low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing different amine salts (DMEA, DEEA) alongside DMA salt. This parameter change in the salt composition fundamentally alters the formulation's low-temperature behavior, preventing precipitation while maintaining high acid equivalent concentration.
3Quantity of substance
If pure DMA salt of 2,4-D is used in high concentration, then formulation strength is maximized, but stability during storage and shipping at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation merges DMA salt with DMEA or DEEA salt to create a mixed salt system that maintains high concentration (625-750 gae/L) while significantly improving storage stability. The combined salt formulation remains liquid and homogeneous at low temperatures, ensuring reliability during storage and shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite salt materials (DMA combined with DMEA or DEEA) creates a formulation with enhanced storage stability. The composite nature of the salt mixture prevents crystallization and maintains homogeneity during storage and shipping, even at temperatures as low as 0°C.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a high-strength herbicidal formulation containing high concentrations of 2,4-D salt mixtures. The 2,4-D salt mixtures can include the DMA salt and the DMEA and/or the DEEA salt of 2,4-D. Selected combinations of the 2,4-D salt mixtures exhibit significantly greater low temperature stability at high concentrations.