U.S. patent application number 10/193728 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-10 for free flowing fertilizer composition with enhanced deposition/anti drift characteristics.
Invention is credited to Brigance, Mickey, McManic, Greg.
Application Number | 20030126900 10/193728 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26872425 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030126900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brigance, Mickey ; et
al. |
July 10, 2003 |
Free flowing fertilizer composition with enhanced deposition/anti
drift characteristics
Abstract
A free-flowing fertilizer comprising: i) from 25 to 99.5% by
weight of a powdered water soluble nitrogen containing fertilizer.
ii) from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight of a polyacrylamide liquid
emulsion/dispersion. iii) from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of a
polyacrylamide powder whose particle size is primarily 50 to 100
mesh in size.
Inventors: |
Brigance, Mickey;
(Germantown, TN) ; McManic, Greg; (Germantown,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL, LLP
SUITE 3100, PROMENADE II
1230 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30309-3592
US
|
Family ID: |
26872425 |
Appl. No.: |
10/193728 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10193728 |
Jul 11, 2002 |
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09761643 |
Jan 18, 2001 |
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6423109 |
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60176617 |
Jan 19, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
71/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C05C 3/00 20130101; C05G
3/30 20200201; C05G 5/10 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
71/28 |
International
Class: |
C05C 009/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An additive composition for improving resistance to off-target
drift comprising a polyacrylamide liquid emulsion/dispersion and a
polyacrylamide powder the particle size of which is 50 to 100 mesh
in size and optionally agents to keep the composition free
flowing.
2. A free-flowing fertilizer comprising: a. a powdered water
soluble nitrogen containing fertilizer, b. a sufficient amount of a
polyacrylamide liquid emulsion/dispersion, to maintain the
free-flowing nature of the composition c. a polyacrylamide powder
whose particle size is 50 to 100 mesh in size.
3. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2, wherein said
water soluble nitrogen containing fertilizer is a member selected
from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, urea, ammonium
nitrate, potassium nitrate and diammonium phosphate.
4. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 3, wherein said
water soluble nitrogen containing fertilizer is ammonium
sulfate.
5. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2, which further
contains from 0.5 to 5% of a powdered silicone defoamer on a water
soluble powdered base.
6. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2, which further
contains from 0 to 30% of a nononionic powdered surfactant.
7. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 6, wherein said
surfactant is a urea complex.
8. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2, which further
contains from 0 to 50% of at least one agent which is a
sequestering agent or a sequestered metal.
9. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 8, wherein said
agent is ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or its salt, citric
acid or its salts, or phosphoric acid salts.
10. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2, which
additionally contains from 0 to 1.5% of anti caking compounds.
11. The free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2, which
additionally contains finely ground diatomaceous earth, kaolin clay
or, polymorphous silica.
12. A process for manufacturing a free-flowing, powder fertilizer
composition comprising: a. intimately blending. i) from 25 to 99.5%
by weight of the formula of a milled fertilizer, ii) spraying a
sufficient amount of a liquid drift control agent onto the dry
milled fertilizer while under constant blending, said amount being
sufficient to maintain the free-flowing nature of said composition;
(iii) adding a finely ground polyacrylamide powdered drift control
agent to above mixture while blending iv) optionally adding dry
defoamer, dry nonionic surfactants, dry sequestering agents and/or
sequestered metal or, dry anticaking agents to the above mixture
while blending, to obtain a dry blended powder, b) passing the dry
blended powder through a screening device using a mesh screen to
remove large unground particles, and mill scale, c) passing dry
blended and screened powder through additional screen prior to
optionally packaging.
13. The process according to claim 13 wherein the fertilizer is a
member selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate,
urea, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and diammonium
phosphate.
14. The process according to claim 12 wherein the liquid drift
control agent is a polyacrylamide emulsion or dispersion.
15. A process for applying a free-flowing fertilizer to a crop
comprising mixing the free-flowing fertilizer of claim 2 with a
sufficient amount of water and spraying said crop.
