Herbicide Formulation Crystallization Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly loaded 2,4-D herbicide formulations become partially or entirely crystallized at low temperatures, reducing effectiveness and causing equipment clogging.
Innovation Solution
A liquid herbicide formulation comprising 2,4-D in the form of alkylamine salts (isopropyl amine and dimethylamine, or diethylamine and dimethylamine), an alkoxylate surfactant, and ethylene glycol, which maintains a high concentration of 2,4-D and resists crystallization at temperatures from -4°C to 0°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the concentration of 2,4-D in the herbicide formulation is increased to improve effectiveness, then the herbicide becomes more potent, but the formulation becomes prone to crystallisation at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ethylene glycol as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high concentration 2,4-D and the water-based formulation. The ethylene glycol acts as a cryoprotectant that interferes with the crystallisation process, allowing the formulation to maintain high 2,4-D concentration (at least 600 g/L) while remaining liquid at low temperatures down to -4°C or lower
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the formulation by adding ethylene glycol, which alters the freezing point depression and crystallisation behavior of the system. This parameter change enables the formulation to maintain liquid state at temperatures where conventional high-concentration 2,4-D formulations would crystallise
2Productivity
If the concentration of 2,4-D is increased to reduce application volume, then fewer sprays are needed, but spray equipment becomes clogged due to crystallisation
Solution Approach 1:
Ethylene glycol serves as a protective intermediary that prevents 2,4-D crystallisation in the formulation, thereby preventing clogging of spray equipment while allowing high concentration formulation to be used for improved application efficiency
3Reliability
If crystallisation occurs at low temperatures, then the herbicide formulation becomes less effective, but increasing concentration to improve effectiveness exacerbates the crystallisation problem
Solution Approach 1:
The ethylene glycol acts as a protective intermediary that prevents crystallisation of 2,4-D at low temperatures, ensuring the formulation remains effective and reliable in cold conditions while maintaining high concentration
Solution Approach 2:
By adding ethylene glycol, the patent changes the thermal and crystallisation parameters of the formulation, lowering the temperature at which crystallisation occurs and ensuring the herbicide remains effective across a wider temperature range
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 formulation effectively inhibits crystallization at low temperatures, maintaining the herbicide's effectiveness and preventing equipment clogging, while maintaining high active ingredient concentration.
Implementation Method 1
the quantities of the alkylamine salts, the alkoxylate surfactant and ethylene glycol are such that the formulation resists crystallisation at a temperature of about minus 4° C. to 0° C.
Implementation Method 2
an alkoxylate surfactant
Implementation Method 3
ethylene glycol, wherein the formulation includes at least 600 g/L of 2,4-D; and wherein the quantities of the alkylamine salts, the alkoxylate surfactant and ethylene glycol are such that the formulation resists crystallisation at a temperature of about minus 4° C. to 0° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a soluble liquid herbicide formulation comprising 2,4-D, in the form of two amine salts, an effective amount of an alkoxylate surfactant and an effective amount of ethylene glycol. The formulations of the invention are crystallisation tolerant at low temperatures.