Viscoelastic Fluids for Stable Particle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil flowable and oil dispersion compositions for agricultural chemicals and drilling muds face challenges in maintaining stability and viscosity, particularly with the use of organophilic clays, which are undesirable in some applications, and require improved formulations that can suspend pesticide active ingredients effectively without settling.
Innovation Solution
The development of viscoelastic fluid compositions comprising a hydrocarbon fluid with a high paraffinic content and a block copolymer thickening agent, which exhibit non-Newtonian behavior, allowing for stable suspension of solid particulate ingredients at low shear rates while reducing viscosity at higher shear rates for easier distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If viscous hydrocarbon oils are used to achieve high viscosity (about 1000 cP) for particle suspension, then the formulation stability is improved, but the formulations become phytotoxic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter by using lower viscosity base oils (below 1000 cP) combined with specific thickening agents (clays, fumed silica, cellulose derivatives) to achieve the required suspension viscosity without using viscous hydrocarbon oils that cause phytotoxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite formulations by combining base oils with thickening agents and surfactants to achieve the desired rheological properties and suspension stability without relying on viscous hydrocarbon oils alone
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lower viscosity organic fluids are used to avoid phytotoxicity, then the safety is improved, but the particle suspension stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thickening agents (clays, fumed silica, cellulose derivatives) as intermediaries that enable lower viscosity base oils to achieve the necessary suspension stability without requiring viscous hydrocarbon oils
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the rheological parameters of lower viscosity oils by adding thickening agents, changing the flow behavior and suspension characteristics without changing the base oil viscosity
3Stability of the object's composition
If common thickening agents (soluble polymers, fumed silicas, clays) are used to increase viscosity, then the suspension stability is improved, but the compatibility with surfactants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific types of thickening agents (organomodified clays, hydrophobically modified fumed silica, cellulose derivatives) that have local chemical modifications to improve compatibility with surfactants while maintaining thickening effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite systems where thickening agents and surfactants are selected to work synergistically, with modified clays and silica that are compatible with common surfactant classes
4Stability of the object's composition
If organophilic clays are used to viscosify drilling fluids, then the shear thinning behavior is improved, but the environmental compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes organophilic clays from the drilling fluid formulation and replaces them with alternative thickening agents that provide similar rheological properties without the environmental drawbacks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting organophilic clays with alternative materials that achieve the desired shear thinning behavior through different mechanisms
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 viscoelastic fluid compositions effectively maintain the suspension of pesticide active ingredients and drilling mud cuttings, providing improved stability and reduced viscosity for easier handling and application, while minimizing the use of organophilic clays.
Implementation Method 1
viscoelastic fluid compositions... exhibit non-Newtonian behavior, allowing for stable suspension of solid particulate ingredients at low shear rates
Implementation Method 2
reducing viscosity at higher shear rates for easier distribution
Implementation Method 3
maintain the suspension of pesticide active ingredients and drilling mud cuttings
Data Source
AI summary
Viscoelastic fluid compositions are provided that have improved properties for suspending particulate active ingredients. Methods for forming the compositions are also provided. The compositions preferably have a non-Newtonian behavior, so that the viscosity of the composition at low shear rates is suitable for keeping solid particles in the form of a stable suspension while also providing a reduced viscosity at higher shear rates (such as a substantially reduced or minimized viscosity) to allow for pumping, tank mixing, and/or distribution of the composition, for instance by spraying.