WO2022185049A1 - Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source - Google Patents
Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022185049A1 WO2022185049A1 PCT/GB2022/050544 GB2022050544W WO2022185049A1 WO 2022185049 A1 WO2022185049 A1 WO 2022185049A1 GB 2022050544 W GB2022050544 W GB 2022050544W WO 2022185049 A1 WO2022185049 A1 WO 2022185049A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- solvent
- conditioning agent
- micronutrient
- fertilizer
- group
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000011785 micronutrient Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 127
- 235000013369 micronutrients Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 127
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 113
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 113
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 158
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 157
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 125
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 102
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethylene glycol Natural products OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 126
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 97
- 239000004202 carbamide Substances 0.000 claims description 66
- KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N citric acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CC(O)(C(O)=O)CC(O)=O KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 42
- 150000005846 sugar alcohols Polymers 0.000 claims description 39
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000002518 antifoaming agent Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000013522 chelant Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 26
- KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N EDTA Chemical compound OC(=O)CN(CC(O)=O)CCN(CC(O)=O)CC(O)=O KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- XXJWXESWEXIICW-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol monoethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCCOCCO XXJWXESWEXIICW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 15
- 235000015165 citric acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 14
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- KGBXLFKZBHKPEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N boric acid Chemical compound OB(O)O KGBXLFKZBHKPEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000004327 boric acid Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000011684 sodium molybdate Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 235000015393 sodium molybdate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 13
- TVXXNOYZHKPKGW-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium molybdate (anhydrous) Chemical group [Na+].[Na+].[O-][Mo]([O-])(=O)=O TVXXNOYZHKPKGW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N lactic acid Chemical compound CC(O)C(O)=O JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- BJEPYKJPYRNKOW-REOHCLBHSA-N (S)-malic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)[C@@H](O)CC(O)=O BJEPYKJPYRNKOW-REOHCLBHSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- BJEPYKJPYRNKOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N alpha-hydroxysuccinic acid Natural products OC(=O)C(O)CC(O)=O BJEPYKJPYRNKOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000001630 malic acid Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000011090 malic acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000003839 salts Chemical group 0.000 claims description 7
- ZCCIPPOKBCJFDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium nitrate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O ZCCIPPOKBCJFDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229940075557 diethylene glycol monoethyl ether Drugs 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004310 lactic acid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000014655 lactic acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002198 insoluble material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000002823 nitrates Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000003863 ammonium salts Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007771 core particle Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 159000000001 potassium salts Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 229940071106 ethylenediaminetetraacetate Drugs 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000002467 phosphate group Chemical class [H]OP(=O)(O[H])O[*] 0.000 claims 1
- WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxyacetaldehyde Natural products OCC=O WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 8
- -1 glycol ethers Chemical class 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000008199 coating composition Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 150000002334 glycols Chemical class 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 34
- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 33
- 229960005150 glycerol Drugs 0.000 description 32
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 27
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 19
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetic acid Chemical compound CC(O)=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 description 17
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000003109 Disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate Substances 0.000 description 14
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 235000019301 disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 14
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 14
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 14
- 235000010338 boric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 12
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 10
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 8
- QPLDLSVMHZLSFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper oxide Chemical compound [Cu]=O QPLDLSVMHZLSFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 7
- 229910021538 borax Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 235000010339 sodium tetraborate Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- BSVBQGMMJUBVOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N trisodium borate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[O-]B([O-])[O-] BSVBQGMMJUBVOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- QXNVGIXVLWOKEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Disodium Chemical compound [Na][Na] QXNVGIXVLWOKEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 150000003013 phosphoric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002738 chelating agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000011068 loading method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 5
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc monoxide Chemical compound [Zn]=O XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- KCFCAUKZKOSSBI-UHFFFAOYSA-J copper;disodium;2-[2-[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxylatomethyl)amino]acetate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Cu+2].[O-]C(=O)CN(CC([O-])=O)CCN(CC([O-])=O)CC([O-])=O KCFCAUKZKOSSBI-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 4
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 4
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 description 4
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 150000003384 small molecules Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 4
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OHJMTUPIZMNBFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N biuret Chemical compound NC(=O)NC(N)=O OHJMTUPIZMNBFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 3
- BERDEBHAJNAUOM-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper(i) oxide Chemical compound [Cu]O[Cu] BERDEBHAJNAUOM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229940058180 edetate dipotassium anhydrous Drugs 0.000 description 3
- 239000012467 final product Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 235000013772 propylene glycol Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 3
- PUPZLCDOIYMWBV-UHFFFAOYSA-N (+/-)-1,3-Butanediol Chemical compound CC(O)CCO PUPZLCDOIYMWBV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium Chemical compound [NH4+] QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 2
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- AVXURJPOCDRRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydroxylamine Chemical compound ON AVXURJPOCDRRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002202 Polyethylene glycol Substances 0.000 description 2
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 2
- OWDJAIHHVFMFEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N [K].[K].[Zn] Chemical compound [K].[K].[Zn] OWDJAIHHVFMFEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane-1,4-diol Chemical compound OCCCCO WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229940079895 copper edta Drugs 0.000 description 2
- BDXBEDXBWNPQNP-UHFFFAOYSA-L copper;2-[2-[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxylatomethyl)amino]acetate;hydron Chemical compound [Cu+2].OC(=O)CN(CC([O-])=O)CCN(CC(O)=O)CC([O-])=O BDXBEDXBWNPQNP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- KCIDZIIHRGYJAE-YGFYJFDDSA-L dipotassium;[(2r,3r,4s,5r,6r)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl] phosphate Chemical compound [K+].[K+].OC[C@H]1O[C@H](OP([O-])([O-])=O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]1O KCIDZIIHRGYJAE-YGFYJFDDSA-L 0.000 description 2
- UBLOJEHIINPTTG-UHFFFAOYSA-J disodium;zinc;2-[2-[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxylatomethyl)amino]acetate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Zn+2].[O-]C(=O)CN(CC([O-])=O)CCN(CC([O-])=O)CC([O-])=O UBLOJEHIINPTTG-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 2
