Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTI-BRANCHED REGENERATING WETTING AGENTS FOR TREATING
SANDY SOILS FOR LONG-TERM REDUCTION OF WATER REPELLENCY
AND METHOD THEREOF
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to certain novel formulations of turf additives that
act in such a
manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in
order to reduce dry
spots within highly managed turf areas and/or lawns. The inventive formulation
comprising
multi-branched surfactant compounds with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
constituents
within each branch attached to an oxygen-containing polyfunctional base
compound permits
effective moisture penetration through such localized dry spots for sustained
grass growth
therein. Importantly, such multi-branched wetting agents provide sustained
moisture
penetration over a sustained period of time since the individual branches of
such compounds
may become dissociated from its base polyfunctional compound. Since such
branches
include both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents themselves, and thus act
as wetting
agents, even after degradation of the initial surfactant compound, long-term
wetting and
moisture penetration, at least, are permitted. Methods of treating sandy soils
with such
compounds and formulations thereof are also contemplated within this
invention.
Background of the Prior Art
Water repellent soil, whether in sandy areas or not, have proven to be the
most
difficult conditions in which plant life may be grown. Such a condition
basically prevents or
drastically reduces the ability of water to infiltrate from the ground level
to subterranean root
systems. In addition, environmental problems may occur as well due to surface
runoff from
rain, thereby transporting pesticides and/or fertilizers from the desired
agriculture locations to
ponds, lakes, reservoirs, or other undesirable water sources, as well as
increasing the chances
of ground water contamination therefrom.
Water content and soil particle size contribute to such water repellency
issues, in
addition to the presence of certain organic matter therein (humic acid, for
example, as
discussed in greater detail below). Such organic matter basically causes water
repellency in
the specific soils by imparting hydrophobic properties thereto while adhering
to the soil
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particles themselves via hydrophilic constituents present within the
particular organic matter.
In particular, localized dry spots are a distinct problem within highly
managed turf
areas and/or lawns, in particular those with sandy soils, primarily for
aesthetic reasons. Such
dry spots are the result of the development of areas of varying degrees of
water repellency
within and at the surface of the target soil. Plant water usage is critical to
sustained plant
growth; however, the existence of such localized dry spots creates a problem
with
nonuniformity of water supply to treated grasses over time. Basically, in
times of high stress
and/or easy water evaporation (e.g., higher temperatures, low humidity), such
water
repellency areas will exhibit higher water loss than others. As a result, the
plant life present
within the target lawn or green will not receive uniform, and, at times,
vastly different levels
of, water supply. As time passes, the difference in the amount of water
supplied to discrete
areas of the target lawn or green may become more disparate. Thus, the
possibility for
localized dry spots to materialize within sandy soils is relatively high over
a sustained length
of time (e.g., from 6 to 18 months on average from genesis to being
empirically noticed), and,
again, most times the existence of such dry spots is unknown to the lawn or
green caretaker
until materialization (since the presence of such water repellency areas may
exist anywhere
within the topsoil, from the surface to as low as about 2 inches below, the
area of greatest
concentration of grass root systems).
Also, hydrophobicity of sand creates certain problems with regard to pooling
water
after raining (as one example) which in turn causes unsightly areas either
within highly sandy
yards, ballparks, or beaches, or to provide water penetration in dry sandy
conditions in order
to possibly sustain plant-life therein (such as arid desert-like areas).
Reduction in such water
repellency would thus be helpful in maintaining, at least, better aesthetics
for such sandy
areas, as well as the possibility for permitting or promoting the growth of
sustained plant life
in such dry, barren areas.
