Aqueous Agrochemical Adjuvant Formulations for Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agrochemical formulations face compatibility issues with adjuvant materials, particularly non-ionic surfactants, due to temperature and concentration-dependent behavior in water, leading to stability problems and viscosity changes that affect pourability and shelf life.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous formulations comprising specific concentrations of non-ionic surfactants with a cloud point of 35° C. to 55° C., ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan esters, alkyl polyglucosides, and propylene glycol, along with water, that maintain stability across a wide temperature range and prevent separation into multiple layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-ionic surfactants are added to enhance biological efficacy, then the agrochemical performance is improved, but the formulation stability deteriorates due to temperature and concentration dependent behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan esters as intermediary substances to mediate between the non-ionic surfactant and water. These sorbitan esters act as compatibility agents that prevent liquid crystal formation and phase separation, allowing the non-ionic surfactant to maintain its surfactant properties without causing formulation instability across wide temperature and concentration ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the cloud point of the non-ionic surfactant (35-55°C) and adjusting the concentration ranges of all components. By selecting surfactants with specific cloud points and controlling the water content (at least 1% w/w), the formulation maintains stability while allowing the surfactant to function effectively across varying temperatures and concentrations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the formulation is designed to be stable across wide temperature range, then the shelf life is extended, but the viscosity control becomes difficult affecting pourability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls viscosity and pourability by adjusting the concentration parameters of the surfactant (up to 60% w/w), sorbitan ester (1-40% w/w), and other components (1-40% w/w). By optimizing these concentration ranges and selecting surfactants with appropriate cloud points, the formulation maintains stable viscosity across the temperature range while ensuring pourability is not compromised.
3Productivity
If high concentration of surfactant is used to maximize efficacy, then the biological performance is enhanced, but the formulation separates into multiple layers
Solution Approach 1:
The ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester serves as a mediator that enables high concentrations of non-ionic surfactant (up to 60% w/w) to remain compatible with water. The sorbitan ester prevents the surfactant from forming liquid crystals or separating into multiple layers, even at these high concentrations, by acting as a compatibility agent that maintains single-phase homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining the non-ionic surfactant with ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester. This composite approach allows the surfactant to function at high concentrations while the sorbitan ester component prevents phase separation and maintains formulation homogeneity across the entire concentration and temperature range.
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 formulations ensure physical stability and pourability of agrochemicals across a wide temperature range, allowing for extended shelf life and effective use in agricultural applications.
Implementation Method 1
a non-ionic surfactant with a cloud point of from 35° C. to 55° C.
Implementation Method 2
an ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester
Implementation Method 3
an alkyl polyglucoside, propylene glycol, glycerol, a glycol ether
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an aqueous formulation comprising an agrochemical at a concentration of up to 45% w/w; a non-ionic surfactant with a cloud point of from 35° C. to 55° C. at a concentration of up to 60% w/w; an ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester at a concentration from 1% to 40% w/w; an alkyl polyglucoside, propylene glycol, glycerol or a glycol ether or two or more of these compounds, at a concentration from 1% to 40% w/w; and water at a concentration of at least 1% w/w. The formulation provides low and high temperature stability.