Smart Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Granules with Multi-Layer Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nitrogen-containing fertilizers, such as urea, experience significant losses due to leaching, volatilization, and nitrification in rice farming, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency, particularly in lowland rice cultivation where flooding occurs, causing them to stick together and be unsuitable for use with applicators.
Innovation Solution
A smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprising a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core, an organic functional layer with enzyme inhibitors, microbial suppressors, and phosphorus solubilizers, a controlled release layer with water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles, and an anticaking layer with water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles, which controls nitrogen release and prevents caking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used in flooded rice fields, then nitrogen release is rapid and plant growth is initially supported, but nitrogen losses through leaching and volatilization increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a multi-layer coating system consisting of a semipermeable polymer membrane that acts as a flexible shell around the fertilizer core. This membrane controls nitrogen release while protecting against losses. The coating includes functional layers with enzyme inhibitors and microbial suppressors that prevent premature nitrogen transformation, achieving both controlled release and reduced nitrogen loss through leaching and volatilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fertilizer granule uses a composite structure combining a nitrogen-containing core with multiple functional coating layers. The composite includes a semipermeable polymer membrane, enzyme inhibitor compounds, microbial suppressors, and nitrification inhibitors working together to achieve controlled nitrogen release while minimizing losses through multiple degradation pathways.
2Reliability
If coated fertilizer granules are used to reduce nitrogen losses, then nitrogen use efficiency improves, but granules stick together and become unsuitable for applicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional properties to different regions of the granule surface through a multi-layer coating system. The outermost layer uses a specific semipermeable polymer with controlled porosity that provides both adherence control (preventing sticking) and controlled nitrogen release. This localized functional differentiation allows the granule to maintain flowability while achieving reliable nitrogen delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the coating materials, specifically using polymers with controlled molecular weight, hydrophobicity, and cross-linking density. These parameter changes create a coating that is sufficiently adherent to retain nitrogen but sufficiently hydrophobic and mechanically stable to prevent granule sticking, thereby improving both nitrogen use efficiency and ease of operation with applicators.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple fertilizer applications are made to meet nitrogen requirements, then plant nitrogen needs are satisfied, but production costs increase due to labor and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a continuous nitrogen release system through the semipermeable polymer membrane that allows controlled diffusion of nitrogen over an extended period. This continuous release mechanism, combined with enzyme inhibitors and microbial suppressors that prevent premature nitrogen transformation, maintains nitrogen availability throughout the rice growth cycle, reducing the need for multiple reapplication events and associated labor and transportation costs.
4Stability of the object's composition
If nitrification occurs in the soil, then nitrogen is transformed into nitrate forms, but nitrogen becomes more susceptible to leaching and volatilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates nitrification inhibitors and microbial suppressors in the coating layers that act preemptively to prevent nitrification before it occurs. These compounds are released with the nitrogen or present in the coating, inhibiting the bacterial conversion of ammonium to nitrate, thereby keeping nitrogen in the more stable ammonium form that is less susceptible to leaching and volatilization losses.
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 granule design enhances nitrogen use efficiency, reduces the frequency of fertilizer application, and maintains granule integrity in humid conditions, providing a controlled and sustained release of nitrogen, thereby improving crop yields and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a controlled release layer covering所述有机功能层，其中所述受控释放层包括亲水性聚合物
Implementation Method 2
所述有机功能层包括至少一种功能有机化合物，其是酶抑制剂、微生物抑制剂、磷溶解剂和/或植物激素
Implementation Method 3
Methods for reducing nitrification include treating soil with agriculturally active compounds that inhibit or at least reduce the metabolic activity of at least some of the bacteria in the soil that contribute to nitrification
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.