OA18274A - Conditioning agent for a particulate fertilizer for reducing hygroscopicity and dust formation. - Google Patents
Conditioning agent for a particulate fertilizer for reducing hygroscopicity and dust formation. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- OA18274A OA18274A OA1201700176 OA18274A OA 18274 A OA18274 A OA 18274A OA 1201700176 OA1201700176 OA 1201700176 OA 18274 A OA18274 A OA 18274A
- Authority
- OA
- OAPI
- Prior art keywords
- weight
- wax
- conditioning agent
- fertilizer
- oil
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 87
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 80
- 230000003750 conditioning Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 65
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 61
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- AOBXGGAGUYYNQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N diazanium;urea;sulfate Chemical compound [NH4+].[NH4+].NC(N)=O.[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O AOBXGGAGUYYNQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- ZCCIPPOKBCJFDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium nitrate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O ZCCIPPOKBCJFDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 229920002367 Polyisobutene Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000004202 carbamide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- QJGQUHMNIGDVPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrogen group Chemical group [N] QJGQUHMNIGDVPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 229920000346 polystyrene-polyisoprene block-polystyrene Polymers 0.000 claims abstract 3
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 65
- 239000001993 wax Substances 0.000 claims description 64
- 239000012188 paraffin wax Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- KHPCPRHQVVSZAH-HUOMCSJISA-N Rosin Natural products O(C/C=C/c1ccccc1)[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O1 KHPCPRHQVVSZAH-HUOMCSJISA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000025 natural resin Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920001400 block copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004200 microcrystalline wax Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000019808 microcrystalline wax Nutrition 0.000 claims description 5
- -1 pentaerythritol rosin ester Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003078 antioxidant Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000006708 antioxidants Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012178 vegetable wax Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- YBVRFTBNIZWMSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,2-dimethyl-1-phenylpropan-1-ol Chemical group CC(C)(C)C(O)C1=CC=CC=C1 YBVRFTBNIZWMSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001225 Polyester resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- SSBRSHIQIANGKS-UHFFFAOYSA-N [amino(hydroxy)methylidene]azanium;hydrogen sulfate Chemical compound NC(N)=O.OS(O)(=O)=O SSBRSHIQIANGKS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004645 polyester resin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- DVARTQFDIMZBAA-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium nitrate Chemical compound [NH4+].[O-][N+]([O-])=O DVARTQFDIMZBAA-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 claims 3
- VSKJLJHPAFKHBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene;styrene Chemical compound CC(=C)C=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 VSKJLJHPAFKHBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- NGLMYMJASOJOJY-UHFFFAOYSA-O azanium;calcium;nitrate Chemical compound [NH4+].[Ca].[O-][N+]([O-])=O NGLMYMJASOJOJY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 claims 1
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002480 mineral oil Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 235000010446 mineral oil Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 4
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 235000019198 oils Nutrition 0.000 description 48
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 40
- 235000019809 paraffin wax Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 235000019271 petrolatum Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 13
- 241001377938 Yara Species 0.000 description 5
- 229920002877 acrylic styrene acrylonitrile Polymers 0.000 description 5
- NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrate Chemical compound [O-][N+]([O-])=O NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 4
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000015112 vegetable and seed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000008158 vegetable oil Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000010775 animal oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 125000001145 hydrido group Chemical group *[H] 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000010734 process oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- XPFVYQJUAUNWIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Furfuryl alcohol Chemical compound OCC1=CC=CO1 XPFVYQJUAUNWIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene (PE) Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012164 animal wax Substances 0.000 description 2
- UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N benzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1 UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000001735 carboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000021323 fish oil Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000035943 smell Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- WXZMFSXDPGVJKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol Chemical class OCC(CO)(CO)CO WXZMFSXDPGVJKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000007173 Abies balsamea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004857 Balsam Substances 0.000 description 1
- IANQTJSKSUMEQM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzofuran Chemical compound C1=CC=C2OC=CC2=C1 IANQTJSKSUMEQM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241001608519 Bursera fagaroides Species 0.000 description 1
- MTAZNLWOLGHBHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Butadiene-styrene rubber Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 MTAZNLWOLGHBHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000252203 Clupea harengus Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004859 Copal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000018716 Impatiens biflora Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000015912 Impatiens biflora Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- YBYIRNPNPLQARY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Indene Chemical compound C1=CC=C2CC=CC2=C1 YBYIRNPNPLQARY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002402 Oppanol® B 100 Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 240000005428 Pistacia lentiscus Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920000468 Polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000019484 Rapeseed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000008548 Shorea javanica Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000002174 Styrene-butadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019486 Sunflower oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004164 Wax ester Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001335 aliphatic alkanes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052921 ammonium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000011130 ammonium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001166 ammonium sulphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000004945 aromatic hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010692 aromatic oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 235000013871 bee wax Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000012166 beeswax Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006065 biodegradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019519 canola oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000828 canola oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004939 coking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001924 cycloalkanes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- BXOUVIIITJXIKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;styrene Chemical group C=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 BXOUVIIITJXIKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000002191 fatty alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- XKUUMWKWUZRRPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N heptan-2-amine;sulfuric acid Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O.CCCCCC(C)[NH3+].CCCCCC(C)[NH3+] XKUUMWKWUZRRPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019514 herring Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021388 linseed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000944 linseed oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010687 lubricating oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000012169 petroleum derived wax Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019381 petroleum wax Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000003013 phosphoric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012424 soybean oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000011115 styrene butadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002600 sunflower oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000007586 terpenes Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000003505 terpenes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000000383 tetramethylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 1
- ZJHHPAUQMCHPRB-UHFFFAOYSA-N urea urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O.NC(N)=O ZJHHPAUQMCHPRB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000019386 wax ester Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The invention relates to a conditioning agent for reducing water absorption and dust formation of a particulate fertilizer, comprising 10 to 50 weight% of wax, 40 to 90 weight% of mineral oil and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being mineral oil-soluble and miscible with wax and mineral oil, wherein the agent further comprises 0,1 to 1 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer selected from the group of polyisobutylene and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer which is soluble in mineral oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000. The invention further relates to a particulate fertilizer composition, preferably a urea-ammonium sulfate (UAS) fertilizer, a urea fertilizer or a calcium nitrate fertilizer, comprising a particulate substrate, preferably an hygroscopic fertilizer, preferably a nitrogen- containing fertilizer, and 0.05 to 2 weight% of said coating thereon for reducing moisture uptake and dust formation of said fertilizer.