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000383 hazardous chemical Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003621 irrigation water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910021645 metal ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000021049 nutrient content Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001223 polyethylene glycol Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011787 zinc oxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-VKHMYHEASA-N (+)-propylene glycol Chemical compound C[C@H](O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-VKHMYHEASA-N 0.000 description 1
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-GSVOUGTGSA-N (R)-(-)-Propylene glycol Chemical compound C[C@@H](O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-GSVOUGTGSA-N 0.000 description 1
- YPFDHNVEDLHUCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,3-propanediol Substances OCCCO YPFDHNVEDLHUCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940035437 1,3-propanediol Drugs 0.000 description 1
- NIOYEYDJTAEDFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropan-2-ol Chemical compound CC(C)(O)COCCO NIOYEYDJTAEDFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FXRJDJNKKJZYNN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)butan-2-ol Chemical compound CCC(O)COCCO FXRJDJNKKJZYNN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ODCMOZLVFHHLMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)hexan-2-ol Chemical compound CCCCC(O)COCCO ODCMOZLVFHHLMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MIVJAXJQPQOBNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)pentan-2-ol Chemical compound CCCC(O)COCCO MIVJAXJQPQOBNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MLHQPPYBHZSBCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)propan-2-ol Chemical compound CC(O)COCCO MLHQPPYBHZSBCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RRQYJINTUHWNHW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-ethoxy-2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethane Chemical compound CCOCCOCCOCC RRQYJINTUHWNHW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PAWQVTBBRAZDMG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(3-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)acetic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CC1=CC=CC(Br)=C1F PAWQVTBBRAZDMG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000006290 2-hydroxybenzyl group Chemical group [H]OC1=C(C([H])=C([H])C([H])=C1[H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- ZOHXHCAXHKLBEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)heptan-4-ol Chemical compound C(CC)C(COCCO)(CCC)O ZOHXHCAXHKLBEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WEFYTUJDZBLKSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)nonan-5-ol Chemical compound CCCCC(O)(CCCC)COCCO WEFYTUJDZBLKSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical group [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Carbonate Chemical compound [O-]C([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- ALQSHHUCVQOPAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Pentane-1,5-diol Chemical compound OCCCCCO ALQSHHUCVQOPAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241001377938 Yara Species 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- BFNBIHQBYMNNAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium sulfate Chemical compound N.N.OS(O)(=O)=O BFNBIHQBYMNNAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052921 ammonium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000011130 ammonium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NGLMYMJASOJOJY-UHFFFAOYSA-O azanium;calcium;nitrate Chemical compound [NH4+].[Ca].[O-][N+]([O-])=O NGLMYMJASOJOJY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- BMRWNKZVCUKKSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane-1,2-diol Chemical compound CCC(O)CO BMRWNKZVCUKKSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011203 carbon fibre reinforced carbon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001732 carboxylic acid derivatives Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229960004643 cupric oxide Drugs 0.000 description 1
- KRFJLUBVMFXRPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N cuprous oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[Cu+].[Cu+] KRFJLUBVMFXRPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940112669 cuprous oxide Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000002009 diols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- QLBHNVFOQLIYTH-UHFFFAOYSA-L dipotassium;2-[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxylatomethyl)amino]acetate Chemical compound [K+].[K+].OC(=O)CN(CC([O-])=O)CCN(CC(O)=O)CC([O-])=O QLBHNVFOQLIYTH-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- ZQHKAIDDHTYINE-UHFFFAOYSA-J disodium;2-[2-[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxylatomethyl)amino]acetate;manganese(2+) Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Mn+2].[O-]C(=O)CN(CC([O-])=O)CCN(CC([O-])=O)CC([O-])=O ZQHKAIDDHTYINE-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 1
- 229960001484 edetic acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004210 ether based solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002170 ethers Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- IFQUWYZCAGRUJN-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethylenediaminediacetic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CNCCNCC(O)=O IFQUWYZCAGRUJN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004720 fertilization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005469 granulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003179 granulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004679 hydroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003446 ligand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006193 liquid solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012046 mixed solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002763 monocarboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000021048 nutrient requirements Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000016709 nutrition Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- WCVRQHFDJLLWFE-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentane-1,2-diol Chemical compound CCCC(O)CO WCVRQHFDJLLWFE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RUOPINZRYMFPBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentane-1,3-diol Chemical compound CCC(O)CCO RUOPINZRYMFPBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GLOBUAZSRIOKLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentane-1,4-diol Chemical compound CC(O)CCCO GLOBUAZSRIOKLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K phosphate Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])([O-])=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 229920000166 polytrimethylene carbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003908 quality control method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002195 soluble material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011877 solvent mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002123 temporal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003628 tricarboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N triethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCOCCO ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000004072 triols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
- C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
- C05G3/20—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity for preventing the fertilisers being reduced to powder; Anti-dusting additives
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
- C05C5/00—Fertilisers containing other nitrates
- C05C5/04—Fertilisers containing other nitrates containing calcium nitrate
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
- C05C9/00—Fertilisers containing urea or urea compounds
- C05C9/005—Post-treatment
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05D—INORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C; FERTILISERS PRODUCING CARBON DIOXIDE
- C05D9/00—Other inorganic fertilisers
- C05D9/02—Other inorganic fertilisers containing trace elements
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
- C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
- C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
- C05G3/30—Anti-agglomerating additives; Anti-solidifying additives
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
- C05G5/00—Fertilisers characterised by their form
- C05G5/20—Liquid fertilisers
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
- C05G5/00—Fertilisers characterised by their form
- C05G5/30—Layered or coated, e.g. dust-preventing coatings
Definitions
- Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source
- the present disclosure relates to the field of fertilizer particles, in particular fertilizer particles coated with a composition comprising a micronutrient.
- micronutrients refer to the group of elements consisting of boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. Most crops require one or more of these elements to ensure optimal growth. Some of these elements may be found naturally in the soil, but it is often necessary for the farmer to supply to the crops one or more of these elements via the application of fertilizer products to meet the crop requirements.
- Micronutrients may be supplied to crops in a number of different means, for example, micronutrients solids may be distributed to the fields via manual or mechanical spreading; or a solution, often aqueous, containing the micronutrient is sprayed onto the foliage of crops (foliar application); or the micronutrient may be dissolved and applied to the crop in the irrigation water (fertigation).
- a convenient way to supply micronutrients to crops is to apply a coating composition comprising the micronutrient to fertilizer particles containing primary or secondary nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium or sulphur.
- This method has the advantage to reduce the workload for the farmer who can distribute several nutrients with a single application and reduces the water consumption on the farm.
- Micronutrients are required by plants in small quantities and the requirement can be met by a thin layer of coating composition on fertilizer particles.