16. A herbicidal formulation of improved characteristics comprising
non-ionic, anionic, or cationic herbicide and the free-flowing
fertilizer according to claim 2.
17. A method for improving the application of a herbicidal
comprising blending a non-ionic, anionic, or cationic herbicide
with the free-flowing fertilizer according to claim 2 and applying
the resulting blend to a crop.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the priority
application 60/176,617 and application 09/761,643 filed Jan. 18,
2001 which are relied on and incorporated herein by reference.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a process and compositions
for producing a free flowing fertilizer which exhibits enhanced
deposition and anti drift characteristics.
[0003] More particularly, the process of the present invention
relates to controlling the particle size of the fertilizer to a
range which is more course than a fine powder but finer than
unprocessed material, spraying onto the presized fertilizer a
liquid deposition agent, blending until homogeneous, and post
adding other agents such as defoamers, anticaking agents, other
deposition enhancement agents, surface active agents, dispersing
agents, crystalline inhibitor agents, other sequestering agents,
shear resistant anti drift agents and the like and screening out
oversized particles if necessary.
[0004] The use of fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate to enhance
herbicide and pesticide performance is well documented. The need
for deposition enhancement and resistance to drift is also well
documented. Prior efforts have been made to address these issues.
For example, guar as a deposition enhancement component for
fertilizer compositions has been suggested in U.S. Pat. No.
5,964,917. The use of polyacrylamide suspensions/emulsions as a
deposition enhancement agent for tank mix applications is also
known, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,224; 5,824,797 and 5,874,096. The
above patents are relied on and incorporated herein for the
disclosure of the polyacrylamide polymers.
[0005] To be able to combine the effectiveness of a polyacrylamide
suspension/emulsion deposition enhancement agent with fertilizer
components such ammonium sulfate would be a desirable feature.
[0006] Incorporating a liquid deposition agent onto a fertilizer
component presents obstacles to overcome such as tackiness of the
mixture, caking in the bag, scaling of the liquid deposition agent
with the fertilizer resulting in particles which will not disperse
readily in the spray tank or deactivation of the deposition agent
and other agents.
[0007] Other desirable components that can be incorporated into
fertilizer compositions include but are not limited to defoaming
agents, surface active agents, potentiating agents, dispersing
agents, crystalline inhibitor agents, other dry deposition/anti
drift agents, other sequestering agents, shear resistant anti drift
agents, and the like.
[0008] Polyacrylamides have been used in dry fertilizer mixtures.
Sanitek Products has a product known as 41A--FG(Fine Grind) which
is a dry milled polyacrylamide mixture with xanthan gum. See U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,510,081 and 4,610,311. These two patents are relied on
for the disclosure relating to the polyacrylamide polymers. This
product is easy to use in dry systems but is effective only at high
concentrations. The polyacrylamide must be ground to a fine
particle size to overcome tank mixing problems. When the
polyacrylamide dry particles are hydrated, if they are not very
small initially, they will swell to form "fish eyes" which can
block in line screens and nozzles resulting in pressure buildup in
the system and spotty spray patterns. When the polyacrylamide
particles are ground to a fine size, a significant reduction in
anti drift/deposition efficiency is noted requiring the use of much
higher concentrations to achieve adequate control.
[0009] Agricultural pesticides prior to spraying often benefit from
specific additives to the spray mix which provide functionality
that is either not possible or practical as commercial pesticide
formulations. These functionalities include but are not limited to
the sequestering of antagonistic metal ions found in the water used
for spraying or as micronutrients added to the tank to correct soil
deficiencies, improved target deposition, reduction of off target
drift, foam control, increase in droplet drying time to allow
additional absorption time, decreased surface tension/wetting,
improved absortion and the like.
