DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to fertilizers. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an anti-caking composition and a process of its preparation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an anti-caking composition for coating fertilizer granules.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following term is generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which it is used indicate otherwise.
Anti-caking composition: The term “anti-caking composition” refers to an additive that prevents the formation of lumps when coated on a material thereby making it easier in packaging, transport, storage and consumption.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Caking of fertilizers generally occurs due to internal factors such as chemical composition, hygroscopicity, moisture content, mechanical strength, phase transformation, and the like and external factors such as ambient moisture and temperature, storage time and pressure exerted during the storage. To reduce or eliminate the influence of these factors that cause fertilizer caking, an anti-caking agent/ composition is used. Anti-caking compositions for fertilizers are usually characterized by the effects such as formation of a hydrophobic barrier to the granule surface, inhibition of nucleation and crystallization, modification of crystallization, lowering surface tension, and reduction of the strength of crystalline bridges. Conventional anti-caking compositions used for the fertilizers are based on petroleum feed stock such as slack wax and/or mineral oil, as the main bulk ingredient. However, the conventional anti-caking compositions do not provide an efficient solution for the caking of fertilizers. Moreover, there is always a room for improvement in the development of the anti-caking composition for the fertilizers.
There is, therefore, provided an anti-caking composition that mitigates the drawbacks mentioned herein above or at least provides a useful alternative.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the background or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-caking composition.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-caking composition for coating fertilizer granules.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-caking composition for coating fertilizer granules that prevents formation of lumps.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-caking composition that is eco-friendly.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple, economic and an environment friendly process for the preparation of an anti-caking composition.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to an anti-caking composition. The anti-caking composition comprises a mineral oil, a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid and an amine.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-caking composition comprises the mineral oil in an amount in the range of 40 mass% to 95 mass%, the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 50 mass% and the amine in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 20 mass%; wherein mass% of each component is with respect to the total mass of the anti-caking composition.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-caking composition comprises the mineral oil in an amount in the range of 50 mass% to 90 mass%, the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in an amount in the range of 5 mass% to 45 mass% and the amine in an amount in the range of 5 mass% to 10 mass%; wherein mass% of each component is with respect to the total mass of the anti-caking composition.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a mass ratio of the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid to the amine to the mineral oil is in the range of 1:1:10 to 9:3:18.
The mineral oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil and petrolatum.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil and mixed vegetable oil.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the amine is at least one selected from C18 to C22 amines.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the amine is selected from the group consisting of stearyl amine and oleyl amine.
The anti-caking composition of the present disclosure is used for coating fertilizer granules.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the coating is carried out at a temperature in the range of 35°C to 75°C for a time period in the range of 1 minute to 8 minutes.
Further, the present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of the anti-caking composition. The process comprises heating a predetermined amount of mineral oil at a predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a heated mineral oil. A predetermined amount of an amine is slowly added to the heated mineral oil at the predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a solution. The compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid is added to the solution under stirring at the predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time period to obtain the anti-caking composition.
In an embodiment, the amine and the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid are added simultaneously to the heated mineral oil at a temperature in the range of 40°C to 80°C for a time period in the range of 30 minutes to 50 minutes.
The mineral oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil and petrolatum. The predetermined amount of the mineral oil is in an amount in the range of 40 mass% to 95 mass% with respect to the total mass of the anti-caking composition.
The amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of C18 to C22 amines. The amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of stearyl amine and oleyl amine. The predetermined amount of the amine is in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 20 mass%.

The vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil and mixed vegetable oil. The predetermined amount of the compound selected from vegetable oil and stearic acid is in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 50 mass%.
The predetermined temperature is in the range of 50°C to 70°C.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the first predetermined time period is in the range of 10 minutes to 40 minutes, the second predetermined time period is in the range of 10 minutes to 40 minutes and the third predetermined time period is in the range of 20 minutes to 55 minutes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure relates to fertilizers. Particularly the present disclosure relates to an anti-caking composition and a process of its preparation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an anti-caking composition for coating fertilizer granules.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Caking of fertilizers generally occurs due to internal factors such as chemical composition, hygroscopicity, moisture content, mechanical strength, phase transformation, and the like and external factors such as ambient moisture and temperature, storage time and pressure exerted during the storage. To reduce or eliminate the influence of these factors that cause fertilizer caking, an anti-caking agent/ composition is used. Anti-caking compositions for fertilizers are usually characterized by the effects such as formation of a hydrophobic barrier to the granule surface, inhibition of nucleation and crystallization, modification of crystallization, lowering surface tension, and reduction of the strength of crystalline bridges. Conventional anti-caking compositions used for the fertilizers are based on petroleum feed stock such as slack wax and/or mineral oil, as the main bulk ingredient. However, the conventional anti-caking compositions do not provide an efficient solution for the caking of fertilizers. Moreover, there is always a room for improvement in the development of the anti-caking composition for the fertilizers.
The present disclosure provides an anti-caking composition and a process of its preparation.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an anti-caking composition.
The anti-caking composition comprises a mineral oil, a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid and an amine.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the anti-caking composition comprises the mineral oil in an amount in the range of 40 mass% to 95 mass%, the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 50 mass% and the amine in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 20 mass%; wherein mass% of each component is with respect to the total mass of the anti-caking composition.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-caking composition comprises the mineral oil in an amount in the range of 50 mass% to 90 mass%, the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in an amount in the range of 5 mass% to 45 mass% and the amine in an amount in the range of 5 mass% to 10 mass%; wherein mass% of each component is with respect to the total mass of the anti-caking composition.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-caking composition comprises paraffin oil in an amount of 90 mass%, vegetable oil in an amount of 5 mass% and stearyl amine in an amount of 5 mass%.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-caking composition comprises paraffin oil in an amount of 50 mass%, vegetable oil in an amount of 45 mass% and stearyl amine in an amount of 5 mass%.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the predetermined mass ratio of the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid to the amine to the mineral oil is in the range of 1:1:10 to 9:3:18. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined mass ratio of the vegetable oil to the amine to the mineral oil is 1:1:18. In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined mass ratio of the stearic acid to the amine to the mineral oil is 1:3:16. In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined mass ratio of the vegetable oil to the amine to the mineral oil is 9:1:10.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the mineral oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil and petrolatum. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mineral oil is paraffin oil.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil and mixed vegetable oil. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the vegetable oil is palm oil.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, stearic acid is used instead of vegetable oil.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the mineral oil and a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid create a moisture barrier between fertilizer granules.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of C18 to C22 amines. In accordance with the present disclosure, the amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of stearyl amine and oleylamine. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the amine is stearyl amine.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the hydrophobic part of the amine in the anti-caking composition prevents the moisture to be in contact with the crystals of fertilizer. The polar amine group used in the anti-caking composition helps strong attachment of the anti-caking composition to the fertilizer granules. The lower amines like diethyl amine do not show anti-caking property.
The anti-caking composition of the present disclosure, is used for coating fertilizer granules. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fertilizer used for coating is ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS). In another exemplary embodiment the fertilizer used for coating is di-ammonium phosphate (DAP).
In accordance with the present disclosure, the coating is carried out at a temperature in the range of 35°C to 75°C for a time period in the range of 1 minute to 8 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, the coating is carried out at 45 °C for 5 minutes. In another exemplary embodiment, the coating is carried out at 65 °C for 5 minutes.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the anti-caking compositions are used in an amount in the range of 0.1 mass% to 0.5 mass% of the total mass of the fertilizer granules during coating.
The anti-caking composition of the present disclosure is used as an additive in the powdered or granulated fertilizers to prevent the formation of lumps and for ease of packaging, transport, storage and consumption. The anti-caking composition of the present disclosure is eco-friendly.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of an anti-caking composition. The process comprises:
a) heating a predetermined amount of a mineral oil at a predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a heated mineral oil;
b) slowly adding a predetermined amount of an amine to the heated mineral oil at the predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a solution; and
c) adding a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid to the solution under stirring at the predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time period to obtain the anti-caking composition.