Without intending to be bound to any particular scientific theory, it is
believed that
such water repellency areas within sandy soils are the result of the presence
of humic
substances and their attachment to soil components, particularly in large
accumulations at the
topsoil surface. Humus is degraded plant and animal matter (by microbial
organisms) and is
basically the organic portion of soil that comprises the necessary nutrients
to sustain plant
growth and life therein. One byproduct of such humus (again produced through a
naturally
occurring process within the soil) is humic acid (simply the acidic form of
humus, basically a
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mix of various different materials). Humic acid and other like substances,
although necessary
for the sustenance of plant life as it provides the aforementioned nutrients
to root systems,
unfortunately also appears to create problems within sandy soils, most
particularly the
creation of a waxy organic, water-repellent coating upon binding to and with
soil components
(for instance, and without limitation, sand). If such a coating is permitted
to accumulate over
a long period of time, such as the aforementioned 6 to 18 month period, and
particularly at the
topsoil surface, the coating becomes highly water repellent in nature and
uniform plant water
use is difficult to achieve. In theory, and, again, without intending to be
bound to such
theory, it is believed that such a coating is formed by the amphiphylic humic
acid (or other
like humic substance) adhering, by its hydrophilic portion, to the hydrophilic
sites within the
sandy soil, permitting the highly hydrophobic ends to extend (similar in
nature to a micelle).
Such a coating is thus hydrophobic in nature and, when present as a thorough
coating over
such surface portions, again, tends to either drive water away or facilitate
water loss by
preventing moisture from passing through to the subterranean roots of any
plants therein. If
the water remains at the surface, evaporation is also facilitated as such
moisture cannot easily
penetrate the hydrohphobic soil surface. Such a problem exists, as noted
above, not only
within greens, but also within lawns and pastures (as merely some examples of
such trouble
areas). In order to provide a uniform appearance in lawns and greens, it has
been a
requirement either to water consistently in very large amounts (which is
wasteful and possibly
damaging to the plants themselves) or to water selected trouble areas by hand
on a continuous
basis (which is labor-intensive and possibly wasteful in terms of water
consumption).
Furthermore, it is generally too late to know of problematic water repellent
areas within such
lawns or greens until they become apparent empirically. For pastures, pools of
water develop
sporadically on occasion due to this problem; the standard method of remedying
this problem
is to dig up the earth and wait for the humic substances to be consumed as
nutrients (over a
relatively long period of time) by the root systems therein. Such a procedure
thus leaves an
aesthetically displeasing result and is not always reliable for reducing water
repellency
therein. Thus, it has been found that there exists a need to provide a simple
method for
providing effective moisture penetration through such highly hydrophobic
coatings to
ameliorate the lack of hydrophilicity, and thus water availability at the soil
surface and within
the subterranean root systems thereof without causing detrimental effects to
the surface plant
life.
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In the past, the best methods of reducing the amount and presence of localized
dry
spots have basically involved the introduction of certain standard surfactants
to the soil for
the transport of water through the surface coating, preferably in tandem with
compounds that
decrease the surface tension of the waxy coating to permit penetration of the
active surfactant
components themselves in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,921,023 to Ogawa et al., 5,595,957
to Bowey et
al., and 5,731,268 to Taguchi et al. Such a method has been problematic to a
certain extent
due to the cost associated with some silicon-based surfactants,
biodegradability issues of most
viable surfactants, as well as foaming problems when water is present, and/or
the difficulty in
removal of degraded coating components after surfactant treatment. Also, this
specific
surfactant-only treatment does not remove the waxy coating to an appreciable
degree from the
target topsoil surface. Furthermore, prior surfactant treatments are limited
in effectiveness
due to the need for continued application thereof to target soils over a
relatively short period
of time for any sustained improvements in moisture penetration. A long-term
(e.g., greater
than 4 months, or a season) formulation applied in a single application or in
split applications
spaced 7 to 10 days apart and/or method for providing water repellency
improvements are
thus unavailable to the pertinent industry at this time.