Description
The invention relates to a conditioning agent comprising a wax, a minerai oil, an elastomer and a resin for the manufacture of a coating, suitable to be used on a particulate fertilizer, preferably an hygroscopic particulate fertilizer, preferably a nitrogencontaining hygroscopic particulate fertilizer. The présent invention further relates to a particulate fertilizer composition comprising a particulate substrate, preferably an hygroscopic fertilizer, preferably a nitrogen-containing hygroscopic fertilizer, and 0.05 to 2 weight% of said coating thereon for reducing moisture uptake and dust formation of said fertilizer.
It has been known for a long time that hygroscopic particulate fertilizers like NPfertilizers and especially calcium nitrate (CN) will cause problems when they are exposed to moisture. The absorbed moisture will resuit in caklng of the particles, and the formation of dust during handling will also thereby increase. Handling of the product In bulk will be accordingly impossible unless these problems are solved. At normal humidity, said problems can be solved by application of known conditloning agents. However, at a température and humidity which are experienced in tropical and subtropical areas, the problem still persists. Known conditioning agents are not sufficiently waterproof or impervious to prevent absorption of moisture unless large amounts of coating are used. Using large amounts will reduce the dust formation, but it will usually make the coated fertilizer particles sticky, which again may resuit In several problems.
Background Prior Art
EP 0 320 987 B1 (Norsk Hydro, 1989) claims a conditioning agent for reducing dust formation and moisture uptake In a nitrate-containlng fertilizer, comprising 10-60 weight% wax, 30-90 weight% oil and 0.3-10 welght% of a high-molecular viscoelastïc elastomer which is soluble In oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.0005.000.000. The preferred wax is a mixture of paraffin wax, polyethylene wax and microcrystalline wax. The preferred viscoelastic elastomer is polyisobutylene (PIB). This conditioning agent is usually applied in amounts of 0.3 weight%, with respect to the weight of the fertilizer and at normal humidifies, it gives excellent results, even for hygroscopic fertilizers like CN. However, at humidifies often occurring in tropical and subtropical areas, fertilizers coated with this agent, will absorb moisture In unacceptable amounts. Application of more than 0.5 weight% of the agent reduced the moisture absorption markedly, but the fertilizer became too sticky for being handled by conventional means.
EP 0 768 993 B1 (Norsk Hydro, 1997) again addressed the problem of reducing dust formation and hygroscopidty in particulate nitrate-containing fertilizer under tropical conditions, lt was found that the reason for the tendency to stickiness was mainly related to the elastomer component in the conditioning agent. Accordingly, this component was substituted with a resin component having somewhat different properties, being oil-soluble and miscible with wax and oil. Hence, the patent claimed a conditioning agent for reducing dust formation and moisture uptake in nitrate-containing fertilizer, comprising 1050 welght% wax, 40-90 weight% oil and 1-30 weîght% of a resin being oîl-soluble and miscible with wax and oil. The use of a viscoelastic elastomer component like polyisobutylene was discouraged. This coating is marketed by Yara International ASA under the trade name Tropicote™. The use of the elastomer component was marginally addressed in two similar patent documents WO 01/38263 A1 (Norsk Hydro, 2001) and EP 1 390 322 B1 (Yara International ASA, 2004), both dealing with the use of a biodégradable conditioning agent comprising a vegetable oil, which Is to be avoided in the current application, as well animal and marine oiîs because such oils will often cause an awful smell in tropical and subtropical environments.
WO 01/38263 addresses the problem of reducing hygroscopidty, caking and dust formation in particulate fertilizers such as NP, NPK, AN, CAN, urea, and other nitrogencontaining fertilizers. The patent document daims a conditioning agent, comprising 1-60 weight% wax, 5-90 weight% oil, which is a vegetable oil, an animal oil, or a marine oil, especially herring oil, and 5-90 weight% resin being oil-soluble and misdble with wax and oil, which Is a fish oil distillation residue. Polyisobutylene, which is a bio-degradable elastomer, can optionally be added in an amount of 0 to 5 weight%. Example 5 shows a conditioning agent comprising 39.4 weight% wax, 34.6 weight% oil, 22.0 weight% resin and 4 weight% polyisobutylene.