[0010] Off target drift and enhanced deposition of pesticide
containing spray droplets has been an industry issue for many
years. This issue has been magnified with the advent of the
Biogenetic Era. It is now a common event to spray a powerful
herbicide such as glyphosate onto crops such as soybeans which have
been genetically engineered to resist damage by glyphosate. At the
time of spraying it is not unusual to have glyphosate sensitive
crops such as corn growing nearby. Without using good drift
management techniques, it is possible to injure or kill young
growing corn plants with off target drift containing
glyphosate.
[0011] Off target drift effects performance of pesticides as the
portion which drifts away is not effective on the proper target.
This loss of pesticide activity impacts the farmer negatively with
reduced crop yields. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce off
target drift of the spray mist while enhancing proper deposition
onto the intended target. The deposition enhancement effect of
droplet adhesion has been studied extensively within the industry.
When spray droplets hit the intended target, it is desirable for
them to hit and stay on the target rather than to bounce off. The
anti bounce effect is related to droplet size and also to droplet
elasticity. The greater the retention of the droplet on the target,
the more efficient the droplet is in having its intended pesticidal
effect.
[0012] It is generally considered within the industry that the
optimum size of the spray droplet to minimize off target drift
while enhancing proper deposition is in the 200 to 400 micron
range. Droplets smaller than 150 microns are highly susceptible to
drift. Droplets larger than 400 microns represent reduced coverage
and therefore reduced pesticide efficiency.
[0013] An object of this invention is to provide a convenient and
easy-to-use fertilizer composition which offers improved resistance
to off-target drift as well as improved deposition onto the desired
target.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide optionally
additional functionality such as enhanced sequestering of metal
ions found in the water used for spraying or added to the spray mix
to correct soil deficiencies, effective foam control, decrease in
evaporation rate, decreased surface tension/wetting times, and as a
result improved pesticide activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The above and other objects of the invention can be achieved
by a combination of dry milled polyacrylamide and a liquid
polyacrylamide emulsion/suspension plus other functioning agents
for applications to a properly sized solid fertilizer.
[0016] Traditional polyacrylamide dry systems are very sensitive to
shear and show substantially reduced performance as the tank mix is
recirculated through the pumping system. By combining the mixture
of a dry milled polyacrylamide with a polyacrylamide
emulsion/dispersion, differing rates of hydration from the
different systems are used to extend the time of control under
different shear rates through the pumping system.
[0017] Incorporation of other shear resistant polymers can further
extend the time of activity under shear stress.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] According to a feature of the invention, the free-flowing
fertilizer of the invention is comprised of the following:
[0019] i) from 25 to 99.5% by weight of a powdered water soluble
nitrogen containing fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate, urea,
ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, diammonium phosphate.
[0020] ii) from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight of a polyacrylamide liquid
emulsion/dispersion such as Percol E 38 from Ciba Specialties
containing a high molecular weight nonionic or anionic polymer
[0021] iii) from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of a polyacrylamide powder
whose particle size has been reduced to be primarily 50 to 100 mesh
in size such as Magnafloc 156F from Ciba Specialties
[0022] iv) from 0 to 5% of a powdered silicone defoamer such as
AU-319 from Adjuvants Unlimited Inc. or other suitable silicone
defoamers on a water soluble powdered base
[0023] v) from 0 to 30% of a nonionic powdered surfactant prepared
preferably as a clathrate(urea complex)
[0024] vi) from 0 to 50% of specialty sequestering
agents/sequestered metals such as ethylene diamine tetra acetic
acid(or its salts), citric acid(or its salts), phosphoric acid
salts (preferably ammonium phosphate)
[0025] vii) from 0 to 1.5% of anti caking compounds such as finely
ground diatomaceous earth, kaolen clay, polymorphous silica, and
the like.
