In modern industrial production, defoamers play a vital role. Whether in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food processing or textile printing and dyeing industries, foam problems may lead to reduced production efficiency, damaged product quality, and even equipment failure. As a chemical additive that can effectively inhibit and eliminate foam, the importance of defoamers is self-evident.
Foam formation is usually due to the presence of surfactants in the liquid, which form a stable foam structure under stirring, vibration or airflow. Defoamers accelerate the collapse of foam by destroying the surface tension of the foam, thereby restoring the normal fluidity and processing performance of the liquid. For example, in the pharmaceutical process, foam may hinder the uniform mixing of the liquid and affect the purity and distribution of active ingredients of the drug; while in food processing, foam not only affects the appearance and taste of the product, but may also cause overflow and waste during packaging.
The selection of a suitable defoamer requires consideration of industry characteristics, process conditions and cost-effectiveness. Silicone defoamers are widely used in oil extraction, paints and coatings due to their high efficiency, high temperature resistance and good chemical stability. Polyether defoamers are more popular in food processing and daily chemical products due to their non-toxic, environmentally friendly and biodegradable properties.