Another manner of reducing such dry spot problems has been increasing watering
itself. However, as noted above, such a method is labor intensive and, in many
areas where
water is not plentiful, use for aesthetic purposes (e.g., lawns, greens, and
the like), is
preferably kept at a minimum as compared to other more important purposes
(e.g., drinking
water). Such an issue also contributes to the aforementioned development of
water repellency
areas over long periods of time because of the inability of the caretaker to
continuously
supply moisture to target lawns, greens, etc., to the levels needed to best
ensure uniformity of
watering is accomplished. Other possible attempts at alleviating such a
problem exist, albeit
as an aim at removing contaminants (e.g., oils, fuels, etc.) from the target
soils for improving
plant growth therein (U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,896 to Jahnke et al. and WO01/26832
to Lubrizol
Corporation). None of these procedures provide the necessary degree of wetting
at the lower
cost and/or labor intensity to overcome the hydrophobicity problems noted
above. Wetter
formulations applied in a single application or in split applications spaced 7
to 10 days apart
to provide wetting methods for season-long consistent and continuous moisture
penetration
within such hydrophobic soils are nonexistent currently. Such a currently
unavailable method
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and formulation providing such beneficial results are thus highly desirable to
the soil
treatment industry.
Description of the Invention
It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improved application
method of
applying a wetting formulation in a single application or split into two
applications spaced 7
to 10 days apart of lowering topsoil surface tension by providing effective
wetting through the
hydrophobic portion of humic acid coatings, thereby permitting moisture to
penetrate such a
coating and pass to the root systems of target plants therein. A simple, safe
formulation
permitting such a method is also an object of this invention.
Accordingly, this invention concerns a soil additive formulation and/or method
of
treating sandy areas, soils, or areas including both sand and soil (such as
lawns, greens,
pastures, beaches, dry desert-like areas, and the like), wherein said soil
additive formulation
comprises a multi-branched oxygen-containing polyfunctional compound-based
surfactant
exhibiting both hydrophilic and hydrophobic constituents within each branch
thereof, and
wherein such compound comprises at least three, preferably, five or greater,
such branches
thereon, and from 0.1-99% (could be 0 - 90%) by weight of at least one other
compound that
further actively lowers the surface tension of humic acid waxy coatings from
hydrophobic
sand particles. Such a formulation may also comprise a copolymer exhibiting
both
hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions for reaction with the hydrophobic
portions of such
hydrophobic sand particles in order to further provide hydrophilic extensions
therefrom to
facilitate topsoil surface tension reductions for effective moisture
penetration. Lastly, a
method for reducing localized dry spot formation within lawns or greens by
providing long-
term wetting via single-application (and/or split applications spaced 7 to 10
days apart)
formulations and treatments comprising the application of a soil additive
formulation to a
target lawn or green, wherein said soil additive formulation comprises the
same multi-
branched surfactant compound as noted above. Again, to date, nothing within
the pertinent
prior art teaches or fairly suggests such specific inventions.
Such a composition and method of treating sandy areas may thus be utilized for
the
provision of moisture penetration benefits in sandy areas alone. In such a
manner, the sandy
area (a beach, for example) may be modified to permit water penetration
therein, to prevent
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unsightly water pools, for example, after raining, or to dry desert-like areas
in order to permit
water penetration to sustain root systems of plant-life which would not grow
otherwise.
The inventive formulation may either be applied in liquid form, pellet form,
or
granular form to the selected treated area.
