WO2015199524A1 - Fertilisers including potassium acetate and method for the production thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition of a liquid fertiliser and to the method for producing the main product which is potassium acetate, said potassium acetate being produced from the reaction of potassium carbonate diluted in water with the addition of acetic acid in a continuous stirred tank reactor. The fertiliser produced substantially improves the absorption of potassium in the plants to which it is applied. The invention relates to a novel product for agricultural use, which changes the maximum yield of the crop with minimal environmental impact, allows the reduction of the doses of fertilising units providing potassium, and can be incorporated into the ground by means of fertilisation, via spray irrigation or via drip irrigation.

Description

 FERTILIZERS THAT INCLUDE POTASSIUM ACETATE AND PROCEDURE

 OF ELABORATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to new chemical compositions of the subject, which has utility as a fertilizer product, particularly a fertilizer that includes potassium acetate as the main ingredient, which is produced under a specific reaction system and by a high efficiency process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that in agriculture excellent results are achieved when fertilizers are carefully applied to the soil or growing plants, considering the optimal amounts and synergy that could be obtained through the proper combination of these fertilizers.

Generally fertilizers are marketed as solids, which dissolve or dilute to be applied by appropriate devices and various irrigation methods.

It is also desirable that a fertilizer that provides potassium maintains good long-term stability in the stock solutions, so as not to form precipitates that can clog spray equipment, dosers and irrigation lines. Potassium (K) is one of the essential elements in vegetables, it is generally assimilated in ionic form (K +) and in movement within plants and is found mainly in the cytoplasm and in cellular vacuoles.

 According to Yagodin et al. (1986) about 20% of potassium is retained in the cells of plants in a state of exchangeable adsorption by the cytoplasm colloids and the remaining 80% is in the cell juice and is easily extracted with water.

Potassium deficiency causes low yield and poor firmness in vegetables, poor quality, low shelf life of the harvested product, greater need for water, blocking of protein synthesis, poor resistance to pests, diseases and frost. K + deficiency initially manifests itself as a necrosis that develops in plants first in leaf margins and between leaf veins, and subsequently develops in the basal area of the leaf. Due to the vital role of K + in plant cells, plants with a significant deficiency of this nutrient end up showing a reduction in growth, especially in the aerial part. (Amtmann et al, 2004)

 The main effect of potassium on the quality of the fruits is the increase in their size, and also stimulates the formation of desirable constituents of the fruit such as sugars. Demanding plants in potassium produce large amounts of sugars (sugar cane, beets, etc.).

 In general, the effect of potassium fertilization, both in citrus fruits and other crops, can be seen in yield increases and improvements in the quality of the fruits or products obtained (Piessis and Koen, 1989).

It is known that in the field of agriculture, the proper use of fertilizers results in obtaining greater production, therefore, the use of fertilizers that include potassium dates back many years.

Among the known fertilizers that include potassium there are compounds such as the following: potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, electrolyte potassium chloride, potassium salt and double potassium and magnesium sulfate.

Potassium reaches the roots of plants by transport in the soil solution and its concentration determines how much potassium reaches the roots at a given time. It is known that the levels of soluble potassium in the soil are only indicators of momentary availability. To successfully produce a crop, it is more important that the concentration of potassium in the soil solution be maintained at a satisfactory level throughout its entire crop cycle. (Ramírez, 1991). When potassium enters the metabolic system of the cells, it forms salts with the organic and inorganic acids inside them, which serve to regulate the cellular osmotic potential, thus regulating the internal water content. In some young plants this function can be replaced by other cations such as lithium (Li +) and sodium (Na +), but always in a restricted way, that is, of the toxic effects that it can bring collaterally. (Rodríguez. 1992). Potassium is absorbed by plants in its cationic form (K +) and absorption in the soil is related to the concentration of other cations, such as magnesium (Mg ++). Potassium, being positively charged, is a stabilizer of negatively charged molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. The K + shows high mobility in plants, translocating from the root to the aerial part of some leaves to others (Karley and White, 2009).

 K + accumulates in the cellular vacuole, allowing plant movements, such as stomatal opening and closing and leaf movement (Maathuis et al, 1996)

The K + is also considered a compatible osmolyte that contributes to the maintenance of the water status of the plant, which is essential in compensating most abiotic stresses. (Mahovachi, et al. 2006). K + is also necessary to complete many of the plant metabolic reactions due to its ability to activate numerous enzymes. The binding of K + to enzymes is carried out in a dehydrated form, probably in coordination with the 6 oxygens derived from the carboxyl, cabonyl, hydroxyl and water molecules group (Maathuis, 2009). This binding is very selective for K + and cannot be substituted by other similar ions such as Na + or Li +.

 On the other hand, it is known that plants must take K + from the soil through the roots, where the concentrations of this element vary between 0.1 mM and 1 mM of K + (Maathuis, 2009).

 However, this contrasts with the concentration of K in the cellular cytoplasm that remains constant at values close to 100 mM. The high demand for K + by the plant must be in accordance with an efficient absorption and translocation to the aerial part.

 On the other hand, one of the important factors that regulate the relationships of the nutritional status of K +, is the chemical form in which the nitrogen (N) of the medium is found, either predominantly as NH + or as Ñ03-.