The process for the preparation of an anti-caking composition is described in detail herein below.
Firstly, a predetermined amount of a mineral oil is heated at a predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a heated mineral oil.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the mineral oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil and petrolatum. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mineral oil is paraffin oil.
The predetermined amount of the mineral oil is in an amount in the range of 40 mass% to 95 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of mineral oil is 90 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition. In another exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of mineral oil is 50 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition.
The predetermined temperature is in the range of 50 °C to 70 °C. In an exemplary embodiment the predetermined temperature is 55 °C.
The first predetermined time period is in the range of 10 minutes to 40 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment the first predetermined time period is 30 minutes.
Further, a predetermined amount of an amine is slowly added to the heated mineral oil at the predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time period to obtain a solution.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of stearyl amine and oleylamine. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the amine is stearyl amine.
The predetermined amount of the amine is in an amount in the range of 2 mass % to 20 mass %. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of amine is 5 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition.
The second predetermined time period is in the range of 10 minutes to 40 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment the second predetermined time period is 30 minutes.
Finally, a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid is added to the solution under stirring at a predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time period to obtain the anti-caking composition.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil and mixed vegetable oil. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the vegetable oil is palm oil. In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, stearic acid is used instead of vegetable oil.
The predetermined amount of a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid is in an amount in the range of 2 mass % to 50 mass %. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of amine is 5 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition. In another exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of amine is 45 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition.
The third predetermined time period is in the range of 20 minutes to 55 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined time period is 40 minutes.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the amine and the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid are added simultaneously to the heated mineral oil at a temperature in the range of 40 °C to 80 °C for a time period in the range of 30 minutes to 50 minutes.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the amine and the compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid are added simultaneously to the heated mineral oil at a temperature of 50 oC for a time period of 40 minutes.
The anti-caking composition is used for coating fertilizer granules. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fertilizer is ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS). In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fertilizer is di-ammonium phosphate.
The process for the preparation of the anti-caking composition is simple, economic and environment friendly.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure is further described in light of the following experiments which are set forth for illustration purposes only and not to be construed for limiting the scope of the disclosure. The following experiments can be scaled up to industrial/commercial scale and the results obtained can be extrapolated to industrial scale.
EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS:
Example 1: Process for the preparation of the anti-caking composition in accordance with the present disclosure:
90 ml of paraffin oil was added in a tank and was heated to 55 °C for 30 minutes under stirring to obtain a heated oil. Slowly 5 g of stearyl amine was added to the heated oil at 55 °C and stirred for 30 minutes to avoid lump formation and for dissolving the amine in the paraffin oil to obtain a solution. When the amine was completely dissolved, 5 ml of palm oil was added to the solution and stirred at 60 °C for 40 minutes to obtain the anti-caking composition.
Example 2 was carried out by following the same procedure as in example 1 except the mass ratio of palm oil to stearyl amine to paraffin oil was varied i.e. 9:1:10.
Example 3 was carried out by following the same procedure as in example 1 except that stearic acid was used instead of palm oil. The mass ratio of stearic acid to stearyl amine to paraffin oil was taken as 1:1:18.
Example 4 was carried out by following the same procedure as in example 1 except that stearic acid is used instead of palm oil. The amount of stearic acid to stearyl amine to paraffin oil was taken as 1:3:16.
Example 5: Process for the preparation of the anti-caking composition in accordance with the present disclosure (simultaneous addition):
50 ml of paraffin oil was added in a tank and was heated to 60 ºC for 30 minutes under stirring to obtain a heated oil. 45 ml of palm oil and 5 g of stearyl amine were added to the heated oil and stirred at 50 ºC for 40 minutes to obtain the anti-caking composition. The hot anti-caking composition was used for coating. A volume of 1.9 ml of hot anti-caking composition was used for coating 1 kg of fertilizer granules.
Example 6 was carried out by following the same procedure as in example 5 except the mass ratio of palm oil to stearyl amine to paraffin oil was taken as 1:1:18.
Example 7 was carried out by following the same procedure as in example 5 except that stearic acid was used instead of palm oil. The mass ratio of stearic acid to stearyl amine to paraffin oil was taken as 1:1:18.
Example 8 was carried out by following the same procedure as in example 5 except that stearic acid was used instead of vegetable oil. The amount of stearic acid to stearyl amine to paraffin oil was taken as 1:3:16.
Table 1 below summarizes the ingredients of the anti-caking composition of examples 1-8 along with their mass ratios
Example No. Ingredients of the composition Mass ratio of vegetable oil/stearic acid:amine:mineral oil
Vegetable oil/stearic acid Amine Mineral oil
Example 1 Palm oil Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 1:1:18
Example 2 Palm oil Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 9:1:10
Example 3 Stearic acid Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 1:1:18
Example 4 Stearic acid Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 1:3:16
Example 5 Palm oil Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 9:1:10
Example 6 Palm oil Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 1:1:18
Example 7 Stearic acid Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 1:1:18
Example 8 Stearic acid Stearyl amine Paraffin oil 1:3:16

