GROWTH SUBSTRATE PRODUCT
The invention relates to a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate. The invention further relates to methods of using or producing such a coherent growth substrate.
1 - 23 . (canceled)
24 : A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising:
providing at least one growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent;
positioning one or more plants for growth in the growth substrate product; and
irrigating the growth substrate product;
characterised in that the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate.
25 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the wetting agent is an alkali metal alkyl ether sulphate or an ammonium alkyl ether sulphate.
26 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the wetting agent is a sodium alkyl ether sulphate.
27 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the alkyl has a carbon chain length of 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 15 carbons, preferably 12 to 14 carbons.
28 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 1 to 50, preferably in the range 2 to 4.
29 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the wetting agent has the formula:
RO(CH 2 CH 2 O) n SO 3 Na
wherein R is a C 8-18 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, preferably wherein R is a C 12-15 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, more preferably wherein R is a C 12-14 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group; and
wherein n is in the range 1 to 50, preferably wherein n is in the range 2 to 4.
30 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the wetting agent is sodium lauryl ether sulphate, preferably wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 2 to 3.
31 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the amount of wetting agent is in the range 0.05 to 3 wt % based on the weight of the growth substrate product, preferably in the range 0.05 to 0.8 wt % based on the weight of the growth substrate product.
32 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the growth substrate product comprises no wetting agent other than the alkyl ether sulphate.
33 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the growth substrate product has an average density of from 30 to 150 kg/m 3 , preferably 30 to 100 kg/m 3 , more preferably 40 to 90 kg/m 3 .
34 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the growth substrate product comprises at least 90 wt % man-made vitreous fibres.
35 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises:
a) a sugar component; and
b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component;
wherein the binder prior to curing contains at least 42% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.
36 : The method of claim 35 , wherein the binder prior to curing contains 46 to 64% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.
37 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the binder composition prior to curing is a phenol urea formaldehyde binder.
38 : The method of claim 24 , wherein the amount of binder added before curing is 1-10 wt %, preferably 2-6 wt %.
39 : A method of propagating seeds in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising:
providing at least one growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent;
positioning one or more seeds in the growth substrate product;
irrigating the growth substrate product; and
allowing germination and growth of the seed to form a seedling;
characterised in that the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate.
40 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the wetting agent is an alkali metal alkyl ether sulphate or an ammonium alkyl ether sulphate.
41 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the wetting agent is a sodium alkyl ether sulphate.
42 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the alkyl has a carbon chain length of 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 15 carbons, preferably 12 to 14 carbons.
43 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 1 to 50, preferably in the range 2 to 4.
44 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the wetting agent has the formula:
RO(CH 2 CH 2 O) n SO 3 Na
wherein R is a C 8-18 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, preferably wherein R is a C 12-15 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, more preferably wherein R is a C 12-14 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group; and
wherein n is in the range 1 to 50, preferably wherein n is in the range 2 to 4.
45 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the wetting agent is sodium lauryl ether sulphate, preferably wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 2 to 3.
46 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the amount of wetting agent is in the range 0.05 to 3 wt % based on the weight of the growth substrate product, preferably in the range 0.05 to 0.8 wt % based on the weight of the growth substrate product.
47 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the growth substrate product comprises no wetting agent other than the alkyl ether sulphate.
48 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the growth substrate product has an average density of from 30 to 150 kg/m 3 , preferably 30 to 100 kg/m 3 , more preferably 40 to 90 kg/m 3 .
49 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the growth substrate product comprises at least 90 wt % man-made vitreous fibres.
50 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises:
a) a sugar component; and
b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component;
wherein the binder prior to curing contains at least 42% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.
51 : The method of claim 50 , wherein the binder prior to curing contains 46 to 64% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.
52 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the binder composition prior to curing is a phenol urea formaldehyde binder.
53 : The method of claim 39 , wherein the amount of binder added before curing is 1-10 wt %, preferably 2-6 wt %.
54 : A process of making a coherent growth substrate product comprising the steps of:
i. providing man-made vitreous fibres;
ii. spraying the man-made vitreous fibres with a binder composition;
iii. spraying the man-made vitreous fibres with a wetting agent;
iv. collecting and consolidating the man-made vitreous fibres; and
v. curing the binder composition:
characterised in that the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate.
55 : A process according to claim 54 , wherein steps ii and iii occur substantially simultaneously.
56 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the wetting agent is an alkali metal alkyl ether sulphate or an ammonium alkyl ether sulphate.
57 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the wetting agent is a sodium alkyl ether sulphate.
58 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the alkyl has a carbon chain length of 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 15 carbons, preferably 12 to 14 carbons.
59 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 1 to 50, preferably in the range 2 to 4.
60 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the wetting agent has the formula:
RO(CH 2 CH 2 O) n SO 3 Na
wherein R is a C 8-18 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, preferably wherein R is a C 12-15 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, more preferably wherein R is a C 12-14 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group; and
wherein n is in the range 1 to 50, preferably wherein n is in the range 2 to 4.
61 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the wetting agent is sodium lauryl ether sulphate, preferably wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 2 to 3.
62 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the amount of wetting agent is in the range 0.05 to 3 wt % based on the weight of the growth substrate product, preferably in the range 0.05 to 0.8 wt % based on the weight of the growth substrate product.
63 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the growth substrate product comprises no wetting agent other than the alkyl ether sulphate.
64 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the growth substrate product has an average density of from 30 to 150 kg/m 3 , preferably 30 to 100 kg/m 3 , more preferably 40 to 90 kg/m 3 .
65 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the growth substrate product comprises at least 90 wt % man-made vitreous fibres.
66 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises:
a) a sugar component; and
b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component;
wherein the binder prior to curing contains at least 42% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.
67 : The method of claim 66 , wherein the binder prior to curing contains 46 to 64% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.
68 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the binder composition prior to curing is a phenol urea formaldehyde binder.
69 : The method of claim 54 , wherein the amount of binder added before curing is 1-10 wt %, preferably 2-6 wt %.