Similarly, EP 1 390 322 addresses the problem of reducing caklng and dust formation ln particulate fertilizers such as NP, NPK, AN, CAN, urea, and other nitrogencontaînlng fertilizers. The patent document claims a conditionlng agent, comprising 5-50 welght% wax, 5-75 welght% olî, which Is a vegetable oil, an animal oil, or a marine oil, 0 5 60 weight% resin being oil-soluble and miscible with wax and oil, which Is a fish oil distillation residue, and 2 to 15 welght% of a surface active agent, such as arylalkylsulphonate, phosphates, glutînates, or other anionic and/or cationic surface active agents. Polyîsobutylene, which is a blo-degradabîe efastomer, can optionally be added in an amount of 0 to 5 welght%.
Detailed description of the invention
The main object ofthe présent Invention was to arrive at a conditionlng agent, suitable to be used on a particulate fertilîzer, in particular an hygroscoplc particulate fertilizer, ln particular a nltrogen-contalning hygroscoplc fertilizer, more in particular a 15 nitrate-containing hygroscoplc fertilizer, which reduces the dust formation, especially formation of fine dust, during handling of the fertilizer particles, and at the same time reduces the moisture absorption at least as much as the application of known conditionlng agents, without making the fertilizer particles sticky and thereby reducing their flowa biîity, at conditions of température and humidity that exist in tropical and subtropical areas.
. A further object of the présent Invention was to arrive at a conditionlng agent that is waterproof or Impervious at conditions of température and humidity that exist in tropical or subtropical areas, that Is flexible within the actual operating températures, that Is easy to apply, that can be applied to fertilizer particles by conventional coating or conditioning equipment, and that should be non-toxic to the soit and plants. This latter requirement implies that the various components must be environmentally acceptable, though not necessarily blo-degradable. From an economical point of view, the conditioning of the fertilizer particles should be performed ln a single step, thereby obtaining the required protection of the particles. A further object was that the agent should be completely soluble after a few days, subséquent to application of the fertilizer to the soit and that the 30 agent should be degradable In the soîl.
Another object of the présent invention was to arrive at an agricultural composition comprising an hygroscopîc particulate fertilizer, in particular a nitrogen-containing hygroscoplc fertilizer, more in particular a nitrate-containing hygroscoplc fertilizer having a reduced tendency for moisture absorption, while at the same time minimizing caklng and dust formation during handling and storage of the fertilizer particles, especially at high humidity and températures, conditions that are occurring In tropical and subtropical areas.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a conditioning agent, comprising 10 to 50 weight% of wax, 40 to 90 welght% of a minerai oil and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being minerai oil-soluble and miscible with wax, wherein the agent further comprises 0,1 to 1 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer which Is soluble in minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
More in particular, according to the Invention, this object is achieved by providing a conditioning agent, comprising 15 to 35 weight% of wax, 50 to 70 weight% of a minerai oil and 2 to 8 weight% of a resin being minera! oil-soluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, wherein the agent further comprises 0.1 to 0.5 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer which is soluble In minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
Surprisingly, and in contradiction to the findings in EP 0 768 993 B1, it was found that a small amount (i.e. between 0,1 to 1 weight%, more in particular between 0.1 to 0.5 weight%) of a viscoelastic elastomer In the composition of a conditioning agent comprising wax, a minerai oil and a resin, was bénéficiai and provides a conditioning agent that, applied onto a particulate fertilizer, has better properties with regard to both dust binding and réduction of water absorption as compared to the conditioning agent as disclosed in EP0 768 993 B1.
Within the context of this application, a tropical dîmate Is defined, according to the Kôppen climate classification, as a non-arid climate in which ail twelve months hâve mean températures of at least 18 *C. It comprises In particular the (humld) subtypes tropical ralnforest climate, tropical monsoon climate and tropical wet savanna climate. A tropical climate is slmulated by exposing the fertilizer and/or the coating to a température in the range of 25 to 30 ’C and 70 to 85 % relative humidity (RH). Sometimes, the term subtropical Is used when referring to test conditions of 25 “C and 70 % relative humidity (RH).
Wax component
It was found that the wax component was not very critical, though careful sélection of this component would give optimal effects. Useful types of wax in the conditioning agent according to the invention are petroleum wax, such as paraffin wax, intermediary wax and microcrystalline wax ; vegetable wax, such as camauba wax ;
animal wax, such as beeswax ; and any mixture of two or more of the aforementioned waxes.
Paraffin waxes are defined as predominantly straight-chain saturated hydrocarbons with smaller proportions of branched-chaln and cyclo-paraffinic compounds.
Intermediary waxes are mixtures of straight-chain, branched-chain and cycloparaffinic compounds, intermediate In character between those of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes.
Microcrystalline waxes are hydrocarbons of higher average molecular weight than those of paraffin waxes with a wider range of components containing a high portion of branched-chain and cyclo-paraffînic hydrocarbons.
