Plant protecting and regulating compositions – Plant growth regulating compositions – Designated nonactive ingredient containing
Patent
1998-04-22
2000-07-11
Clardy, S. Mark
Plant protecting and regulating compositions
Plant growth regulating compositions
Designated nonactive ingredient containing
514777, A01N 2512, A01N 2514
Patent
active
06087306&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an improved granule composition and in particular to an improved granule composition having reduced sludge-forming characteristics. The invention is especially applicable to a granule composition suitable for housing in a water-soluble bag.
Active ingredients or auxiliary agents suitable for application by means of an aqueous spray may be formulated in a wide variety of ways. The present invention relates to dry, water-soluble or water-dispersible granule formulations (sometimes also referred to as water-soluble or water-dispersible grain formulations or wettable granules). Such solid granule formulations have a number of advantages as compared with liquid formulations. Such advantages include for example reduced transport costs, reduced operator exposure and reduced residue contamination of containers. A granule formulation may reduce residue formation to the extent that the use of a disposable container is acceptable. Still further reduction in operator exposure and in residue contamination of containers may in some instances be obtained by housing the granules in a water-soluble bag. In particular, contamination following the accidental rupture of a water-soluble bag is greatly reduced if granules are used rather than a liquid formulation within the bag.
A wettable, dispersible or water-soluble granule essentially consists of an agrochemical or other ingredient suitable for application by aqueous spray incorporated with a solid inert filler which may be water-soluble or water-dispersible. The agrochemical or other ingredient may be a solid or liquid and may be water-soluble or water-dispersible. Auxiliary agents such as surfactants, activity enhancers, anti-foams and stabilisers are frequently used and may be incorporated in the same granule with the active ingredient or may be granulated separately or may be added at the tank mix stage.
Such granules may be formed by a variety of techniques, including for example pan granulation, spray drying, agglomeration and extrusion.
In use, the granule is added to water to form a solution or dispersion which is then applied as a spray, for example as a spray application to plants. In agrochemical use for example, the granules are typically mixed immediately prior to spraying with water in a tank containing from about from about 20 liters for a knap-sack sprayer to about 100 to 2000 liters of water for a commercial spray tank. Whilst such tanks are generally provided with some means of agitation, such as mechanical stirring or pumped circulation of the water, the degree of mixing within the tank may be relatively inefficient or the granules themselves may be inherently difficult to disperse, particularly for example if they have been allowed to age. In particular there may be specific zones within the tank ("dead zones") in which the level of agitation is especially poor. In practice therefore effective dispersion of insoluble or partially soluble materials may not be achieved and an insoluble solid sludge may build up in such dead zones within the tank during the time-scale of spray application. Once a sludge is allowed to start to build up, it may become compacted and much harder to re-disperse, even with the application of effective agitation. Even if the sludge is re-dispersed, it may still form relatively large agglomerates of particles which may tend to block the spray nozzles or filters. The formation of sludge in the spray tank is a well-recognised problem which may be associated with the use of granule formulations. Sludge formation can lead to uneven distribution of the active ingredient in the spray and poor biological utilisation of active material. Sludge left in the spray tank after spraying is completed may cause contamination and disposal problems. One solution to this problem would of course be to provide more efficient agitation within the mixing tank but the cost involved makes this unattractive and a granule formulation which reduces sludge formation in conventional spray tanks is to be preferred.
The problem of sludge
REFERENCES:
patent: 4874423 (1989-10-01), Colegrove et al.
patent: 5248709 (1993-09-01), Brehm
patent: 5294594 (1994-03-01), Kimler et al.
patent: 5332524 (1994-07-01), Kaylor
patent: 5393731 (1995-02-01), Kimler et al.
Kelco International Technical Bulletin DB-41-I (1992).
Kelco International Technical Bulletin DB-52-I (1993).
Kelco International Technical Bulletin DB-1.5 (1991).
Kelco International "Alginate Products for Scientific Water Control" (3d Ed., date unknown).
Bell Gordon Alastair
Critchley Susan Marie
Clardy S. Mark
LeCroy David P.
Zeneca Limited
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