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Treflam is a selective, preemergence dinitroaniline herbicide used to control many annual

grasses and broadleaf weeds in a large variety of tree fruit, nut, vegetable, and grain crops.
Preemergence herbicides are applied before weed seedlings sprout. Treflam should be
incorporated into the soil by mechanical means within 24 hours of application. Granular
formulations may be incorporated by overhead irrigation. Treflam is available in granular and
emulsifiable concentrate formulations .

1.1 HISTORY
TREFLAM, a Group D dinitroanaline herbicide, was first introduced into the Australian
cereal market in the 1960s. because its ability to control grass weed population, and the fact that
alternatives did not exist.TREFLAM was adopted extensively. It remained the dominant grass
herbicide in cereals throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
It was first registered in the United States in 1963 as a selective pre-emergence control of
annal grasses in cotton, soybeans and other situations. In the 1980s, a raft of new grass
herbicides were introduced to the Australian winter cereal market. They included diclofopmethyl (Hoegrass) and chlorosulfuron (Glean). Over reliance of treflam and other highly
selective Group A and Group B grass killers throughout the 1980s and 1990s resulted in annual
ryegrass populations developing resistance to this chemistry.The industry now has largely turned
back to TREFLAM to underpin ryegrass population control in winter cropping systems.
1.2.TREFLAM- Demand, Supply & Future Prospects
Recent trifluralin in China meets intense supply/demand due to the insufficient output
and white-hot purchase during peak sales season, which contributes so much to price boom of
Chinese trifluralin in Oct. 2011, according to CCMs October Issue of Herbicides China News.
In the price monitoring of trifluralin, CCM International found that most trifluralin
technical manufacturers declined to offer quotation of trifluralin technical due to the lack of spot
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goods. And those manufacturers who are willing to accept deals expressed that the new orders
must queue to the next year, 2012.

"Trifluralin technical production lines in this company are running at full capacity now."
Almost all active technical manufacturers expressed like this in CCM International's
investigation.One sales manager of Fengshan Group Co., Ltd., whose trifluralin technical
reached 8,000t/a, detailed that their trifluralin technical production reached full load immediately
after it restarted in Sept. 2011, one month behind the regular period of check and maintenance
during July and Aug. every year. Aiming to make sure smooth supply during the peak season,
generally, Chinese trifluralin manufacturers produce trifluralin one month earlier than the peak
season, namely in Sept. But overseas demand usually overwhelms the domestic supply in peak
season, resulting in relatively intense supply/demand. Especially contributed by the inflation
inChina this year, trifluralin price rushes high in 2011. Trifluralin technical price in early Oct.
exceeded USD6,200/t, up almost USD700/t over the average price in Sept. 2011. On the whole,
trifluralin technical price in China keeps aggressive in recent months. It's predicted that this price
uptrend of trifluralin technical in China will continue in the remaining months of 2011.
1.3 PROPERTIES
Treflam is an odorless, yellow-orange crystalline solid. Treflam will decompose in both
sunlight and artificial light. Treflam is stable under normal temperatures and pressures, but it
may pose a slight fire hazard if exposed to heat or flame. It poses a fire and explosion hazard in
the presence of strong oxidizers. Thermal decomposition of treflam will release corrosive fumes
of hydrogen fluoride and toxic oxides of nitrogen.
Technical treflam is not flammable, but emulsifiable concentrate formulations containing treflam
may be flammable. The product Treflam EC is classified as a combustible liquid. Closed
containers of this product may explode if exposed to excessive heat or intense fire.
It is recommended that applicators wear full protective clothing when spraying treflam. This gear
should include neoprene gloves, rubber workshoes, rubber apron, goggles to protect the eyes and
a respirator to prevent inhalation of fumes or mists. The properties are listed in the table no 1.3.1

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Table no 1.3.1

Product Name:

TREFLAM
alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine;

Synonyms:

Trifurex;

TRIFLUREX;

TREFLAN;

trilin

TREFLAN(R);

4ec;

Trifiuralin;

2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-

(trifluoromethyl)aniline
ADI

0.1 mg/kg/day

PH

7.0 (50% suspension)

Molecular Weight:

335.279

Molecular Formula:

C13H16F3N3O4

Density:

1.337g/cm3

Melting Point():

48.5

Boiling Point():

369.1C at 760 mmHg

Flash Point():

177C

refractive_index:

1.527

Water Solubility:

<0.01 g/100 mL at 22.5

Xi: Irritant

Hazard Symbols:

N: Dangerous for the

environment

treflam;

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R36-Irritating to eyes.
Risk Codes:

R43-May cause sensitization by skin contact.

R50/53-Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

S2-Keep out of the reach of children.

S24-Avoid contact with skin.
Safety Description:

S37-Wear suitable gloves.

S60-This material and its container must
be disposed of as hazardous waste .

1.4. APPLICATIONS
1.4.1. METABOLISM :
Trifluralin prevents development and growth of plant roots and shoots. Cell division is
inhibited in trifluralin treated plants. The nuclei divide but the cell enlarges without separating
into daughter cells. Schultz and Funderburk found that DNA, total RNA, and protein decreased
in root tips of corn following trifluralin treatment but there is no clear explanation for the mode
of action. Plants vary in their susceptibility to trifluralin but selectivity may be achieved by
limiting the depth of soil incorporation so that the crop root remains outside of the region of
chemical control.
1.4.2. APPLICATIONS METHODS:
Trifluralin is a pre emergence herbicide which must be soil incorporated within 24 hours
after application using equipment that breaks up large clods and mixes the soil thoroughly; e.g.,
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

PTO-driven cultivators
Hoes are tillers
Double disc
Rolling cultivator
Field cultivator

Application and incorporation can be preplant (PPI), postplant (PoPI), or layby (PoPI).
Trifluralin may be applied by ground or aerial equipment.
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1.5.OBJECTIVES OF THE WORK

The main motivation behind taking up this project is to study the manufacturing processes
involved in Teflam production. Further, as a part of our Chemical Engineering curriculum, a
knowledge on designing a chemical production plant is imperative. This project will greatly
contribute in furthering our knowledge not only in the Chemical Engineering aspects of an
industry but also give us a world view on the various economic and marketing aspects of
producing a chemical. While this project will not work on developing a new process for Treflam
production, it will focus on understanding the processes presently being used in the industry.
Also, with fertilization of crops being dominant in India, and an increasing market for herbicides
especially Treflam, our natural curiosity led us to choose this product for the Design Project. The
main objectives of this Design project can be listed as follows:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Thermodynamic feasibility of the reaction

Material balance for the process.
Energy balance.
Detail design of the major equipment used in this process.
Site selection, plot size, demarcation of plant area with a layout drawn.
Economic feasibility and cost estimation.
Environmental hazards and safety.