High-Load Glyphosate Formulations via Surfactant Mediation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current glyphosate formulations face challenges in achieving high concentrations due to low solubility issues and cloud point limitations, which affect the stability and commercial viability of herbicide solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of mono-iso-propylamine salt of glyphosate in combination with ethylenediamine alkoxylates and tallowamine ethoxylates allows for the creation of stable, high-load glyphosate formulations with increased cloud points and maintained surfactant concentrations, enabling ultra-high loadings without phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the concentration of glyphosate is increased to reduce shipping costs and improve efficiency, then the active ingredient loading is improved, but the solubility and stability deteriorate due to low solubility issues and cloud point limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific surfactant system as an intermediary substance that mediates between the glyphosate and water, enabling high concentrations of glyphosate to remain soluble and stable. The surfactant acts as a bridge that allows the incompatible substances to coexist in a stable aqueous solution at high loadings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the formulation by selecting specific surfactants with particular HLB values and molecular structures. This parameter change in the formulation composition enables the system to achieve both high glyphosate concentration and maintained stability, resolving the contradiction between quantity and stability.
2Temperature
If the surfactant concentration is reduced to maintain acceptable cloud point, then the cloud point is maintained, but the ability to achieve high glyphosate loading is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple surfactants with different properties (varying HLB values and molecular structures). This composite approach creates synergistic effects that enhance the overall performance, allowing the formulation to maintain high cloud point while supporting ultra-high glyphosate loading that would not be achievable with single surfactants.
3Productivity
If higher glyphosate concentrations are formulated, then shipping costs are reduced and efficiency is improved, but phase separation occurs above the cloud point
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant system serves as a stabilizing intermediary that prevents phase separation by maintaining molecular-level dispersion of glyphosate in water even at high concentrations and temperatures. The surfactant molecules continuously interact with both water and glyphosate, preventing the formation of separate phases and ensuring reliable homogeneous solutions.
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 approach results in commercially viable, high-load glyphosate formulations with increased cloud points and stability, allowing for higher active ingredient concentrations and reduced shipping costs, while maintaining low-temperature stability and homogeneity.
Implementation Method 1
The patent further states the commonly-held belief that to maintain acceptable cloud point when raising the concentration of glyphosate, the surfactant concentration must be reduced.
Implementation Method 2
a) a glyphosate salt in an amount greater than 480 g/L a.i.; b) a tallowamine alkoxylate; and c) an EDA alkoxylate
Data Source
AI summary
By the present invention, a surfactant system containing glyphosate has been created which can be used to yield formulations containing an ultra-high load of glyphosate, in which the glyphosate concentration is higher than previously possible in any agriculturally-acceptable formulation. Higher loadings are desirable to reduce shipping and container costs, as well as reduce wastes. The higher loading reduces storage requirements and allows the farmer to handle less volume of pesticide. The main advantage is that maximizing the loading minimizes the cost to deliver the active ingredient, which in turn maximizes economy in use of glyphosate.