Fertilizer Granule Coating with Agrochemical Dispersant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fertilizers face challenges in incorporating agrochemicals that are not soluble in liquids, making it difficult to coat fertilizer particles effectively, limiting the use of desirable agrochemicals in modern fertilizer production methods that deviate from granulation.

Innovation Solution

The production of modified fertilizer materials involves coating fertilizer granules with a dispersant blend of agrochemicals and powders, followed by an overcoating material to ensure the agrochemicals adhere and remain in place, using suitable powders like Zeolex 80 and wax-type dedust/anti-cake materials to seal and impart desired properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If liquid coatings are used to coat fertilizer particles with agrochemicals, then the coating process becomes feasible, but agrochemicals that do not dissolve in suitable solutions cannot be effectively incorporated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating process feasibilityVSAvoidagrochemical selection range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the agrochemical from requiring dissolution in liquid to being applied as a dry powder or granular material. This parameter change allows agrochemicals that were previously incompatible with liquid coating methods to be effectively incorporated onto fertilizer particles through dry coating processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If solid agrochemical ingredients are applied first to fertilizer and then liquid is applied to seal, then liquid sealing becomes possible, but the solid ingredient is limited to those with good spreading characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid sealing capabilityVSAvoidsolid ingredient selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary binding agent that facilitates the attachment of solid agrochemical ingredients to fertilizer particles. This intermediary substance enables a broader range of solid ingredients to be effectively applied and retained, overcoming the limitation of requiring good spreading characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional granulation methods are used to incorporate agrochemicals, then the process is simple, but new fertilizer processing methods that deviate from granulation cannot easily incorporate agrochemicals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagrochemical incorporation simplicityVSAvoidfertilizer processing method flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention develops a universal coating methodology that can be applied across multiple fertilizer processing methods beyond conventional granulation. This multi-functional approach allows agrochemicals to be effectively incorporated whether the fertilizer is produced by granulation, extrusion, or other processing techniques, thereby increasing method flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method allows for the effective incorporation and retention of desirable agrochemicals on fertilizer granules, even those not dissolvable in liquids, enhancing their dispersal and stability, and providing additional properties like smoothness or enhanced water solubility.

Implementation Method 1

applying the dispersant to the at least one fertilizer granule to form at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

applying the overcoating material to the at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle to form the modified fertilizer material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS7785387B2Chemically and physically modified fertilizers, methods of production and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2010.08.31 ADVANSIX RESINS & CHEMICALS LLC
  • US7785387B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Modified fertilizer materials are produced, comprising a) at least one fertilizer granule coated with a dispersant to form at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle, b) a dispersant, which comprises at least one agrochemical blended with at least one powder, and c) an overcoating material that is applied to the at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle. Methods of producing a modified fertilizer materials comprise: a) providing at least one fertilizer granule, b) providing a dispersant that comprises at least one agrochemical blended with at least one powder, c) providing an overcoating material, d) applying the dispersant to the at least one fertilizer granule to form at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle, and e) applying the overcoating material to the at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle to form the modified fertilizer material.