The inventive formulation, in terms of composition, thus requires at least one
multi-
branched oxygen-containing polyfunctional compound-based wetting agent. Such a
polyfunctional compound may be a polyol, polycarboxylic acid, or lactone (the
ring structure
of which will open upon reaction to provide the necessary reactive sites for
surfactant
addition thereto), wherein the moieties include highly reactive end groups for
reaction with
surfactant-like groups to form the desired branches therein. In such a base
compound, the
oxygen-containing functionalities (oxygen alone, or as part of a carboxylic
acid group)
provide the reactive sites and thus act as linking groups between the base
compound and the
surfactant-like branches. The term polyol, for this invention, basically
covers any compound
with at least three hydroxyl moieties thereon; likewise; polycarboxylic acid
encompasses
compounds having at least three such acid moieties present thereon; and
lactone is a
heterocyclic compound with at least two oxygens therein. Thus, particular
classes of polyols
suitable for this purpose include, without limitation, tri- to octa-hydric
alcohols such as
pentaerythritol, diglycerol, a-methylglucoside, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol,
erythritol,
dipentaerythritol, arabitol, glucose, sucrose, maltose, fructose, mannose,
saccharose,
galactose, leucrose, and other alditol or sugar molecules, polybutadiene
polyols, castor oil-
derived polyols; hydroxyalkyl methacrylate copolymers, hydroxylalkyl acrylate
polymers,
polyvinyl alcohols, glycerine, glycerol (a/k/a glycerine), 1,1,1-
trimethylolpropane; 1,1,1-
trimethylolethane; 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and butanetriol; polycarboxylic acids,
such as tartaric
acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, 2-phosphono-1,2,4-butane tricarboxylic acid,
glucuronic acid,
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, gluconic acid, cyclohexane hexacarboxylic
acid, mellitic
acid, saccharic acid, muck acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid,
glucoheptonic acid,
lactobionic acid, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid, amino propyl
trimethoxysilane,
aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane, 3-
glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-
(trimethoxysilyl)propyl
isocyanate, glucose, leucrose, diaminopropane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid,
aconitic acid,
isocitric acid, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid,
tricarballylic acid, N-
(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, 3-[[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino]-1-
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propanesulfonic acid, 2-[[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino]-1-ethanesulfonic
acid, 3-[bis(2-
hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid, 3-[N-
trishydroxymethylmethylamino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, N-
tris[hydroxymethyl]methyl-4-aminobutanesulfonic acid, 3-aminoadipic acid,
aspartic acid, a-
glutamic acid, (3-glutamic acid, 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N',N'-
tetraacetic acid,
triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid, (3-carboxyaspartic acid, a-
hydroxymethylaspartic acid,
tricine, 1,2,3,4-cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid, and 6-phosphogluconic acid;
and lactones,
such as glucoheptonic lactone and glucooctanoic-y-lactone, all as merely non-
limiting
examples of such a base compound. Preferred are the alditol types (in
particular, sorbitol) as
well as glycerol.
The required wetting agents thus include the reaction of surfactant-type
compounds
(exhibit both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties) to the reactive (or
functional) sites of the
polyfunctional base compound. Thus, the wetting agent initially exists as a
single compound
(having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties within each branch, and thus
within the
entire compound), and subsequently, after application to target soils, will
degrade into
separate, individual surfactants free from the polyfunctional base compound.
The wetting
agent thus exhibits excellent ability to provide the necessary water adhesion
to the
hydrophobic surface of the water repellent soil via the hydrophobic groups of
the surfactant
itself with the hydrophilic groups free to provide the beneficial wetting
characteristics, and,
even upon such above-noted degradation, will still exhibit continued,
effective wetting, and
thus water transport, through the hydrophobic soil. Any adhered water droplets
will be pulled
into the sand and/or soil by further adhesion by other particles or through
cohesion with other
water droplets. Thus, such a wetting agent effectively permits appreciable and
necessary
amounts of moisture to penetrate the topsoil for beneficial moisture supply to
the
subterranean roots on a consistent and continuous basis for a relatively long
period of time.
As noted previously, the mufti-branched aspect of this compound permits
degradation of the
compound without losing any appreciable ability to provide continued wetting
characteristics
within the targeted soils. Thus, in the long-term formulation, a single
application or a split
application spaced 7 to 10 days apart, accords consistent, at least effective,
wetting, and
moisture penetration without any need for further labor-intensive and possibly
costly
applications of treatment formulations.
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Such a wetting agent may be of any type as broadly described above, that
provides the
above-discussed water movement through function of the multi-branched
structure.
