Room-Temperature Anti-Caking Emulsion for Mineral Fertilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-caking formulations for mineral fertilizers, particularly those containing fatty amines, require high temperatures for application and storage, leading to thermal degradation and the release of ammonia, which is hazardous and inefficient, while liquid formulations at room temperature lack effectiveness and hydrophobic protection.
Innovation Solution
Development of an oil-in-water emulsion containing a primary fatty amine and a hydrophobic agent, stable at room temperature, which can be sprayed between 0°C and 60°C, providing both anti-caking and hydrophobic properties without degrading the fatty amine or releasing ammonia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-caking formulations containing fatty amines are heated and sprayed at high temperatures (75-80°C), then good anti-caking performance is achieved, but thermal degradation occurs and ammonia is released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high (75-80°C) to low (ambient temperature), and changes the physical state parameter from pasty/solid to liquid by using a specific solvent system (isoparaffinic hydrocarbon), thereby achieving anti-caking performance without thermal degradation and ammonia release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces isoparaffinic hydrocarbon as an intermediary solvent that dissolves the fatty amine and enables application at ambient temperature, acting as a mediator between the active ingredient (fatty amine) and the application process, preventing direct thermal exposure that causes degradation
2Ease of operation
If anti-caking formulations are made liquid at room temperature, then ease of operation improves, but effectiveness and hydrophobic protection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration of fatty amine (5-20% by weight) and selects specific isoparaffinic hydrocarbons with appropriate boiling points and molecular structures, changing the physical and chemical parameters to achieve both liquid state at room temperature and effective anti-caking performance with hydrophobic protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining fatty amine (active anti-caking agent) with isoparaffinic hydrocarbon (solvent/carrier), where the synergistic interaction between components provides both ease of operation as a liquid and reliable anti-caking effectiveness with hydrophobic properties
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 emulsion effectively prevents caking and water uptake in mineral fertilizers, maintaining anti-caking performance and avoiding the drawbacks of high-temperature applications, such as thermal degradation and ammonia release, while being economically and environmentally favorable.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-caking formulation in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion, comprising at least one primary fatty amine and at least one hydrophobic agent
Implementation Method 2
at least one hydrophobic agent... providing both anti-caking and hydrophobic properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to aqueous formulations in the form of oil-in-water emulsions including at least one fatty primary amine, intended to be applied to powder or granulated mineral products in order to prevent said products from caking and taking in water. The present invention also relates to the method for applying the emulsions to the aforementioned mineral products, said method being performed at ambient temperature.