Polymer-Oil Tank Mix Additive for Cross-Volume Drift Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agrochemical formulations are limited to specific spray volume ranges, either high or medium, failing to provide effective drift reduction across low, medium, and high volumes, and existing additives either become too viscous or ineffective due to surfactant interference.

Innovation Solution

A tank mix additive combining polymer-based and oil-based drift reducing agents, along with spreading and uptake promoting additives, formulated to maintain effectiveness across a wide range of spray volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polymer-based drift reducing additives are included at high concentrations to reduce drift at high spray volumes, then drift reduction is improved, but the tank mix formulation becomes too viscous to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrift reductionVSAvoidsprayability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the drift reduction function into two separate components: polymer-based additives (for high spray volume applications) and oil-based additives (for low to medium spray volume applications). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between achieving effective drift reduction at high concentrations and maintaining sprayability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a dynamic formulation system where the relative proportions of polymer-based and oil-based drift reducing additives can be adjusted based on the specific spray volume requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the formulation to adapt to different application conditions, maintaining both drift reduction effectiveness and sprayability across the full range of spray volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If oil-based drift reducing additives are used at low concentrations to work over a wide range of concentrations, then adaptability is improved, but their effect is reduced by surfactants in the spray liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration rangeVSAvoiddrift reduction effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces polymer-based drift reducing additives as an intermediary component that works synergistically with oil-based additives. The polymer-based component compensates for the surfactant interference that reduces the effectiveness of oil-based additives, thereby maintaining reliable drift reduction across the full concentration range while preserving the adaptability of the formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single formulation is provided for all spray volume ranges, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and effectiveness across different ranges cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation varietyVSAvoiddrift reduction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal tank mix additive formulation that can effectively reduce drift across all spray volume ranges (low, medium, and high) by combining polymer-based and oil-based drift reducing additives. This multi-functional formulation eliminates the need for separate formulations for different spray volumes, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision and effectiveness across all application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 additive provides consistent drift reduction and application performance from 1 to 2000 liters per hectare, enhancing spray coverage and uptake on crops without viscosity issues.

Implementation Method 1

Drift reducing polymers increase the viscosity of tank mix compositions and there is a viscosity upper limit beyond which the tank mix formulation is too thick to use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity increasing effect:

Implementation Method 2

these wetting, spreading and uptake enhancing components can enhance drift by reducing the droplet size in the spray after atomization, especially when these components are surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 3

enhancing the performance of crop protection products, especially when they contain components that enhance wetting, spreading and uptake on the target crop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpreading:

Implementation Method 4

their effect can be reduced by surfactants in the spray liquid after dilution either as dispersants, emulsifiers, wetters, spreading agents or uptake enhancing agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant interference: Surfactant

Implementation Method 5

both polymer-based drift reducing additives and oil-based drift reducing additives are combined in effective levels in tank mix formulations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombined drift reduction mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS20250302034A1Low drift tank mix additive for low, medium, and high spray volume application

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 BAYER AG

AI summary

The instant invention is directed to tank mix additive for low, medium, and high spray volume application, which contain a combination of different drift reducing agents.