Drift Reduction Adjuvant Compositions for Agricultural Sprays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural spray drift leads to environmental pollution and reduced efficacy due to the production of small droplets that are susceptible to off-target drift and high rates of ultra-coarse droplets, which diminish area coverage and promote chemical resistance in weeds.

Innovation Solution

The use of drift reduction adjuvant compositions containing guar gum, polyoxyethylene sorbitan emulsifiers, and seed or vegetable oils, which modify droplet formation to reduce fine droplets and manage ultra-coarse droplets, thereby improving spray distribution and efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional agricultural sprays are applied, then pesticide coverage is achieved, but fine droplets are produced that cause off-target drift and environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepesticide coverage effectivenessVSAvoidoff-target drift and environmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the spray composition by adding adjuvants (surfactants, oils, polymers) that modify surface tension, viscosity, and droplet formation characteristics. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the spray to maintain coverage effectiveness while producing fewer fine droplets that cause drift

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite adjuvant formulations containing multiple components (surfactants, oils, polymers) that work synergistically to modify droplet behavior. This composite approach allows the spray to achieve both good coverage and reduced drift by combining the effects of different materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If agricultural sprays are applied without adjuvants, then application is simple, but ultra-coarse droplets are produced that reduce area coverage and promote chemical resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray application simplicityVSAvoiddroplet size distribution control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjuvant composition is designed to automatically optimize droplet size distribution when mixed with the spray solution, without requiring complex equipment or operator intervention. The adjuvant components self-regulate the spray characteristics, maintaining ease of operation while improving droplet control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

By adding adjuvants that modify the rheological and surface properties of the spray solution, the system achieves better droplet size control. The adjuvants change the fluid parameters to prevent excessive ultra-coarse droplet formation, improving coverage without complicating the application process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If drift reduction adjuvant compositions are added to agricultural sprays, then fine droplet formation is reduced and ultra-coarse droplet management is improved, but the device complexity and formulation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray drift reduction and droplet distributionVSAvoidadjuvant composition formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjuvant composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: reducing fine droplet formation, managing ultra-coarse droplets, improving coverage, and enhancing pesticide delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate additives, simplifying the overall system despite the complexity of the adjuvant formulation itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 adjuvant compositions effectively reduce the number of fine droplets and manage ultra-coarse droplets, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of agricultural sprays by optimizing droplet size distribution.

Implementation Method 1

guar gum may form about 1 to about 6% (v/v) of the adjuvant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity modification:

Implementation Method 2

a polyoxethylene sorbitan emulsifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

a seed oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDroplet formation modification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS20250000084A1Drift reduction adjuvant compositions and methods of using same

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 WINFIELD SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

Drift reduction adjuvant compositions and agricultural sprays containing such agricultural compositions contain water, a Newtonian responding polymer such as guar gum, an emulsifier such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan emulsifier, and an oil. When the agricultural spray containing the drift reduction adjuvant composition is delivered from an agricultural nozzle, it facilitates prevention of production of droplets less than 150 μm in diameter, facilitates prevention of production of ultra-coarse droplets above 622 μm in diameter, or both.