[0026] According to another feature of the invention, the process
for manufacturing a free flowing, powder fertilizer composition
comprises:
[0027] a) intimately blend the following:
[0028] i) from 25 to 99.5% by weight of the formula, milled dry
fertilizer,
[0029] ii) spraying from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight, of a liquid drift
control agent such as a polyacrylamide emulsion/dispersion onto the
dry milled fertilizer while under constant blending in a ribbon
blender or equivalent,
[0030] iii) adding from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of a finely ground
polyacrylamide powdered drift control agent to the above mixture
while blending,
[0031] iv) adding additional optional functionality to the formula
by adding dry defoamer(0 to 5%), dry nonionic surfactants(0 to
30%), dry specialty sequestering agents and/or sequestered metals(0
to 50%) and/or, dry anticaking agents(0 to 1.5%) to the above
mixture while blending
[0032] b) passing the dry blended powder through a screening device
such as a Sweeko or Azo sifter using a proper mesh
screen(preferably 20 to 14 mesh) to remove excessively large
unground particles, mill scale, and debris,
[0033] c) passing dry blended and screened powder through
additional screen prior to optionally packaging.
[0034] Typically the fertilizer is passed through a hammermill
(such as a 3 TH model Micropulverizer or equivalent) using either
no screen or a large gapped screen such as a "jump gap" screen
designed to reduce the fertilizer particle size to a satisfactory
range.
[0035] Typically, ammonium sulfate crystals are primarily larger
than 45 mesh before milling. This is too large a particle to coat
with a liquid of any significant concentration because the
resultant mixture will tend to be sticky and not hold up to storage
without forming lumps in the bags. The resultant mixture may be
difficult to pour out and may not disperse readily. By controlling
the resonance time in the mill and the type of screen, ammonium
sulfate or other fertilizers can be ground so that the majority of
the particles are in the range of 40 to 100 mesh with a heavy
percentage in the 55 to 85 mesh range. It is also important not to
overmill the fertilizer which would produce significant percentages
of particles less than 130 mesh as they tend to cause lumps and
mill scale which do not disperse readily.
[0036] Once the fertilizer is milled to the proper particle size it
is charged into a ribbon blender where the other components of the
composition are added. It is preferable to spray the liquid
polyacrylamide emulsion/suspension first onto the fertilizer. The
relatively large particle size of the fertilizer will accept the
liquid spray without forming lumps or hard scale particles. This
mixture is then blended until homogeneous and lump free.
[0037] Other components such as those listed above are then added
to the mixture and blended. The mixture may then be run through a
post sifting device such as a Sweeko or Azo screen using a 14 mesh
screen to remove any significant quantity of particles of higher
than desired size. Usually, particles larger than 14 mesh represent
mill scale caused by moisture or uneven polymer coating and need to
be removed because of their difficulty in dispersing in the tank
mix.
[0038] The effect of pump shear on drift management products has
been studied extensively within the industry. All commercial
sprayers use pumps to recirculate/agitate the holding tank as well
as deliver the spray through the nozzles onto the proper target.
Increased recirculation/agitiation results in larger numbers of
passes through the pump. It is desirable for a drift management
product to be effective in controlling droplet size and elasticity
through several pump cycles. Historically, polyacrylamide emulsions
or dispersions have been used effectively to reduce off target
drift. Usually, these are 30 to 50% active polyacrylamide
formulations which are used at 1 to 6 oz per 100 gallons spray mix
or 1% active pre swelled polyacrylamide solutions which are used at
32 to 64oz per 100 gallons. Powdered polyacrylamides of medium to
high molecular weight such as Magnafloc 156 F are essentially 100%
polyacrylamide and therefore very effective drift management
components. This polymer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,975
which is incorporated herein by reference. However, when added to
the spray mix these powders form instant gels which will not
disperse properly and will clog up screens and nozzles. Other
powdered polyacrylamide/xanthan gum combinations such as Sanitex
41A and 41A FG have been formulated with diluents to help
dissolution to reduce similar gel blocking problems. The 41A
material because of the larger particle size produces more "fish
eyes" and is much worse at forming gel blocks than 41A FG which is
finely ground to a smaller particle size. However, 41A FG is less
efficient as a drift management component. Also, the dilution
reduces the effectiveness of the polymer and requires substantially
more polymer (3 X) to achieve comparable results in drift
control.
