Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L31/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an acyloxy radical of a saturated carboxylic acid, of carbonic acid or of a haloformic acid; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05B—PHOSPHATIC FERTILISERS
  • C05B7/00—Fertilisers based essentially on alkali or ammonium orthophosphates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
  • C05C1/00—Ammonium nitrate fertilisers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
  • C05C1/00—Ammonium nitrate fertilisers
  • C05C1/02—Granulation; Pelletisation; Stabilisation; Colouring
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
  • C05C3/00—Fertilisers containing other salts of ammonia or ammonia itself, e.g. gas liquor
  • C05C3/005—Post-treatment
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
  • C05C9/00—Fertilisers containing urea or urea compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
  • C05C9/00—Fertilisers containing urea or urea compounds
  • C05C9/005—Post-treatment
• • 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
  • C05G5/37—Layered or coated, e.g. dust-preventing coatings layered or coated with a polymer
• • 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
  • C05G5/40—Fertilisers incorporated into a matrix
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F222/00—Copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a carboxyl radical and containing at least one other carboxyl radical in the molecule; Salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides, or nitriles thereof
  • C08F222/02—Acids; Metal salts or ammonium salts thereof, e.g. maleic acid or itaconic acid
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K5/00—Use of organic ingredients
  • C08K5/04—Oxygen-containing compounds
  • C08K5/05—Alcohols; Metal alcoholates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L29/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an alcohol, ether, aldehydo, ketonic, acetal or ketal radical; Compositions of hydrolysed polymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L29/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an alcohol, ether, aldehydo, ketonic, acetal or ketal radical; Compositions of hydrolysed polymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L29/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated alcohols
  • C08L29/04—Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L35/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a carboxyl radical, and containing at least one other carboxyl radical in the molecule, or of salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides or nitriles thereof; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D135/00—Coating compositions based on homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a carboxyl radical, and containing at least another carboxyl radical in the molecule, or of salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides or nitriles thereof; Coating compositions based on derivatives of such polymers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D7/00—Features of coating compositions, not provided for in group C09D5/00; Processes for incorporating ingredients in coating compositions
  • C09D7/40—Additives
  • C09D7/60—Additives non-macromolecular
  • C09D7/61—Additives non-macromolecular inorganic
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F2500/00—Characteristics or properties of obtained polyolefins; Use thereof
  • C08F2500/05—Bimodal or multimodal molecular weight distribution
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K3/38—Boron-containing compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
  • C08L2205/02—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
  • C08L2205/03—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing three or more polymers in a blend
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
  • Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
  • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
  • Y02W30/40—Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse

Definitions

• the present invention is broadly concerned with improved agriculturally useful, quick drying coating compositions and methods wherein the compositions include one or more polycarboxylated polymer salt and a volatile organic drying agent. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such compositions and methods wherein a copolymer containing respective quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties is supplemented with a volatile drying agent, which may be mixed with or coated onto solids, such as solid nitrogenous fertilizer.
• improved drying times are provided by adding boron, especially in conjunction with vinylic polymer(s) having a majority of pendent functional groups thereof as alcohols, and optionally containing both relatively low and high molecular weight (MW) polymer fractions, to the copolymer-organic drying agent compositions.
• boron especially in conjunction with vinylic polymer(s) having a majority of pendent functional groups thereof as alcohols, and optionally containing both relatively low and high molecular weight (MW) polymer fractions
• U.S. Patent No. 6,515, 090 describes a highly useful class of copolymers which have been employed to good effect in a number of agricultural applications.
• the '090 patent discloses copolymers made up of varying percentages of maleic and itaconic moieties, and salts thereof, which can be applied to solid fertilizers to achieve surprising increases in yields.
• an aqueous copolymer mixture is applied by spraying or other means onto solid fertilizers to provide fertilizer-polymer compositions.
• Nutrisphere-N® for granular nitrogen fertilizers
• This product is an approximately 40% by weight solids aqueous dispersion of a 1 : 1 partial calcium salt copolymer of maleic and itaconic moieties having a pH of from about 3.25-3.75.
• compositions are sprayed or otherwise deposited on the outer surfaces of solid fertilizers and the water is allowed to evaporate by mass transfer, leaving a solid polymer residue coating.
• the composition drying time is excessive resulting in incomplete drying of the compositions, the coated products can be difficult to handle and apply. Indeed, in certain cases, relatively wet solid fertilizers with applied aqueous copolymer can create agglomerations within field application equipment making it difficult or even impossible to evenly spread the compositions across fields.
