Defoamer additive

Fitch, J.C. Using oil analysis to monitor the depletion of defoamant additives. Practicing Oil Analysis Magazine. July 1998. 

With reference to surface and static foam, monitoring and control are carried out with observations of foam build-up or levels in critical white-water silos or chests. Paper machine operators generally tend to make visual notes of the level of foam in a chest or silo, and if the level is above a known norm, then the defoamer addition rate would be changed. 

Most online systems, when used in the capacity of control rather than monitoring, establish a set-point for entrained air at a particular place in the papermaking system and allow the defoamer addition rates to change. In other words, the entrained air levels as measured by the online analyser are used to adjust the dose rates of the defoamer/deaerator additives. 

Lubricants, Fuels, and Petroleum. The adipate and azelate diesters of through alcohols, as weU as those of tridecyl alcohol, are used as synthetic lubricants, hydrauHc fluids, and brake fluids. Phosphate esters are utilized as industrial and aviation functional fluids and to a smaH extent as additives in other lubricants. A number of alcohols, particularly the Cg materials, are employed to produce zinc dialkyldithiophosphates as lubricant antiwear additives. A smaH amount is used to make viscosity index improvers for lubricating oils. 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate [24247-96-7] serves as a cetane improver for diesel fuels and hexanol is used as an additive to fuel oil or other fuels (57). Various enhanced oil recovery processes utilize formulations containing hexanol or heptanol to displace oil from underground reservoirs (58) the alcohols and derivatives are also used as defoamers in oil production. 

Practically all lubricating oils contain at least one additive some oils contain several. The amount of additive that is used varies from < 0.01 to 30% or more. Additives can have detrimental side effects, especially if the dosage is excessive or if interactions with other additives occur. Some additives are multifimctional, eg, certain VI improvers also function as pour-point depressants or dispersants. The additives most commonly used in hydrautic fluids include pour-point depressants, viscosity index improvers, defoamers, oxidation inhibitors, mst and corrosion inhibitors, and antiwear compounds. 

Miscellaneous Additives. These include lubricants, surfactants, thickeners, geUants, defoamers, and preservatives. 

Foam Inhibitors. Methyl sihcone polymers of 300-1000 mm /s(= cSt)) at 40°C are effective additives at only 3—150 ppm for defoaming oils in internal combustion engines, turbines, gears, and aircraft appHcations. Without these additives, severe churning and mixing of oil with air may sometimes cause foam to overflow from the lubrication system or interfere with normal oil circulation. Because sihcone oil is not completely soluble in oil, it forms a dispersion of minute droplets of low surface tension that aid in breaking foam bubbles. 

Papermaking additives can be categorized either as process additives or as functional additives. Process additives are materials that improve the operation of the paper machine, such as retention and drainage aids, biocides, dispersants, and defoamers they are primarily added at the wet end of the paper machine. Functional additives are materials that enhance or alter specific properties of the paper product, such as fillers (qv), sizing agents, dyes, optical brighteners, and wet- and dry-strength additives they may be added internally or to the surface of the sheet. 

Defoamers. Foam is a common problem in papermaking systems (27). It is caused by surface-active agents which are present in the pulp slurry or in the chemical additives. In addition, partially hydrophobic soHd materials can function as foam stabilizers. Foam can exist as surface foam or as a combination of surface foam and entrained air bubbles. Surface foam usually can be removed by water or steam showers and causes few problems. Entrained air bubbles, however, can slow drainage of the stock and hence reduce machine speed. Another serious effect is the formation of translucent circular spots in the finished sheet caused by permanently entrained air. 

Some hquid defoamers are preemulsified relatives of paste defoamers. In addition to the fatty components mentioned above, kerosene [8008-20-6] or an organic cosolvent such as 2-propanol have been used to enhance stabiUty of the oil—water emulsion and the solubiUty of the defoamer s active ingredients. These cosolvents are used less frequently as concerns increase about volatile organic emissions (VOCs) from the paper machine. Additionally, the use of ultrapure mineral oil in defoamers has become commonplace. Concern about the creation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) in the pulping process has led to the discovery of unchlorinated precursor molecules, especially in recycled mineral oil and other organic cosolvents used in defoamer formulations (28). In 1995 the mineral oil that is used is essentially free of dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran. In addition, owing to both the concern about these oils and the fluctuating cost of raw materials, the trend in paper machine defoamers is toward water-based defoamers (29). 

Adhesives and Sealants. Most industrial adhesives contain surface active components and additives, and air entrainment during their mechanical appHcation can significantly reduce joint strength. Defoamers are usually formulated into adhesives to protect users against such difficulties. Additional benefits, such as improved uniformity of products, increased throughput and reduced labor costs can also result from the use of defoamers during adhesive appHcation. The footwear and nonwoven fabric industries are extensive users of defoamers in this way. 

---