Agrochemical Granule Kneading Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing agrochemical granules fail to achieve stable quality due to inadequate temperature control during the kneading process, leading to inconsistent granule production.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves kneading agrochemical active ingredients, hydrophobic substances, and oil-absorbing substances at a temperature equal to or higher than the highest melting point of the hydrophobic substances, followed by extrusion molding, with precise temperature control to ensure stable granule formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If temperature control during kneading is not optimized, then production process is simple, but granule quality becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranule quality stabilityVSAvoidtemperature control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the kneading temperature to be equal to or higher than the melting point of the hydrophobic substance. This specific temperature parameter change ensures the hydrophobic substance is sufficiently melted and mixed with the active ingredient and oil-absorbing substance, resulting in stable granule quality with consistent active ingredient content and improved flowability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action through continuous kneading at the optimized temperature until the hydrophobic substance is completely melted and uniformly distributed. This continuous process at sustained temperature ensures complete mixing and stable granule formation, preventing quality variations that would occur with intermittent or insufficient kneading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If hydrophobic substance is not sufficiently melted, then energy consumption is reduced, but active ingredient release becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient release stabilityVSAvoidkneading energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions by heating the hydrophobic substance to its melting point or higher during kneading. This phase transition from solid to liquid state allows the hydrophobic substance to uniformly mix with the active ingredient and oil-absorbing substance, creating a stable matrix that controls active ingredient release. The melted state ensures consistent granule formation and reliable release characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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

This approach allows for the stable production of high-quality agrochemical granules with consistent quality, ensuring effective release of the active ingredient and maintaining granule integrity.

Implementation Method 1

kneading them at a heating temperature equal to or higher than the highest melting point of the hydrophobic substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

granulating the obtained kneaded material by an extrusion molding method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Data Source

PatentUS9969105B2Method for producing agrochemical granules
Publication Date: 2018.05.15 NIPPON SODA CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for producing agrochemical granules, which contain an agrochemical active ingredient, one or more kinds of hydrophobic substances, and a substance capable of absorbing oil, with stable quality. The method for producing agrochemical granules of the present invention includes (i) a step of obtaining a mixture by mixing an agrochemical active ingredient, one or more kinds of hydrophobic substances, and a substance capable of absorbing oil together, (ii) a step of obtaining a kneaded material by loading the obtained mixture into a kneading device, kneading the mixture at a heating temperature equal to or higher than the highest melting point of the hydrophobic substances, and then causing the kneaded material to be discharged from the kneading device at a temperature equal to or lower than the highest melting point of the hydrophobic substances, and (iii) a step of granulating the obtained kneaded material by an extrusion molding method.