Calcium Nitrate Fertilizer With Magnesium for Controlled Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing calcium nitrate-based fertilizers decompose quickly in moist soils, and commercially available magnesium sources like magnesium nitrate and sulfate are expensive and have low availability due to high solubility, while magnesium oxide is insoluble and not directly usable.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of magnesium oxide to a calcium nitrate melt, forming soluble magnesium species, resulting in a solid, particulate composition with both fast- and slow-release magnesium sources, suitable for agricultural use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnesium oxide is added to calcium nitrate melt, then magnesium-containing species with controlled water solubility are generated, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient availabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines magnesium oxide with calcium nitrate in a melt process to create a single fertilizer granule that contains both nutrients. This merging approach allows the production of a composite fertilizer product that delivers multiple nutrients simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into one product while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established melt granulation technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the water solubility of magnesium-containing species by adjusting parameters such as melt composition, cooling rate, and granulation conditions. By changing these physical and chemical parameters during manufacturing, the process produces fertilizer granules with controlled nutrient release characteristics, addressing both reliability and manufacturability concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If commercially available magnesium sources like magnesium nitrate and sulfate are used, then magnesium is readily available to plants, but the cost increases and availability is reduced due to high solubility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnesium availability to plantsVSAvoidcost and application frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates fertilizer granules with heterogeneous internal structure where magnesium is distributed in different solubility forms within the same particle. This local quality variation allows some regions of the granule to release magnesium quickly while others release it slowly, optimizing both plant availability and cost-effectiveness by reducing the need for frequent reapplication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent produces a composite fertilizer material containing calcium nitrate, magnesium oxide, and other components in specific proportions. This composite approach combines the high solubility benefits of calcium nitrate with the controlled-release properties of magnesium oxide, achieving both immediate and sustained magnesium availability while reducing overall cost compared to using pure magnesium nitrate or sulfate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If magnesium oxide is used directly, then the cost is reduced, but the solubility is too low for direct agricultural use

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidwater solubility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses calcium nitrate melt as an intermediary medium to process magnesium oxide. The melt facilitates the incorporation of magnesium oxide into granule structure, creating magnesium-containing species with enhanced water solubility compared to pure magnesium oxide. This intermediary approach maintains the cost advantage of using magnesium oxide while overcoming its poor solubility through chemical interaction with calcium nitrate during granule formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method provides a homogeneous fertilizer composition with controlled magnesium release, reducing application frequency and cost, and ensuring adequate nutrient availability for crops like coffee and citrus fruits.

Implementation Method 1

adding magnesium oxide to a melt comprising calcium nitrate and optionally ammonium nitrate, lead to the generation of several magnesium-containing species with a wide spectrum of water solubilities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

solidifying the homogeneous melt obtained in step c) into a solid, particulate composition comprising homogeneous particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP4617251A1Calcium nitrate fertilizer containing magnesium and method of manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for producing a solid, particulate composition comprising homogeneous particles wherein the solid, particulate composition comprises from 1.0 to 10 weight% of magnesium but less than 1.0 weight% of magnesium nitrate. The present disclosure also provides a composition comprising calcium nitrate, and the use of this composition as a fertilizer.