Cross-linked Glyceride Coatings for Controlled Release Fertilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current controlled release fertilizers are expensive to manufacture and lack the ability to customize release rate profiles effectively, requiring significant amounts of coating materials and not being applicable to all fertilizer compositions.
Innovation Solution
A controlled release fertilizer composition using a plant nutrient coated with a reaction product of an isocyanate, a wax, and cross-linked glycerides, where the glycerides are formed from glycerol and triglycerides, and cross-linked with sulfur, oxygen, or peroxide, allowing for a customizable release rate profile with reduced coating material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional polymer coatings are applied to fertilizer particles, then controlled release properties are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating material from traditional polymers to urethane polymers formed by specific reactions between isocyanates and polyols. This parameter change enables controlled release properties to be achieved at significantly reduced manufacturing cost, as the urethane coating can be applied in smaller amounts while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating system comprising multiple layers with different functions: an inner urethane coating layer for controlled release and an outer wax coating layer for additional protection and water repellency. This composite structure achieves reliable controlled release properties while keeping manufacturing costs low by using cost-effective materials in each layer.
2Reliability
If large amounts of coating materials are applied to achieve desired release rate profile, then controlled release performance improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical parameters of the urethane coating, including the ratio of isocyanate to polyol, the molecular weight distribution, and the presence of cross-linking agents. These parameter changes enable the coating to form a more effective barrier at lower concentrations, achieving the desired release rate profile with reduced coating material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes the specific functional properties of urethane polymers that provide controlled release characteristics, separating this function from the bulk coating material. By focusing on the active urethane component rather than using large amounts of inert coating material, the system achieves effective release rate control with minimal substance consumption.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional coating methods are used, then fertilizer particles can be coated, but abrasion resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite coating structure where the inner urethane layer provides controlled release and the outer wax layer provides abrasion resistance and water repellency. This multi-layer composite material system simultaneously achieves easy coating application through the flowable urethane base and superior mechanical strength through the cross-linked urethane网络和 wax outer shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the coating system: the inner layer uses flexible, reactive urethane polymers for controlled release, while the outer layer uses more rigid, protective wax materials for abrasion resistance. This local differentiation of material qualities allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall coating integrity.
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 provides a cost-effective and customizable controlled release fertilizer with improved abrasion resistance and release rate profiles, demonstrated by the use of cross-linked monoglycerides and diglycerides in formulations like sunflower, soybean, and canola oil glyceride mixtures, showing superior release characteristics compared to non-cross-linked counterparts.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction product of an isocyanate, a wax, and cross-linked glycerides
Implementation Method 2
cross-linked with sulfur, oxygen, or peroxide
Data Source
AI summary
A controlled release fertilizer material comprising a particulate plant nutrient surrounded by a coating which is the reaction product of a mixture including a cross-linked polyol, an isocyanate and a wax is described. The cross-linked polyol is a reaction product of a polyhydroxyl compound, such as glycerol, and a triglyceride and the monoglyceride and/or diglyceride products are cross-linked with sulfur, oxygen and/or a peroxide cross-linking moiety, or are directly cross-linked at unsaturated sites in the monoglycerides and/or diglycerides.