Both ions, K + as NH4 + have a positive charge and other similarities that make both cations compete, and that the nutrition of K + is affected by elevated NH4 +, and on the contrary, increasing the external concentration of K + can reduce the toxic effects of NH4 + (Szczerba, 2009). Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide K + without the presence of NH4 +, to meet the demand, on the other hand of the plant. Ammonium and potassium in phosphate solution alter the pH and do not allow adequate solubility to mineral salt ions, leading to the precipitation of said mineral salts in the stock solution, and can obstruct application equipment.

 Monopotassium phosphate (H2P04K), can be used as a source of potassium and soluble phosphorus, but it is very expensive. Therefore for a farmer who wishes to fertilize with both mineral salts, it will be necessary to inject these compounds separately.

 In the review of the prior art no documents were found with inventions similar to the product of the present invention, that is, potassium acetate had not been used as a fertilizer.

 The invention of Japan under number PCT / JP2000 / 007419 provides the use of potassium chloride for use as a fertilizer, as is the international patent W097 / 21656.

 The Chinese patent CN101591 120 SB, which refers to a mixture of medicament-fertilizer, to prevent and control viral diseases of the cultures, said mixture mainly contains guanidine hydrochloride, calcium, manganese and copper salts. The product may contain potassium acetate as an additive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The potassium acetate based fertilizer of the present invention is embedded in high efficiency fertilizers that are defined as products with physical-chemical characteristics that minimize the potential for nutrient losses to the environment.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide fertilizer formulations that provide potassium with improved efficiency in its method of obtaining and that maintain the soil in a stable and efficient way in a nutritional content. Accordingly, the invention in one embodiment has the following formulation in percentage by weight:

Potassium acetate 10.0 - - - 20%

 Potassium carbonate 0.25 - - 1 .0%

 Glacial acetic acid - 0.5 2.0%

 Potassium Chloride— 0.0 - 4.0%

 Water - - Until 100% complete

In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizer described above may contain the following components:

Potassium Acetate— 15.0%

 0.5% potassium carbonate

 Glacial acetic acid - 1.0%

 Water— - 83.5%

The process for obtaining the liquid fertilizer described in the present invention includes the following steps: 1. Mix potassium carbonate with water little by little, with continuous stirring, preferably at 400 RPM, heating between 80 and 90 ° C. This operation can last up to 12 hours.

2. Add acetic acid (CH3COOH) to the previous mixture, little by little, preferably in the form of drops, with continuous stirring in order to achieve the reaction between both compounds and form potassium acetate and carbon dioxide (C02). Preferably heat the mixture between 80 and 90 ° C. The acetic acid will be added until a pH between 4.6 and 4.8 is obtained, preferably 4.7.

3. Extract the carbon dioxide (CO2) formed by the reaction between potassium carbonate and acetic acid. The carbon dioxide produced can increase the system pressure, therefore it must be extracted and stored in conventional pressure tanks.

4. Decant the mixture obtained after the reaction for 24 hours. At this stage the potassium carbonate that did not react will precipitate to the bottom of the reactor and the potassium acetate obtained will be in the form of a solution.

5. Collect the solution obtained from potassium acetate and other fertilizer components of the present invention, from the decanted product. Preferably said solution should be cooled to room temperature prior to packaging.

6. Reuse the product that was the insoluble part of the mixture, in the next reactor operation, in order to make the process of obtaining the fertilizer more efficient.

Claims

CLAIMS Having sufficiently described my invention, I consider as a novelty and therefore claim as my exclusive property, what is contained in the following clauses: one . A fertilizer compound to increase the potassium content of the plants where it is applied, characterized by including the following components, in percentages by weight. Potassium Acetate - 10.0 20%;  Potassium carbonate 0.25 1.0% Glacial acetic acid - 0.5 ^{^} ———. 2.0%  Potassium Chloride - 0.0 - - 4.0%  Water - Until 100% complete. 2. A fertilizer compound to increase the calcium content in plants, according to claim 1 characterized by including the following components in a preferred formulation: Potassium Acetate - 15.0%;  Potassium Carbonate - 0.5%;  1.0% glacial acetic acid;  Water - - - 83.5%. 3. A fertilizer compound to increase the potassium content in vegetables, according to the preceding claims, characterized by a solution with pH within the range of 4.6 to 4.8, preferably 4.7. 4. A process for obtaining fertilizer to increase the potassium content in vegetables, according to the preceding claims, characterized by including in the following steps: a) .- Mix potassium carbonate with water, little by little and with continuous stirring; b) .- Add acetic acid (CH3-COOH) to the previous mixture, in the form of drops, with continuous stirring and cause reaction until a pH between 4.6 and 4.8 is obtained, preferably 4.7; c) .- Extract the carbon dioxide (C02) formed by the reaction between potassium carbonate and acetic acid; d) .- Decant the mixture obtained by the reaction for 24 hours; e) .- Collect the solution obtained from potassium acetate from the insoluble part of the mixture; f) .- Reuse the decanted product in the next reactor operation; 5. A process for obtaining fertilizer to increase the potassium content in vegetables, according to claim 4, characterized in that the temperature of the process in stages a, b and c; It varies between 80 and 90 ° C. 6. A process for obtaining fertilizer to increase the potassium content of vegetables, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the solution extracted in step e, is cooled to room temperature. 7. A process for obtaining fertilizer to increase the potassium content of vegetables, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the total CO2 produced in the reaction is extracted and stored in pressure containers. 8. A process for obtaining fertilizer to increase the potassium content in vegetables, according to the preceding claims, characterized by the use of vinegar instead of acetic acid.