Vegetable and animal waxes are synthesized by many plants and animais. Those of animal origln typically consist of wax esters, derived from a variety of carboxylic acids and fatty alcohols. In waxes of plant origin, characteristic mixtures of unesterified hydrocarbons may predominate over esters. The composition dépends not only on species, but also on géographie location ofthe organism. Because they are mixtures, naturally produced waxes are softer and melt at lower températures than the pure components.
In order to obtain the congealing point of interest, the wax System used needs to hâve the right melting point. Normally, waxes are selected to obtain a congealing point between 37 and 43 °C.
A preferred Intermediary wax ls a Slack wax, obtalnable from various manufacturera, such as EmuTec AB (Kristinehamm, Sweden)) and Sasol Wax Gmbh (Hamburg, Germany). Slack waxes are minimally refined hîgh oil products. They are derived from lubricating oils and often fïnd applications as they are with relatively high oil content, or are further processed to produce more refined waxes. Slack waxes range from 40’C to 65’C in melting point, and their oil content ranges from 5.0% to as much as 35%.
The conditionlng agent according to the Invention comprises 10 to 50 weight%, preferably 15 to 35 weight, more preferably 20 to 30 weight%, most preferably about 2728 weight% ofwax.
Resin component
The resin component of the new conditioning agent must be soluble in the minerai oil component and miscible with the wax and the minerai oil component ofthe composition according to the invention. Furthermore, It must give the resulting coating the required elasticity, without being sticky during application on the particles and during their handling and storage. The resulting coating should be hard and glassy or being able to impregnate the particle surface. Also, this component should be environmentally acceptable and degradable in the soil as explalned above. Within the above framework, the resin component can be chosen from the group of synthetic resins and natural resins.
Synthetic resins comprise resins, such as coumarone-indene resins (synthetic resins of low molecular weight produced by polymerization of mixtures of unsaturated compounds, primarily indene and coumarone, which hâve been extracted from the byproducts of coal coking (crude benzene) and from the aromatic high-boiling products of petroleum pyrolysls), esterified natural resins such as rosin, for example pentaerythritol rosin ester, phénol formaldéhyde resins, furfuryl alcohol resins, polyester resins and polyuréthane resins.
Natural resins are primarily derived from trees and shrubs and comprise amorphous mixtures of carboxylic acids, essentially oil and terpenes. Examples of useful natural resins are rosin, copal, mastic, balsam and damar.
Preferred resins are non-crystalline tail oil-rosin, pentaerythritol esters of stabilized resin acids and pentaerylthritol esters from polymerized rosin.
Most preferred resins are pentaerythritol rosin esters and coumarone-indene resins, for example obtainable from Neville Chemical Company (Pittsburgh, USA).
The conditioning agent according to the invention comprises 1 to 15 weight%, preferably 2 to 8 weight%, more preferably 3 to 7 weight%, most preferably about 4 weight% resin.
Minerai oil component
The minerai oil component is basically a carrier or solvent for the wax and resin components, but does also hâve some effect on reducing the dust formation during handling of the fe rtilizer.
Minerai oils (sometimes called white oils) are any of various colorless, odoriess, light mixtures of higher alkanes having moderate viscosity, low volatility and a high flash point, originating from a non-vegetable (minerai) source, in particular a distillate of petroleum (process oils). They may be selected from the group of paraffinlc oils (based on n-alkales), naphthenic oils (based on cycloalkanes) and aromatic oils (based on aromatic hydrocarbons). They may be hydrotreated. Refined minerai oils will also be applicable, but are not recommended from an environmental point of view.
Vegetable oils, such as triglycérides, extracted from plants or the seeds thereof, such as com oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soya oil, linseed oil or mixtures thereof, but also animal oils and marine oils are to be avoided as these oils dégradé rapidly in (sub)tropical conditions and/or pro du ce a awful smell.
Most preferred minerai oils are naphthenîc process oils, such as obtaînable for Nynas AB, Stockholm, Sweden and paraffinic process oils, such as obtaînable from Total Lubricants, Nanterre, France.
The conditioning agent according to the Invention comprises 40 to 90 weight%, preferably 50 to 70 welght%, most preferably about 67 to 68 weight% of a minera! oil.
Elastomer component
The elastomer component Is a high molecular weight viscoelastic elastomer which is soluble in the minerai oil used and has an average relative molecular mass (viscosity average, g/mol) of 30,000 to 5,000.000.
According to a preferred embodiment of the Invention, the elastomer composed in the conditioning agent is polyisobutylene having an average relative molecular mass (viscosity average, g/mol) of 40,000 to 1,300,000. In a further preferred embodiment, the elastomer may as well consist of a styrene-lsopropene-styrene block copolymer, styrenebutadiene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene/butylene block copolymer, and styrene-butadiene block copolymer.
A most preferred elastomer Is polyisobutylene with a relative molecular mass (viscosity average, g/mol) of about 1,000,000, such as Oppanol B100, obtaînable from BASF (Germany). It has an Intrinsic viscosity (Staudinger Index) of 241 - 294 cm3/g.
The conditioning agent according to the invention comprises 0.1 to 1 weight%, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 weight%, most preferably about 0.25 weight% elastomer. The maximum amount of elastomer should not exceed 1 %.