Experiment 2: Efficiency study of the anti-caking composition in accordance with the present disclosure
The efficiency of the anti-caking compositions as prepared in Examples 1 to 8 of the present disclosure was determined by studying the crushing strength of the pellets formed by coating the fertilizer with the anti-caking composition.
8 g of a fertilizer sample coated with 0.02ml of anti-caking composition was loaded in the accelerated lumping test kit. This kit was then kept in a humidity chamber at 30 °C and 75 % relative humidity (RH) for 6 hours to form pellet. The formed pellet was then stored in vacuum desiccator for 24 hours and then crushing strength of the pellet was measured.
Anti-caking efficiency gives a measure of the percentage reduction in the force required to crush the cake formed after coating with the anti-caking agent in comparison with the cake formed without any coating. If no caking occurs after anti-caking agent coating, efficiency is considered as 100 %.
Percentage efficiency was determined by comparing the crushing strength of the pellet formed with the crushing strength of the uncoated fertilizer sample. Results obtained are summarized in table 2.
Table 2: Efficiency study of the anti-caking composition prepared in Examples 1 to 8 of the present disclosure
Fertilizer Treatment of fertilizer with the anti-caking composition Crushing strength (kg/cake)
(% Reduction in crushing strength)
Ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS) Without coating >10
Example 1 0.7 (93%)
Example 2 2.1 (79%)
Example 3 0 (100%)
Example 4 0 (100%)
Example 5
(simultaneous addition) 2.1 (79%)
Example 6
(simultaneous addition) 0.7 (93%)
Example 7
(simultaneous addition) 0 (100%)
Example 8
(simultaneous addition) 0 (100%)
Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) Without coating 9.8
Example 1 0 (100%)
Example 2 0.5 (95%)
Example 3 4.0 (60%)
Example 4 2.2 (78%)
Example 5
(simultaneous addition) 0.5 (95%)
Example 6
(simultaneous addition) 0 (100%)
Example 7
(simultaneous addition) 4.0 (60%)
Example 8
(simultaneous addition) 2.2 (78%)
A homogeneous coating of anti-caking composition of the present disclosure on the fertilizer granules can be achieved with the use of 0.25 mass% of anti-caking composition of the present disclosure with respect to the total mass of the fertilizer granules. Negligible or no caking is observed with all the anti-caking compositions of examples 1 to 8 of the present disclosure for both Ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS) and Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer granules.
Experiment 3: Characteristics of the anti-caking composition prepared in accordance with the present disclosure
The anti-caking compositions prepared in Examples 1 to 8 were subjected to the analysis of its characteristic properties. The analysis is summarized in Table 3.
Table 3: Characteristic properties of anti-caking compositions prepared in accordance with the present disclosure

Example Density at 50° C Moisture pH Viscosity at 70° C % of amines Volatile matter
gm/ml % Cst % %
Example 1 0.839 0.05 3.60 21.81 4.87 3.94
Example 2 0.861 0.04 3.70 23.78 4.91 2.15
Example 3 0.842 0.05 3.80 22.95 4.95 3.06
Example 4 0.852 0.04 3.70 23.22 14.65 2.95
Example 5
(simultaneous addition) 0.864 0.04 3.60 23.53 4.89 2.25
Example 6
(simultaneous addition) 0.842 0.05 3.70 21.92 4.89 3.85
Example 7
(simultaneous addition) 0.846 0.05 3.70 22.89 4.90 2.95
Example 8
(simultaneous addition) 0.849 0.04 3.70 23.17 14.59 2.87