- Micronutrients can also be incorporated in fertilizer particles during the prilling or granulation process of the particles but practical considerations in high volume production operations imply that it is difficult to satisfy the widely different nutrient requirements of different crops and different soil types using this approach.
- GB2513232 discloses a method to prepare fertilizers coated with a layer of an oil- based composition comprising a micronutrient source.
- the micronutrient source is suspended in the oil-based composition and uniformly coated on the particles.
- This method provides an efficient method for delivering micronutrients via solid fertilizers intended to be spread on the soil.
- oil-based compositions are not ideal for fertigation, since the oil-based coatings would not fully dissolve in the water leading to blockages in the irrigation system.
- Water-based compositions comprising micronutrients are not suitable to be coated on fertilizer particles since the water impacts negatively the physical properties, such as particle strength and caking tendency, of the particles for handling, transport and storage, and their distribution in the fields.
- compositions containing a micronutrient dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, wherein the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C are highly suitable for fertilizer coating applications, thus providing an easy and flexible method whereby solid fertilizers can be coated with an effective source of one or more micronutrient without negatively affecting fertilizer quality.
- a fertilizer particle comprising a core and an outside layer of a conditioning agent covering the core comprising a component which comprises a micronutrient, the compound being dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C, the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the conditioning agent, and the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
- the micronutrient may be boron.
- a method to manufacture a fertilizer particle according to the present invention comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fertilizer core particle; and (b) applying an amount of a conditioning agent comprising a compound which comprises a micronutrient, the compound being dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C , the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the conditioning agent, the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, and the conditioning agent optionally comprises urea and/or an acid.
- the micronutrient may be boron.
- a liquid composition comprising a compound which comprises a micronutrient, the compound being dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C , the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the liquid composition, and the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
- the micronutrient may be boron.
- compositions as a coating agent for fertilizer particles
- the composition comprising a compound which comprises a micronutrient selected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, the compound being dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, having a melting point below 15 °C , and optionally urea and/or citric acid.
- the micronutrient may be boron.
- a compartment refers to one or more than one compartment.
- the value to which the modifier "about” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.
- weight% refers to the relative weight of the respective component based on the overall weight of the formulation.
- a fertilizer particle comprising a core and an outside layer of a conditioning agent covering the core, the conditioning agent comprising a component which comprises a micronutrient, the compound being dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C , the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the conditioning agent, and the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
- a fertilizer particle comprising a high amount of micronutrient by coating a fertilizer core, comprising nutrients, with a conditioning agent comprising a micronutrient component dissolved in a solvent.
- the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof and the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C. It was found out that polyhydric alcohols and/or their derivatives were able to dissolve a wide range of micronutrient components and the liquid compositions obtained could be applied to fertilizer particle by standard coating methods.
- Polyhydric alcohols refer to the group consisting of molecules comprising a carbon chain, which may be linear or branched, and at least two hydroxy groups.
- the group of polyhydric alcohols comprise diols, also named glycols such as 1,2-ethanediol, also named ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3- propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,3-pentanediol, 1,4- pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol; triols, such as 1,2,3-propanetriol, also named glycerol.
- Derivatives of polyhydric alcohols comprise the compounds named above, where one of the hydroxy group has been substituted or modified. For example, the hydroxy group may have been tuned unto an ether, an ester, a carbonate.
- Derivatives of polyhydric alcohols also comprise polymers of the compounds cited above, such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and any polyethylene glycol with a melting point below 15°C.
- Derivatives of polyhydric alcohols also comprise derivatives of polymers mentioned above, such as mono ethers, and diethers of polyethylene glycol, such as monomethyl diethylene glycol, monoethyl diethylene glycol, monopropyl diethylene glycol, monobutyl diethylene glycol, dimethyl diethylene glycol, diethyl diethylene glycol, dipropyl diethylene glycol, dibutyl diethylene glycol.
- the derivatives of polyhydric alcohols comprise polymers of polyhydric alcohols, wherein the polymers comprise from 2 to 10, from 2 to 8, or from 2 to 5, repeating units.
- the solvent may be of high purity, in particular it may be at least 98% pure, more in particular at least 99% pure.
- the conditioning agent should comprise from about 30 to about 90 wt% of solvent, so that it is suitable to be coated onto a solid fertilizer core.
- the solvent may be a single chemical component, but it may also be a mixture of two or more glycols or glycol ethers.
- the solvent may be anhydrous or contain a small amount of water, such as less than 2.0 weight%, less than 1.5 weight%, or less than 1.0 weight%. Water is not desirable since it might degrade the fertilizer particle by dissolving some of the nutrients comprised in the fertilizer core, and negatively impacts some physical properties of the particle, such as the particle strength. But anhydrous solvents may be significantly more expensive than solvents comprising a small amount of water, such as less than 2.0 weight%, and a compromise may be acceptable.
- the solvent comprises less than 2.0 weight% of water. In one embodiment, the solvent comprises less than 1.5 weight% of water.
- the solvent comprises less than 1.0 weight% of water.
- the amount of solvent that is possible to use may depend on the micronutrient component selected for the conditioning agent and the micronutrient loading desired for the nutritional effect.
- the solvent may represent from about 40 to about 80 wt% of the conditioning agent. In particular, it may represent from about 50 to about 80 wt%, or from 45 to 80 wt%, or from 40 to 85 wt% of the conditioning agent.
- the fertilizer particle comprising the layer of conditioning agent was found to be free-flowing, which is important for handling operations.
- the product showed good anti-caking properties and its crushing strength was similar to the uncoated product. Anti-caking and crushing strength are important parameters for fertilizer particles that affect the storability of the particles.
- the outside layer of conditioning agent may cover at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% of the surface of the core. In one embodiment, the layer of conditioning agent may cover 100% of the surface of the fertilizer particle.
- the conditioning agent comprises urea.
- urea a small amount of urea to the conditioning agent decreased the viscosity of such agents.
- these agents are applied onto solid particles, such as fertilizer particles, it is desirable that the conditioning has a viscosity which enables a good and even coating.
- Several methods may be used to apply a conditioning agent onto solid particles, e.g. mixing in a blender or in a coating apparatus, such as a coating drum, spraying the agent.
