A defoamer (also called anti-foaming agent) is a chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. A defoamer is normally used in industrial processes to increase speed and reduce other problems. Defoamers address problems with surface foam and entrained or entrapped air.
Visual foam floats on a stock surface. It is easy to monitor and relatively easy to handle. Surface foam may cause problems with liquid levels and give overflow and might reduce the process speed and availability of process equipment. It can also give surface disturbances in coating layers.
Entrained or entrapped air is normally difficult to see, but can be monitored with for example density measurements. It can cause both production and quality problems like cavitations in pumps, dirt flotation, drainage problems, and product imperfections. A wide variety of chemical formulas are available to promote coalescence of foam in different applications. Common types of defoamers include water based defoamers, oil based defoamers, silicone emulsion defoamers, polymer defoamers (EO/PO defoamers) and powder defoamers.
Nopco has years of experience in the field of defoamers and will help you to find the correct solution to your individual needs.