Most industrial processes that involve the mixing or transfer of liquids run the risk of unwanted foam generation and buildup. Foam forms as air is entrained into liquids though mechanical agitation during processing. This entrained air can subsequently become excessive surface foam and lead to loss of plant efficiency. Poor foam control can result in equipment damage, decreased product yield, reduced process efficiency, and environmental pollution. Foam spillover can also cause excessive downtime in your facility and additional costs as a result of ensuing cleanup operations. Thus, implementing proper foam control techniques, including successful use of antifoams and defoamers, will improve your production process.
While foam may have a relatively simple appearance, it results from several interacting physical, chemical, and biological processes. Therefore, the key to foam control lies in understanding the various characteristics of your facility’s foam risks and selecting the appropriate antifoam or defoamer to counteract foam producing interactions.
People often use the terms antifoam and defoamer interchangeably. The proper use of the terms should apply more to the application of the chemistry. When chemistry is added to a system to prevent or lessen future foaming, it is being utilized as an antifoam. When chemistry is used to combat foam as it forms, it is referred to as a defoamer.
Foam control chemistry consists of various raw materials with each bringing a unique characteristic to the overall formula. Foam control chemistry should spread rapidly throughout a foaming system to create differential surface tension across the bubble surfaces resulting in weak spots that “burst." Small hydrophobic particles in the foam control formula de-wets the bubble surfaces and prevent reformation of that bubble by disrupting the Marangoni effect.
Hydrite Chemical offers a comprehensive selection of general-purpose and food-grade foam-control products for a wide range of industrial and food processing operations. Our water-dispersible foam suppressors include a variety of water-based, glycol-based, and silicone technologies that inhibit or eliminate existing foam.
A partial list of our defoaming and antifoam solutions appears below:
Our unique foam-control products benefit numerous industrial applications, including:
Effective foam management requires thorough analysis of foam-producing agents along with accurate measurement of existing foam to determine optimal antifoam formulations and dosages. Hydrite’s experienced in-house chemists can evaluate your facility and help determine the best antifoam solutions for you. We also provide a range of laboratory services and professional detailing of results and recommendations. Contact our technical support team for more details about our foam control products.
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17385 Golf Parkway Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045 262-792-1450 262-792-8721 Fax