Antifoam
|
A defoamer or an anti-foaming agent is a chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. The terms anti-foam agent and defoamer are often used interchangeably. Commonly used agents are insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes and other silicones, certain alcohols, stearates and glycols. The additive is used to prevent formation of foam or is added to break a foam already formed.
|
|
Type of defoamers:
|
Powder defoamers
Powder defoamers are in principle oil based defoamers on a particulate carrier like silica. These are added to powdered products like cement, plaster and detergents. We can supply you with powder defoamers just contact us below to get started. Water based defoamers
Water based defoamers are different types of oils and waxes dispersed in a water base. The oils are often mineral oil or vegetable oils and the waxes are long chain fatty alcohol, fatty acid soaps or esters. These are normally best as deaerators, which means they are best at releasing entrained air. EO/PO based defoamers
EO/PO based defoamers contain polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol copolymers. They are delivered as oils, water solutions, or water based emulsions. EO/PO copolymers normally have good dispersing properties and are often well suited when deposit problems are an issue. |
Oil based defoamers
Oil based defoamers have an oil carrier. The oil might be mineral oil, vegetable oil, white oil or any other oil that is insoluble in the foaming medium, except silicone oil. An oil based defoamer also contains a wax and/or hydrophobic silica to boost the performance. Typical waxes are ethylene bis stearamide (EBS), paraffin waxes, ester waxes and fatty alcohol waxes. These products might also have surfactants to improve emulsification and spreading in the foaming medium. Silicone based defoamers
Silicone-based defoamers are polymers with silicon backbones. These might be delivered as an oil or a water based emulsion. The silicone compound consists of an hydrophobic silica dispersed in a silicone oil. Emulsifiers are added to ensure that the silicone spreads fast and well in the foaming medium. The silicone compound might also contain silicone glycols and other modified silicone fluids. Alkyl polyacrylates
Alkyl polyacrylates are suitable for use as defoamers in non-aqueous systems where air release is more important than the breakdown of surface foam. These defoamers are often delivered in a solvent carrier like petroleum distillates. |
|
Industrial problems
The most noticeable form of foam is foam floating on the stock surface. It is easy to monitor and relatively easy to handle and is more a cosmetic issue. Surface foam may cause problems with liquid levels and give overflow leading to pools of oils around the equipment which is a safety concern. Additionally, this might reduce the process speed and availability of process equipment. The main mechanical problem tends to be when foam enters the system as air is a poor lubricant, meaning metal to metal contact can occur. |
GPC Clear Solutions Ltd offer a range of ClearFoam products for wastewater treatment applications suitable for aerobic and anaerobic digestion, clarification and settlement.
These ClearFoam products act as antifoam and de-foaming agents by preferentially displacing foam stabilizing species at the bubble surface, allowing liquid in the bubble surface to drain, and destabilizing it leading to rupture. This destabilizing effect is a purely physical one and does not rely on any chemical reaction.
Using our high standard antifoaming products, we can control or eliminate the unwanted generation of foam in your production. Also, see our foam control section for more information.
These ClearFoam products act as antifoam and de-foaming agents by preferentially displacing foam stabilizing species at the bubble surface, allowing liquid in the bubble surface to drain, and destabilizing it leading to rupture. This destabilizing effect is a purely physical one and does not rely on any chemical reaction.
Using our high standard antifoaming products, we can control or eliminate the unwanted generation of foam in your production. Also, see our foam control section for more information.