Other components
In order to improve the shelf life of the coating, an anti-oxidant may be added to the conditioning agent. The inventors hâve also discovered that the addition of small amounts of t-butyl hydroxytoluene (CAS Nr. 128-37-0) may prolong the shelf life considerably. Hence, this component may additionally be Included Into the conditioning agent according to the Invention.
Coating
By application of the conditioning agent according to the invention to fertïlizer particles as a coating, the fertïlizer particles are provided with a coating of 0.05 to 2.0 weight%, more preferably 0.05 to 1.0 weight%, more preferably 0.20 to 0.45 weight%, relative to the total weight ofthe coated fertïlizer particles.
The conditioning agent according to the invention will, to some degree, penetrate into the surface and in this way Impregnate the surface of the fertïlizer particles, espedally when these fertïlizer particles are somewhat porous. This effect makes it also possible to apply rather large amounts of conditioning agent onto the particles.
On a laboratory scale, the conditioning agent is applied by adding the desired amount of conditioning agent as a melt at 70 to 80 °C Into a batch of fertiliser particles, and heated to 30 to 45 ’C in a kitchen machine. The conditioning agent and the fertiliser particles are mixed for 2 to 4 minutes and subsequently, the coated fertiliser particles are transferred to a closed PE container for storage and later testing. On an industrial scale, the conditioning agent is sprayed into a coating drum with a rétention time 3 to 5 minutes and at the same conditions as mentioned for the laboratory scale setup.
According to a bénéficiai embodiment, the method comprises a step of mixing the total amount of etastomer Into an amount of either the minerai oil or the wax component ofthe conditioning agent according to the invention, and mixing said elastomer/wax or elastomer/mineral oil component mixture with the other components according to the Invention. According to another bénéficiai embodiment, the elastomer component can also be melted into an amount of paraffin wax and said amount of paraffin wax Is subsequently mixed with the other components of the conditioning agent according to the invention. Typically, the elastomer component can be added in an amount ranging from 10 to 50 weight%, preferably 25 weight%, into the paraffin wax (amounts relative to the amount of paraffin wax). The amount of the elastomer/paraffin wax mixture may vary between 1 and 5 welght% with respect to the total weight of the conditioning agent, and if, for example, 25 % elastomer in the paraffin/wax mixture is used, the amount of elastomer in the final conditioning agent is typically 0.25 -1 weight %. Using the aforementioned step, the elastomer can be more homogeneously dissolved Into the conditioning agent composition. The type of paraffin wax can be any type and easily selected by the skilled person. Hence, the invention also relates to a conditioning agent according to the invention, wherein the agent further comprises 1 to 5 weight% of paraffin wax as a second wax component, In addition to the first main wax component, which may also be a paraffin wax, as defined above.
Particulate fertilizer composition
The présent invention further relates to a particulate fertilizer composition comprising a particulate substrate, in particular an hygroscopic particulate fertilizer, more in particular a nitrogen-containing particulate fertilizer, and 0.05 to 2 welght% of said coating thereon for reducing molsture uptake and dust formation of said fertilizer.
According to one embodiment, the particulate substrate is a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, selected from the group of NP, NK, NPK, AN, CAN, AN with sulfur, urea, urea with sulfur and urea-ammonium sulfate. More in particular, the particulate substrate Is a nitrate-containîng fertilizer, more In particular an hygroscopic nitrate-containing fertilizer, such as calcium nitrate.
In particular, the Invention relates to a particulate urea-ammonium sulfate (UAS) fertilizer, comprising 0.05 to 2 weight% of a coating that comprises the conditioning agent according to the Invention, in particular comprising 10 to 50 welght% of wax, 40 to 90 welght% of a minerai oil and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being minerai oil-soluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, and 0,1 to 1 weîght% of a viscoelastic elastomer which Is soluble In minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
The coating reduces the rate of water absorption of calcium nitrate by more than 90 %, In particular up to 98 %, and dust formation by more than 80 %, in particular up to 95 %, if a coating is used in a concentration of 0.20 to 0.45 welght%, relative to the total weight of the coated fertilizer particles.
The scope of the Invention and its spécial features are as defined by the attached claims.
Experimental
The Invention will now be further explained In connection with the Examples.
Dust Measurement
The amount of dust is measured In mg per kg particles and can be measured by two different methods.
Method 1 measures the dust which is released after one minute of fluidizing in a fluidizing apparatus at a certain humidity and température.
Method 2 measures the dust formed during wear of the particle surface subséquent ίο to a standard tilting test at a certain humidity and température. A sample of the fertilizer is placed in a bottle that is connected to another bottle by means of a tube, 60 cm long, and tilted back and forward 40 times. This test simulâtes wear during bulk transport.
Water Absorption Measurement
The water absorption réduction was measured after 1, 3, 5 and 24 hours at a spécifie température and relative humidity and is expressed as percent weight Increase (water absorbed) by the fertilizer. The amount of water was measured as follows : approximately 20 gram of fertilizer is put on a fiat cup to get a monolayer of material. The cup with the fertilizer Is weighed accurately and allowed to stand in a climate chamber for up to 24 hours at humidity and température mentioned. The weight increase is measured after 1, 3, 5 and 24 hours. The weight increase of the cup and content Is taken as water absorbed. The method is performed for uncoated and coated material and the % réduction in water absorption is calculated with reference to the weight of the uncoated fertilizer : for example: If uncoated fertilizer absorbs 10 % water and coated fertilizer 1 % after 24 h, % réduction Is defined as : 100 % -(1/10*100) = 90 % réduction. The climate chamber can be adjusted between 30 to 90 % Relative Humidity (Rh) and 15 to 40 °C. Fertilizer that has absorbed 3 to 5 % water will normally be damaged or hâve very bad physical quality (severe disintegration, high dust number, large caking tendency, etc.).
