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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:
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.
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:
Defoamers are typically made of a combination of different chemicals, including:
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.
Here are some additional tips for using defoamers:
By following these tips, you can ensure that defoamers are used effectively and safely.
Whether foam is affecting clarification, aeration, or discharge compliance, ChemREADY can help design a targeted foam-control strategy that works.
