DESC:NEXT GENERATION CONTROLLED RELEASE NITROGEN FERTILIZER (CRF)
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to fertilizers and methods of preparing the same. The present invention also relates to Urea and Ammonium thiosulfate (ATS). Further, the invention relates to method of controlling release of nitrogen fertilizers using potassium nitro phenolates (PNP). The invention additionally relates to a new fertilizer formulation of Urea, Ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) and potassium nitro phenolate (PNP). Further, the present invention specifically relates to a method of preparing controlled release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition to reduce ammonia volatilization.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Nitrogen fertilizers, such as, for example, Urea and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) are widely used fertilizers across the world for a wide range of agricultural and food crops. The use of such fertilizer compositions has become inevitable to ensure food security for the ever-growing population across the world. With the forecasts on the world population to be increased by one third or 2.3 billon by 2050, effective fertilizers to enhance the productivity of agriculture produces is high priority in the field of agriculture.
[0003] With such existing challenges, Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRFs) have become a potential solution to synchronize nutrient release according to the requirement of plants. However, the most significant challenge that persists is the “tailing” effect of ammonia volatilisation, which reduces the economic benefits in terms of maximum fertilizer utilization. Huge consumption of nitrogen fertilizers is also a significant obstacle restraining the widespread application of CRF in agriculture.
[0004] In recent years, researchers are focusing on solutions and techniques to deliver controlled amounts of plant nutrients to the soil or other growing media. It is recognized, for example, that controlling the release of plant nutrients such as nitrogen from highly soluble fertilizer granules is desirable because releasing the nutrients over an extended period achieves advantages which include increased efficiency of fertilizer use by plants, reduced application costs since fewer applications of fertilizer are required and reduced nutrient loss caused by leaching and denitrification.
[0005] Ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers is a new challenge for agriculture and Industry in view of growing global demand for food and energy crops. Direct administration of chemical fertilizers to plants was shown to have low utilization efficiency as low as 30–35% of the nutrients are absorbed. Further, Urea, the most used, N-fertilizer, was reported to have NUE levels of only 50%, where 2–20% is lost through volatilization, 15–25% reacts with organic compounds in the soil and 2–10% is lost through leaching into water systems, leading to pressing environmental concerns.
[0006] Slow-release fertilizer (SRF) and controlled release fertilizer (CRF) are often used interchangeably. SRF is known as “low solubility compounds with a complex/high molecular weight chemical structure that release nutrients through either microbial or chemically decomposable compound”, where CRF can be defined as “products containing sources of water-soluble nutrients, the release of which in the soil is controlled by a coating applied to the fertilizer”. SRFs are generally classified into condensation products of urea-aldehydes, fertilizers with a physical barrier (coated or incorporated into matrix) and super granules. CRF is a subset of SRF which falls under the category of fertilizer with a physical barrier. FIG. 1 illustrates a classification of Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRFs).
[0007] The melting point of Nitrogen fertilizers (Urea) is 130oC and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) is 150oC wherein the compounds may degrade above the melting point temperatures and lead to solidification of the fertilizer compositions on an industrial scale at a slightly lower temperature than the melting point. The temperature, here, determines the possibility of addition of e.g., a urease inhibitor. However, it is recommended to reduce ammonia emissions from urea-based fertilisers by using urease inhibitors, e.g., ATS, NBPT, mainly in liquid form for coating urea fertiliser granules.
[0008] Urease inhibitors are well-known in the art and are commercially available in the industry. The following table identifies the chemical compositions and properties of commercially available urease inhibitors for application through urea spraying treatments:
Name of the Urease Inhibitor/Reference Boiling point/Flash point Composition Proportion (%) Classification of the substance acc. To Regulation (WE) no. 1272/2008 (CLP)