- the conditioning agent may have a viscosity at 20 °C in the range from about 0.005 to about 7 Pa-s (5 to 7000 cP), in particular in the range from about 0.1 to about 5 Pa-s (100 to 5000 cP). If a spraying method is used and the viscosity is too high, the liquid will not be easy to be sprayed and it might block the spraying equipment. Further, the repartition of the resulting coating on the particles may be uneven due to high viscosity. Since urea is a nutrient source, the addition of urea in the conditioning agent does not reduce the overall nutrient content of the fertilizer particle. Urea may be added as a solid and dissolves readily in the organic solvent.
- the urea may be very pure. In particular, it may be more than 95% pure, more in particular more than 96% pure, even in more in particular more than 97% pure, even in more in particular more than 98% pure, even in more in particular more than 99% pure.
- Urea may contain water and/or biuret in a low amount, in particular it may contain less than 5 wt% of water or biuret, more in particular less than 2 wt% of water or biuret.
- the conditioning agent comprises about 0.1 to about 5.0 wt% of urea. In particular, it may comprise up to 2.0 wt% of urea.
- the solvent is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, also known as propane-1, 2, 3-triol or glycerine, monoethylene glycol, monopropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 2- (2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan-l-ol, also known as diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and mixtures thereof.
- Glycerol, monoethylene glycol, monopropylene glycol, diethylene glycol and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan- l-ol are all well-known glycol-type solvents widely used in the chemical industry. They are well tolerated by plants, although some of these substances are classified as hazardous, such as monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol.
- glycerol and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan-l-ol are particularly suitable solvents for the preparation of high micronutrient concentration liquid solutions, since glycerol and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan-l-ol are classified as non-hazardous substance. It reduces the risks for the user when manipulating the conditioning agent.
- the solvent is 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan-l-ol.
- the solvent is monoethylene glycol.
- the solvent is glycerol.
- the conditioning agent comprises at least 30 g/L of the micronutrient, in particular at least 35 g/L of the micronutrient, more in particular at least 40 g/L, even more in particular at least 44 g/L, even more in particular at least 50 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the conditioning agent should comprise at least 30 g/L of the micronutrient.
- a high micronutrient loading of the agent allows the farmer or fertilizer supplier to use a lower loading of the conditioning agent on the fertilizer core. This is desirable since a high loading might reduce the physical properties of the final product, such as anti-caking or strength indexes.
- the conditioning agent comprises from 30 to 150 g/L of the micronutrient, in particular from 35 to 150 g/L of the micronutrient, more in particular from 40 to 150 g/L, even more in particular from 44 to 150 g/L, even more in particular from 50 to 150 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the liquid composition comprises from 30 to 100 g/L of the micronutrient, in particular from 35 to 100 g/L of the micronutrient, more in particular from 40 to 100 g/L, even more in particular from 44 to 100 g/L, even more in particular from 50 to 100 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. These elements are well-known elements required in different amounts by a large number of crops.
- the component comprising a micronutrient is a salt thereof or a complex of a micronutrient selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, wherein the salt thereof or complex thereof is soluble in the solvent of the conditioning agent.
- Elements such as boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc need to be provided to the plants as ions, such as Zn 2+ , Mn 2+ , Mn 3+ , Cu + , Cu 2+ , Mo 4+ , or Mo s+ , so that the plant can absorb them. Plants cannot absorb neutral atoms.
- several sources, such as salts or complexes are known to be suitable for agriculture use.
- micronutrient component is stable long enough after being applied to the crops, so that crops may absorb it.
- the micronutrient source may react in the irrigation water, which could also render them unavailable to the crop.
- copper, manganese and zinc may precipitate as insoluble hydroxides, or phosphates, resulting in blockages in the pipes and drippers of the irrigation system.
- the compound which comprises a micronutrient is a chelate comprising an element selected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, and zinc.
- Chelated species comprise an organic molecule, named the chelant or chelating agent, comprising one or more chelating groups such as amine, hydroxyl group or carboxylic acid.
- a metal atom, such as copper, manganese, or zinc is bound to the organic molecule via non-covalent bounds.
- the chelated species may comprise additional ions, other than the micronutrient, to be electronically neutral. Chelated species are usually more stable than other types of salts of the same metal, i.e. the metal ion is protected or caged in by the chelating agent and this allows the metal to stay in his soluble, plant-available form, which is particular important for application in irrigation systems.
- a known chelating agent is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, that forms ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) complexes with metals such as zinc, copper, manganese and molybdenum. These EDTA complexes are commercially available and are usually some of the cheapest chelates available.
- Example of EDTA complexes are zinc disodium EDTA (ZnEDTA-Na2), zinc dipotassium EDTA (ZnEDTA-IG), copper disodium EDTA (CuEDTA-Na2), and manganese disodium EDTA (MnEDTA - NA 2 ).
- the chelating agent in the chelate is an amino-alcohol or an aminopolycarboxylic acid, in particular selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine-N, N'- di[(ortho-hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid], ethylenediamine-N-[(ortho-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid]-N'- [(para-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid], ethylenediamine-N, N'-di[ortho-hydroxy-methylphenyl]acetic acid], ethylenediamine-N-[ortho-hydroxy-methylphenyl]acetic acid]-N'-[(para-hydroxy-methylphenyl)acetic acid] or N,N'-di(2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetic acid, and mixtures thereof.
- Micronutrient chelates are commercially available as a wide range of compounds. It was found that those comprising an amino-alcohol or an aminopolycarboxylic acid are particularly suitable for the present conditioning agent. They are generally not toxic to plants and they have a high solubility in a wide range of organic solvents, including glycol and glycol ether solvents. They are each stable over a specific range of pH. The chelating agent ensures that the micronutrient cation stays in its soluble form available to plants and does not oxidize to oxide, which is not water-soluble and is not taken up by plants.
- the compound which comprises a micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, sodium borate, sodium molybdate, and mixtures thereof. It was found that boric acid, sodium borate and sodium molybdate were soluble in polyhydric alcohols, such as a glycol, a glycol ether or mixtures thereof. These components are also known sources of boron and molybdenum that are suitable for use in agriculture. Boric acid, sodium borate and sodium molybdate are also soluble enough in water so that fertilizer particles coated with a conditioning agent comprising one or more of boric acid, sodium borate and sodium molybdate would solubilize completely in water.
- the fertilizer particle comprises a core and an outside layer of a conditioning agent covering the core, the conditioning agent comprising a compound which comprises boron; the compound being dissolved in a solvent; wherein
- the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof;
- the solvent has a melting point below 15 °C; - the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the conditioning agent;
- the conditioning agent comprises at least 30 g/L of boron.
