Defoamers remove surface foam and trapped air in liquids, commonly used in cooking oil, laundry soap, and industrial processes. They weaken surface tension and come in water-based, oil-based, and silicon-based types. Oil-based defoamers remain on top of the liquid, while water-based ones mix directly with it.
A defoamer is an agent added to a liquid to remove surface foam and help release trapped air. These agents are common in many foaming liquids such as cooking oil and laundry soap. They are also common in a wide range of industrial processes ranging from petroleum refining to wastewater treatment. In most cases, a deformer is placed in a water or oil mixture before being placed in the liquid. These blends help distribute the defoamer evenly through the liquid and often promote a specific type of air removal.
Foam is the rising bubble layer of a liquid. Regardless of the liquid, bubbles work the same way. The air gets trapped in the liquid and slowly combines to form a bubble. The bubble will rise to the surface where it will collect in a thick layer of bubbles or foam. It is possible for the foam to sink to the bottom instead, if the liquid was somehow lighter than air.
When air is trapped in certain liquids, it can cause a problem when processing those liquids. For example, if your dishwasher detergent had the same foaming capacity as regular dish soap, the foam would quickly overflow the dishwasher. Also, the rinsing action of the dishwasher would be insufficient to remove the soap residue.
These substances use a defoamer to keep the foam at a reasonable level. They do this by releasing trapped air in the liquid and weakening the surface tension of existing bubbles so they can burst more easily. In general, water-based defoamers are better at removing trapped air, and oil-based ones work better for effective defoaming. A third type of defoamer, silicon-based, has specific properties that mimic those of water and oil that allow it to work effectively on non-aqueous liquids such as crude oil.
An oil-based defoamer is generally insoluble in the foaming liquid. This means that it remains in a thin layer on top of the substance where it contacts potential foam bubbles. For foam to form on the surface of the liquid, it must pass intact through the defoamer. The oily layer prevents this and allows air to escape leaving the bubble material in the liquid.
Water-based defoamers are usually soluble in their liquid. These agents mix directly with the material and help collect trapped air. This air will rise to the surface surrounded by the defoamer rather than the parent liquid. When the bubble reaches the surface, the defoamer opens easily and the air is released.
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