Low-Foaming High-Electrolyte Compositions with Alkoxylated Alcohols
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Solution Overview
Problem
High electrolyte compositions used in agrochemicals, such as fertilizers and herbicides, experience excessive foaming during production and application, despite the inclusion of conventional silicone-based defoamers, necessitating the development of adjuvant-containing compositions with improved foaming behavior.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of specific non-ionic surfactants, including alkoxylated alcohols and siloxane polymers, into high electrolyte compositions to enhance defoaming properties, forming a blend that reduces foam formation when diluted for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional silicone-based defoamers are included in high electrolyte compositions, then some foaming control is achieved, but excessive foaming still occurs during production and spray application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines silicone-based defoamers with polyalkylene oxide alcohols to create a composite defoaming system. This composite approach leverages the complementary mechanisms of both materials: silicone provides rapid foam collapse while polyalkylene oxide alcohols prevent foam formation through surface tension modification, achieving superior foam control compared to either material alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular structure parameters of polyalkylene oxide alcohols, specifically controlling the alkylene oxide unit count (n=4-20) and hydrocarbon chain length (R3 with 5-12 carbons). These parameter adjustments tailor the surfactant properties to achieve optimal foam prevention while maintaining compatibility with high electrolyte concentrations and adjuvants
2Reliability
If adjuvants are added to high electrolyte compositions to improve stability and efficacy, then better spray performance and distribution are achieved, but foaming increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The polyalkylene oxide alcohols act as intermediaries that mediate between the adjuvants and the electrolyte solution. They modify the surface properties to reduce adjuvant-induced foaming while preserving the adjuvant's beneficial functions of droplet size control, adhesion enhancement, and spray distribution improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies defoaming agents specifically at the air-liquid interface where foam forms, rather than uniformly throughout the bulk solution. The polyalkylene oxide alcohols concentrate at the surface to modify local surface tension properties, preventing foam formation at the critical interface while maintaining bulk solution stability and adjuvant functionality
3Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of electrolytes are used in agrochemical compositions, then herbicidal efficacy is improved, but foaming behavior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the critical micelle concentration (CMC) parameters of the polyalkylene oxide alcohols to match the high electrolyte concentration environment. By selecting alcohols with appropriate hydrocarbon chain lengths (R3 with 5-12 carbons) and oxide unit counts (n=4-20), the system maintains effective foam prevention at the high salt concentrations required for optimal herbicide performance
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 combination of alkoxylated alcohols and siloxane defoamers significantly reduces foaming, ensuring stable and effective application of high electrolyte agrochemicals, minimizing handling difficulties and ensuring proper dosage.
Implementation Method 1
Whereas pure liquids form bubbles, foaming requires the presence of a surfactant to lower the surface tension of the liquid. Most surfactants do generate foams as they tend to reduce surface tension.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions are provided which i) consists essentially of a siloxane defoamer and an alkoxylated C4-10 alcohol, ii) are aqueous concentrates comprising composition i), an adjuvant, and an electrolyte, and iii) are aqueous formulations obtainable by diluting compositions ii). Furthermore the use of compositions i) and ii) for in the preparation of agricultural formulations iii) and the use of such formulations iii) to treat a field or plants.