Methods of forming superabsorbent polymer products for use in agriculture
AssigneeMilan H. Savich
InventorsSteven William Doane, William McKee Doane
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Abstract
Methods of making and using a superabsorbent starch graft copolymer involve producing starch graft copolymers having particle sizes useful in granule applicators for application to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers applied to field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased yields, and reduced water requirements.
Claims24
A method of producing a superabsorbent polymer product for use in agricultural applications, comprising:
- providing grafting reactants and a starch;
- graft polymerizing the grafting reactants onto the starch to form a starch graft copolymer;
- saponifying the starch graft copolymer;
- precipitating the starch graft copolymer;
- and
- forming granules of superabsorbent polymer product by pelletizing the starch graft copolymer, the granules having a size that is between about 5 mesh and about 25 mesh and a density that is between about 30 pounds per cubic foot and about 35 pounds per cubic foot.
A method of producing a superabsorbent polymer product for use in agricultural applications, comprising:
- graft polymerizing grafting reactants onto a starch to form a starch graft copolymer;
- saponifying the starch graft copolymer;
- precipitating the starch graft copolymer;
- and
- forming granules of superabsorbent polymer product by passing the starch graft copolymer through a die plate, the granules having a size that is between about 5 mesh and about 25 mesh and a density that is between about 30 pounds per cubic foot and about 35 pounds per cubic foot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.