Herbicidal EODE Formulation with Emulsified Water for Sedimentation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agrochemical formulations face challenges in combining multiple active ingredients due to incompatibilities and sedimentation issues, leading to reduced efficacy and stability, especially in oil dispersions without thickeners.
Innovation Solution
A formulation comprising a continuous oil phase with suspended agrochemical actives Saflufenacil, Trifludimoxazin, Pyroxasulfone, and Imazethapyr, stabilized by emulsified water droplets and an alkoxylated fatty acid ester dispersant, without the use of thickeners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thickeners are added to suspension concentrates to prevent sedimentation, then storage stability is improved, but the formulation becomes incompatible with lipophilic environments and requires expensive biocides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the continuous phase from aqueous to lipophilic (oil-based), fundamentally altering the formulation parameters. This allows the use of oil-soluble dispersants instead of water-soluble thickeners, eliminating the need for expensive biocides while maintaining storage stability through the emulsified water droplet system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces emulsified water droplets as an intermediary component in the lipophilic formulation. These water droplets serve as a mediating structure that provides thickening and suspension effects without requiring traditional thickeners, thereby preventing sedimentation while maintaining compatibility with the lipophilic continuous phase
2Ease of operation
If multiple active ingredients are combined into one formulation, then application convenience is improved, but compatibility issues and reduced stability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the continuous phase to lipophilic, which fundamentally alters the solubility and compatibility parameters of the formulation. This allows multiple active ingredients with different chemical stabilities to coexist without the compatibility issues that would arise in aqueous formulations, while maintaining ease of application through a single unified product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation system combining lipophilic continuous phase, emulsified water droplets, and multiple active ingredients. This composite structure allows ingredients with different chemical properties to be stably combined, as the lipophilic phase provides a compatible environment for all components while the emulsified water droplets provide additional stabilization
3Ease of manufacture
If particles are suspended in aqueous phase, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sedimentation and caking occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the continuous phase from aqueous to lipophilic, fundamentally altering the suspension parameters. This prevents sedimentation and caking by creating a formulation where particles remain stably suspended in the oil-based phase, aided by the emulsified water droplets that provide additional suspension support without requiring traditional thickeners
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 formulation maintains effective weed control and storage stability, surpassing the efficacy of separate active ingredient tank mixes and avoiding sedimentation issues.
Implementation Method 1
water droplets that are emulsified in the continuous oil phase
Implementation Method 2
a dispersant, which is an alkoxylated fatty acid ester
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an agrochemical formulation comprising a continuous oil phase comprising a water-immiscible solvent; four agrochemical actives, Saflufenacil, Trifludimoxazin, Pyroxasulfone and Imazethapyr, in the form of particles, which particles are suspended in the continuous oil phase; and water droplets that are emulsified in the continuous oil phase, wherein the agrochemical formulation is substantially free of a thickener. It also relates to a method for preparing the agrochemical formulation and to a method of use of the agrochemical formulation.