Liquid Herbicidal Composition Stability via Alcohol Solvent Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-concentration aqueous agrochemical formulations, such as those containing glufosinate ammonium, face stability issues due to phase separation at low temperatures, making them challenging for storage and handling in agricultural settings.
Innovation Solution
A stable liquid herbicidal composition is achieved by combining glufosinate ammonium with a specific mixture of monohydric and polyhydric alcohols, including methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, monopropylene glycol, and glycerol, which maintains stability over a broad temperature range, preventing phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high concentration formulations are used, then packaging and storage costs are reduced, but product stability deteriorates due to phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alcohol as an intermediary substance to mediate between water and the hydrophobic active ingredient. The alcohol molecule has both hydrophilic (OH group) and hydrophobic (alkyl chain) parts, allowing it to solubilize the active ingredient in water while maintaining formulation stability and preventing phase separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining water and alcohol in specific ratios. This composite material leverages the polar nature of water for solubility and the non-polar character of alcohol for stabilizing hydrophobic compounds, achieving both high concentration and stability.
2Productivity
If high concentration formulations are used, then transportation efficiency is improved, but handling difficulty increases due to viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of both the active ingredient and the alcohol solvent to achieve the desired balance. By controlling the alcohol content within specific ranges and adjusting the active ingredient concentration, the formulation maintains appropriate viscosity for handling while maximizing transportation efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If aqueous formulations are stored in uncontrolled environments, then storage flexibility is improved, but stability deteriorates at low temperatures due to freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the formulation by adding alcohol, which lowers the freezing point of the aqueous solution. This allows the formulation to remain liquid and stable across a broader temperature range, maintaining storage flexibility in uncontrolled environments.
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 composition remains stable and uniform across a wide temperature range, allowing for easy handling and application, even at low temperatures, enhancing the storage and usage of high-concentration agrochemicals.
Implementation Method 1
a stable aqueous agrochemical composition in form of a liquid herbicidal composition comprising water, a water-soluble pesticide and together with a specific combination of alcoholic components
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stable aqueous agrochemical composition in form of a liquid herbicidal composition comprising water, a water soluble herbicidal compound and a specific mixture of organic solvents for use in agricultural application methods. The liquid herbicidal composition comprises (A) 5 to 45 weight %, based on the total weight of the composition, of one herbicidal compound selected from glufosinate, a salt thereof, preferably the ammonium salt, and/or its respective (L-)isomers (B) a mixture of two alcoholic solvents, a monohydric alcohol (B.1) and a polyhydric solvents (B.2), wherein (B.1) at least one monohydric alcohol B.1 is selected from methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, or any mixture thereof; and (B.2) at least one polyhydric alcohol B.2 is selected from 1,2-propylene glycol or glycerol, or a mixture thereof; (C) water and (D) 15 to 70 weight %, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one compound of formula (I) [R-(A)x-OS)3−]-M+ (I); wherein R is C10-C16-alkyl, C10-C16-alkenyl, or C10-C16-alkynyl; A is a group wherein RA, RB, RC, and RD are selected from H, CH3, or CH2CH3 with the proviso that the sum of C-atoms of RA, RB, RC, and RD is 0, 1 or 2; M+ is a monovalent cation selected from the group of alkali metal ions, NH4+ and an ammonium cation of a primary, secondary or tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium cation, or a mixture thereof; and x is a number selected from 0 to 10.