- the conditioning agent comprises an anti-foam agent.
- a possible method to apply the conditioning agent to solid particles implies spraying the agent onto the particles.
- the particles may be in a rotating drum or lying on a bed.
- spraying composition comprising organic compounds
- Foam appears when air bubbles are trapped within a layer of organic compound.
- an anti-foam agent to the composition before the spraying operation.
- a wide range of anti-foam agents are commercially available from suppliers, for example Synthron.
- the anti-foam agent are usually added in a very small amount, in particular from 0.001 to about 1.0 weight% compared to the total composition, and do not affect the properties of the composition except for the foaming tendency.
- the mass ratio of the compound which comprises a micronutrient to solvent in the conditioning agent is in the range of from 1:9 to 3:1, in particular in the range of from 1:3 to 3:1. It is desirable to achieve a suitable ratio of micronutrient compound to solvent. If the ratio is too high, the chelate might not be completely soluble in the solvent or the viscosity of the composition might become too high. This creates issues when applying the conditioning agent onto the fertilizer particles. If the ratio is too low, the concentration of micronutrient will be very low. To supply enough micronutrients to the plants will require either to apply more conditioning agent onto the fertilizer particles, which may degrade the physical properties of the particles, or will require a higher application rate of the particles, which increases the operational costs for the farmer.
- the other nutrients comprised in the particles may be supplied in an excess amount to the crops, which may have negative impact on the environment. For example, if too much nitrates or phosphates are supplied to a soil, these ions will not be retained properly by the soil and will leach in the environment. It was found that a mass ratio of micronutrient compound to solvent in the conditioning agent may be in the range of from 1:9 to 3:1, in particular in the range of from 1:3 to 3:1.
- the conditioning agent is essentially water-free. It may be desirable for the conditioning agent to be essentially water-free, as water may decrease the physical properties, such as particle strength and anti-caking character, of the fertilizer particles. It may be difficult to obtain a completely anhydrous conditioning agent, but the conditioning agent may comprise less than 5 wt% of water, in particular less than 2 wt%, more in particular less than 1 wt%, even more in particular less than 0.5 wt%.
- the components of the conditioning agent, the solvent, the compound which comprises a micronutrient, and optionally the urea may each contain a small amount of water, e.g. less than 5 wt% of water.
- the conditioning agent represents 0.1 to 2.0 weight%, in particular 0.1 to 1.0 weight%, of the fertilizer particle. It is important for the conditioning agent to be comprised in the fertilizer particle at the right amount. If the composition comprises too little conditioning agent, the amount of micronutrient supplied to the crops will not be enough to obtain the best yield. But if it contains too much, the overall nutrient content of the composition will be reduced: both the solvent and the ligand do not deliver nutrients to the plants. Further, the physical properties of the fertilizer particle, such as particle strength, stickiness, might be reduced because of the high amount of solvent.
- the conditioning agent does not comprise any polymer other than the solvent. Said another way, the conditioning agent consists only of non-polymeric components and the solvent, which may be polymeric. In one embodiment, the conditioning agent does not comprise any polymer with a molecular weight above 500 g/mol, above 600 g/mol, above 700 g/mol, above 800 g/mol, above 900 g/mol, or above 1000 g/mol. In one embodiment, the conditioning agent does not comprise any polymer with more than 10 repeating units. Polymers can have a very long lifetime in the environment, i.e. they degrade very slowly.
- the conditioning agent consists only of non-polymeric components.
- Some solvents, such as monoethylene glycol and glycerol, are not polymers, and it may be an advantage to have only non-polymeric components in the conditioning agent.
- the fertilizer core comprises a component selected from the group consisting of urea, ammonium salts, nitrate salts, phosphate salts, potassium salts, calcium nitrate and mixtures thereof. It is desirable that the fertilizer core comprises a high percentage of nutrients available to plants. Urea, ammonium salts and nitrate salts are three sources of nitrogen for plants; phosphate salts is the main source of phosphorus for plants; other cations, such as potassium and calcium are also important nutrients for plants.
- the fertilizer core comprises urea.
- the fertilizer comprises all three primary nutrients, N, P and K. Such a fertilizer is named NPK fertilizer.
- the fertilizer core may comprise at least one source of one or more of the secondary nutrients (calcium, sulphur, magnesium) and micronutrients (boron, manganese, molybdenum, copper and zinc). Suitable sources of these elements for use in agriculture are well known in the field.
- the fertilizer core comprises more than one component selected from the group consisting of urea, ammonium salts, nitrate salts, phosphate salts, potassium salts, calcium nitrate and mixtures thereof.
- the fertilizer core may comprise two components containing the same nutrient, for example urea and ammonium nitrate, or two components containing different nutrients, for example urea and ammonium sulfate.
- the conditioning agent comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 weight% of urea relative to the weight of the composition. It was found that it was preferable for the conditioning agent to comprise from about 0.1 to about 10 weight% of urea relative to the total composition of the conditioning agent. If too little urea is used, the effect of decreasing the viscosity is not measurable. If too much urea is used, the micronutrient content decreases and may become too low for agricultural purposes.
- the conditioning agent may comprise from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight% of urea relative to the weight of the composition. More in particular, the conditioning agent comprises from about 0.1 to about 3.0 weight% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a CuEDTA complex, such as CuEDTA disodium, or CuEDTA diammonium, about 40 to about 80 wt% of monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- a CuEDTA complex such as CuEDTA disodium, or CuEDTA diammonium
- monoethylene glycol optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a ZnEDTA complex, such as ZnEDTA disodium, or ZnEDTA dipotassium, about 40 to about 80 wt% of monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- a ZnEDTA complex such as ZnEDTA disodium, or ZnEDTA dipotassium
- monoethylene glycol optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a MnEDTA complex, such as MnEDTA disodium, about 40 to about 80 wt% of monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- a MnEDTA complex such as MnEDTA disodium
- monoethylene glycol optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a CuEDTA complex, such as CuEDTA disodium, or CuEDTA diammonium, about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- a CuEDTA complex such as CuEDTA disodium, or CuEDTA diammonium
- glycerol optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a ZnEDTA complex, such as ZnEDTA disodium, or ZnEDTA dipotassium, about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- a ZnEDTA complex such as ZnEDTA disodium, or ZnEDTA dipotassium
- glycerol optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a MnEDTA complex, such as MnEDTA disodium, about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- a MnEDTA complex such as MnEDTA disodium
- glycerol optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of boric acid, about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of sodium borate, about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea. In one embodiment, the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of sodium molybdate, about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of boric acid, about 40 to about 80 wt% of monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of sodium borate, about 40 to about 80 wt% of monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of sodium molybdate, about 40 to about 80 wt% of monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the conditioning agent comprises an acid.
