Polymer–Oil Aqueous Formulations for Multi-Volume Drift Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agrochemical formulations are limited to specific spray volume ranges, with polymer-based drift reducing additives becoming too viscous at high volumes and oil-based additives losing effectiveness at low volumes, necessitating separate formulations for different spray volumes.
Innovation Solution
A combination of polymer-based and oil-based drift reducing additives in specific concentrations, along with surfactant-based spreading and uptake enhancing agents, allows for effective drift reduction across a wide range of spray volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymer-based drift reducing additives are used at high concentrations to reduce drift at high spray volumes, then drift reduction is improved, but the formulation viscosity increases beyond acceptable limits making it unsprayable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polymer-based drift reducing additives with oil-based drift reducing additives in a single formulation. The oil-based component (0.5-20% v/v) provides drift reduction at high spray volumes without significantly increasing viscosity, while the polymer-based component (0.01-5% w/v) contributes to drift reduction at lower spray volumes. This merging allows the formulation to maintain sprayability across all spray volume ranges while providing consistent drift reduction effectiveness.
2Reliability
If oil-based drift reducing additives are used at low spray volumes, then drift reduction is achieved, but the effectiveness is reduced by surfactants present in the formulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite drift reduction system combining oil-based additives (0.5-20% v/v) and polymer-based additives (0.01-5% w/v). The oil-based component provides a foundation of drift reduction that works across all spray volumes, while the polymer-based component enhances effectiveness particularly at lower spray volumes where surfactant concentrations are higher. The synergistic interaction between these two different types of drift reducing agents creates a composite system that overcomes the limitations of either component alone, maintaining adaptability across all spray volume ranges from low to high.
3Device complexity
If a single formulation is used for all spray volume ranges, then economic advantage and simplicity are improved, but the formulation must compromise on optimal performance for any specific range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal agrochemical formulation containing both oil-based drift reducing additives (0.5-20% v/v) and polymer-based drift reducing additives (0.01-5% w/v) that can be applied across all spray volume ranges from low to high. The oil-based component provides broad-spectrum drift reduction effectiveness, while the polymer-based component supplements this effectiveness particularly at lower spray volumes. This multi-functional formulation eliminates the need for separate formulations for different spray volume ranges, providing both economic advantage and consistent drift reduction reliability across all application scenarios.
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 formulation provides consistent drift reduction and sprayability across low to high spray volumes, optimizing efficiency and reducing off-field losses.
Implementation Method 1
Polymer-based drift reducing additives work best at higher concentrations where their viscosity increasing effect is stronger
Implementation Method 2
one or more spreading agents and/or uptake promoting additive
Data Source
AI summary
The instant invention is directed to low drift aqueous liquid formulations for low, medium, and high 5 spray volume application, which contain a combination of different drift reducing agents.