• the present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides improved polymer-containing, quick drying compositions designed for application with or onto various solids such as fertilizers, methods of forming the quick drying compositions and polymer- supplemented solid products, and methods of fertilizing soil to enhance plant growth using polymer-coated fertilizer compositions.
• the fertilizer compositions of the invention include a quantity of a solid, fertilizer and a polymer-containing composition in contact with the solid fertilizer.
• the polymer- containing composition as initially formulated and contacted with fertilizer includes a salt of a polycarboxylated polymer, namely a salt of a copolymer containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties, along with a volatile organic drying agent or solvent. Thereafter, the drying agent evaporates, along with a substantial part of any water present, so that the fertilizer composition as applied to a field normally does not contain these components to any substantial degree, but rather is made up of the fertilizer plus the residue copolymer salt.
• the selected polymer salts can be mixed with very high concentrations of organic drying agent to produce stable liquid polymer-containing compositions free of the incompatibility problems of the prior art.
• the final fertilizer composition can be prepared by applying such a polymer-containing composition directly onto the surface of solid fertilizer at levels which enhance the plant growth and yield characteristics of the complete fertilizer compositions, while at the same time causing the rapid vaporization of excess moisture from the fertilizer compositions. This assures that the fertilizer compositions can be field-applied using normal spreaders or the like without the difficulties encountered with prior fertilizer compositions.
• the methods of use of the fertilizer compositions involve applying the compositions onto soil adjacent planted seeds or growing plants at normal nitrogen levels.
• boron in the form of boric acid.
• boron in conjunction with a vinylic polymer, preferably polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), having a majority of the pendant functional groups thereof as alcohols.
• the vinylic polymer additive is in the form of a bimodal polymer having respective fractions of high MW and low MW vinylic polymer.
• fertilizer compositions of the invention provide significant increases in crop yields, and that the presence of organic drying agents and other ingredients do not impede or otherwise alter such yield enhancements.
• the present invention is predicated upon the discovery that solid agriculturally useful products such as fertilizers can be improved through the use of quick drying polymeric compositions added to or applied onto the solid products. Such drying agents facilitate and enhance the vaporization of moisture from the products, allowing easy use thereof. Virtually any fertilizer maybe treated with the polymeric compositions of the invention in order to lessen the formation of dust and to enhance the fertilizer efficiency thereof. In preferred forms, however, nitrogen-bearing or nitrogenous fertilizers are improved in accordance with the invention.
• urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and mixtures thereof are prime candidates for use in the invention, and can be in any solid form such as prills or granules.
• the single most preferred solid fertilizer is granular urea.
• the polycarboxylated polymers of the invention are selected from the group consisting of copolymers in acid form or as partial salts containing respective quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. These polymers preferably exist as partial salts, and can include mixtures of different salts. Virtually any desired cationic species may be used in the formation of the polymeric salts from starting acid polymers, particularly the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonia, and the alkylamines (e.g., C1-C6 alkylamines such as triethylamine).
• the polymer salts of the invention are preferably in the form of aqueous dispersions, but non-aqueous organic dispersions may also be used.
• the copolymer salts should desirably contain from about 10-90% maleic moieties (more preferably from about 25-75%), and correspondingly from about 90-10% itaconic moieties (more preferably from about 75-25%).
• the copolymers may also contain othermoieties apart from maleic and itaconic moieties, such as vinyl moieties. However, such other moieties should be present only up to a level of about 7%, i.e., the copolymers should contain about 93% maleic and itaconic moieties.
• the copolymers consist essentially of maleic and itaconic moieties.
• One particularly preferred copolymer salt of this class is the previously-described Nutrisphere-N® for solid nitrogen fertilizers. More generally, such copolymer salts are preferably formed by the addition of a basic material (e.g., Ca, Mg, K, Na in the form of the oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates thereof) to achieve a desired pH in aqueous mixture, normally in the range of from about 1-4.
• a basic material e.g., Ca, Mg, K, Na in the form of the oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates thereof
• the volatile organic drying agent may be made up of one or more organic compounds, and is preferably selected from the group consisting of organic alcohols and ketones, and particularly the C1-C4 alkyl alcohols.
• methanol is the most preferred drying agent. More broadly, however, the drying agent may be selected from the group consisting of one or more organic compounds having a vapor pressure of at least about 40 mmHg at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP). This embraces many of the preferred lower alcohols such as methanol (127 mmHg), ethanol (59 mmHg) and isopropanol (42.7 mmHg).
• the selected drying agent and polymer salt are preferably mixed together to form a polymer-containing composition designed to be applied to solid products such as nitrogenous fertilizers.
• the polymer-containing composition normally comprises the polymer salt dissolved, suspended, or dispersed in a liquid phase comprising water and the drying agent.