- the acid may be organic, i.e. a small molecule. More in particular, the acid may be a polycarboxylic acid, even more in particular it may be selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof.
- the conditioning agent When the conditioning agent was applied onto a fertilizer particle comprising an ammonium source, for example calcium ammonium nitrate, it was noted that the particles emitted a strong and unpleasant smell. Upon analysis via a Drager tube, the smell was identified as being ammonia. Without being bound by theory, it is supposed that an element in the conditioning agent, for example the solvent or the micronutrient chelate compound, may exhibit a basic character and catalyse the transformation of ammonium to ammonia. It was found that adding a component with an acidic character to the conditioning agent reduced the problem.
- an element in the conditioning agent for example the solvent or the micronutrient chelate compound
- a suitable acid needs to fulfil several criteria: acidic enough to stop the ammonia emission but not react or interact with the other elements of the fertilizer particle and/or the conditioning agent; preferably soluble in the solvent or solvent mixture used in the conditioning agent; preferably with a low health and safety risk to avoid complicating the use of the conditioning agent; commercially available at reasonable cost; preferably available pure or in an anhydrous solvent, however, it may be available as an hydrate complex. It was found that malic acid, lactic acid and citric acid are three chemicals fulfilling these criteria and are suitable to be added to the conditioning agent.
- Malic acid is a bis-carboxylic acid with pKas of 3.4 and 5.2
- citric acid is a tri carboxylic acid with pKas of 3.1, 4.8 and 6.4
- lactic acid is a monocarboxylic acid with a pKa of 3.9. It may be an advantage to lower the pH of the conditioning agent to about 7 or below to reduce the ammonia emissions from the fertilizer particles.
- the pH of the conditioning agent may be kept above 5.
- the conditioning agent may comprise from about 0.5 to about 10 weight% of the acid. In particular, it may comprise from about 0.5 to about 5 weight% of the acid, more in particular from about 1 to about 5 weight% of the acid. In one embodiment, the pH of the conditioning agent may be from 5.0 to 7.0.
- the conditioning agent comprises 15 to 50 wt% of a compound which comprises a micronutrient, about 40 to about 80 wt% of a solvent, in particular ethylene glycol or glycerol, 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea, and 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of an acid, in particular citric acid.
- the fertilizer core comprises 0.1 to 2.0 weight% of water-insoluble material.
- the conditioning agent is interesting to apply on fertilizer particles to be used in fertigation, i.e. a method where the fertilizer particles in dissolved in an aqueous solution, such as water, and distributed to the plant via the irrigation system. Fertigation is a powerful fertilization method because it provides nutrients to the plant at the right time in the right amount. Fertigation requires the use of high purity fertilizer products that comprise a low amount of water-insoluble material.
- the advantage of the conditioning agent according to the present invention is that it may be fully water-soluble: glycol and glycol ethers usually have very good water-miscibility and water-soluble micronutrient compounds, such as chelates, are well known.
- a fertilizer particle wherein its core comprises 0.1 to 2.0 weight% of water-insoluble material and comprising a layer of the conditioning agent as disclosed herein is a very good fertilizer product for fertigation.
- Such particles can be prepared in production plants where the coating can be varied to supply different micronutrients, and then delivered to the farmer who can directly add the particles to its fertigation tank and prepare a solution ready to be used.
- the farmer would have to purchase a separate micronutrient product or solution, and measure the right quantity to add to its fertigation tank.
- risk associated with each of these steps such as incompatibility of the micronutrient product with the fertilizer particle, and risk of mistakes when dosing. So a fertilizer particle combining primary and/or secondary nutrient in its core with the right amount of micronutrient already coated on top of it is a very attractive product for farmers.
- the fertilizer particle comprising the core and the conditioning agent comprises 0.1 to 2.0 weight% of water-insoluble material.
- a method to manufacture a fertilizer particle comprising a layer of a conditioning agent comprising a compound which comprises a micronutrient, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fertilizer core particle; and (b) applying an amount of a conditioning agent comprising a compound which comprises a micronutrient dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof and has a melting point below 15 °C, the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the conditioning agent, and the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
- This aspect may exhibit the same or similar features and technical effects as the first aspect, and vice versa.
- a number of well-established methods can be used to coat a fertilizer particle with a liquid composition, e.g. spraying the composition above the particles sitting on a conveyor, mixing the composition and the particles in a rotating drum. Any coating method known in the art may be used with the present invention.
- the solvent is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, monoethylene glycol, monopropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan-l-ol, also known as diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and mixtures thereof.
- the conditioning agent comprises at least 30 g/L of the micronutrient, in particular at least 35 g/L of the micronutrient, more in particular at least 40 g/L, even more in particular at least 44 g/L, even more in particular at least 50 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the conditioning agent used in the method described above comprises urea. Surprisingly, it was also found that adding a small amount of urea to the conditioning agent decreased the viscosity of such agents.
- the conditioning agent comprises an anti-foam agent.
- a possible method to apply a conditioning agent onto solid particles implies spraying the agent onto the particles.
- the particles may be in a rotating drum or lying on a bed.
- spraying composition comprising organic compounds
- Foam appears when air bubbles are trapped within a layer of organic compound.
- an anti-foam agent to the composition before the spraying operation.
- a wide range of anti-foam agents are commercially available from suppliers, for example Synthron.
- the anti-foam agent are usually added in a very small amount, typically less than 1.0 weight% compared to the total composition and do not affect the properties of the composition except for the foaming tendency.
- the conditioning agent comprises an acid.
- the acid may be organic, i.e. a small molecule. More in particular, the acid may be a polycarboxylic acid, even more in particular it may be selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid and mixtures thereof.
- the conditioning agent represents 0.1 to 2 weight%, in particular 0.1 to 1.0 weight%, of the fertilizer particle.
