Glyphosate Concentrate Viscosity Reduction via Mixed Base Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-loadings of glyphosate aqueous concentrates face challenges in handling due to increased viscosity, which complicates dispensing and stability, especially at low temperatures, leading to precipitation issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a premix of alkali metal hydroxides and nitrogen bases is used to react with glyphosate acid, achieving high glyphosate salt concentrations (at least 500 gae/L) to improve handling and stability, reducing viscosity and preventing precipitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high loading of glyphosate (at least 500 gae/L) is achieved in aqueous concentrate, then transport and handling costs are reduced, but viscosity increases making dispensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a mixed base system (combining alkali metal hydroxide with nitrogen-containing base) instead of single base systems, and by controlling the molar ratio of bases to glyphosate (1.05:1 to 1.20:1). This chemical parameter modification enables achieving high glyphosate concentrations (at least 500 gae/L) while maintaining acceptable viscosity levels for dispensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating a mixed salt system containing both alkali metal glyphosate salts and nitrogen-containing base glyphosate salts. This composite salt system, formed through reaction of glyphosate acid with mixed bases, provides synergistic effects that maintain solution fluidity at high concentrations, enabling both high loading and ease of dispensing.
2Quantity of substance
If high loading of glyphosate is achieved, then transport efficiency is improved, but solution stability is compromised leading to precipitation at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies chemical parameters by using a mixed base system with specific molar ratios (bases to glyphosate at 1.05:1 to 1.20:1) and controlling the composition of alkali metal hydroxide and nitrogen-containing base. This parameter optimization prevents precipitation at low temperatures while maintaining high glyphosate loading (at least 500 gae/L), thereby improving both transport efficiency and solution stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nitrogen-containing base acts as an intermediary component in the mixed base system, mediating between the alkali metal hydroxide and glyphosate acid. This intermediary base forms part of the mixed salt system that enhances low-temperature stability and prevents precipitation, while still allowing high concentrations of glyphosate to be maintained in solution.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional single base systems are used, then formulation is simple, but viscosity is high and handling is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different base systems (alkali metal hydroxide and nitrogen-containing base) into a single mixed base formulation system. This combination, reacted with glyphosate acid to form mixed salts, produces a concentrate with significantly improved handling characteristics and lower viscosity compared to conventional single-base systems, while still maintaining relatively simple manufacturing procedures.
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 method allows for significant reduction in viscosity, enhancing the handling and stability of glyphosate concentrates, enabling higher loadings without increased viscosity issues, thus improving economic benefits for transport and usage.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the mixture of the at least two bases with glyphosate acid in an aqueous reaction medium to provide an aqueous mixture of glyphosate salts
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing an aqueous mixture of glyphosate salts to improve the handling of the mixture, the method comprising forming a homogeneous mixture of at least two bases comprising at least one alkali metal hydroxide, and at least one further base selected from alkali metal hydroxides and nitrogen bases and reacting the mixture of the at least two bases with glyphosate acid in an aqueous reaction medium to provide an aqueous mixture of glyphosate salts wherein the concentration of glyphosate (based on glyphosate acid equivalent) is at least 200gae/L.