• the drying agent is normally used at a level of from about 5-60% by weight (more preferably about 30-50% by weight, and most preferably about 35-45% by weight) of the complete polymer- containing composition.
• Use of higher levels of drying agent with the simultaneous presence of high polymer solids concentration may require partial or essentially complete water removal by evaporation or other known means from the starting copolymer salt aqueous material.
• a preferred polymer-containing composition may include from about 20-70% by weight of copolymer salt (more preferably from about 30-60% by weight), from about 30-50% by weight drying agent (more preferably from about 35 -45 % by weight), and from about 10-50% by weight water (more preferably from about 10-25% by weight).
• An example of such a polymer- containing composition would include about 40% by weight maleic-itaconic copolymer salt, about 45% by weight methanol, and about 15% by weight water, and would have a pH 1-4 and a flash point of 74 0 F.
• the polymeric compositions should have a flash point of greater than 73 0 F.
• compositions as described above are supplemented with boron alone, and more preferably in combination with bimodal vinylic polymers containing both high and low MW fractions.
• vinylic polymer refers to any polymer or copolymer wherein a plurality of the repeat groups therein are vinyl alcohol moieties .
• the low molecular weight vinylic polymer is used in a greater quantity than the high molecular weight materials, typically at ratios of from about 1 :2 to 1 :20, more preferably from about 1 :4 to 1:12, of the high MW to low MW materials.
• the paradigm vinylic polymer is PVA.
• PVA polyvinyl alcohol
• a large variety of PVAs are available commercially, and are typically distinguished on the bases of molecular weight and hydrolysis level, both ranging from “low” to "high.”
• Low MW PVAs have a number averaged molecular weight Mn in the range of up to about 15,000 (e.g., from about 7,000-13,000) and a weight averaged molecular weight Mw in the range of about 25,000 (e.g., from aboutl3,000-23,000).
• These materials also have hydrolysis values of from about 98.0-98.8% by mole, and a viscosity of from about 3.5-4.5 cps (as 4% aqueous solutions at 20 0 C).
• High MW PVAs have an Mn of about 70,000-101,000 and an Mw of 145,000 and above (e.g., from about 146,000-186,000), hydrolysis values of 99.3+% by mole, and viscosities of from about 62-72 cps (as 4% aqueous solutions at 20 0 C).
• PVA or other polymeric molecular weights in commercial products have a distribution of molecular weights within some range. This distribution may be relatively wide or quite narrow, depending on the specifics of a given product. Hence, these materials of mixtures are often described by means of various averaged molecular weights (number or weight averaged), and this is useful in understanding the properties of the products since a very large percentage of all molecules in the sample and a large fraction of the weight of the sample will have molecular weights close to the averages. It is also common to depict molecular weight distributions in polymers by means of a diagram having molecular weight along a horizontal axis and the relative abundance of molecules along a vertical axis.
• such diagrams are generally hump-shaped, typically having a single peak where the apex thereof represents the weight which is the most common molecular weight in the polymer composition; this is often termed the "peak molecular weight,” referring to the weight of the highest fraction of polymer molecules, and not the highest molecular weight in the composition.
• peak molecular weight referring to the weight of the highest fraction of polymer molecules, and not the highest molecular weight in the composition.
• a bimodal vinylic polymer composition of the invention exhibits two humps or peaks in such a molecular weight diagram. If an average molecular weight measurement is taken of such a bimodal system, highly misleading results may occur, because there will be relatively few molecules near such an "average” value.
• a bimodal and single mode polymer composition may have the same "average" molecular weights, yet having very different physical properties.
• bimodal vinyl polymer compositions having high and low MW fractions, as compared with a normal composition of the same average molecular weight.
• Use of bimodal compositions gives the best features of both high and low molecular weight polymers.
• the preferred bimodal PVA is made up of individual amounts of low and high MW PVA, with the low MW PVA being present at a level of from about 0.5-10% by weight of the complete fertilizer coating composition, whereas the high MW PVA is present at a level of from about 0.1-
• the low MW PVA fraction is normally present in an amount greater than that of the high MW PVA fraction, with the previously-described high MW/low MW ratios being applicable.
• PVAs are highly biodegradable, water-soluble polymers that possess a range of properties, both in pure form and in solution. Such properties can make it difficult to formulate mixtures in certain situations. Thus, it is known that PVAs are at best poorly soluble in solutions that contain significant amounts of organic solvents, and precipitate in their presence.
• PVAs of high or super-high hydrolysis levels can be used to create coatings that are smooth and non-hygroscopic.