- a liquid composition in another aspect, comprises a compound which comprises a micronutrient dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof and has a melting point below 15 °C, the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the liquid composition, and the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
- the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof and has a melting point below 15 °C
- the solvent represents from about 30 to about 90 weight% of the liquid composition
- the micronutrient is selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
- This composition may be used to coat fertilizer particles to provide a micronutrient source to the particles. Surprisingly, it was found that adding a small amount of urea to the compositions described previously decreased the viscosity of such compositions. When these compositions are applied onto solid particles, such as fertilizer particles, it is desirable that the liquid composition has a suitable viscosity which enables an even coating.
- the solvent in the liquid composition is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, monoethylene glycol, monopropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethan- l-ol, also known as diethyleneglycol monoethyl ether and mixtures thereof.
- glycol and glycol ethers were found to be particularly suitable to prepare a composition with a micronutrient compound, in particular a micronutrient chelate, and optionally urea.
- Glycerol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether are classified as a non-hazardous substance so they are particularly suitable as a solvent.
- the liquid composition comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 weight% of urea relative to the weight of the composition. It was found that an amount of urea from about 1.0 to 10 weight% of the total liquid composition is preferable. If too much urea is used, the micronutrient content decreases and becomes too low for agricultural purposes.
- the liquid composition may comprise from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight% of urea, more in particular from about 0.1 to about 2.0 weight% of urea.
- the mass ratio of the compound which comprises a micronutrient to solvent is in the range 1:9 to 3:1, in particular in the range 1:3 to 3:1, and more in particular in the range 1:2 to 2:1.
- the ratio of micronutrient compound to solvent has to be optimized to obtain a composition with the desired characteristics.
- the composition has to have a suitable viscosity so that it can be applied onto solid particles and the micronutrient content has to be high enough so that it provides enough micronutrient to the plants in a minimum of applications.
- the liquid composition comprises at least 30 g/L of the micronutrient, in particular at least 35 g/L of the micronutrient, more in particular at least 40 g/L, even more in particular at least 44 g/L, even more in particular at least 50 g/L, even more in particular at least 55 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the liquid composition comprises from 30 to 200 g/L, from 35 to 200 g/L, from 40 to 200 g/L, from 44 to 200 g/L, from 50 to 200 g/L, or from 55 to 200 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the liquid composition comprises from 30 to 150 g/L, from 35 to 150 g/L, from 40 to 150 g/L, from 44 to 150 g/L, from 50 to 150 g/L, or from 55 to 150 g/L of the micronutrient.
- the liquid composition comprises from 30 to 200 g/L, from 35 to 200 g/L, from 40 to 200 g/L, from 44 to 200 g/L, from 50 to 200 g/L, or from 55 to 200 g/L of boron or molybdenum.
- the liquid composition comprises from 30 to 150 g/L, from 35 to 150 g/L, from 40 to 150 g/L, from 44 to 150 g/L, from 50 to 150 g/L, or from 55 to 150 g/L of boron or molybdenum.
- the liquid composition comprises from 90 to 150 g/L, from 90 to 140 g/L, from 90 to 130 g/L, or from 90 to 120 g/L of molybdenum.
- molybdenum as the micronutrient, and in particular using sodium molybdate as molybdenum source, it was observed that it was possible to obtain stable compositions with a very high concentration of micronutrient.
- the sum of two or more micronutrients is from 30 to 150 g/L, from 35 to 150 g/L, from 40 to 150 g/L, from 44 to 150 g/L, from 50 to 150 g/L, or from 55 to 150 g/L.
- a composition comprising two or more micronutrients wherein the sum of the concentration of the micronutrients is at least 30 g/L or even 50 g/L.
- the liquid composition comprises manganese, copper and zinc, and the combined concentration of the micronutrient is above 50 g/L, or from 50 to 200 g/L, or from 50 to 150 g/L, or from 50 to 100 g/L.
- the liquid composition comprises an anti-foam agent.
- the liquid composition comprises an acid.
- the acid may be organic, i.e. a small molecule. More in particular, the acid may be a polycarboxylic acid, even more in particular it may be selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid and mixtures thereof.
- the liquid composition has a pH of from 5.0 to 9.0, or from 5.0 to 8.0, or from 5.0 to 7.5.
- the liquid composition comprises from 15 to 50 wt% of a component comprising boron, from about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol or monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea. In one embodiment, the liquid composition comprises from 15 to 50 wt% of a component comprising molybdenum, from about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol or monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the liquid composition comprises from 15 to 50 wt% of boric acid or sodium borate, from about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol or monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- the liquid composition comprises from 15 to 50 wt% of sodium molybdate, from about 40 to about 80 wt% of glycerol or monoethylene glycol, optionally 0.01 to 1.0 wt% of an anti-foam agent and optionally 0.1 to 5.0 wt% of urea.
- compositions as a coating agent for fertilizer particles
- the composition comprising a compound which comprises a micronutrient selected from the group consisting of boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof and has a melting point below 15 °C, and optionally urea.
- a solvent selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof and has a melting point below 15 °C, and optionally urea.
- the composition comprises an anti-foam agent.
- the composition comprises an acid.
- the acid may be organic, i.e. a small molecule. More in particular, the acid may be a polycarboxylic acid, even more in particular it may be selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof.
- the composition has a pH from 5.0 to 7.0.
- composition as described above as a coating agent for fertilizer particles is provided.
- the solvent was placed in a glass vessel fitted with an impeller stirrer.
- the copper chelate powder was added slowly to the stirred solvent, controlling the rate of addition in such a way as to avoid clumping. After completing the addition, stirring was continued for 120 minutes to ensure complete dissolution.
- the process can be carried out at room temperature or alternatively the solvent/mixture may be heated to 30-40°C in order to speed up the dissolution.
- the resultant product was a clear, bright blue, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) ⁇ 200 cP at 20°C
- the product remained stable for at least 12 weeks when stored at room temperature.
- the resultant product was a clear, bright blue, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) 6700 cP at 20°C
- the product remained stable for at 12 weeks when stored at room temperature.
- the product was prepared in a similar manner to Example 1.
- the resultant product was a clear, colourless, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) ⁇ 200 cP at 20°C pH 6.8
- the product remained stable for at 12 weeks when stored at room temperature.
- the resultant product was a clear, bright blue, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) 3240 cP at 20°C
- the product remained stable for at 12 weeks when stored at room temperature.
- the product remained stable for at 12 weeks when stored at room temperature.
- the solvent was placed in a glass vessel under a Silverson high shear rotor/stator mixer.
- the mixer was started and the manganese chelate powder was added slowly to the mixed solvent, controlling the rate of addition in such a way as to avoid clumping. After completing the addition, mixing was continued for 9 minutes to ensure complete dissolution.