Preferably, and without limitation, such a wetting agent may be chosen from
the class of
compounds that are alditol-based (as the most preferred type of polyfunctional
compound
base), thus having five or more free oxygens for reaction with surfactant-type
constituents to
form the desired multiple branches thereon. Upon degradation of any or all
such resultant
oxygen linkages, the free constituents, as noted above, exhibit the necessary
surfactant-like
wetting benefits on a continuous basis. The compounds that meet such a
description are
broad, and, heretofore, have not been utilized for such soil treatment
purposes.
Non-limiting, preferred compounds for this purpose include the following
compounds, all of which include the necessary alditol base structure.
Basically, surfactant-
type compounds are reacted with the free oxygens of the alditol base
structure. This can be
accomplished in any number of ways, most notably through the alkoxylation of
polyfunctional reactive hydrogen-containing materials wherein each reactive
hydrogen-
containing site include alkylene oxide moieties, such as, for instance, and
most preferably,
ethylene oxide (E0; a/k/a ethyleneoxy), propylene oxide (PO; a/k/a
propyleneoxy), and, to a
lesser extent, butylenes oxide (BO; a/k/a butyleneoxy) in a ratio of EO:PO or
BO of from
5:95 to 95:5 and the combined molecular weight of EO+ p0 or BO is from 300 to
20,000,
preferably from 500 to 10,000, such that each branch becomes a typical wetting
species. As
the molecule biodegrades in the soil substructure, preferentially at the
polyfunctional starting
point as noted above, a new branch of wetter is introduced into the soil for
long term
performance protection from localized dry spots.
Each of the possible mufti-branched wetting agents provides the requisite
water
transport discussed previously, with the alditol-based types potentially
preferred due to ease
in manufacture and ease in degrading into constituent parts at a relatively
controlled and
consistent pace. The soil additive formulation may be entirely comprised of
such a wetting
agent or agents, in one potentially preferred embodiment, or, the wetting
agents) may be
comprised of from 0.1-99% by weight of such a wetting agent; preferably from 1-
99% by
weight; more preferably from about 5-95% by weight; more preferably from about
10-90% by
weight, with the remainder a mix of possible additives as noted below.
However, in order to best ensure initial penetration of such wetting agents
within
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the target topsoil areas (which may or may not be thoroughly coated with humic
substance
waxy coatings), it is preferable to include at least one secondary compound
within the
formulation for further lowering of the surface tension at the topsoil surface
which is also
compatible with the aforementioned required multi-branched wetting agent. The
lowering of
the surface tension allows more rapid penetration of the branched wetter into
the soil profile.
Such a secondary compound can be an alkoxylated (preferably ethoxylated)
alcohol
(surfactant), such as a branched or unbranched C6-C6o alcohol alkoxylate
(preferably, again,
ethoxylate) (for utilization with the aforementioned multi-branched wetting
agent), or
alkoxylated (preferably ethoxylated) Cx-C4o fatty acid (for utilization in
combination with the
aforementioned mufti-branched wetting agent). Such secondary compounds can
also be
silicone surfactants or fluorosurfactants which are widely known by those
skilled in the art to
reduce surface tension. Such compounds may be branched or unbranched in
configuration.
Examples of preferred types of alcohol alkoxylates for this purpose include
C6_bo alkyl,alkenyl
or alkylaryl EO/PO surfactants, linear or branched, and secondary or primary
hydroxyl in
type, including mixtures of surfactants comprising from 95 to 1 % by weight of
at least one
surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide compounds with the general
formula:
R3-~'(C2H4O)c(C3 H6 ~)d R3
wherein c is 0 to 500; d is 0 to 500, and R3 is H, or an alkyl group with 1 to
4 carbon
atoms; wherein the polyalkylene oxide has a molecular weight in the range of
300 to 51,000;
and a second optional different surfactant comprising a compound of the
general formula
R4-O(CHZCH20)x(CHRSCHZO)yRb
wherein x is from 1 to 50; y is 0-50: R4 is a branched or linear alkyl,
alkenyl, aryl or
an aryl group optionally having an alkyl group substituent, the alkyl group
having up to 60
carbon atoms; RS is selected from H and alkyl groups having from 1 to 2 carbon
atoms; and
R6 is selected from H and alkyl groups having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.
