Foam Control Solutions

Benefits of antifoam & defoaming chemical treatment

When properly engineered, applied, and maintained, Veolia's antifoam and defoaming treatment programs can:

• Improve operational efficiency 

  • Protect expensive process equipment where foaming can lead to production and asset threatening issues (e.g., pump cavitation)

  • Ensure manufacturing production downtime due to foaming conditions are minimized or eliminated

  • Minimize operational problems in wastewater treatment equipment

• Meet regulatory requirements

  • Maintain regulatory compliance where the absence of foam in the effluent is required

  • Eliminate troublesome foaming conditions in a variety of application areas

• Improve environmental, health & safety

  • Improve public relations with the surrounding community

  • Improve worker safety by eliminating foam spillover into working areas

How do antifoams and defoamers work?

Antifoam products affect the surface properties of a foam bubble. One mode of action reduces the viscosity of the bubble's interfacial film, leading to destabilization. This allows the bubbles to coalesce and become larger in size, making the bubble more prone to rupture and collapse. Some chemistries increase water drainage off the bubble, facilitating a bubble collapse.

What is foam prevention?

Foam prevention via upstream injection of antifoams into an area of good mixing is commonly practiced and is often the more cost-effective approach. This maximizes the potential for the antifoam product to be transported to the entire air/bubble interface before the foam is fully formed. In this mode of operation, foam control solutions are often described as "antifoams".

What is knockdown control of foam?

Knockdown control of foaming often called defoaming, may also be used. This localized control can be successfully realized with FoamTrol products when used in tanks, sumps, and other areas where immediate control is required. In this mode of operation, foam control solutions are usually described as "defoamers". 

What are the risks associated with excessive foaming?

Uncontrolled, excessive foaming can lead to foam spills onto walkways and grating, creating a slipping hazard. Airborne Foam may be a respiratory health issue that can lead to messy and hazardous foam deposits on nearby structures and equipment, requiring labor and time to clean up. Excessive foaming may also cause pump cavitation when foaming wastewater or process water is pumped throughout piping and tanks. This cavitation may lead to premature pump failure, loss of process control and other related issues. By combining precise foam control treatment with automation, Veolia can help you avoid costly overfeed, underfeed, foam-related process shutdowns, or other pumping problems.