Heteric Polyol Wetting Composition for Hydrophobic Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrophobic media in agricultural, landscaping, and construction industries face inefficiencies in water uptake and retention due to their hydrophobic nature, leading to water loss through runoff and evaporation, which limits the effectiveness of irrigation and dust control methods.
Innovation Solution
A wetting composition is formed by combining water with a heteric polyol, which has a specific molecular weight, HLB value, and hydroxyl functionality, and is aged to increase its cloud point, allowing it to quickly infiltrate and retain water in hydrophobic media, reducing runoff and enhancing moisture retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is applied to hydrophobic media, then the media becomes wetted, but water loss through runoff and evaporation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the wetting agent by using a heteric polyol with specific molecular weight (1,000-6,000), specific HLB value (2-6), and specific hydroxyl functionality (2 or greater). These parameter changes enable the wetting composition to effectively reduce surface tension and improve water infiltration into hydrophobic media while reducing runoff and evaporation losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite wetting composition by combining water with a heteric polyol having specific structural characteristics. The heteric polyol contains at least two different alkyleneoxy units (ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy) in a specific arrangement, creating a composite molecular structure that provides both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics, enabling effective wetting of hydrophobic media while minimizing water loss.
2Productivity
If conventional wetting agents are used, then water infiltration is improved, but evaporation loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the heteric polyol to be in the range of 1,000-6,000, which is lower than conventional polyols. This parameter change allows for faster water infiltration rates while the specific molecular structure provides evaporative resistance, thereby improving water use efficiency by reducing evaporation losses.
3Productivity
If heteric polyol with specific properties is used, then wetting rate increases, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges for the heteric polyol (molecular weight 1,000-6,000, HLB value 2-6, hydroxyl functionality 2 or greater) that balance performance and simplicity. By specifying these parameters, the patent achieves high wetting rates without requiring overly complex composition formulations, maintaining ease of manufacture and use.
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 wetting composition significantly increases water infiltration rates and retention in hydrophobic media, improving irrigation efficiency and extending the effectiveness of dust control treatments by masking hydrophobicity and promoting uniform water absorption.
Implementation Method 1
aging the wetting composition for at least four hours to increase the cloud point of the wetting composition to greater than 23°C
Implementation Method 2
The heteric polyol has an HLB value of from 2 to 6, and a hydroxyl functionality of two or greater... the wetting composition quickly infiltrates hydrophobic media without runoff
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for increasing the wetting rate of hydrophobic media with a wetting composition includes the steps of combining water and a heteric polyol to form the wetting composition, aging the wetting composition for an amount of time sufficient to increase the cloud point of the wetting composition to greater than 23 °C, and applying the wetting composition to the hydrophobic media. The heteric polyol has the following formula: X[Y(CH2CH2O)a(CH2CHCH3O)bH]c wherein X is an organic core derived from an initiator having at least two hydroxyl groups; Y is a heteric copolymer comprising at least two different alkyleneoxy units selected from the group of ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, and butyleneoxy units; the subscripts a and b are independently zero or a positive integer and at least one of a or b must be a positive integer; and the subscript c is an integer of two or greater.