Biocide Compositions Using Fatty Acid Amides for Low-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Herbicides often have poor solubility in water and other solvents, leading to separation and crystallization issues, especially at lower temperatures, and are typically formulated with carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons that are harmful to the environment.
Innovation Solution
A blend of fatty acid amides and fatty acids is used to create emulsifiable concentrates that maintain solubility and stability at temperatures as low as -5°C, with the addition of non-ionic polymers and polyols, ensuring the formulation is non-toxic, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, while avoiding naphthalene and having higher flash points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If aromatic hydrocarbons are used as solvents, then high solvent power is achieved, but carcinogenicity and environmental harm occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful aromatic hydrocarbon components from the solvent system, replacing them with safe alternatives. Specifically, it eliminates substances like xylene, toluene, and naphtha that exhibit carcinogenic and environmental harmful properties, while retaining the essential solvent function through alternative compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable solvents that can be easily broken down and eliminated from the environment, replacing persistent harmful substances. The solvent system uses compounds that degrade rapidly, preventing long-term environmental accumulation and harm.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If methyl esters of fatty acids are used as solvents, then biodegradability is improved, but solvent power decreases and crystallisation occurs at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining multiple components: fatty acid esters (for biodegradability), cyclic carbonates (for solvent power), and polyols (for temperature stability). This composite approach allows each component to contribute its strengths, achieving both environmental safety and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent system by adjusting composition ratios and molecular structures. Specifically, it optimizes the balance between polar and non-polar components, and adjusts the hydroxyl content to prevent crystallisation at low temperatures while maintaining high solvent power.
3Reliability
If solid herbicides are formulated, then herbicidal activity is achieved, but poor solubility and separation issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cyclic carbonate compounds and polyols as intermediary substances that facilitate the dissolution of solid herbicides. These intermediaries act as molecular mediators, bridging the gap between the hydrophobic herbicide molecules and the aqueous environment, thereby achieving complete dissolution and stable solutions.
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 solution effectively prevents crystallization and maintains solubility of solid herbicides like pyraflufen, ensuring the concentrates remain stable and compliant with environmental regulations, even at low temperatures, and are safer for the environment.
Implementation Method 1
using a blend of fatty acid amides and fatty acids also solid herbicides like pyraflufen, which typically show a very poor solubility in water and other solvents can be easily formulated
Implementation Method 2
The concentrates remain table even when cooled down to temperatures between +5 and -5 °C
Data Source
AI summary
Suggested are biocide compositions, comprising: (a) Herbicides; (b) Fatty acid amides; (c) Fatty acids; and optionally (d) Emulsifiers and/or (e) Polyols. The compositions exhibit an improved stability especially at lower temperatures and are both environmental friendly and non-toxic.