Microfibrillated Cellulose Suspension for Calcium Sulfate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydroponic and fertigation nutrient solutions require separate 'stock' solutions to avoid precipitation of calcium sulfate, necessitating tight pH control and increasing costs due to the need for chelates, which are not industrially viable for large-scale use.
Innovation Solution
A concentrated aqueous composition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) that combines calcium and sulfate ions in excess of normal solubility limits, using MFC as a medium to prevent precipitation and maintain element availability across a wide pH range (1-13), allowing for a single product usable in hydroponics, fertigation, and direct substrate fertilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate stock solutions A and B are used to avoid calcium sulfate precipitation, then element availability is maintained, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines calcium and sulfate ions in a single concentrated stock solution, eliminating the need for separate stock solutions A and B. This merging approach maintains element availability while significantly reducing formulation complexity and operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a non-ionic surfactant as an intermediary substance that prevents calcium sulfate precipitation without requiring separate stock solutions. The surfactant mediates between calcium and sulfate ions, allowing them to coexist in high concentrations in a single solution.
2Reliability
If chelates are used to prevent precipitation, then element availability is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive chelating agents with a more economical non-ionic surfactant that effectively prevents precipitation. This substitution maintains element availability while significantly reducing manufacturing costs for large-scale fertilizer production.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-ionic surfactant serves as a cost-effective intermediary that prevents calcium sulfate precipitation without the high costs associated with chelating agents, making the solution economically viable for industrial application.
3Reliability
If tight pH control is implemented to prevent precipitation, then element availability is maintained, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-ionic surfactant system is self-regulating and does not require tight pH control to prevent precipitation. The surfactant maintains element availability across a wide pH range, eliminating the need for complex pH monitoring and adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter from pH control to surfactant concentration control. This parameter change allows the system to maintain element availability without the operational burden of tight pH control, as the surfactant is effective across a broad pH 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
Ensures the availability of essential elements like calcium, iron, and sulfur without the need for tight pH control, reducing costs and complexity, and enabling efficient nutrient delivery to plants across various agricultural applications.
Implementation Method 1
MFC has a high capacity to adsorb ions, such as calcium and sulfate, thereby preventing the formation of precipitates
Implementation Method 2
The salts are adsorbed by the MFC and, thus, no precipitates are formed
Data Source
AI summary
A concentrated aqueous composition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) comprising salts for plant nutrition. The concentrated aqueous composition comprises microfibrillated linear polymers of D-glucose molecules (cellulose microfibers), calcium ions, sulfate ions and other elements for plant nutrition. The concentration of calcium ions and sulfate ions exceeds the concentration corresponding to the solubility of calcium sulfate in water. The proportion of MFC is within a range of 1% and 99% w/w of the composition, and the precipitation of salts is prevented in a pH range from 1 to 13.