Resldual Particle Strength Measurement
The particle strength of the fertilizer decreases when exposed to humid air due to the absorption of moisture. To measure the degree of protection of the coating, uncoated and coated material was put as a monolayer into a climate chamber for 5 hours at 80 % Rh and 30 °C. The particle strength is measured before and after these 5 hours. This Is done by first sleving out the particles of size 3.15 mm or larger, placing these particles on a scale and exerting a pressure until the particles break. The force, necessary to break the particles (In kg) Is a measure of the particle strength.
If the particle strength decreases from 4 - 6 kg to below 2 - 3 kg, the physical quality of the fertilizer Is significantly damaged.
Caking test
Approximately 360 grams of fertilizer is put into an open métal cylinder at about 50 % Rh and 25 °C. A métal plate is placed on top of the fertilizer and a hydraulic arm is n
operated toexerta pressure of 2 kg/cm2 to the plate.
After 24 hours, the pressure and the top plate is removed and the force needed to break/crush the caked material Is measured. This force is taken as the Caking Index (Cl). PQR-scores are product quality rating-scores. The optimal value Is 100, which Indicates Extremely good.
Experiment 1 : Calcium nitrate
The coating effect of the conditioning agent on calcium nitrate fertilizer particles, obtained from Yara International ASA, according to the invention is compared to uncoated calcium nitrate fertilizer particles as well as to the coating effect ofthe conditioning agent according to the prior art document EP 0 768 993 B1, the latter which contains ail components of the conditioning agent according to the invention, except for the elastomer component. Calcium nitrate is a very hygroscopic material : its Critical Relative humidity (CRH) is < 40.
The composition of the conditioning agent was as foîlows :
| Component | Spécification | Prior art | Présent Invention |
| Wax | Intermediary wax mixture | about 28 % | about 28 % |
| Minerai oil | Naphthenic oil | about 68 % | about 68 % |
| Resin | pentaerythiol rosin ester | about 4 % | about 4 % |
| Elastomer | polyisobutylene (PIB) | none | various amounts |
| Second Wax component | paraffin wax | no ne | about 1.3% |
The conditioning agent was applied to a granulated calcium nitrate fertilizer (obtained from Yara International ASA, Oslo) In an amount of 0.45 weight% with respect to the total weight of the fertilizer, at a température of about 80 *C. The coated particles were then tested with regard to dust formation (Method 2) and water absorption at 25 *C and 70 % relative humidity, and the results of these tests are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1 : Effect of PIB as coating component for calcium nitrate
| % Water absorption after | Dust (mg/kg) Method 2 | ||||
| Sample | 1 h | 3h | 5h | 24 h | |
| Uncoated CN | 4.0 | 10.2 | 16.1 | 46.9 | 2735 |
| Prior art coating | 0.1 | 0.21 | 0.31 | 1.4 | 757 |
| 0.45 weight % coating with 0.30 weîght% PIB | 0.08 | 0.18 | 0.27 | 1.2 | 387 |
| 0.45 weight % coating with 0.45 weight% PIB | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.29 | 1.3 | 315 |
As can be seen from Table 1, small amounts of PIB In the coating strongly Improve the dust réduction effect. At the same time, small amounts of PIB do not harm the water repellency of the coating ; on the contrary : small amounts of PIB seem to hâve also a positive effect, if any.
Experiment 2 : Urea and urea- ammonium sulphate (UAS)
The coating effect of the conditioning agent on fertilizer particles according to the invention was tested on urea and urea - ammonium sulphate (UAS) fertilizer particles (both obtained from Yara International ASA). Urea is not a very hygroscopic material with a Critical Relative humldity (CRH) of 72.5. On the other hand, mixtures of urea and ammonium sulphate are very hygroscopic with a Critical Relative humldity (CRH) of 56.4.
The tests were run on granular material under tropical and/or subtropical conditions (25 - 30 *C and 70 - 80 % relative humldity (RH)). The material was heated to 35 eC and coated with various amounts of the conditioning agent according to the Invention at a température of 70 to 80 eC.
The composition of the conditioning agent was as follows :
| Component | Spécification | Prior art | Présent Invention |
| Wax | Intermediary wax mixture | about 28 % | about 28 % |
| Minera! oil | Naphthenic oil About 30 % of oil was used to dissolve the PIB | about 68 % | about 68 % |
| Resin | pentaerythio! rosln ester | about 4 % | about 4 % |
| Elastomer | polyisobutylene (PIB) | none | about 0.30 % |
The coated particles were then tested with regard to dust formation (Method 1), moisture absorption, residual crushing strength after moistening and caking, and the results of these tests are summarized In Tables 2 to 7.
