Formulation for dust abatement and prevention of erosion

Abstract

A safe, biodegradable, environmentally benign, non-toxic, water-soluble solution consisting of water, sugar, starch, sodium phosphate, and surfactant that can be applied to dust and sand particles to bind the particles and form a hardened crust. Also disclosed is the related method for abating dust and preventing erosion.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A composition of matter suitable for dust and sand abatement and prevention of erosion, comprising: 
 (a) between about 1 and 70% (w/w) sugar;    (b) between about 0 and 70% (w/w) of a polysaccharide;    (c) between about 0 and 30% (w/w) phosphate;    (d) between about 0 and 30% (w/w) of a surfactant; and    (e) between about 20 and 99% (w/w/) water;    wherein when said composition of matter is applied to sand or dust particles, the composition of matter binds to the sand or dust particles and forms a hardened crust.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of sugar, syrup, corn syrup, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, disaccarides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said polysaccharide is starch.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of soaps, quaternary ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said phosphate is selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate, detergents containing phosphate, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , comprising 24% (w/w) sugar, 15% polysaccharide, 0.1% (w/w) sodium phosphate, 0.03% (w/w) of a surfactant, and 61% (w/w) water.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of matter of  claim 7 , wherein said polysaccharide is starch and said surfactant is a soap.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , additionally comprising up to 1% of a biocide, a fungicide, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method for dust and sand abatement and preventing erosion, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) preparing a solution comprising between about 1 and 70% (w/w) sugar, between about 0 and 70% (w/w) of a polysaccharide, between about 0 and 30% (w/w) phosphate, between about 0 and 30% (w/w) of a surfactant, and between about 20 and 99% (w/w) water;    (b) applying the solution to sand or dust particles wherein the solution binds to the particles; and    (c) allowing the sand or dust particles to dry thereby forming a hardened crust.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of solid sugar, syrup, corn syrup, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, disaccarides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said polysaccharide is starch.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of soaps, quaternary ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said phosphate is selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate, detergents containing phosphate, carbonates, sulfonates, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said composition comprises 24% (w/w) sugar, 15% polysaccharide, 0. 1% (w/w) sodium phosphate, 0.03% (w/w) of a surfactant, and 61% (w/w) water.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said polysaccharide is starch and said surfactant is a soap.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said solution additionally comprises up to 1% of a biocide, a fungicide, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said solution is applied by using a hand held bottle sprayer, a garden sprayer, a pump sprayer, a hydro-seeder, an agricultural sprayer, a fire truck, an aircraft sprayer, or any combination thereof.