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) ⁇ 200 cP at 20°C
- Boric acid is a powder. In order to facilitate its dissolution, it may be an advantage to grind the powder to decrease the particle size.
- the powder can be ground manually.
- Example 6 the Silverson high shear rotor/stator mixer as described in Example 6 may be used.
- the resultant product was a clear, colourless, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) ⁇ 200 cP at 20°C
- Viscosity (Brookfield, Spindle 3, 12 rpm) ⁇ 200 cP at 20°C
- the resultant product was a clear, bright blue, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- the resultant product was a clear, bright blue, slightly viscous solution with the following physiochemical characteristics:
- Tests were carried out to assess the effect of a copper chelate composition according to the present application described above on fertilizer quality parameters when coated on to solid particulate fertilizer.
- a water-based copper chelate solution was prepared and tested for comparison.
- the crushing strength is one of the main parameters for evaluation of the physical properties of fertilizers and is significantly influenced by the content of free water in the fertilizer.
- Each of the copper chelate composition was applied to NPK particles comprising at least 98.5 weight% of water-soluble material at a rate equivalent to 4 litres per tonne (equivalent to about 0.50 wt% of the final product) using a lab scale conical blender. 1 kg of the NPK particles was added to the blender and the appropriate quantity of copper chelate composition added to the fertilizer as it was mixed in the rotating blender. Blending was continued for 20 seconds after addition to allow thorough distribution and coating of the copper chelate composition over the urea.
- the treatments used were as follows:
- Non-aqueous copper chelate composition dissolved in monoethylene glycol 25 wt% of Cu disodium EDTA which comprises 15% w/w Cu and 75 wt% of monoethylene glycol
- Non-aqueous composition comprising copper EDTA and urea dissolved in glycerol (25 wt% of Cu disodium EDTA which comprises 15% w/w Cu, 10 wt% of urea and 75 wt% of glycerol)
- Non-aqueous composition comprising copper EDTA and urea dissolved in monoethylene glycol (25 wt% of Cu disodium EDTA which comprises 15% w/w Cu, 10 wt% urea and 75 wt% of monoethylene glycol)
- mt is the abbreviation for the unit metric tonne, also written metric ton.
- the coated particles were bagged, sealed and stored for 24 h at 50 °C before the crushing strength of the granules was tested using a Mecmesin DT10 Hardness Gauge according to the following method. An individual granule was placed on a smooth, solid surface (lab bench top) and the plunger of the tester was placed over the granule. The tester was pressed down until the granule fractured and the reading from the scale noted.
- the test was carried out at room temperature (ca. 20°C), repeated 20 times for each treatment and the average value was reported in the table below.
- composition according to the present invention has less impact on the strength of fertilizer granules than a water-containing composition.
- the coated particles were also put through a caking test, where a 1 kg plate was placed on top of a bag of particles. After two weeks at 50 °C, none of the particles with test numbers 3 to 6 showed any caking.
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Abstract
Description
Claims
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CN202280016058.8A CN116867754A (en) | 2021-03-02 | 2022-03-02 | Fertilizer granules coated with a source of micronutrients |
CA3209724A CA3209724A1 (en) | 2021-03-02 | 2022-03-02 | Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source |
EP22711584.7A EP4301716A1 (en) | 2021-03-02 | 2022-03-02 | Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source |
BR112023017257A BR112023017257A2 (en) | 2021-03-02 | 2022-03-02 | Fertilizer particles coated with a source of micronutrients |
ZA2023/08001A ZA202308001B (en) | 2021-03-02 | 2023-08-17 | Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source |
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GB2102929.3A GB2604589A (en) | 2021-03-02 | 2021-03-02 | Fertilizer particles coated with a micronutrient source |
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CN (1) | CN116867754A (en) |
AR (1) | AR125584A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112023017257A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3209724A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2604589A (en) |
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Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DD236517A1 (en) * | 1985-04-23 | 1986-06-11 | Adl Der Ddr Inst F Pflanzenern | LIQUID BOR DUENGER |
GB2513232A (en) | 2013-02-20 | 2014-10-22 | Yara Uk Ltd | Fertiliser coating containing micronutrients |
US20160185678A1 (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2016-06-30 | Verdesian Life Sciences, Llc | Polymer-boric acid compositions |
WO2020025829A1 (en) * | 2018-08-03 | 2020-02-06 | Fine Agrochemicals Limited | Micronutrient concentrate and use thereof |
WO2020225559A1 (en) * | 2019-05-07 | 2020-11-12 | Yara Uk Limited | Fertilizer particles comprising iron |
-
2021
- 2021-03-02 GB GB2102929.3A patent/GB2604589A/en active Pending
-
2022
- 2022-03-02 EP EP22711584.7A patent/EP4301716A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-02 CN CN202280016058.8A patent/CN116867754A/en active Pending
- 2022-03-02 CA CA3209724A patent/CA3209724A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-02 WO PCT/GB2022/050544 patent/WO2022185049A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-03-02 BR BR112023017257A patent/BR112023017257A2/en unknown
- 2022-03-02 AR ARP220100454A patent/AR125584A1/en unknown
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2023
- 2023-08-17 ZA ZA2023/08001A patent/ZA202308001B/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DD236517A1 (en) * | 1985-04-23 | 1986-06-11 | Adl Der Ddr Inst F Pflanzenern | LIQUID BOR DUENGER |
GB2513232A (en) | 2013-02-20 | 2014-10-22 | Yara Uk Ltd | Fertiliser coating containing micronutrients |
US20160185678A1 (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2016-06-30 | Verdesian Life Sciences, Llc | Polymer-boric acid compositions |
WO2020025829A1 (en) * | 2018-08-03 | 2020-02-06 | Fine Agrochemicals Limited | Micronutrient concentrate and use thereof |
WO2020225559A1 (en) * | 2019-05-07 | 2020-11-12 | Yara Uk Limited | Fertilizer particles comprising iron |
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CN116867754A (en) | 2023-10-10 |
CA3209724A1 (en) | 2022-09-09 |
ZA202308001B (en) | 2024-04-24 |
EP4301716A1 (en) | 2024-01-10 |
AR125584A1 (en) | 2023-08-02 |
GB2604589A (en) | 2022-09-14 |
GB202102929D0 (en) | 2021-04-14 |
BR112023017257A2 (en) | 2023-09-26 |
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