Wetting Agent Combination for Hydrophobic Soil Moisture Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soil wetting agents, particularly those used in irrigation, often pose safety and environmental concerns due to toxicity and limited effectiveness in improving water absorption, especially during drought conditions which exacerbate soil hydrophobicity, leading to increased water consumption and potential contamination of surface water.
Innovation Solution
A combination of caprylic acid monoglyceride, at least one mannosylerythritol lipid, and monopropylene glycol, which enhances water absorption and stability, allowing soils to retain moisture for multiple irrigations without the need for additional additives, while being biodegradable and non-toxic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wetting agents (ethoxylated alcohol polymers) are used to improve water absorption, then water absorption is enhanced, but safety and environmental friendliness deteriorate due to toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of wetting agents by replacing conventional ethoxylated alcohol polymers with a specific combination of caprylic acid monoglyceride, mannosylerythritol lipid, and monopropylene glycol. This parameter change maintains water absorption effectiveness while eliminating toxicity, as the new combination is biodegradable and non-toxic to humans and the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite wetting agent system combining three specific components: caprylic acid monoglyceride, mannosylerythritol lipid, and monopropylene glycol. This composite material achieves both effective water absorption and environmental safety, as the synergistic combination provides the necessary wetting properties while all components are biodegradable and non-toxic.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Yucca Schidigera extract is used as an alternative wetting agent, then safety is improved, but effectiveness deteriorates due to eye irritant labeling and limited wetting power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the safety benefits of natural ingredients with the effectiveness of optimized wetting agents by combining caprylic acid monoglyceride, mannosylerythritol lipid, and monopropylene glycol. This combination achieves both safety (biodegradable, non-toxic) and effectiveness (enhanced wetting power and water absorption), overcoming the limitations of single-component natural extracts like Yucca Schidigera.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters and chemical structure of the wetting agent combination to achieve superior wetting power while maintaining safety. By adjusting the proportions and molecular characteristics of the components, the formulation achieves both non-toxicity and enhanced water absorption, surpassing conventional natural extracts.
3Quantity of substance
If soil is subjected to drought conditions, then water scarcity is exacerbated, but soil hydrophobicity increases making water absorption more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wetting agent combination as an intermediary substance that mediates between water and hydrophobic soil. The caprylic acid monoglyceride, mannosylerythritol lipid, and monopropylene glycol combination reduces surface tension of water and facilitates its penetration into hydrophobic soil particles, enabling effective water absorption even under drought conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of water by adding the wetting agent combination, which modifies surface tension and contact angle. This parameter change enables water to spread more effectively on hydrophobic soil surfaces and penetrate deeper into the soil matrix, overcoming the hydrophobicity barrier created by drought conditions.
4Quantity of substance
If excessive water is applied to restore soil moisture, then soil moisture is improved, but water consumption increases and surface water contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables soil to self-absorb and retain water more effectively through the wetting agent combination. The caprylic acid monoglyceride, mannosylerythritol lipid, and monopropylene glycol facilitate capillary action and adhesion, allowing soil to naturally absorb and hold water without requiring excessive external water application, thus reducing overall water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the hydraulic parameters of the soil-water system by introducing the wetting agent, which modifies contact angle, surface tension, and capillary pressure. These parameter changes enable more efficient water uptake by soil, reducing the total volume of water needed to achieve adequate moisture levels and minimizing runoff that could contaminate surface water.
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 combination significantly increases soil water absorption capacity, allowing for greater water retention and reduced water consumption, maintaining effective wetting properties during subsequent irrigations, and is environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
Wetting agents lower the surface tension of water, thereby facilitating the spreading of aqueous solutions comprising them on a hydrophobic solid surface
Implementation Method 2
Soil wetting agents facilitate the absorption of an aqueous solution into the soil, allowing this solution to spread and cover the hydrophobic solid particles constituting the soil
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a combination comprising caprylic acid monoglyceride, at least one mannosylerythritol lipid and monopropylene glycol, to a method for obtaining same and to the use thereof as a wetting agent, in particular as a soil wetting agent. The invention also relates to solutions comprising such a combination.