Table 2 : Effect of coating with PIB on urea at 25 *C and 70 % RH
| Water absorption at 25 eC and 70 % RH after | Dust (mg/kg) Method 1 | ||||
| Sample | 1 h | 3h | 5h | 24 h | |
| Uncoated Urea | 0.25 | 0.29 | 0.33 | 0.59 | 798 |
| Urea + 0.2 weight % coating | 0.09 | 0.13 | 0.17 | 0.41 | 74 |
| Urea + 0.3 weight % coating | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.15 | 0.35 | 74 |
| Urea + 0.4 weight % coating | 0.04 | 0.08 | 0.11 | 0.27 | 74 |
As can be seen from Table 2, the dust formation for urea fertiîizer Is dramatically reduced, while also the water absorption after 24 hours Is reduced by a factor of about 2 10 compared to uncoated material.
Table 3 : Effect of coating with PIB on UAS at 25 ’C and 70 % RH
| Water absorption at 25 ’C and 70 % RH after | Dust (mg/kg) Method 1 | ||||
| Sample | 1 h | 3h | 5h | 24 h | |
| Uncoated UAS (urea +AS) | 2.21 | 5.26 | 8.22 | 31.7 | 283 |
| UAS + 0.2 weight % coating | 0.11 | 0.19 | 0.26 | 1.21 | 100 |
| UAS + 0.3 weight % coating | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.51 | 25 |
| UAS + 0.4 weight % coating | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.08 | 0.31 | 0 |
As can be seen from Table 3, the dust formation for UAS fertilizer is dramatically reduced, while also the water absorption In subtropical conditions (25 'C and 70 % RH) 5 after 24 hours is reduced by a factor of about 100 compared to uncoated material.
Table 4 : Effect of coating with PIB on UAS at 30 ’C and 80 % RH
| Water absorption at 30 ’C and 80 % RH after | ||||
| Sample | 1 h | 3h | 5h | 24 h |
| Uncoated UAS (urea +AS) | 5.06 | 13.5 | 21.1 | 66.8 |
| UAS + 0.2 weight % coating | 1.02 | 2.25 | 3.08 | 5.32 |
| UAS + 0.3 weight % coating | 0.22 | 0.49 | 0.69 | 2.58 |
| UAS + 0.4 weight % coating | 0.51 | 1.02 | 1.38 | 2.27 |
As can be seen from Table 4, the water absorption In tropical conditions (30 ’C and 10 80 % RH ) after 24 hours Is reduced by a factor of about 30.
Table 5 : Effect of coating with PIB on urea at 30 *C and 80 % RH
| Water absorption at 30 ’C and 80 % RH after | ||||
| Sample | 1 h | 3h | 5h | 24 h |
| Uncoated Urea | 2.02 | 5.12 | 7.93 | 28.5 |
| Urea + 0.2 weight % coating | 0.76 | 1.91 | 2.68 | 4.74 |
| Urea + 0.3 weight % coating | 0.38 | 1.11 | 1.77 | 4.13 |
| Urea + 0.4 weight % coating | 0.41 | 0.97 | 1.43 | 3.64 |
As can be seen from Table 5, the water absorption in tropical conditions (30 *C and 80 % RH ) after 24 hours Is reduced by a factor of about 8 compared to uncoated material.
Table 6 : Residual crushîng strength after moistening (5 hours at 80 % Rh and 25 °C
| Material | After 0 h (kg) | After 5 h (kg) | Loss of strength (%) |
| Uncoated UAS (urea +AS) | 5.6 | 1.5 | 73 |
| UAS + 0.2 weight % coating | 5.9 | 3.8 | 36 |
| UAS + 0.3 weight % coating | 5.4 | 4.7 | 13 |
| UAS + 0.4 weight % coating | 5.7 | 4.8 | 16 |
| Uncoated Urea | 4.5 | 3.4 | 24 |
| Urea + 0.2 weight % coating | 4.9 | 4.4 | 10 |
| Urea + 0.3 weight % coating | 4.7 | 4.3 | 8.6 |
| Urea + 0.4 weight % coating | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
As can be seen from Table 6, the loss of strength after 24 hours under tropical conditions (30 eC and 80 % RH) is reduced by a factor of about 6 compared to uncoated 10 material for both UAS and urea.
Table 7 : Caking test
| Sample | Cl (kg) | PQR score (%) | Quality |
| Uncoated UAS (urea +AS) | 39 | 80 | Good |
| UAS + 0.2 weight % coating | 13 | 90 | Excellent |
| UAS + 0.3 weight % coating | 16 | 90 | Excellent |
| UAS + 0.4 weight % coating | 18 | 90 | Excellent |
| UAS + 0.5 weight % coating | 20 | 90 | Excellent |
As can be seen from Table 7, the caking index (Cl) Is reduced by a factor of about 2 compared to uncoated UAS material. The hlghest quality score Is obtained by use of the 5 conditioning agent according to the présent invention.
By the présent Invention the Inventors hâve succeeded in arriving at nitrogencontaining fertilizers that can be handled, stored and applied In tropical and subtropical areas without giving problems with regard to the uptake of water, the caking of the 10 particles and dust formation during handling.