The amine content of the anti-caking compositions of examples 1-8 prepared in accordance with the present disclosure is optimum and provides desired anti-caking properties. Even if the amine content is increased above the optimized range there is no increase in the anti-caking properties of the composition.
Experiment 4: Comparative studies of the anti-caking composition in accordance with the present disclosure and conventional anti-caking compositions
The efficiency study of the various anti-caking compositions prepared in examples 1-8 were carried out and compared with the efficiency of the comparative examples 1 to 4. The details of the experimental parameters and the results are summarized in Table 4.
Table 4: Comparative studies of the anti-caking composition prepared in accordance with the present disclosure and conventional anti-caking compositions
Example Composition Tested on fertilizer Temperature of preparation of anti-caking composition ºC Coating temp ºC Coating volume Effectiveness
1 Vegetable oil (VO):stearyl amine:paraffin oil (1:1:18) Ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 93%
2 VO:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (9:1:10) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 79%
3 stearic acid:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (1:1:18) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 100%
4 stearic acid:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (1:3:16) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 100%
1 VO:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (1:1:18) Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 100%
2 VO:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (9:1:10) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 95%
3 stearic acid:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (1:1:18) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 60%
4 stearic acid:stearyl amine:paraffin oil (1:3:16) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 78%
5 Vegetable oil (VO):stearyl amine: paraffin oil (9:1:10) (Simultaneous addition) Ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 79%
6 VO:stearyl amine: paraffin oil (1:1:18) (Simultaneous addition) 65 45 0.2 ml per Kg 93%
7 stearic acid: stearyl amine: paraffin oil (1:1:18) (Simultaneous addition) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 100%
8 stearic acid: stearyl amine: paraffin oil (1:3:16) (Simultaneous addition) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 100%
5 Vegetable oil (VO):stearyl amine: paraffin oil (9:1:10) (Simultaneous addition) Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 95%
6 VO:stearyl amine: paraffin oil (1:1:18) (Simultaneous addition) 60 45 0.2 ml per Kg 100%
7 stearic acid: stearyl amine: paraffin oil (1:1:18) (Simultaneous addition) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 60%
8 stearic acid: stearyl amine: paraffin oil (1:3:16) (Simultaneous addition) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 60%
Comparative examples
1 Castor oil:VO:Chloroform(1.5:0.5:8) Ammonium
phosphate sulphate (APS) 40 RT 1 ml per Kg 42%
2 Castor oil:VO:Chloroform(0.5:1.5:8) 40 RT 1 ml per Kg 18%
3 Castor oil:VO:Paraffin wax: Chloroform (0.1:0.9:1:8) 65 RT 1 ml per Kg 44%
4 stearic acid:peraffin oil (1:1) 65 65 0.2 ml per Kg 21%
*The coating of all the anti-caking compositions was carried for 5 minutes
The anti-caking compositions of the present disclosure provide anti-caking efficiency of equal to or more than 60% for both the fertilizer granules ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) whereas the anti-caking compositions of the comparative examples provide a lower anti-caking efficiency in the range of 18% to 44 %. Moreover the anti-caking properties of the comparative examples work only with ammonium phosphate sulphate (APS) and do not show anti-caking properties on di-ammonium phosphate (DAP).
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of;
? an anti-caking composition that:
• prevents formation of lumps; and
• is eco-friendly; and
? a simple, economic and an environment friendly process for the preparation of an anti-caking composition.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired object or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An anti-caking composition comprising:
i. a mineral oil;
ii. a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid; and
iii. an amine.

2. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition comprises:
i. said mineral oil in an amount in the range of 40 mass% to 95 mass%;
ii. said compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 50 mass%; and
iii. said amine in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 20 mass%;
wherein mass% of each component is with respect to the total mass of said anti-caking composition.

3. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition comprises:
i. said mineral oil in an amount in the range of 50 mass% to 90 mass%;
ii. said compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in an amount in the range of 5 mass% to 45 mass%; and
iii. said amine in an amount in the range of 5 mass% to 10 mass%;
wherein mass% of each component is with respect to the total mass of said anti-caking composition.

4. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mass ratio of said compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid to said amine to said mineral oil is in the range of 1:1:10 to 9:3:18.

5. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mineral oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil and petrolatum.

6. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil and mixed vegetable oil.

7. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said amine is at least one selected from the group consisting C18 to C22 amines.

8. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein said amine is at least one selected from stearyl amine and oleyl amine.

9. The anti-caking composition as claimed in claim 1, is used for coating fertilizer granules wherein said coating is carried out at a temperature in the range of 35°C to 75°C for a time period in the range of 1 minute to 8 minutes.

10. A process for preparing an anti-caking composition, said process comprising the following steps:
a) heating a predetermined amount of a mineral oil at a predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a heated mineral oil;
b) slowly adding a predetermined amount of an amine to said heated mineral oil at said temperature for a second predetermined time period under stirring to obtain a solution; and
c) adding a compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid to said solution under stirring at said temperature for a third predetermined time period to obtain said anti-caking composition.

11. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said amine in step b) and said compound selected from a vegetable oil and stearic acid in step c) are added simultaneously to said heated mineral oil at a temperature in the range of 40°C to 80°C for a time period in the range of 30 minutes to 50 minutes.

12. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said mineral oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil and petrolatum; and wherein said predetermined amount of said mineral oil is in an amount in the range of 40 mass% to 95 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition.

13. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of C18 to C22 amines; wherein said amine is at least one selected from the group consisting of stearyl amine and oleyl amine and wherein said predetermined amount of said amine is in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 20 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition.

14. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil and mixed vegetable oil; and wherein said predetermined amount of a compound selected from vegetable oil and stearic acid is in an amount in the range of 2 mass% to 50 mass% with respect to the total mass of the composition.

15. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said predetermined temperature is in the range of 50°C to 70°C.

16. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein
• said first predetermined time period is in the range of 10 minutes to 40 minutes;
• said second predetermined time period is in the range of 10 minutes to 40 minutes and
• said third predetermined time period is in the range of 20 minutes to 55 minutes.

Dated this 8th day of February, 2024

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
OF R.K.DEWAN & CO.
AUTHORIZED AGENT OF APPLICANT

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI