Adjuvant Composition with Composite Antifoam for Agrochemical Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silicone-based antifoams used in agrochemical formulations are prone to separation, leading to handling difficulties and reduced effectiveness, requiring high concentrations to achieve acceptable foam control, which increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
An adjuvant composition incorporating a unique antifoam component comprising a mixture of branched silicone resin, silicone fluid, particulate metal oxide, and a catalyst, or their equilibration reaction product, with pre-hydrophobized metal oxide, providing enhanced stability and foam control at lower concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known silicone-based antifoams are used in adjuvant compositions, then foam control is achieved, but the antifoam component is prone to separation during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple components (silicone resin, silicone fluid, metal oxide, and catalyst) into a unified antifoam composition that maintains both foam control effectiveness and storage stability. The composite structure prevents separation while retaining functional properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the antifoam system by introducing specific ratios of silicone resin to silicone fluid, adding metal oxide particles, and incorporating catalysts. These parameter changes transform the antifoam from a separation-prone formulation to a stable composition that resists phase separation during storage.
2Reliability
If high amounts of silicone-based antifoam are used to achieve acceptable foam control, then foam control effectiveness is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration and composition parameters of the antifoam system, achieving effective foam control at lower overall concentrations through the synergistic combination of silicone resin, silicone fluid, and metal oxide. This parameter optimization reduces the quantity of antifoam material required while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite antifoam formulation enhances the efficiency of each component, allowing for reduced total用量 while maintaining or improving foam control performance. The synergistic interaction between components maximizes effectiveness per unit of material.
3Reliability
If high levels of electrolytes and electrolyte-tolerant surfactants are combined in adjuvant compositions, then adjuvant functionality is improved, but foaming problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and addresses the foaming problem as a separate issue by incorporating a specifically designed antifoam component into the adjuvant formulation. This extracted solution targets the harmful foaming effect without interfering with the primary adjuvant functionality provided by electrolytes and surfactants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the foaming issue, which arises from the combination of electrolytes and surfactants, into a controlled aspect of the formulation by adding the antifoam component. The foaming tendency is harnessed and managed through the antifoam's presence, transforming a harmful side effect into a controlled parameter of the system.
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 adjuvant composition achieves superior stability and foam control with significantly lower antifoam levels than traditional silicone-based systems, reducing production costs and maintaining effectiveness over time.
Implementation Method 1
at least one catalyst (iv) for catalyzing the condensation of siloxy groups
Implementation Method 2
mixture (1) in which at least a portion of particulate metal oxide (iii) is pre-hydrophobized
Data Source
AI summary
An adjuvant composition is provided which comprises:(a) at least one water-soluble electrolyte;(b) at least one electrolyte-tolerant surfactant;(c) antifoam component which is at least one mixture selected from the group consisting of (1) at least one branched silicone resin (i), at least one silicone fluid (ii), at least one particulate metal oxide (iii) and, optionally, at least one catalyst (iv) for catalyzing the condensation of siloxy groups, (2) the equilibration reaction product of mixture (1), and (3) mixture (1) in which at least a portion of particulate metal oxide (iii) is pre-hydrophobized;(d) optionally, at least one additional bioinert material; and,(e) water.