Defoamer
Defoamer or Antifoam is a chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. The terms antifoam agent and defoamer are often used interchangeably.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "defoamer" is derived from the words "defoam", which means to remove or prevent foam, and "er", which is a suffix used to form nouns denoting a person or thing that performs a specified action.
Types of Defoamers[edit | edit source]
Defoamers are available in several types, including oil-based defoamers, water-based defoamers, silicone-based defoamers, and EO/PO 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.
- Water-based defoamers are different types of oils and waxes dispersed in a water base. The oils might be mineral oil, vegetable oil, white oil or any other oil that is insoluble in the foaming medium. Silicone oils can also be used. Typical waxes are ethylene bis stearamide (EBS), paraffin waxes, ester waxes and fatty alcohol waxes.
- 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.
- EO/PO based defoamers contain polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol copolymers. They are delivered as oils, water solutions, or water based emulsions. Polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol copolymers are often used in combination with other antifoam agents to enhance the performance.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Defoamers are used in many industrial processes and products: wood pulp, paper, paint, industrial wastewater treatment, food processing, oil drilling, machine tool industry, oils cutting tools, hydraulic fluid, and detergent.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