• PVAs possess very high viscosities and tend to make formulations which gel upon standing. Thus, these materials are per se impractical for fertilizer coating uses.
• low hydrolysis level PVAs exhibit low viscosities, but exhibit relatively high hygroscopic properties.
• Preferred complete quick drying polymeric compositions in accordance with the invention include: (1) from about 20-50% by weight of one of more of the previously described maleic- itaconic copolymers (more preferably from about 35-45% by weight), advantageously in the form of the preferred partial calcium salt copolymer, with carboxylate substitution by calcium at levels of from about 1-35% (more preferably from about 10-30%) of the carboxylates present, and a corresponding pH of from about 2.35-3.75 when the copolymer is in aqueous dispersion;
• Such a preferred coating composition typically has a solids level of from about 25-55% by weight, more preferably from about 35-50% by weight.
• the bimodal PVA is mixed with the maleic-itaconic copolymer with heating to a level of from about 80-110 0 C and agitation for a period of time to assure that the PVA fractions dissolve.
• the organic drying agent is then added with additional stirring, followed by boric acid addition.
• an aqueous maleic-itaconic copolymer mixture at about 35% w/w solids content is placed in a reactor at room temperature and stirred vigorously.
• the low and high MW PVAs are then added, and the mixture is heated to 97 ° C with continued vigorous stirring. This mixture is allowed to cook for 45 minutes at 97 0 C to insure that all of the PVA materials dissolve.
• the polymeric compositions made up of an aqueous copolymer salt and drying agent, with or without bimodal vinylic polymer and boron, can be applied to agriculturally useful solid products such as solid fertilizers by any convenient means, such as by spraying or dipping.
• the preferred polymeric compositions were found to be unexpectedly and surprisingly compatible and do not separate or precipitate solids.
• the polymer-containing compositions are applied at a level of from about 0.1-1 gallons of polymer-containing composition per ton of fertilizer or other solid product (more preferably at a level of from about 0.3-0.8 gallons).
• the ingredients of the coating compositions are mixed together to form complete products before application to solid fertilizer, it would be possible to separately apply the copolymer salt, drying agent, and other ingredients, especially if done substantially simultaneously or in quick succession. In such cases, the rate of application would be the same as that set forth above, considering the makeup of the two different applied substances.
• the polymer compositions of the invention can be used on a variety of agriculturally useful products, such as seeds or soil amendments.
• the quick drying compositions hereof may also be formulated including various dyes, pigments, colorants, tracing agents, etc. Such practices are well known in the agricultural arts. It is known that many dyes have poor compatibility with entirely aqueous formulations of high ionic strength. However, it was found that the present compositions containing appreciable volatile organic components can more readily be supplemented with such dyes, and the effectiveness thereof in imparting color to solid fertilizers is enhanced by the presence of the preferred PVA.
• a fertilizer composition was prepared by applying a liquid polymer-containing composition onto granular urea at a rate of 1 A gallon of the liquid polymer-containing composition per ton of urea (urea + aqueous-methanol Nutrisphere-N®).
• the polymer- containing composition was made up of the above-described Nutrisphere-N® copolymer salt.
• Another fertilizer composition was prepared using the aqueous Nutrisphere-N® product applied at the same rate as above onto granular urea, but without the methanol drying agent (urea + aqueous Nutrisphere-N®).
• a final test fertilizer was straight uncoated urea (uncoated urea). These three fertilizer compositions were field-tested to determine the effect of the methanol drying agent on yields. This test was conducted in Courtland, KS in Crete silt loam soil, pH 6.5, organic matter 2.2%, Bray P-one ranging from 19 ppm, soil test potassium 380 ppm ammonium acetate extractable K.
• a no-till irrigated corn was planted (May 2) at 32,000 plants/acre on 6 test plots. The planted corn received a fluid fertilizer starter (10-34-0) at a rate of 8 gal. per acre, banded 2x2 beside each row. Sprinkler irrigation water was provided from the Lovewell Reservoir in north central Kansas.
• the respective solid fertilizer compositions were applied at two rates, 160 and 240 Ib. Nitrogen per acre, as a broadcast application immediately after corn planting.
• the 6 test plots were: uncoated urea/160 Ib. N/A; urea + aqueous Nutrisphere-N/ 160 Ib. N/A; urea + aqueous- methanol Nutrisphere-N/160 Ib. N/A; uncoated urea/240 Ib. N/A; urea + aqueous Nutrisphere- N/240 Ib. N/A; and urea + aqueous-methanol Nutrisphere-N/240 Ib. N/A. There was no incorporation of N into the soil except that which occurred via sprinkler irrigation.
