Ethoxylated Lecithin Drift Reduction in Agricultural Sprays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural spray compositions face challenges in controlling droplet sizes to maximize target area coverage while minimizing drift and environmental impact, with existing formulations often breaking down under high shear conditions and requiring surfactants that increase driftable fines.
Innovation Solution
The use of ethoxylated lecithin, a reaction product of lecithin and ethylene oxide, as a drift reduction agent and penetrant in aqueous compositions, which provides surfactant-like properties without the need for additional surfactants, stabilizing the formulation and maintaining droplet size control under high shear conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high molecular weight polymers are used to increase viscosity for drift reduction, then droplet size control is improved, but the composition breaks down under high shear conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the polymer from high molecular weight (prorated 1,000,000 or higher) to low molecular weight (prorated 1,000 to 100,000). This parameter change allows the composition to maintain droplet size control while resisting breakdown under high shear conditions, as lower molecular weight polymers are more shear-stable while still providing adequate viscosity for drift reduction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If surfactants are added to stabilize lecithin in aqueous solutions, then solubility is improved, but driftable fines increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for additional surfactants from the composition. By using low molecular weight polymer-stabilized lecithin, the system achieves aqueous solution stability without requiring separate surfactant components, thereby removing the source of driftable fines that conventional surfactant systems generate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system where low molecular weight polymer and lecithin work together synergistically. The polymer provides structural stability and shear resistance, while the lecithin provides surface activity, replacing the need for conventional surfactant systems and reducing driftable fines.
3Area of stationary object
If droplet sizes are made small for maximal spray distance, then coverage area is improved, but drift to unintended areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the viscosity parameter of the composition by using low molecular weight polymers, which provides optimal rheological properties for droplet formation. This allows the system to generate appropriately sized droplets that achieve good coverage while minimizing drift, balancing spray distance and drift reduction through controlled viscosity rather than extreme droplet size reduction.
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
Ethoxylated lecithin compositions effectively reduce drift and enhance target area coverage, maintaining droplet size control and stability, thereby minimizing environmental impact and reducing the need for excess application materials.
Implementation Method 1
The compositions of the present invention may be utilized primarily as drift reduction agents in agricultural compositions... Ethoxylated lecithin, a reaction product of lecithin and ethylene oxide, as a drift reduction agent and penetrant in aqueous compositions, which provides surfactant-like properties
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions are provided that include ethoxylated lecithin for use as an adjuvant in aqueous composition. Specifically, the compositions may be utilized primarily as drift reduction agents in agricultural compositions, as a soil or foliage penetrant, as a pesticide adjuvant, as a pesticide formulation component, and for other uses. More specifically, the compositions are useful in reducing drift in spray compositions, such as in use in agricultural applications, such as pesticide, herbicide, fungicide and insecticide formulations, in industrial vegetation management (“IVM”) and integrated pest management (“IPM”) applications, in rights-of-way applications, in forestry applications, and other like applications.