High-Load Glyphosate Compositions With Dual Surfactant Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing herbicidal compositions face issues such as crystallization at low temperatures, high viscosity, and phase separation, which affect efficacy and handling, particularly in high-concentration glyphosate formulations.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous herbicidal compositions comprising aminophosphate or aminophosphinate salts and a surfactant mixture of amine oxide and tertiary amine, which enhance stability and bioefficacy, preventing crystallization and reducing viscosity even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high concentration of glyphosate is used, then the amount of active ingredient applied is increased and handling is improved, but crystallization occurs at low temperatures and filters/nozzles clog
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific surfactant system comprising amine oxide and tertiary amine as intermediary substances that mediate between the high concentration glyphosate and the aqueous environment. This surfactant system prevents crystallization by acting as a protective intermediary layer, allowing high glyphosate concentrations (540-680 g/L) to remain stable at low temperatures without clogging filters or nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration ratios of different components: glyphosate salts (540-680 g/L), amine oxide surfactant (0.5-5%), and tertiary amine surfactant (0.5-5%). By optimizing these parameters, the formulation achieves both high active ingredient content and low-temperature stability, preventing the phase separation and crystallization that would otherwise occur.
2Quantity of substance
If high concentration of glyphosate is used, then efficacy is improved, but viscosity increases and phase separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite formulation system combining glyphosate salts with a dual surfactant system (amine oxide + tertiary amine). This composite approach leverages the synergistic effects of different surfactant types to control viscosity and prevent phase separation. The specific combination provides both high concentration stability and appropriate rheological properties for easy handling and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of all components to achieve the desired balance. By controlling glyphosate at 540-680 g/L, amine oxide at 0.5-5%, and tertiary amine at 0.5-5%, the formulation maintains low viscosity and phase stability while delivering high efficacy, resolving the contradiction between concentration and operational ease.
3Device complexity
If conventional surfactants are used, then formulation is simpler, but ecotoxicity increases due to high amounts of fatty ethoxylates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature parameter of the surfactants from conventional fatty ethoxylates to amine oxide and tertiary amine compounds. This parameter change reduces ecotoxicity while maintaining formulation effectiveness. The new surfactant system achieves the same formulation goals with lower environmental impact, addressing the harmful factors without significantly increasing complexity.
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 compositions maintain stability and efficacy at low temperatures, preventing crystallization and phase separation, and improve handling and application properties.
Implementation Method 1
an amine oxide surfactant of the formula: R1—N+R2R3—O− (I) wherein R1 is a C6-C22, linear or branched, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; R2 and R3 is independently a C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; and a tertiary amine surfactant of the formula: R4R5R6N (II)
Data Source
AI summary
Herbicidal compositions comprising high load aminophosphate or aminophosphonate salts, in particular high load glyphosate salts, wherein the compositions comprises a surfactant mixture of at least an C6-C22 amine oxide and a tertiary amine surfactants. The compositions have good low temperature stability (i.e., no crystal formulation or phase separation) among other beneficial properties.