• test plots were harvested Nov.2 by a plot combine taking the two center rows of each plot. Yield data was reported at 15.5% moisture.
• Example 2 In this Example, a series of drying tests were conducted using various compositions including Nutrisphere-N® for granular nitrogen fertilizers (referred to as "Polymer” in Table 2 below), described above.
• the formulations included various amounts of methanol and certain had minor amounts of boric acid therein. Additionally, low and high molecular weight PVA was added to certain of the formulations.
• the low molecular weight PVA (Celvol 103 sold by Celanese Chemical) had a variable molecular weight, ahydrolysis 98.4 ⁇ 0.4% by mole, and a viscosity of 4.0 ⁇ 0.5 cps (4% solution).
• the high molecular weight PVA (Celvol 165 sold by Celanese Chemical) had a variable molecular weight, ahydrolysis of 98.4 ⁇ 0.4% by mole, and a viscosity of 67 ⁇ 5.0 cps (4% solution).

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
• Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
• Fertilizers (AREA)
• Paints Or Removers (AREA)
• Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
• Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Priority Applications (18)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=42317132

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (30)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (18)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (61)

• 2009
  • 2009-12-31 US US12/651,356 patent/US8025709B2/en active Active
• 2010
  • 2010-01-07 NZ NZ59394510A patent/NZ593945A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-01-07 AP AP2011005809A patent/AP2801A/xx active
  • 2010-01-07 ES ES10729504.0T patent/ES2609587T3/es active Active
  • 2010-01-07 EP EP10729504.0A patent/EP2376572B1/en active Active
  • 2010-01-07 BR BRPI1006173-8A patent/BRPI1006173B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2010-01-07 UA UAA201109727A patent/UA105200C2/uk unknown
  • 2010-01-07 JP JP2011545423A patent/JP5756759B2/ja active Active
  • 2010-01-07 KR KR1020117018582A patent/KR101728015B1/ko active Active
  • 2010-01-07 RU RU2011133201/04A patent/RU2532905C2/ru active
  • 2010-01-07 MX MX2011007319A patent/MX2011007319A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2010-01-07 CA CA2749161A patent/CA2749161C/en active Active
  • 2010-01-07 AU AU2010203590A patent/AU2010203590B2/en active Active
  • 2010-01-07 WO PCT/US2010/020350 patent/WO2010080896A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2010-01-07 CN CN201080010642.XA patent/CN102597099B/zh active Active
  • 2010-01-07 NZ NZ60154510A patent/NZ601545A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-01-07 PE PE2011001326A patent/PE20120605A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2010-01-07 SG SG2011049574A patent/SG172897A1/en unknown
  • 2010-01-07 PL PL10729504T patent/PL2376572T3/pl unknown
  • 2010-01-08 TW TW99100347A patent/TWI457354B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-01-08 UY UY32378A patent/UY32378A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2010-01-11 AR ARP100100056 patent/AR075007A1/es unknown
  • 2010-04-06 US US12/755,241 patent/US20100175442A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-11-17 US US12/948,625 patent/US8016907B2/en active Active
• 2011
  • 2011-07-06 US US13/176,787 patent/US8753416B2/en active Active
  • 2011-07-07 IL IL213986A patent/IL213986A/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2011-07-08 NI NI201100136A patent/NI201100136A/es unknown
  • 2011-07-08 DO DO2011000219A patent/DOP2011000219A/es unknown
  • 2011-07-08 HN HN2011001925A patent/HN2011001925A/es unknown
  • 2011-07-08 CL CL2011001675A patent/CL2011001675A1/es unknown
  • 2011-07-18 ZA ZA2011/05283A patent/ZA201105283B/en unknown
  • 2011-07-21 CR CR20110395A patent/CR20110395A/es unknown
  • 2011-07-26 EC ECSP11011237 patent/ECSP11011237A/es unknown
  • 2011-08-09 CO CO11100703A patent/CO6420358A2/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2011-12-27 US US13/337,982 patent/US8747514B2/en active Active
  • 2011-12-27 US US13/337,640 patent/US8747513B2/en active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-04-28 US US14/263,048 patent/US9255039B2/en active Active
  • 2014-04-28 US US14/263,033 patent/US9249062B2/en active Active
  • 2014-04-28 US US14/263,057 patent/US9416063B2/en active Active
  • 2014-09-17 RU RU2014137668A patent/RU2014137668A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2015
  • 2015-12-17 US US14/973,520 patent/US10336659B2/en active Active
• 2016
  • 2016-01-28 DO DO2016000031A patent/DOP2016000031A/es unknown
  • 2016-09-27 IL IL248089A patent/IL248089B/en active IP Right Grant

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events