Suitable secondary
surfactants also include carboxylic and dicarboxylic esters of the general
formula:
R4COa(CHZCH20)x(CHRSCH20)yCObR6
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wherein x is from 1 to 50; y is 1-50, a is from 1 to 2, b.is from 1 to 2: R4
is an alkyl or
alkenyl group having up to 60 carbons or an aryl group optionally having an
alkyl group
substituent, the alkyl group having up to 60 carbon atoms; RS is selected from
H and alkyl
groups having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms; and R6 is selected from H and alkyl
groups having
from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.
The surface tension of such a surface-active compound (or compounds) should in
effect be below the general level of such a humic substance waxy coating, thus
less than
about 60 dynes/cm2, more preferably less than 40 dynes/cm2. As non-limiting
examples for
this purpose, tridecyl alcohol (8 EO), and coconut fatty acid (9 EO), are
preferred.
In essence, without intending on being bound to any scientific theory, it is
believed
that the aforementioned copolymer wetting agents provide beneficial properties
to the
inventive formulations through the binding of the more hydrophobic portions
(propylene
oxide, or PO, monomers, for example) thereof to the hydrophobic ends of the
accumulated
humic acids, and the subsequent, or simultaneous, binding of the more
hydrophilic portions
(ethylene oxide, or EO, for example) to the wetting agents. Such a copolymer
component is
not necessary for proper functioning of the inventive formulation in every
instance, although
its presence may be desired in an effort either to increase the penetration of
the multi-
branched wetting agents or, potentially, to reduce the amount of humic acid
removal
compounds (which may be expensive or difficult to find in large quantities)
within the soil
(and/or turf) additive formulation and still provide an effective manner of
reducing localized
dry spots within the target lawn and/or green. Such a copolymer may thus be of
any length
and molecular weight with a preferred molecular weight of between 1000 and
15000, more
preferably from about 2000 to about 3500, and most preferably from about 2750
to about
3250. Such a copolymer is available from BASF under the family of tradenames
of
PLURONIC~. If present, such copolymer should be present in an amount of from
about 1 to
about 85% by weight of the entire formulation, more preferably from about 20
to about 80%,
and most preferably from about 55 to about 75%.
Another optional compound for introduction within the inventive formulation is
a
humic acid removal compound, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,481,153, to Petrea
et al., herein entirely incorporated by reference, as well as certain
commercially available
products, including, without limitation, CASCADE~, Primer 604 (from
Aquatrols), and the
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like. Most preferred for such a supplemental purpose are succinic acid salts
and/or long chain
salts and polyfunctional acid salts, as taught within the Petrea et al. patent
noted above.
Such an inventive formulation is one example of a soil additive that provides
the
desired long-term wetting (and potential topsoil humic acid removal) that is
necessary to
effectuate the reduction in dry spot formation within vegetative areas. As
discussed above,
the aim of this invention is to lower the surface tension of humic acid
accumulations on
topsoil by reacting with the hydrophobic extensions of such an acid coating
and permitting
moisture transport through such a coating for a relatively long period of time
on a continuous
basis. This result is thus viewed in comparison with other types of soil
treatments over at
least 4 months straight. Such was performed and delineated and discussed below
to show the
degree of long-term, consistent, wetting heretofore unavailable to the soil
and turf treatment
industry.
The inventive formulations may include any other standard components for lawn,
garden, or other vegetation treatment, including, further wetting agents,
cloud point raising
emulsifiers known to those skilled in the art such as polyalkylglucosides, or
colorants (for
aesthetic purposes or for application identification), perfumes, water,
electrolytes, fertilizer,
pesticides, growth hormones, minerals, spray pattern indicators, and the like.
Preferably,
plant and grass nutrients, such as fertilizers, minerals, and/or growth
hormones, as well as
spray pattern indicators (such as taught within U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,943 to
Brendle).
