Vegetable Oil Coating Composition for Fertilizer Anti-Caking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fertilizer coating formulations using vegetable oils lack effective anti-caking and anti-dusting properties, and are chemically incompatible with commonly used anti-caking agents like primary fatty amines, leading to inadequate protection against agglomeration and dust generation during storage and transportation.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising 1-30% surfactants, preferably nitrogen-containing surfactants like primary amines and their salts, combined with 5-99% cyclic alcohols and their derivatives, which are specifically chosen to enhance anti-caking and anti-dusting performance, using renewable sources such as tall oil residues to improve compatibility and effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If vegetable oils are used as coating formulations, then environmental friendliness is improved, but anti-caking and anti-dusting properties deteriorate due to chemical incompatibility with common anti-caking agents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidanti-caking performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the coating formulation by selecting specific vegetable oils with appropriate fatty acid profiles and combining them with compatible surfactants. This parameter optimization resolves the chemical incompatibility issue while maintaining environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite coating formulation by combining vegetable oils with specifically selected surfactants and optional additives. This composite approach enhances the anti-caking performance while preserving the environmentally friendly nature of the base oil

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If primary fatty amines are used as anti-caking agents, then anti-caking performance is improved, but compatibility with vegetable oils deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-caking performanceVSAvoidchemical compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the vegetable oil and anti-caking agents. These surfactants improve the compatibility and effectiveness of the combination, allowing primary fatty amines to function properly with vegetable oil bases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the concentration ratios and selects specific types of primary fatty amines that are more compatible with vegetable oils. By adjusting these parameters, the chemical compatibility is improved while maintaining anti-caking effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional coating formulations are used, then dust generation is reduced, but agglomeration protection deteriorates during long-term storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust generationVSAvoidagglomeration protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention develops a composite coating formulation that integrates multiple functional components: vegetable oils for environmental compatibility, surfactants for enhanced surface activity, and optimized anti-caking agents. This composite structure provides both immediate dust reduction and long-term agglomeration protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the local chemical properties of the coating by selecting specific fatty acid compositions and surfactant types that provide differentiated functionality - some components address dust generation while others specifically target agglomeration prevention during storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively prevents agglomeration and dust generation, providing better protection than conventional formulations, while being environmentally friendly and compatible with renewable oils, thus enhancing the storage and transportation of fertilizers.

Implementation Method 1

from 1% by weight to 30% by weight, limits included, of a surfactant, preferably a nitrogen-containing surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

This coating prevents or slows down the agglomeration process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

A coating composition comprising at least: from 1% by weight to 30% by weight, limits included, of a surfactant... from 5% by weight to 99% by weight, limits included, of a cyclic alcohol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220064484A1Vegetable oil composition for coating particles
Publication Date: 2022.03.03 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a coating composition comprising at least from 1% by weight to 30% by weight, limits included, of a surfactant, preferably a nitrogen-containing surfactant, and from 5% by weight to 99% by weight, limits included, of a cyclic alcohol, comprising 12 to 100 carbon atoms, limits included, and of derivatives of this.The present invention also relates to the granular material coated with said composition.