Aerosol Pheromone Sprayer Composition for Stable Field Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol sprayers for insect pest mating disruption face issues with stability and efficiency due to the reactivity of aliphatic linear aldehydes like Z11,Z13-hexadecadienal, which are susceptible to oligomerization, polymerization, oxidation, and isomerization when used with certain diluents and propellants, leading to reduced control efficacy.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol sprayer with a specific composition containing an aliphatic linear aldehyde (10 to 20 carbon atoms), a non-alcoholic diluent, and dimethyl ether propellant, optimized to achieve particle sizes of 38 to 65 µm, reducing oxidative decomposition and ground contact, and installed at a density of 0.2 to 1.6 sprayers/ha for effective diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ethanol is used as a diluent in aerosol sprayer, then the composition can be formulated, but the aliphatic linear aldehyde reacts with ethanol to produce acetal which reduces mating disruption efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the diluent from alcoholic (ethanol) to non-alcoholic (heptane, isoparaffin, or mineral oil), thereby preventing the unwanted acetal formation reaction while maintaining formulation capability and releasing the active ingredient effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic alcoholic component (ethanol) from the formulation, replacing it with non-alcoholic diluents that do not react with the aliphatic linear aldehyde, thus eliminating the harmful side reaction while preserving the essential dilution and delivery functions
2Reliability
If aerosol particles are released directly without a pad, then oligomerization and polymerization are reduced, but particle size becomes extremely small increasing contact area with oxygen leading to oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of the aerosol spray to a specific range (20-50 μm median diameter) that balances two opposing requirements: small enough to remain suspended and distribute widely, but large enough to minimize surface area-to-volume ratio and reduce oxidation rate by limiting oxygen contact
3Length of moving object
If smaller aerosol particles are used, then flight duration is extended and transport distance increases, but decomposition of the pheromone component occurs more readily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and controls multiple parameters simultaneously: particle size (20-50 μm), diluent type (non-alcoholic), and propellant composition, to achieve an optimal balance where particles are small enough for extended flight and distribution but large enough and chemically protected to minimize decomposition during transport
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 optimized sprayer effectively controls insect pests by minimizing particle decomposition and ground contact, enhancing the mating disruption process and reducing crop damage.
Implementation Method 1
a propellant which is dimethyl ether
Implementation Method 2
spraying the composition in the aerosol sprayer into a field
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
There is provided a composition for forming an aerosol, an aerosol sprayer for insect pest mating disruption, and a method for insect pest mating disruption, thereby reducing disadvantageous effects caused by falling to a ground surface and oxidative decomposition of the sprayed particles. More specifically, there is provided the composition including an aerosol stock solution containing an aliphatic linear aldehyde having 10 to 20 carbon atoms and a non-alcoholic diluent, and a propellant, wherein a weight ratio of the aerosol stock solution to the propellant is from 45:55 to 65:35; the sprayer including the composition and a pressure resistant container for enclosing the composition therein, wherein sprayed particles at a spray travel distance of 15 cm have a median particle size (Dv50) at 25°C of from 35 to 65 µm by a volume-based cumulative particle size distribution and; the method using the aerosol sprayer; and the like.