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
First, test sandy soil samples were taken from each test plot and were
characterized by a
molarity of ethanol droplet method. First, ethanol standards were made for use
in the
MED(Molarity of ethanol droplet test) through the production of 1M, 2M, 3M,
and 4M solutions
of ethanol using absolute 200 proof ethanol. A l5mm petri dish with one eighth
of an inch of the
test sand was used for the MED test. Ten drops of distilled water were placed
on top of the test
sand and a stopwatch was used to record the penetration time. After five
minutes, the drops were
removed. Ten drops of the one molar ethanol were then placed on the sand and
timed (an average
of two minutes and 10 seconds). Ten drops of the two molar ethanol were then
tested in the same
manner (an average of nine seconds). This test required that the drops that
last an average of ten
seconds be given the numerical value of the molar solution tested.
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Then, soil additive formulations were then applied to such sandy soil test
plots and tested
monthly for such MED penetration times for a 4 month-long period. The additive
formulations
and their respective ratings based on the MED penetration time results were as
follows:
Wettin~Agent Compound Production
Initially, certain inventive and comparative wetting agents were produced for
inclusion within soil additive formulations, as follows:
Example 1 - Sorbitol 12 PO (hexa-functional):
858 grams of 70% sorbitol were charged to the reactor. 7.2 grams of KOH flake
was
then added. The reactor was heated to 230°F and vacuum stripped until
the water was less
than 0.1 %. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to
250°F and 2296.8
grams of PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, the vacuum was
applied to the
reactor to remove any unreacted oxide.
Example 2 - Gl~erine 12 PO (tri-functional):
350 grams of glycerin was charged to the reactor. 7.5 grams of KOH flake was
then
added. The reactor was heated to 230°F and vacuum stripped until the
water was less than
0.1%. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to 250°F
and 2647.8 grams of
PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, the vacuum was applied to the
reactor to
remove any unreacted oxide.
Example 3 - Propylene GI~PPG) 1500 (tri-functional)
500 grams of dipropylene glycol was charged to the reactor. 8.6 grams of KOH
flake
was then added. The reactor was heated to 230°F and vacuum stripped
until the water was
less than 0.1%. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to
250°F and 5194
grams of PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, the vacuum was
applied to the
reactor to remove any unreacted oxide.
Example 4 - Linear 2000-10 Block (Comparative):
1526 grams of PPG-1500 was charged to the reactor. 3.0 grams of KOH flake was
then added. The reactor was heated to 230°F and vacuum stripped until
the water was less
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13
than 0.1%. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to
250°F and 232.0
grams of PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, 242 grams of EO was
added.
Vacuum was applied to the reactor to remove any unreacted oxide.
Examftle 5 - Linear 2500-20 Block (Comparative):
1526 grams of PPG-1500 was charged to the reactor. 3.7 grams of KOH flake was
then added. The reactor was heated to 230°F and vacuum stripped until
the water was less
than 0.1%. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to
250°F and 232.0
grams of PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, 748 grams of EO was
added.
Vacuum was applied to the reactor to remove any unreacted oxide.
Example 6 - Glycerine 5000-20 Block (tri-functional):
788 grams of Glycerine 12P0 was charged to the reactor. 12 grams of KOH flake
was
then added. The reactor was heated to 230°F and vacuum stripped until
the water was less
than 0.1%. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to
250°F and 3230.4
grams of PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, 981.6 grams of EO
was added.
Vacuum was applied to the reactor to remove any unreacted oxide.
Example 7 - Sorbitol 9000-20 Block (hexa-functional):
600 grams of Sorbitol 12P0 was charged to the reactor. 8.6 grams of KOH flake
was
then added. The reactor was heated to 230 F and vacuum stripped until the
water was less
than 0.1%. The reactor was purged 3 x 60 psi with nitrogen, heated to 250 F
and 3636.5
grams of PO added. After the addition of PO was complete, 1104.6 grams of EO
was added.