[0039] A solution to the gel blocking problem of the powdered
polyacrylamide concentrate has been discovered as follows: 1) to
finely grind the polyacrylamide to a smaller particle size than 41A
FG, and 2) to formulate it into a diluted form with a higher use
rate. Since fertilizer mixes (preferably ammonium sulfate) are
recommended to be tank mixed with many pesticides such as
glyphosate, dry powdered finely ground polyacrylamide was blended
into a ground fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate. The resultant
blend mixes and dissolves well with functionality as a drift
control and deposition enhancement agent. See Table A which uses
spray angle reduction and visual fines on a scale of 0 to 10 as a
determinator of spray drift potential .
1TABLE A Evaluation of spray drift potential and gel formation on
several formulations Spray ran at 30 PSI through Tee Jet 8004
nozzle(10 is water-0 is no drift) All formulations were evaluated
in tap water at 1% dilutions % + 50 mesh Formulation Drift
potential gel bound Water 10 0% Ammonium Sulfate(AMS) 10 0% AMS-99%
+ 0.5% Magnafloc 156F 5 1% AMS-99% + 1.0% Magnafloc 156F 3 1%
AMS-99% + 0.5% 41 A FG 8 9% AMS-99% + 1.0% 41 A FG 8 10% AMS-99% +
1.5% 41 A FG 7 15% AMS-99% + 0.5% 41 A 7 13% AMS-99% + 1.0% 41 A 7
19% AMS-99% + 1.5% 41 A 6 25%
[0040] The use of a liquid polyacrylamide emulsion/dispersion
concentrate was evaluated as an ingredient in preparing a dry free
flowing powder with drift reduction properties. Percol E 38 from
Ciba Specialties (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,975) was evaluated as a
candidate because of the efficiency of the polymer concentrate(use
level 2 to 6 oz per 100 gallons spray mix) and the ease of polymer
dissolution. Formulations were prepared for drift reduction , long
term storage, and ease of dissolution properties. The results in
Table B show that while drift reduction efficiency was good using
this process, there were storage and ease of dissolution issues to
overcome. It was demonstrated that by the addition of certain anti
caking compounds , shelf life and case of dissolution was greatly
increased.
2TABLE B Evaluation of spray drift potential and ease of
dissolution before and after aging several formulations Spray ran
at 30 PSI through Tee Jet 8004 nozzle(10 is water-0 is no drift)
All formulations were evaluated in tap water at 1% dilutions Aging
was simulated by storing at 40.degree. C. for one week Drift
potential Dissolution ease 0 to 10 # inversions Formulation Initial
aged Initial aged 99.5% AMS + 0.5% Percol E 38 5 5 3 8 99.5% AMS +
1.0% Percol E 38 3 3 3 12 99.5% AMS + 1.5% Percol E 38 2 2 4 15
99.0% AMS + 1.0% Percol E 38 + 1% Diatomaceous Earth Fine Grind 3 3
3 5 99.0% AMS + 1.0% Percol E 38 + 1% Polymorphous Silica 3 3 9 15
NOTE: All samples showed effects of aging. The formulation with
Diatomaceous Earth was most stable and least effected.
[0041] Based on the above data it was decided to evaluate blending
portions of liquid polyacrylamide concentrates and finely ground
polyacrylamide powdered concentrates and processing into a dry
flowable fertilizer blend. In addition, the use of a dry defoamer
-AU-319-- was incorporated into the test to see if there were any
adverse effects on the system. It was unexpected to discover that
this combination of polyacrylamide components would solve the aging
effects as well improve resistance to pump shear. It was later
discovered that the difference in hydration rates of the two
polyacrylamide components contributed to the increased resistance
to pump shear. See Table C and D. The polyacrylamide components
used according to the invention are characterized by a molecular
weight ranging from 5,000,000 to 25,000,000, preferably 10,000,000
to 20,000,000. Preferably anionic polymers are used according to
the present invention.
