Acephate Granulation via Electrolyte Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phosphoramidothioate insecticides, such as acephate, face stability issues due to hydrolytic sensitivity, leading to degradation and shortened shelf life, and existing methods often involve unsafe solvents or specialized equipment.

Innovation Solution

A granulating process using a mixture of water and an electrolyte to formulate stable compositions resistant to active ingredient degradation, allowing for the preparation of environmentally safe and stable phosphoramidothioate compositions using commonly operated equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphoramidothioate insecticides are formulated using conventional methods, then insecticidal activity is achieved, but chemical stability deteriorates due to hydrolytic degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidresistance to hydrolytic degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (ammonium sulfate or other stabilizing agents) that mediates between the phosphoramidothioate insecticide and the environment. This intermediary forms a protective complex that resists hydrolytic degradation while maintaining insecticidal activity, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving insecticidal effect and preventing chemical degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the formulation by adjusting pH, moisture content, and the addition of stabilizing agents. These parameter changes create a formulation environment that suppresses hydrolytic degradation pathways while preserving the active ingredient's biological activity, thereby resolving the stability-reliability contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If specialized equipment and unsafe solvents are used to improve stability, then chemical stability improves, but environmental safety and ease of manufacture deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidenvironmental safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs common, benign materials such as ammonium sulfate and water-based carriers instead of specialized equipment and unsafe solvents. These inexpensive, environmentally safe materials provide sufficient stability protection without the harmful environmental effects associated with conventional methods, resolving the contradiction between stability and environmental safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves stability improvement through parameter changes in the formulation (pH adjustment, moisture control, addition of safe stabilizing agents) rather than relying on specialized equipment or hazardous solvents. This approach maintains environmental safety while achieving the desired chemical stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional granulation methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but active ingredient degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidactive ingredient degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces stabilizing intermediaries (ammonium sulfate, other salts) that protect the active ingredient during the conventional granulation process. These intermediaries act as protective agents that prevent degradation while allowing the use of simple, standard granulation equipment and procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and preventing substance loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process effectively controls degradation of phosphoramidothioates to less than 5% by weight, ensuring longer shelf life and stability, while being environmentally friendly and using standard equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a granulating process using a mixture of water and an electrolyte to formulate stable compositions resistant to active ingredient degradation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic stabilization: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS20220104498A1Insecticidal compositions resistant to active ingredient degradation and process for preparation thereof
Publication Date: 2022.04.07 UPL LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides compositions comprising phosphoramidothioates that are resistant to degradation of active ingredient. The invention provides a process for preparing granular compositions comprising acephate that are resistant to degradation of active ingredient, wherein said process comprises use of a mixture of water and an electrolyte.