Vacuum was applied to the reactor to remove any unreacted oxide.
In addition, a single humic acid removal compound was produced for testing.
Example 8 - Amine-based Humic Removal Compound:
569.6 grams of water was added to a beaker equipped with a magnetic stir bar.
271.6
grams of DDSA (from Milliken Chemical) and 190.7 grams of Triethanolamine were
added
to the beaker and heated to 60-70°C.
Soil Additive Formulations
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Soil additive formulations were then produced for measurement in terms of
reduction of
MED penetrations times from the initial plot reading, i.e. before application
of formulation to the test
plot, until the four month test was complete (all percentages listed below are
by weight of the entire
formulation):
Formulation l:
90 parts Sorbitol 9000-20
parts SYNFAC~ TDA-92 (Tridecyl alcohol 8E0 from Milliken Chemical)
Formulation 2:
300 parts Glycerine 5000-20
40 parts Syn Fac TDA-92
132 parts Example 8
Formulation 3 (Comparative):
18 parts Linear 2000-10
72 parts Linear 2500-20
10 parts Syn Fac TDA-92
Formulation 4 (Comparative):
87 parts FORMULATION 3
33 parts Example 8
These examples, plus the comparatives listed below, were all tested in terms
of the
above-noted ethanol drop test within the target sandy soils. A lower molarity
of ethanol
droplet value indicates better wettability and thus moisture penetration to
alleviate dry spot
localization within lawns, gardens, and the like. A determination of
acceptable wetting below
indicated a MED significantly lower than an untreated control plot. At day 0,
before
application of any wetter formulation, the MED of all test plots were
essentially the same
(MED ~ 2.4), thus the wetting results were rated as unacceptable. Such
measurements were
taken in monthly intervals for a 4-month period. The results were as follows:
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TABLE
Wetting Capabilities Over Time
Product Time After Application (Months)Wettin Result
Water (Control) 0 Unacceptable
Control 1
Control 2
Control 3
Control 4
Formulation 1 0 Unacceptable
Formulation 1 1 Acceptable
Formulation 1 2 Acceptable
Formulation 1 3 Acceptable
Formulation 1 4 Acceptable
Formulation 2 0 Unacceptable
Formulation 2 1 Acceptable
Formulation 2 2 Acceptable
Formulation 2 3 Acceptable
Formulation 2 4 Acceptable
Formulation 3 Unacceptable
(Comparative)
0
Formulation 3 1 Acceptable
Formulation 3 2 Acceptable
Formulation 3 3 Unacceptable
Formulation 3 4 Unacceptable
Formulation 4 Unacceptable
(Comparative)
0
Formulation 4 1 Acceptable
Formulation 4 2 Acceptable
Formulation 4 3 Unacceptable
Formulation 4 4 Unacceptable
CASCADE~~ (Comparative) Unacceptable
0
Cascade 1 , Acceptable
Cascade 2 Acceptable
Cascade 3 Unacceptable
Cascade 4 Unacceptable
'Cascade~ - Competitive sample from Precision Labs
Thus, the inventive multi-branched formulations l and 2 clearly showed
extremely
good long-term wetting properties for effective dry spot alleviation,
particularly with the
hexa-branched wetting agents in Formulation 1 showing better long-term wetting
than the
inventive tri-branched wetting agents of Formulation 2, with both clearly
better in such long-
term properties than the linear types in the remaining Formulations. The
inventive multi-
branched formulations 1 and 2 clearly showed extremely good long-term wetting
properties
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for effective dry spot alleviation as compared to their linear counterparts
formulations 3 and
4, as well as the comparative commercial formulation Cascade. While both
formulations 1
and 2 were rated acceptable after 4 months; the measured MED's for each after
that time
interval were 0.6 and 1.3 respectively, which clearly substantiate the
improved performance
of the inventive hexa-branched wetting formulation over the inventive tri-
branched
formulation.
There are, of course, many alternative embodiments and modifications of the
present
invention which are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the
following
claims.
