What are Defoamers and How Do They Work?

August 23, 2023
Nicholas Piskura

Reading Time | 5 Minutes

Defoamers are chemical additives that are used to control or eliminate foam in industrial processes. Foam is a dispersion of gas bubbles in a liquid, and it can be a problem in a variety of industries, including:

Chemical processing: Foam can interfere with mixing, heat transfer, and product quality.
Petroleum refining: Foam can cause leaks and safety hazards.
Food processing: Foam can contaminate food products and make them difficult to package.
Papermaking: Foam can clog paper machines and reduce production output.

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There are drawbacks, however. In water treatment systems we use halogens, such as chlorine, fluorine, or bromine, to treat microbiological growth for things like Legionella. The problem arises when you mix azoles and halogens. Ultimately the protections that azoles provide for break down. Systems that use things like tolytriazole or benzotriazole are most affected by this problem. This leads to plant operators increasing feed rates and increasing not only the cost, but the overall damage done to a system.

Struggling With Foam in Your Treatment Process?

Foam can disrupt operations, reduce capacity, and create safety risks. ChemREADY helps identify the root cause and match the right defoamer to your system.

Defoamers work by breaking down the foam bubbles or preventing them from forming in the first place. There are two main types of defoamers:

Antifoaming agents: Antifoaming agents are added to a system before foam forms. They work by coating the surfaces of the liquid and making it difficult for gas bubbles to form.
Defoamers: Defoamers are added to a system after foam has formed. They work by breaking down the foam bubbles and causing them to collapse.

Defoamers are typically made of a combination of different chemicals, including:

Silicones: Silicones are a type of polymer that is very hydrophobic, meaning it does not like water. This makes them effective at coating surfaces and preventing gas bubbles from forming.
Mineral oils: Mineral oils are also hydrophobic and can be used to coat surfaces and prevent foam formation.
Hydrophobic solids: Hydrophobic solids, such as silica and alumina, can be added to defoamers to help them break down foam bubbles.

Control Foam Without Disrupting Your Process

ChemREADY’s NoFoam™ antifoam and defoamer solutions are formulated for wastewater, industrial, and process applications—fast-acting, effective, and easy to dose.

The type of defoamer that is used will depend on the specific application. For example, defoamers that are used in food processing must be food-grade and non-toxic.

Defoamers are an important part of many industrial processes. They help to prevent foam formation and control foam that has already formed. This can improve productivity, safety, and product quality.

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What’s really in your wastewater?

Send us a sample — we’ll run the analysis and translate it into plain-language recommendations for your treatment program.

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Cost to you

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Talk to a Specialist →

Here are some additional tips for using defoamers:

Use the right defoamer for the application. There are many different types of defoamers available, so it is important to choose the right one for the specific application.
Add the defoamer at the right time. Defoamers should be added to the system before or after foam forms, depending on the type of defoamer that is being used.
Use the correct dosage. The amount of defoamer that is needed will vary depending on the application. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Monitor the system. It is important to monitor the system after defoamer has been added to ensure that the foam is being controlled. If the foam is not being controlled, it may be necessary to increase the dosage of defoamer or use a different type of defoamer.

By following these tips, you can ensure that defoamers are used effectively and safely.

Stop Foam Before It Impacts Performance

Whether foam is affecting clarification, aeration, or discharge compliance, ChemREADY can help design a targeted foam-control strategy that works.

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