Factors affecting the effectiveness of defoaming agents

1. Surface tension: Surface tension is an important factor affecting the effect of defoaming agents. The function of the defoaming agent is to destroy the stability of the foam by reducing the surface tension of the liquid, thereby achieving defoaming.

2. Stirring time: The adequacy of stirring time will affect the distribution and effect of defoaming agent. Insufficient stirring may cause the defoamer to agglomerate, thereby reducing its defoaming ability.

3. Liquid temperature: The temperature of the foaming liquid will also affect the performance of the defoaming agent. At high temperatures, it may be necessary to use special high-temperature defoaming agents, otherwise the effectiveness of ordinary defoaming agents will be greatly reduced.

4. Defoaming agent properties: An effective defoaming agent should have the following properties: strong defoaming power, low dosage, not affecting the basic properties of the system, small surface tension, good heat resistance and chemical stability, and high diffusion properties and permeability, low solubility and high safety.

5. Foam decay mechanism: The decay of foam usually involves the loss of liquid and the diffusion of gas through the liquid film. These processes determine the stability of the foam and the effect of the defoaming agent.

• 6. Marangoni effect: Due to the uneven distribution of surfactant molecules in the liquid film, the difference in surface tension causes this effect to affect the stability of the foam and the effect of the defoamer.