Aqueous Drift-Reducing Copolymer Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pesticide spray formulations face challenges in reducing drift, particularly due to the formation of small droplets that can evade the target area and cause unintended harm, necessitating the development of effective drift control agents that enhance droplet size and stability under shear forces.
Innovation Solution
Compositions comprising copolymers based on polyglycerol, dicarboxylic acids, and monocarboxylic acids, combined with water, are used to increase droplet size and reduce drift, offering improved stability and biodegradability, and are designed to be insensitive to shear forces encountered in spray equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If small droplets are used in spray formulations, then the spray can cover larger areas, but the droplets drift horizontally and miss the target location
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the spray droplets by incorporating polymers with specific molecular weights (10,000 to 1,000,000 Da) and specific functional groups. This modifies droplet size, charge, and surface properties to reduce horizontal drift while maintaining coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polymer compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the pesticide formulation and the environment. These polymers act as drift control agents that modify droplet behavior without interfering with the pesticidal activity, thereby maintaining target coverage while preventing off-target drift
2Manufacturing precision
If drift control agents are added to increase droplet size, then drift is reduced, but the formulations must remain insensitive to shear forces in spray pumps and nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite polymer formulations combining different polymer types (polyacrylamides, acrylamide/acrylic acid polymers, sodium polyacrylate, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polysaccharides, and natural/synthetic guar gum) to achieve both droplet size control and shear resistance. The composite nature provides synergistic effects for both drift reduction and pump compatibility
3Manufacturing precision
If polymers are added to modify rheology, then drift reduction is achieved, but biodegradability, compatibility with other constituents, and storage stability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular parameter ranges for the polymers including molecular weight (10,000 to 1,000,000 Da) and concentration (0.01 to 10 wt.%) to optimize the balance between drift control performance and storage stability. These parameter constraints ensure the formulations remain stable during storage while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prioritizes the use of biodegradable polymers that can be naturally decomposed after performing their drift control function. This approach allows the environmental system to recover by breaking down the polymer additives, preventing long-term environmental accumulation while maintaining effective drift reduction during the application period
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 described compositions effectively reduce the content of fine droplets (<105 μm) by at least 10%, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of pesticide application by minimizing drift and maintaining stability across various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
these having the effect of increasing the size of the droplets in the spray mist
Implementation Method 2
the rheology of aqueous compositions can be modified by addition of water-soluble polymers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of compositions which contain A) one or more copolymers, said copolymers containing one or more structural units resulting from a) 19.9 to 75.9 wt.-% of glycerin, b) 0.1 to 30 wt.-% of at least one dicarboxylic acid, and c) 24 to 80 wt.-% of at least one monocarboxylic acid according to formula (I): R1—COOH, wherein R1 is (C5-C29) alkyl; (C7-C29) alkenyl; phenyl or naphthyl, and B) water for reducing drift during the application of a spray emulsion that contains one or more pesticides.