Alkoxylated Polyol Spray Drift Reductant Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spray drift reduction technologies are inadequate as they rely solely on nozzle design and operating parameters, failing to account for the complex interactions between pesticide formulations and adjuvants, leading to inefficient drift reduction and unintended off-target pesticide application.
Innovation Solution
The use of alkoxylated polyols or polyamines as spray drift reductants, which are easily dispersible in water-based formulations and effective at low concentrations, to improve droplet size distribution and reduce spray drift without degrading the spray pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drift reduction technologies relying solely on nozzle design and operating parameters are used, then spray system simplicity is maintained, but spray drift reduction effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spray drift reductants as intermediary chemical substances that mediate between the spray system and the environment. These compounds modify droplet surface properties and interactions, providing drift reduction without requiring complex system modifications. The reductants act as mediators that enhance droplet performance while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the spray mixture by adding spray drift reductants. This modifies physical parameters such as surface tension, droplet formation characteristics, and droplet size distribution, thereby improving drift reduction effectiveness without altering the mechanical spray system design.
2Reliability
If high molecular weight water soluble polymers are added to increase droplet size, then spray drift is reduced, but the effective concentration range is narrow and formulation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spray drift reductants that can be effectively used across a broad concentration range (0.01-5.0 wt.%), providing formulation flexibility. These compounds modify droplet characteristics through surface activity rather than relying on bulk polymer viscosity effects, enabling effective drift reduction at both low and high concentrations without the narrow effective range limitation of traditional polymers.
3Reliability
If traditional oils or polymers are added to reduce drift, then some drift control is achieved, but droplet fines increase which degrades spray pattern quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses spray drift reductants that modify surface properties of droplets without causing the aggregation or coalescence issues that lead to droplet fines. These compounds change surface tension and interfacial properties in a way that maintains spray pattern integrity while providing drift control, avoiding the degradation of spray quality associated with traditional oil or polymer additives.
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 alkoxylated polyols or polyamines significantly reduce spray drift by at least 10% and provide improved spray patterns, with fewer driftable particles, while maintaining formulation efficacy and stability across various concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
The compound is also found to be easily dispersible in water based formulations
Implementation Method 2
alkoxylated polyol or polyamine which is optionally acyl terminated... provides for comparable (i.e. by not degrading the spray pattern), or improved drift control
Data Source
AI summary
Spray drift reductants for agrochemical formulations for use in spray drift reduction in agrochemical formulations which contain actives and/or micronutrients. The reductants are selected from alkoxylated polyol or polyamine which is optionally acyl terminated, and the formulation may optionally comprise non-ionic alkoxylate. There is also provided a method of making the formulation, and the use of the formulation in reducing spray drift on application of the agrochemical formulation to vegetation.