AGROTAIN® DRI-MAXX N-n-butyl thiophosphoric
triamide (NBPT) 40-70 H318 Causes serious eye damage
H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the
unborn child
H361f Suspected of damaging fertility
Component registered by the manufacturer 30-60 Component declared as safe by the manufacturer
Pigment registered by the manufacturer <3 Pigment declared as safe by the manufacturer

NBPT 25% Yellow for Nexur
BP : 189 ?C (DMSO)
FP : 87 (DMSO) N-butyl thiophosphoric
triamide (NBPT) 24-26 H318 Causes serious eye damage
H361f Suspected of damaging fertility
Dimethyl sulfonide 70-80 The substance is not classified as hazardous
Tartrazine
<0.5 The substance is not classified as hazardous

LIMUS YELLOW
BP: 177 ?C
FP: 86 ?C Post-reaction mixture of
compounds: N-butylthiophosphoric
triamide (NBPT) and
N-propylphosphorothioic
triamide (NPPT) 25 H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
H361f Suspected of damaging fertility
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Polyethyleneimine <25 H318 Causes serious eye damage
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Benzyl alcohol <45 H302 Harmful if swallowed
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H312 Harmful in contact with skin

StabilureN N-n-butyl thiophosphoric
triamide (NBPT)
20–30 H318 Causes serious eye damage
H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the
unborn child

[0009] At present, the knowledge of the potential impact of chemicals used with N fertilisers to decrease urease activity on food safety is limited. Also, the prior arts have not explored on the possibility of obtaining a controlled release of fertilizer using the combination of Urea and PNP, ATS and PNP.
[0010] Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for an improved fertilizer composition with Urea and PNP, ATS and PNP as composition elements. Also, a need exists for a Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition to reduce ammonia volatilization, as described in greater detail herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description.
[0012] It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved fertilizer composition comprising of Urea and PNP.
[0013] It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved method for obtaining Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition to reduce ammonia volatilization.
[0014] It is further aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for a next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition to reduce ammonia volatilization.
[0015] A fertilizer composition and method are disclosed herein. The next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition comprises of Urea and potassium nitro phenolates (PNP) wherein the fertilizer composition is prepared by subsequently adding potassium nitro phenolate (PNP) to the composition at a ratio of 1-99% by weight using spray coating technology.
[0016] The chemical reaction of the next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition is as follows:

[0017] The controlled release of the nitrogen fertilizer has 3-stages, initially, the controlled fertilizer core (130) will absorb the water molecules from the atmosphere and release the potassium and nitro phenolates wherein the potassium nitro phenolate salts having high tendency towards water molecules will absorb the water molecules efficiently and release the potassium and nitrophenol. Potassium used as a micro nutrient to the plat growth and nitrophenolates can promptly permeate in plant, strengthens photosynthesis, accelerates cell division, promote Nutrient Absorption, thus accelerating rooting rate, breaking dormancy, it is prevented that fruit drop, promote plant growing, cereal crops, industrial crops, vegetable, fruit tree and flowers and other crops can be used in. By using the above potassium nitrophenolate our aim is to improve plant health, it is provided that a kind of plant growth regulator composition. Potassium nitrophenolate salts we have noticed that this salt will stable at having more melting points (292 °C and 347 °C). Also absorb the water molecules easily. In stage two the excess amount of water is absorbed to activate the urea hydrolyzes. Finally in third stage slowly release the water molecules to Urea and releases the controlled ammonia.
[0018] The fertilizer composition disclosed herein has advantages including, but not limited to, the fertilizer composition can extend the release rate profile for given plant nutrient having a given amount of controlled release fertilizer thereon. The fertilizer composition further can achieve a desirable release rate profile using significantly less amount of CRF that used with comparable prior art CRF techniques. The fertilizer composition can obtain such a product via one-step process when compared to the multi-step processes of the prior arts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified classification of controlled release fertilizers (CRFs);
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a graphical representation of the Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200), in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical representation of the 4-stage process of the Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200), in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
[0023] The embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0025] Description of the Invention: A fertilizer composition (200) and method are disclosed herein. The next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200) comprises of Urea (130), ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (120) and potassium nitro phenolates (PNP) (110) wherein the fertilizer composition (100) is prepared by initially adding Urea (130) to ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (120) at a ratio of 1-99% by weight and subsequently adding potassium nitro phenolate (PNP) (110) to the composition at a ratio of 1-99% by weight using spray-drying process technology.
[0026] The chemical reaction of the next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200) is as follows:

