Fertilizer Mixture with Pyrazole Inhibitor and Monoamine Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nitrogen-containing fertilizers face issues such as caking during storage, volatility of nitrification inhibitors, and significant nitrogen loss through leaching and denitrification, leading to reduced fertilization efficacy and environmental pollution.

Innovation Solution

A mixture comprising a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, a nitrification inhibitor selected from specific pyrazole compounds, and a composition of primary and/or secondary alkyl and/or alkylene monoamines, along with aluminium stearate and fatty alcohol, which treats the fertilizer mixture to prevent caking, enhance stability, and reduce nitrogen emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pyrazole compounds are used as nitrification inhibitors, then fertilization efficacy is improved and nitrogen loss is reduced, but volatility increases causing losses during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefertilization efficacyVSAvoidnitrification inhibitor volatility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pyrazole nitrification inhibitor with polyethylene glycol to form a composite material. The polyethylene glycol acts as a carrier that reduces the volatility of the pyrazole compound while maintaining its nitrification inhibition function. This composite approach allows the inhibitor to remain effective during storage and application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used to support plant growth, then plant productivity is improved, but caking occurs during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant growthVSAvoidfertilizer caking
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polyethylene glycol as an intermediary substance that coats the fertilizer granules. This coating layer acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between fertilizer particles, thereby preventing caking during storage while allowing the fertilizer to maintain its nutritional value and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If nitrification inhibitors are applied to reduce nitrogen emissions, then environmental pollution is reduced, but handling and application becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen emissionsVSAvoidhandling and application
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the nitrification inhibitor with the fertilizer in a single formulation using polyethylene glycol as a common carrier. This merging of the inhibitor and fertilizer into one product simplifies handling and application, as farmers only need to apply one substance instead of separately managing fertilizer and inhibitor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively prevents caking, improves storage stability, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, and minimizes nitrate leaching, making the fertilizer mixture safer and more efficient for use.

Implementation Method 1

a composition (C) comprising primary and/or secondary alkyl and/or alkylene monoamines... which treats the fertilizer mixture to prevent caking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

aluminium stearate and fatty alcohol, which treats the fertilizer mixture to prevent caking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3887340B1A mixture comprising a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, a nitrification inhibitor and a composition comprising primary and/or secondary alkyl and/or alkylene monoamines
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 BASF SE

AI summary

A mixture comprising: a) at least one nitrogen-containing fertilizer (A), and b) at least one nitrification inhibitor (B) selected from the group consisting of 3,4-dimethyl- 1H-pyrazole (DMP), 3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole phosphate (DMPP), 2-(3,4-dimethyl-1H- pyrazol-1-yl)succinic acid (DMPSA1), 2-(4,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1 -yl)succinic acid (DMPSA2), and salts thereof, and c) a composition (C) comprising primary and/or secondary alkyl and/or alkylene mono-amines..