Foam and Aeration Control Agents Information
Foam and aeration control agents are chemicals that are added to batches in order to control internal porosity and bubbles. Applications for foam and aeration control agents include beverage processing, coating and paint industries, the cosmetic industry, and the manufacture of various types of cleaners and disinfectants. Other applications include the plastics industry, coolants and refrigerants, the pharmaceutical industry, and lubricants.
There are multiples types of foam and aeration control agents.
- Aerating agents: aid in introducing air bubbles and pockets into a formulation, such as a cement or food product, for the purpose of removing contaminant gases. This is accomplished by a scrubbing action, which occurs when a dissolved gas encounters the air, and by oxidation.
- Foaming or blowing agents: Foaming or blowing agents are additives that add gas to a liquid. Detergents and surfactants are common foaming additives that reduce the surface tension of a liquid. A blowing agent initiates a reaction with other materials to produce a gas or vapor, which increases the compound volume and reduces density. The blowing agent may react with other components to form a gas or vaporize and convert to a gas when pressure is released.
- Defoaming or deaerating agents: Defoamers and deaerators release entrapped air from a formulation or prevent the formation of foam within a liquid compound. They are usually oil, silicone, or alcohol-based and are used in many industrial processes where air bubbles can damage machinery or surface coatings.
Foam and aeration control agents commonly come in four different configurations or forms.
- Colloid/dispersion: Agents in an emulsion, dispersion, or colloidal form.
- Bulk solid/granules: Agents in the form of bulk solids, pellets, flakes, chunks, crushed material, or granules.
- Liquid/solution: Agents in a liquid or dissolved solution form.
- Powder: Agents in the form of a powder. Powders are finely divided or powdered forms of chemicals, metals, minerals, or other raw materials.