Clopyralid DMA Salt Herbicide Low Viscosity Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-strength aqueous herbicide formulations of clopyralid amine salts become viscous at higher concentrations, making them difficult to handle and store, especially at lower temperatures, and lack stability across temperature extremes.
Innovation Solution
The use of clopyralid dimethylamine (DMA) salt allows for the creation of a high-strength, low viscosity aqueous concentrate with active ingredient loadings up to 850 gae/L, maintaining stability and clarity from -10 °C to 55 °C, and reducing viscosity to less than 50 centipoise at 5 °C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the concentration of clopyralid amine salt is increased to achieve high-strength formulation, then the active ingredient loading is improved, but the viscosity increases making the formulation difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by switching from conventional amine salts (MEA, TIPA) to dimethylamine (DMA) salt of clopyralid. This parameter change fundamentally alters the molecular structure and intermolecular interactions, resulting in dramatically reduced viscosity at high concentrations while maintaining high active ingredient loading (600-850 gae/L).
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation uses a composite approach by combining clopyralid DMA salt with specific auxiliary chemicals including methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), polyoxyethylene (10) cetyl ether, and sulfuric acid in carefully controlled proportions. This composite formulation achieves both high concentration and low viscosity through synergistic interactions between components.
2Quantity of substance
If the concentration of clopyralid amine salt is increased to reduce shipping costs, then the economic efficiency is improved, but the formulation becomes unstable at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by using dimethylamine salt instead of conventional amine salts, which fundamentally alters the thermal properties of the formulation. This parameter change enables the formulation to remain stable across an extended temperature range from -10°C to 55°C while maintaining high active ingredient loading, preventing both precipitation at low temperatures and degradation at high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation incorporates MIBC and polyoxyethylene (10) cetyl ether as intermediary substances that mediate between the clopyralid DMA salt and water, preventing crystallization at low temperatures and maintaining solution stability. These intermediaries act as protective agents that enable high-concentration formulations to withstand temperature extremes.
3Quantity of substance
If the concentration of clopyralid amine salt is increased to reduce packaging material, then the environmental efficiency is improved, but the formulation becomes difficult to pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by switching to dimethylamine salt, which fundamentally alters the rheological properties of the formulation. This parameter change reduces viscosity by more than an order of magnitude compared to conventional formulations at similar concentrations, maintaining excellent pumpability and flow characteristics even at 600-850 gae/L active ingredient loading.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a high-strength, aqueous herbicidal concentrate containing the clopyralid dimethylamine salt. The formulation is stable to storage and exhibits lower viscosity than other clopyralid amine salt formulations.