3TABLE C Evaluation of spray drift potential and ease of
dissolution before and after aging several formulations Spray ran
at 30 PSI through Tee Jet 8004 nozzle(10 is water-0 is no drift)
All formulations were evaluated in tap water at 1% dilutions Aging
was simulated by storing at 40.degree. C. for one week Drift
potential Dissolution ease 0 to 10 # inversions Formulation Initial
aged Initial aged 98.5% AMS + 0.5% Percol E 38 0.5% Magnafloc 156F
+ 0.5% Diatomaceous Earth 4 4 3 5 98.5% AMS + 0.25% Percol E 38 +
1.0% Magnafloc 156F + 0.25% Diatomaceous Earth 3 3 3 4
[0042]
4TABLE D Evaluation of spray drift efficiency versus pump shear on
several formulations Spray ran at 30 PSI through Tee Jet 8004
nozzle(10 is water-0 is no drift) All formulations except noted
were evaluated in tap water at 1% dilutions Drift potential (0 to
10) Cycles through the pump Formulation 1 5 9 98.5% AMS + 0.5%
Percol E 38 + 0.5% Magnafloc 156F + 0.5% Diatomaceous Earth 4 5 6
98.5% AMS + 0.25% Percol E 38 + 1.0% Magnafloc 156F + 0.25%
Diatomaceous Earth 3 4 5 99.0% AMS + 0.25% Percol E 38 + 0.5%
Magnafloc 156F + 0.25% Diatomaceous Earth** 3 3.5 4 98.5% AMS +
0.25% Percol E 38 + 1.0% Magnafloc 156F + 1.0% AU-319 + 0.25%
Diatomaceous Earth 3 4 5 99.0% AMS + 0.25% Percol E 38 + 0.5%
Magnafloc 156F + 0.25% Diatomaceous Earth** 3 3.5 4 Array(Intec
Commercial Product) 3 3.5 4 NOTE: **formulation was evaluated at 2%
in tap water
[0043] Commercial formula prototypes were evaluated versus existing
commercial products. The products were evaluated for droplet size
control, for pump shear effects, for droplet adhesion or anti
bounce properties, and for bioefficacy with glyphosate. See below
results summary:
5TABLE E Droplet size comparison versus pump shear of several
formulations Use #pump Product Rate cycles % < 150 u % 150-500 u
% > 500 u Water as is 0 12 81 7 Water plus Roundup Ultra 2.5% 0
20 77 3 Water plus 0 8 60 32 Roundup Ultra 2.5% 3 16 76 8 plus
71100 1.0% 6 15 76 8 9 15 80 5 Water plus RoundUp Ultra 2.5% 0 5 54
41 plus 91170 2.0% 3 15 74 11 6 15 76 9 9 15 75 10 Water plus 0 5
48 47 Roundup Ultra 2.5% 3 11 72 17 plus 93452 2.3% 6 13 75 12 9 15
75 10 Water plus 0 7 57 36 Roundup Ultra 2.5% 3 12 69 11 plus Array
1.0% 6 16 73 11 9 16 73 11
[0044]
6TABLE F % spray adhered to leaf surface of several formulations %
spray adhered Product Use Rate to leaf surface Water as is 20 Water
+ Roundup Ultra 2.5% 48 Water + Roundup Ultra + 71100 2.5%/1.0% 63
Water + Roundup Ultra + 91170 2.5%/2.0% 67 Water + Roundup Ultra +
93452 2.5%/2.3% 73 Water + Roundup Ultra + Array 2.5%/1.0% 73
[0045]
7TABLE G % control of foxtail of several formulations Product Use
Rate % control Water as is 0 Water + Roundup Ultra 2.5% 88 Water +
Roundup Ultra + 71100 2.5%/1.0% 98 Water + Roundup Ultra + 91170
2.5%/2.0% 98 Water + Roundup Ultra + 93452 2.5%/2.2% 97 Water +
Roundup Ultra + Array 2.5%/1.0% 82
[0046] Based on the above information, below are examples of
optimized formulations:
EXAMPLE 1
[0047] For product to be used at 9 to 12 lbs per 100 gallons spray
mix containing glyphosate at recommended rates:
8 Component % by weight Ammonium Sulfate 97.5 Magnafloc 156 Fine
Grind (Ciba Specialties) 1.00 Percol E 38 liquid dispersion (Ciba
