Anti-caking Fertilizer Coatings via Phosphoric Esters and Trialkylamines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Granular fertilizers tend to cake and form dust during storage and transport due to high temperature, humidity, and pressure conditions, leading to safety, health, and environmental issues, and existing anti-caking solutions are not efficient or economically viable for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
Compositions comprising phosphoric esters and fatty trialkylamines are used to prevent caking in granular fertilizers, offering improved anti-caking capacity and a lower melting point, reducing energy requirements for application and providing a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional anti-caking compositions are used, then caking prevention is achieved, but the melting point is high requiring more energy for application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using fatty trialkylamines instead of conventional monoalkylamines, which fundamentally alters the melting point parameter of the anti-caking composition, enabling application at lower temperatures with reduced energy consumption while maintaining effective anti-caking performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite anti-caking composition by combining phosphoric esters with fatty trialkylamines, achieving synergistic effects that provide both low melting point characteristics and effective anti-caking capacity, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and reliability
2Reliability
If existing anti-caking solutions are implemented, then caking is prevented, but they are not economically viable for widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fatty trialkylamines and phosphoric esters that are cost-effective materials, replacing expensive conventional anti-caking agents with more economical alternatives that maintain effective performance, making the solution economically viable for widespread agricultural application
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the chemical parameters to use fatty trialkylamines with specific carbon chain lengths (C6-C24), the patent optimizes both performance and cost, achieving economic viability while maintaining reliable anti-caking capacity
3Productivity
If fertilizer particles are moved and stored, then distribution is achieved, but dust formation occurs due to mechanical abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-caking composition to the fertilizer particles before storage and transport, creating a protective coating in advance that prevents dust formation during subsequent handling operations, thereby enabling efficient distribution without harmful dust generation
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-caking composition acts as an intermediary substance between the fertilizer particles and the environment, forming a protective layer that reduces mechanical abrasion and prevents dust formation during handling and storage operations
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 compositions effectively prevent caking and dust formation in fertilizers, enhancing their handling and storage properties while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
compositions comprising phosphoric esters and fatty trialkylamines are used to prevent caking in granular fertilizers
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the recently manufactured fertilizer, or after a curing period in the warehouse, to a coating treatment with fluid compositions
Implementation Method 3
offering improved anti-caking capacity and a lower melting point, reducing energy requirements for application
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to novel compositions for preventing caking and crust formation in several types of manures or fertilizers in the form of granular solids. Said compositions comprise at least one phosphoric ester and at least one fatty trialkylamine of formula (III)whereinR1 represents a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing between 6 and 24 carbon atoms,R2 represents an alkyl group containing between 1 and 5 carbon atoms,R3 represents a linear or branched alkyl group containing between 1 and 5 carbon atoms, or alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing between 6 and 24 carbon atoms.