NBPT Liquid Composition for Urease Inhibition and Ammonia Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stabilizing N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) in fertilizers face challenges such as instability, low solubility, and incompatibility with fertilizers, leading to ammonia release and environmental issues, with existing solvent systems either being toxic, unstable, or not suitable for industrial use.
Innovation Solution
A liquid composition containing 15-35 wt% NBPT, an aprotic solvent like dimethyl sulfoxide, and an amino alcohol like triethanolamine, with a dye, is developed, allowing for stable storage and application as a urease inhibitor in fertilizers, preventing ammonia release and ensuring safety and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NBPT is applied directly on fertilisers, then it can inhibit urease activity, but it results in lack of homogeneity of coating and low adsorption on the surface of fertilisers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid carrier composition as an intermediary substance that dissolves NBPT and facilitates its uniform application on fertiliser surfaces. The carrier acts as a mediator between NBPT and the fertiliser, enabling homogeneous coating while maintaining the urease inhibition effectiveness.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If NBPT is stored for long periods, then it can be used as a stable inhibitor, but it easily becomes hydrolysed and decomposes to an inactive form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical environment by selecting a liquid carrier with specific properties (non-aqueous or limited water content, appropriate pH, specific solubility characteristics) to change the conditions under which NBPT is stored. This parameter change prevents hydrolysis while maintaining stability during storage.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-aqueous solvents are used to improve NBPT solubility, then it can be easily applied on fertilisers, but the composition becomes less stable and more toxic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects and optimizes the parameters of the liquid carrier, choosing substances with specific solubility, viscosity, and toxicity characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves a balance between application ease and safety, using carriers that are sufficiently effective but have reduced toxicity compared to traditional non-aqueous solvents.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing solvent systems are used for NBPT, then it can be dissolved and applied, but they are either toxic, unstable, or not suitable for industrial use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid carrier composition that can be easily synthesized or obtained, applied, and then dissipates or decomposes into harmless substances. The carrier serves its purpose of delivering NBPT and then becomes disposable, leaving no persistent toxic residue on the fertiliser or in the environment.
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 composition maintains NBPT stability for up to 4 weeks, is safe for personnel, and resistant to low temperatures, effectively inhibiting urease activity and reducing ammonia emissions, making it suitable for industrial use.
Implementation Method 1
Said action is based on the blockade of three active sites of the enzyme by creating bindings to two nickel atoms and an oxygen atom of the carbamate bridge linking both metals, thus preventing the urea molecule to be attached.
Implementation Method 2
Lack of good water-solubility makes it necessary to search for non-aqueous solvents (or solvent systems), which will enable NBPT to be easily applied on fertilisers and also to be stored for a longer period of time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid composition for fertilisers containing amide nitrogen, wherein the composition comprises an active substance in the form of N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide and a solvent system, characterised in that it additionally comprises a dye, and the solvent system comprises a solvent selected from aprotic solvents from the group of sulfoxides and at least one co-solvent selected from the group consisting of trihydroxide alcohol, benzoic acid benzyl ester and N,N-dimethylacetamide, wherein the composition comprises no methanol, if the co-solvent is a trihydroxide alcohol; or the solvent system comprises a solvent selected from amino alcohols and at least one co-solvent selected from the group consisting of trihydroxide alcohol, benzoic acid benzyl ester, propylene carbonate and N,N-dimethylacetamide. A method of manufacture of the liquid composition wherein the method comprises • mixing the active substance and the solvent system at a temperature up to 40°C to dissolve the active substance, and then • adding a dye and stirring and heating at a temperature up to 40°C to dissolve the dye. A use of the liquid composition as an additive to nitrogen fertilisers, preferably to a fertiliser in the form of urea, highly concentrated nitrogen fertiliser in the form of an aqueous solution of urea and ammonium nitrate or a multicomponent fertiliser containing nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium.