Water-Soluble Granule Formulation of 2,4-D Salt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current formulations of 2,4-D herbicide, such as emulsifiable esters and aqueous salts, face issues like environmental pollution, flammability, and high costs due to crystallization and packaging challenges, limiting their use and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, comprising 5-80% 2,4-D salt and a water-soluble filler, without the need for surfactants or binders, is developed, allowing for simple granulation and convenient application, using inorganic salts like ammonium sulfate and disodium hydrogen phosphate, and processed at specific temperatures to create a safe, environment-friendly product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If emulsifiable formulation of 2,4-D esters is used, then solubility in water is improved, but environmental pollution and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical form of 2,4-D from ester to salt, fundamentally altering its solubility characteristics and environmental properties. The salt form achieves water solubility without requiring organic solvents, thereby eliminating flammability and reducing environmental pollution while maintaining effective herbicidal activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses readily available inorganic fillers and salts that are inexpensive and environmentally benign, replacing complex emulsifiable ester formulations. These materials are naturally biodegradable and do not persist in the environment, aligning with the principle of using short-living, non-persistent materials.
2Loss of energy
If aqueous formulation of 2,4-D salt with high concentration is used, then packaging and transportation costs are reduced, but crystallization at low temperatures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite granule formulation combining 2,4-D salt with specific inorganic fillers and binders. This composite structure prevents crystallization of the salt at low temperatures while maintaining high active ingredient concentration (50-80%), thereby reducing packaging and transportation costs without sacrificing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by using different materials for different functions within the granule: inorganic fillers provide bulk and prevent crystallization, binders ensure granule integrity, and the 2,4-D salt provides herbicidal activity. This functional differentiation allows high concentration formulation that remains stable at low temperatures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If aqueous formulation of 2,4-D salt with low concentration is used, then crystallization at low temperatures is avoided, but packaging and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite granule formulation allows concentration optimization by combining 2,4-D salt with inert inorganic fillers. The filler matrix prevents crystallization while enabling high active ingredient loading (50-80%), achieving a balance between stability and cost-effectiveness that neither pure aqueous formulation nor low-concentration granules can accomplish.
4Ease of manufacture
If surfactants and binders are added to granulate 2,4-D salt, then granulation is improved, but formulation complexity and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs natural granulation where 2,4-D salt crystals themselves serve as the granule structure, eliminating the need for external binders and surfactants. The salt's inherent properties allow direct granulation into free-flowing particles that are easy to handle and apply, significantly simplifying the formulation while maintaining manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex synthetic surfactants and binders with simple, naturally occurring inorganic materials that are inexpensive and environmentally benign. These materials break down rapidly in the environment, reducing persistent chemical residues while maintaining granulation effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, comprising components in the following weight percent: 5-80% 2,4-D salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and a water-soluble filler as the balance. The water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt has an outstanding control efficiency on annual or perennial Poaceae weeds and some broadleaf weeds in fields of soybean and other Fabaceae plants. The formulation is environment-friendly, and has the advantages of being free of organic solvents and dusts and being easy to measure in comparison to conventional emulsifiable formulation, wettable powder formulation and suspension formulation. The present invention also discloses the preparation method of the formulation. The production process is simple, economical and safe. The whole production process, without the use of dangerous chemicals, is easy to control and operate and has a high safety factor.