The new coating agent achieved Is easy to apply during the coating of the fertilizer particles. The resulting coating on the particles makes them free-flowing and non-sticky, even at the high humidities and températures existing in tropical and subtropical areas.
Claims (18)
1. A conditioning agent for reducing water absorption and dust formation of a particulate fertilizer, comprising 10 to 50 weight% of wax, 50 to 70 weight% of a minerai oil and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being minerai oïl-soluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, characterized in that the agent further comprises 0,1 to 1 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer selected from the group of polyisobutylene and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer which is soluble in minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000. .
2. The conditioning agent according to claim 1, characterized In that the agent comprises 15 to 35 weight% of wax, 50 to 70 weight% of a minerai oil, 2 to 8 weight% of a resin being minerai oil-soluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, and 0.1 to 0.5 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer selected from the group of polyisobutylene and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer which Is soluble in minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
3. The conditioning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized In that the agent further comprises 1 to 5 weight% of paraffin wax as a second wax component.
4. The conditioning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized In that the wax Is selected from the group of intermediary wax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, camauba wax, vegetable wax and any mixture of two or more of the aforementioned waxes.
5. The conditioning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the minerai oil is naphthenic oil.
λ » » t
6. The conditioning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized In that the resin ls selected from a group of synthetic resins esterified natural resins phénol formaldéhyde resins, furfuryi alcohol resins, polyester resins, polyuréthane resins and natural resins.
7. The conditioning agent according to claim 6 characterized In that the synthetic resins are coumarone-indene resins.
8. The conditioning agent according to claim 6 characterized In that the esterified natural resin is rosin.
9. The conditioning agent according to claim 8 characterized In that the rosin ls pentaerythritol rosin ester.
10. The conditioning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises an anti-oxidant.
11. The conditioning agent according to claim 10 characterized in that the antioxidant is t-butyl hydroxytoluene.
12. A particulate fertilizer composition characterized In that the composition comprises a particulate substrate and 0.05 to 2 weight% of a coating comprising the conditioning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. A particulate fertilizer composition according to claim 12, characterized in that the particulate substrate is a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, selected from the group of NP, NK, NPK, ammonium nitrate (AN), calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), AN with sulfur, urea, and urea-ammonium sulfate (UAS).
14. A particulate fertilizer composition according to claim 13, characterized in «
that the particulate substrate Is a urea-ammonium sulfate (LIAS) fertilizer and that the coating comprises a conditioning agent comprising 10 to 50 weight% of wax, 50 to 70 weight% of a minerai oil and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being minerai oil-soluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, and 0,1 to 1 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer, selected from the group of polyisobutylene and styrene-îsoprene-styrene block copolymer, which is soluble in minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
15. A particulate fertilizer composition according to claim 13, characterized In that the particulate substrate is an urea fertilizer and that the coating comprises a conditioning agent comprising 10 to 50 weight% of wax, 50 to 70 weîght% of a minerai oil and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being minerai oilsoluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, and 0,1 to 1 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer selected from the group of polyisobutylene and styrene-lsoprene-styrene block copolymer, which Is soluble In minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
16. A particulate fertilizer composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the particulate substrate Is a calcium nitrate fertilizer and that the coating comprises a conditioning agent comprising 10 to 50 weight% of wax, 50 to 70 weight% of a minerai oîl and 1 to 15 weight% of a resin being minerai oilsoluble and miscible with wax and minerai oil, and 0,1 to 1 weight% of a viscoelastic elastomer selected from the group of polyisobutylene and styrene-lsoprene-styrene block copolymer, which Is soluble in minerai oil and has an average molecular weight of 30.000 to 5.000.000.
17. Method for producing the conditioning agent according to any one of daims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a step of melting the viscoelastic elastomer into an amount of paraffin wax and adding said amount of paraffin wax to a mixture comprising wax, a minerai oil and resin, as defined in claim
1.
18. A particulate fertïlizer composition according to any one of claims 12 to 16, for use in subtropical and tropical conditions.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20141420 | 2014-11-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| OA18274A true OA18274A (en) | 2018-09-17 |
Family
ID=
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AU2015352605B2 (en) | Conditioning agent for a particulate fertilizer for reducing hygroscopicity and dust formation | |
| US5603745A (en) | Agricultural composition and conditioning agent for reducing hygroscopicity and dust formation of fertilizers | |
| US6355083B1 (en) | Dust control composition for fertilizer and method of treatment of fertilizer | |
| PL200257B1 (en) | Agricultural composition and conditioning agent | |
| OA18274A (en) | Conditioning agent for a particulate fertilizer for reducing hygroscopicity and dust formation. | |
| WO2003006399A1 (en) | Fertilizer granules containing ammonium nitrate | |
| EP4200267A1 (en) | Conditioning agent for a particulate fertilizer | |
| RU2688816C1 (en) | Composition for prevention of dusting mineral fertilizers | |
| EP3368642B1 (en) | A method of performing a treatment of a particulate raw material | |
| MXPA96006381A (en) | Agricultural composition and conditioning agent to reduce the hydroscopicity and training of the fertilizan | |
| KR20060057445A (en) | Method for preparing organic fertilizer comprising mineral oil | |
| PL207148B1 (en) | Agent preventing from balling of artificial fertilizers |