Specialties) 0.25 Diatomaceous Earth Fine Grind 0.25 AU-319
powdered defoamer(silicone on sodium acetate) 1.00 The product
performance is represented by formula above--71100
EXAMPLE 2
[0048] For product to be used at 17 lbs per 100 gallons spray mix
containing glyphosate at recommended rates:
9 Component % by weight Ammonium Sulfate 98.3 Magnafloc 156 Fine
Grind (Ciba Specialties) 0.60 Percol E 38 liquid dispersion (Ciba
Specialties) 0.25 Diatomaceous Earth Fine Grind 0.25 AU-319
powdered defoamer(silicone on sodium acetate) 0.60 The product
performance is represented by formula above--91170
EXAMPLE 3
[0049] For product (containing a dry nonionic surfactant) to be
used at 17 to 20 lbs per 100 gallons spray mix containing
glyphosate at recommended rates:
10 Component % by weight Ammonium Sulfate 90.15 Magnafloc 156 Fine
Grind (Ciba Specialties) 0.60 Percol E 38 liquid dispersion (Ciba
Specialties) 0.25 Diatomaceous Earth Fine Grind 0.25 AU-319
powdered defoamer (silicone on 0.75 sodium acetate) Synfactant
powdered 8.00 clathrate nonionic surfactant (Kalo Inc.) The product
performance is represented by formula above--93452
EXAMPLE 4
[0050] For product which contains dry nonionic surfactant to be
used at 2 to 4 lbs per 100 gallons spray mix containing glyphosate
at recommended rates:
11 Component % by weight Ammonium Sulfate 64.50 Magnafloc 156 Fine
Grind (Ciba Specialties) 2.50 Percol E 38 liquid dispersion (Ciba
Specialties) 0.25 Diatomaceous Earth Fine Grind 0.25 AU-319
powdered defoamer (silicone on sodium acetate) 2.50 Citric Acid
5.00 Ammonium Phosphate 10.00 Ammonium Citrate 5.00 Synfactant
powdered 10.00 clathrate surfactant (Kalo, Inc.)
[0051] Particle size analysis of Magnafloc 156 F versus Sanitex 41A
and 41A FG Typical values based on analysis of random commercial
samples
12 Sample % + 30 mesh % + 50 mesh % + 100 mesh % - 100 mesh
Magnafloc 156F 0 <0.2 10 to 25% 60 to 90% 8 samples 41A 16 to
23% 56 to 70% 80 to 87% 12 to 15% 8 samples 41A FG 1 to 15% 6 to
40% 25 to 86% 28 to 68% 8 samples
[0052] Based on the above analysis, Magnafloc 156F delivers
consistently a much higher % of particles both smaller than 50 or
100 mesh. Consequently, the ease of mixing is better with little or
no "fish eyes" formed. Particles larger than 50 mesh will form
"fish eyes". Particles larger than 30 mesh will form "large fish
eyes". "Fish eyes" will clog up screens and nozzles as they swell
up many times the original size during hydration.
[0053] An expression of molecule size on polyacrylamides is done
two ways. There is an IV number which stands for Intrinsic
Viscosity and is a measurable number . Typically mid to high
molecular weight polyacrylamide polymers carry an IV number of 7 to
28 dl/g. These are ranges which have anti drift properties. The
active polymers in Magnafloc 156F and Percol E 38 are typically in
the 10 to 28 IV range. Secondly, this roughly translates to
molecular weights of 5,000,000 to 25,000,000 as having practical
anti drift applications.
[0054] Further variations and modifications of the foregoing will
be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be
encompassed by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *