In-Situ Salification of Glufosinate for Homogeneous Liquid Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ammonium salt of L-glufosinate has low solubility in water, forming rock-solid lumps, making it difficult to produce a homogeneous liquid formulation.
Innovation Solution
A process involving in-situ salification of glufosinate with ammonia in a liquid medium, optionally with surfactants, to prepare a liquid formulation of ammonium salt of glufosinate or its isomers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ammonium salt of L-glufosinate is prepared and dissolved in water, then the herbicidal formulation can be produced, but the ammonium salt forms rock-solid lumps with low solubility making homogeneous composition difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by conducting the salification reaction in-situ within the liquid formulation medium before the rock-solid lump formation can occur. Ammonia is added to the liquid formulation containing L-glufosinate, and the ammonium salt is generated directly in the liquid phase, preventing the solubility problem that would occur if the salt were prepared separately and then attempted to be dissolved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by utilizing the liquid formulation medium itself as the reaction medium for salification. Instead of preparing the ammonium salt separately and then trying to dissolve it, the salification reaction is carried out directly in the liquid formulation, with the medium acting as an intermediary that facilitates the reaction while maintaining solubility.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple production steps including separate salification are used, then the ammonium salt can be prepared, but the overall production cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate production steps into one by combining the salification reaction with the liquid formulation preparation. Instead of first preparing the ammonium salt separately and then mixing it with other formulation components, both processes are combined into a single integrated operation, reducing production steps, energy consumption, and cost while maintaining product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid formulation medium serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the reaction medium for the salification reaction, the solvent for dissolving the ammonium salt, and the final formulation vehicle containing all necessary components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate preparation steps and reduces overall production complexity.
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 process enables the production of a homogeneous and efficient liquid formulation of ammonium salt of glufosinate, reducing production costs and energy consumption while maintaining solubility.
Implementation Method 1
A process involving in-situ salification of glufosinate with ammonia in a liquid medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a liquid formulation of an ammonium salt of glufosinate, or isomers thereof, from corresponding glufosinate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a liquid formulation of an ammonium salt of L-glufosinate and a method of using the same thereof.