[0027] With the present state of the regulatory approvals on the urease inhibitors and their complex interactions with fertilisers, soil, and climate, research on the selection of an effective urease inhibitor and its impact on the environment will obviously be continued. A wide spectrum of substances with properties of urease inhibitors (reducing nitrogen losses), e.g., phosphonamidites, hydroquinone, quinones, (di)substituted thioureas, benzothiazoles, coumarin and phenolic aldehyde derivatives, and vanadium hydrazine complexes, together with boron, copper, sulphur, zinc, ammonium thiosulfate, silver nanoparticles, oxidized charcoal, and others.
[0028] The advantages of ATS as a urease inhibitor include its low cost, widespread availability, and compatibility with liquid fertiliser materials. Ammonium Thiosulfate (ATS) is a white crystalline solid with ammonia odour, readily soluble in water, slightly soluble in acetone and insoluble in ethanol and diethyl ether. Crystalline ammonium - thiosulphate contains 19% nitrogen and 43 % sulphur and aqueous solution contains 12% nitrogen and 26 % sulphur.
[0029] Potassium nitrophenolates (PNP) are widely used plant-growth regulator composition and had important function by phytohormone, is adjusted by using the growth promoter of hormone or growth regulator confrontation plant outside plant, can promote plant growing, improve crop yield and increase crop anti-adversity etc. It is widely used in cereal crops, industrial crops, melon fruits and vegetables, fruit tree, oil crop and flowers etc. Can use in any period during plant seeding to results, can be used for seed dipping, seedbed perfusion, foliage spray and alabastrum spreading etc.
[0030] The potassium nitrophenolate salts are used in agriculture and its different ratio combination such as 1:2:3 weight ratio proportioning by Potassium 5-nitroguaiacolate, Potassium 2-nitrophenolate and Potassium 4-nitrophenolate, can promptly permeate in plant, strengthens photosynthesis, accelerates cell division, promote Nutrient Absorption, thus accelerating rooting rate, breaking dormancy, it is prevented that fruit drop, promote plant growing, cereal crops, industrial crops, vegetable, fruit tree and flowers and other crops can be used in.
[0031] The objective of using the potassium nitrophenolate salt (PNP) in the present invention is to improve plant health, it is provided that a kind of plant growth regulator composition. During the development and production of above potassium nitrophenolate salts we have noticed that this salt will stable at having more melting points (292oC and 347oC). Also, absorb the water molecules easily.
[0032] The present invention provides a controlled release fertilizer material (200) comprising a particulate plant nutrient surrounded by a stable composition which is the reaction of mixture comprising Urea (130), ATS (120) and PNP (110). The developed new technology and the composition of ATS, Urea and potassium nitrophenolates effectively work for preparation of controlled release fertilizer (CRF).
[0033] Best Method of Use: The controlled release of the nitrogen fertilizer has 3-stages, initially, the controlled fertilizer core (130) will absorb the water molecules from the atmosphere and release the potassium and nitro phenolates wherein the potassium nitro phenolate salts having high tendency towards water molecules will absorb the water molecules efficiently. The excess amount of water is absorbed by the Urea to activate the urea hydrolyzes. The slow absorbance of water molecules to Urea and finally the Urea start hydrolyzes and releases the controlled ammonia.
[0034] The fertilizer composition disclosed herein has advantages including, but not limited to, the fertilizer composition can extend the release rate profile for given plant nutrient having a given amount of controlled release fertilizer thereon. The fertilizer composition further can achieve a desirable release rate profile using significantly less amount of CRF that used with comparable prior art CRF techniques. The fertilizer composition can obtain such a product via one-step process when compared to the multi-step processes of the prior arts.
[0035] Working of the Invention: as stated hereinabove, the present controlled release fertilizer material compressing the efficiency of the coating is linked to the powder morphological and dimensional characteristics. Different experimental parameters of the spray-drying process were analyzed, including type of solvent, starch concentration, rate of polymer feeding, pressure of the atomizing air, drying air flow, and temperature of drying air. An optimization and screening of the experimental parameters by a design of the experiment (DOE) approach have been done. Finally, the produced spray-dried starch particles were conveniently tested in a dry coating process, in comparison to the commercial initial starch. The obtained results, in terms of coating efficiency, demonstrated that the spray-dried particles led to a sharp increase of coating efficiency value. While the technology is also found in many chemical industry applications, the spray-drying process traditionally is mainly used to produce either single-component (Potassium Chloride, Potassium sulfate, Ammonium sulfate) or multi-component (NPK) fertilizers.
[0036] The present invention therefore provides a process for producing a controlled release fertilizer composition comprising coating a plant nutrient compound with two or more than two precursor compounds with urea to form a dry granular CRF comprising from about 1%-99% of PNP on a weight basis, applying a component or composition onto the urea and ATS. The plant nutrient composition is from about 37% N to about 78% N on a weight basis of the total ingredients of the controlled release fertilizer composition. Fertilizer formulations can be customized to the needs of the specific crop and/or soil to ensure optimal growth. Considering the spray-drying process and multi-nutrient fertilizers we have prepared different products varying the ratio of Urea and PNP.
[0037] Effects of dry granular CRF prepared from commercially available Urea and PNP and physicochemical properties of the resulting mixture and the chemical changes during product formation were examined as shown in Fig 4.
[0038] It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A next generation controlled release nitrogen fertilizer composition, comprising:
Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200) comprises of Urea (130) or ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (120) and potassium nitro phenolates (PNP) (110) wherein the fertilizer composition (100) is prepared by initially adding Urea (130) to 1-99% by weight and subsequently adding potassium nitro phenolate (PNP) (110) to the composition at a ratio of 1-99% by weight using spray-drying process technology.
2. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chemical reaction of the next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200) is as follows:

3. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chemical reaction of the next generation Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) composition (200), ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (120) is as follows:

4. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (CRF) comprises a controlled fertilizer core (130) which absorbs the water molecules from the atmosphere and release the potassium and nitro phenolates wherein the potassium nitro phenolate salts having high tendency towards water molecules will absorb the water molecules efficiently.
5. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the excess amount of water is absorbed by the Urea or Ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) to activate the urea hydrolyzes.
5.The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the activated Urea will slowly release the water molecules and finally the Urea start hydrolyzes and releases the controlled ammonia.
6. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fertilizer composition can extend the release rate profile based on the plant nutrient requirement wherein the spray-drying process enables desirable release rate profile using significantly less amount of CRF.
7. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1, a spray-drying technique and particle engineering is presented; The resulting particles exhibit a large surface area (due to a mean diameter comprised between 3 and 5 µm). These features allow the use of spray-dried particles to a dry powder coating processes, dramatically increasing the coating efficiency of the model core pellet of microcrystalline cellulose.
8. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fertilizer composition can extend the release rate profile based on the plant nutrient requirement wherein the spray-drying process enables desirable release rate profile using significantly less amount of CRF.
9. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fertilizer composition can extend to the combination of Potassium 2- Nitrophenolate,
Potassium 4- Nitrophenolate and potassium 5-nitroguaiacolate in different ratios 1%-99% with Urea and ATS.
10. The fertilizer composition as claimed in claim 1, a spray-drying technique and particle size mean diameter comprised between 3 and 50 µm.