Low Viscosity Adjuvant Formulation for Spray Syrup Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural adjuvants face challenges in compatibility with biological products, residue retention in sprayers, and inefficient reach of spray solutions to the lower plant parts, leading to reduced effectiveness and environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional agricultural adjuvant formulation combining first-grade emulsifying agents/surfactants, second-grade emulsifying agents/surfactants, a suspending agent, defoamer, and clays, which maintains compatibility with inoculants, reduces residue retention, and enhances spray deposition on the lower plant parts without increasing viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional adjuvant formulations are used to improve spray application, then wettability and spreadability are enhanced, but compatibility with biological products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adjuvant by incorporating specific biocompatible surfactants and oils that maintain spray performance while being gentle on microorganisms. The formulation adjusts concentrations of active ingredients to achieve optimal balance between application efficacy and biological compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite adjuvant formulation combining multiple ingredients including surfactants, oils, and biocompatible additives. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously provide enhanced spray performance while maintaining compatibility with biological products through synergistic interactions between components.
2Area of stationary object
If adjuvant concentration is increased to improve target coverage, then spray deposition improves, but residue retention in sprayers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of adjuvant ingredients to achieve effective target coverage at reduced doses. By modifying the chemical composition and using more efficient surfactant systems, the formulation achieves better coverage per unit concentration, thereby reducing overall residue accumulation in spray equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily biodegradable ingredients that break down quickly after application, reducing persistent residues in the sprayer system. The formulation uses components designed to be environmentally friendly and easily decomposed, minimizing long-term residue retention issues.
3Productivity
If spray formulation is optimized for upper plant coverage, then application efficiency improves, but reach to lower plant parts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts physical parameters of the spray formulation including droplet size distribution, viscosity, and surface tension to enhance penetration through plant canopies. By optimizing these parameters, the formulation achieves better distribution across all plant zones including the lower third, improving overall coverage without sacrificing application efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a spray formulation with varied droplet characteristics that can adapt to different spatial zones within the plant canopy. The composition includes components that facilitate both upper surface coverage and deep penetration to lower areas, providing differentiated performance across different locations within the treatment zone.
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 formulation ensures the viability of microorganisms, reduces residue retention by 40%, and achieves higher target coverage, particularly in the lower plant third, improving the efficiency and environmental impact of agricultural applications.
Implementation Method 1
improving the wettability of the plant surface, allowing the applied drops to reach the target, and increasing spreadability over the leaves
Implementation Method 2
The clays present in the formulation act as adsorption agents for the molecules in the mixture, facilitating a better interaction of these molecules during spraying
Implementation Method 3
up to 4.0% by weight of a defoamer
Data Source
AI summary
A low viscosity agricultural adjuvant for spraying syrups containing up to 30% by weight of first grade emulsifying agents/surfactants, up to 25% by weight of second grade emulsifying agents/surfactants, up to 1.5% by weight of a suspending agent, up to 4.0% by weight of a defoamer, up to 8% by weight of clays, and water. The adjuvant, despite containing clays and surfactants, presents a balanced formulation that does not interfere negatively when mixed into syrups containing inoculants and other active biological products.