Suspended Polysaccharide Drift Control Formulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural formulations require separate addition of water conditioners and drift reducing agents, leading to inefficiencies and incompatibilities, especially with ammonium-containing compounds which are incompatible with certain herbicides like dicamba, and result in cumbersome handling and storage issues due to high viscosity of concentrated polysaccharide solutions.

Innovation Solution

A combined formulation of water conditioning agents and drift reducing agents, incorporating a drift control component with an incompletely hydrated water-soluble polymer, a suspending agent, glycol, and surfactant, and a water conditioning component comprising choline chloride, potassium citrate, and EDTA, which is free or substantially free of ammonium-containing compounds, to enhance handling and storage stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If concentrated aqueous polysaccharide polymer solutions are used to reduce drift, then drift control effectiveness is improved, but viscosity increases making the solution difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrift control effectivenessVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polysaccharide polymer from dissolved aqueous solution to suspended particulate form. This transformation dramatically reduces viscosity while maintaining drift control functionality, as the particles remain suspended in the spray solution without forming a highly viscous continuous phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes a phase transition approach by converting the polymer from a dissolved state (molecular dispersion in water) to a suspended state (particulate matter in water). This phase change allows the system to maintain the functional benefits of polymer-based drift reduction while eliminating the handling difficulties associated with high viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If water conditioners and drift reducing agents are applied separately, then each function can be optimized independently, but additional equipment and time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines water conditioning agents and drift reducing agents into a single integrated formulation. The suspended polysaccharide particles provide drift reduction while simultaneously incorporated water conditioners address water quality issues, eliminating the need for separate application systems and reducing equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a multi-functional agricultural spray composition that simultaneously provides drift reduction, water conditioning, and pesticide delivery enhancement. This universal formulation replaces multiple specialized additives, simplifying the overall spray system while maintaining optimized performance for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If ammonium containing compounds are used for water conditioning, then water hardness control is improved, but incompatibility issues arise with certain herbicides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater hardness controlVSAvoidherbicide compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces suspended polysaccharide particles as an intermediary carrier that enables water conditioning without direct use of incompatible ammonium compounds. The particles provide a physical matrix that allows incorporation of alternative water conditioning agents while maintaining compatibility with sensitive herbicides like dicamba.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 combined formulation improves handling and storage stability, reduces viscosity, and ensures efficient pesticide delivery by automatically managing water hardness, eliminating the need for separate ratio measurements and additive tanks, while being compatible with dicamba and other herbicides, thus enhancing agricultural application efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

concentrated suspensions of polysaccharide particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear thinning: Shear Thinning

Implementation Method 2

water conditioning component comprising choline chloride, potassium citrate, and EDTA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 3

an incompletely hydrated water-soluble polymer suspended in a liquid medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration control:

Data Source

PatentUS20220000100A1Water conditioning and drift control compositions and methods of use

Publication Date: 2022.01.06 SPECIALTY OPERATIONS FRANCE

AI summary

A concentrated adjuvant composition comprises an incompletely hydrated water-soluble polymer suspended in a liquid medium, a suspension agent, a surfactant, optionally, a glycol, glycol derivative, glycerol or glycerol derivative, and a water conditioning component.