Wax-Bound Fertilizer Core Particle for Nutrient Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The continuous use of fertilizers leads to soil fertility decline and environmental issues like greenhouse emissions and groundwater contamination due to rapid hydrolysis and nitrification of urea, and existing micronutrient applications are laborious and prone to over/under-application and misapplication.
Innovation Solution
A fertilizer core particle comprising a binder, pH buffering agents, and fertilizer additives, with a wax content of 10-99 wt%, which is extruded and then granulated with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer composition to form a granule that stabilizes the additives and controls pH, preventing degradation and optimizing nutrient release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If urea fertilizer is applied to increase crop yield, then nitrogen availability is improved, but rapid hydrolysis and nitrification cause soil fertility deterioration and environmental contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The fertilizer is divided into a core particle containing wax binder and pH buffering agent, and an outer layer containing nitrogen fertilizer composition. This segmentation allows the nitrogen to be released gradually as the core dissolves, preventing rapid hydrolysis and nitrification while maintaining nitrogen availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The core particle with pH buffering agent is prepared in advance to control the pH environment before nitrogen fertilizer contact. This preliminary pH control prevents rapid nitrification and hydrolysis, reducing greenhouse emissions and groundwater contamination while nitrogen is slowly released.
2Stability of the object's composition
If micronutrient fertilizers and inhibitors are applied separately to improve soil fertility, then nutrient balance is improved, but application becomes more laborious and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fertilizer components including nitrogen fertilizer, micronutrients, and inhibitors are merged into a single granule structure with a core and outer layer. This combination eliminates the need for separate applications, reducing labor and preventing over/under-application errors while maintaining soil fertility and nutrient balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fertilizer granule is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing nitrogen nutrition, supplying micronutrients, and controlling pH to prevent nitrification. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple separate applications into one, improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive soil fertility management.
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 solution enhances soil nitrogen retention, reduces environmental impact, and simplifies fertilizer application by providing a stable and efficient delivery of nutrients, minimizing losses and ensuring optimal soil pH for plant growth.
Implementation Method 1
one or more binders comprising a wax... the core particle comprises from about 10 wt % to about 99 wt % of the one or more binders comprising a wax
Implementation Method 2
one or more pH buffering agents... controls pH, preventing degradation and optimizing nutrient release
Implementation Method 3
a system comprising an extruder capable of extruding a fertilizer core particle disclosed herein
Implementation Method 4
granulating the core particle with a nitrogen containing fertilizer composition, thereby forming a fertilizer granule
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, disclosed herein is a fertilizer core particle and fertilizer granule. The fertilizer core particle has one or more fertilizer additives, one or more binders comprising a wax, and one or more pH buffering agents, and wherein the core particle comprises from about 10 wt % to about 99 wt % of the one or more binders comprising a wax.