Calcium-Magnesium Encapsulated Fertilizer for Sustained Nutrient Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fertilizers often fail to provide nutrients to plants in a sustained manner, leading to depleted soil nutrients and increased application frequency, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fertilizer composition comprising calcium ammonium phosphate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, calcium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate, synthesized through reactions with metal oxides and acids, providing a slow-release mechanism without the need for additional binders or inhibitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If fertilizers are applied multiple times to provide sustained nutrients, then nutrient availability is improved, but application cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fertilizer composition is pre-formulated with a specific chemical structure containing calcium ammonium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate as core components, which inherently provide sustained nutrient release. This preliminary design eliminates the need for multiple applications, as the single application contains the built-in mechanism for prolonged nutrient availability throughout the growing season.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite fertilizer composition combining multiple nutrients (calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus) in a single formulated product. This composite approach ensures that all essential nutrients are delivered together in one application, maintaining nutrient availability throughout the growing season without requiring separate applications of different fertilizers.
2Duration of action of moving object
If polymer coating is used for slow-release fertilizers, then nutrient release rate is controlled, but cost increases and soil buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fertilizer composition utilizes its own chemical structure to control nutrient release. The calcium ammonium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate compounds naturally regulate the release rate of nutrients through their inherent chemical properties, eliminating the need for external polymer coatings or additives. The system serves itself by using its core components as both the nutrient source and the release control mechanism.
3Duration of action of moving object
If metal oxides are used for slow-release fertilizers, then nutrient release is extended, but nutrient contribution to plants is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The calcium and magnesium components serve dual functions: they act as secondary nutrients directly beneficial to plant growth while simultaneously providing the structural framework for sustained nutrient release. Unlike inert metal oxides that only extend persistence, these compounds contribute actively as plant-necessary nutrients, making the fertilizer both persistent and nutritionally rich.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite where calcium ammonium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate work together to provide both extended persistence and substantial nutrient content. The combination ensures that the fertilizer remains in the soil longer while continuously supplying multiple essential nutrients (Ca, Mg, N, P) in available forms.
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 fertilizer composition ensures a gradual release of nutrients over time, addressing soil deficiencies and reducing the frequency of applications, thereby optimizing nutrient availability for plant growth.
Implementation Method 1
synthesis of at least part of the fertilizer occurs through reacting a metal oxide and/or metal carbonate, such as calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and/or dolomite, with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
Implementation Method 2
synthesis of at least part of the fertilizer occurs through reacting a metal hydrogen phosphoric compound, such as CaHPO4 and/or MgHPO4, and an ammonia source, such as ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and/or ammonia, to produce a metal ammonium phosphate
Implementation Method 3
synthesis of at least part of the fertilizer occurs through reacting a metal hydrogen sulfuric compound, such as Ca(HSO4)2 and/or Mg(HSO4)2, and an ammonia source, such as ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and/or ammonia, to produce a mixture of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) and ammonium sulfate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fertilizer containing a mixture containing i) calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4), or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4 and ii) a mixture of calcium sulfate and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2Ca(SO4)2), a mixture of magnesium sulfate and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2Mg(SO4)2), or a combination of the (NH4)2Ca(SO4)2, and the (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2. Methods of making and using the fertilizer are also disclosed.