Defoamer Compositions Using Aryl-Substituted Organopolysiloxanes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polydimethylsiloxane-based defoamer formulations in vigorously foaming, surfactant-rich systems have limited long-lasting activity due to high viscosities caused by branching or crosslinking, making them difficult to handle effectively.

Innovation Solution

Defoamer compositions comprising two different kinds of phenyl siloxanes, along with adjuvants like filler particles and organopolysiloxane resins, which provide improved defoaming activity by optimizing the ratio and structure of organosilicon compounds with aromatic radicals bonded directly to silicon atoms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If polydimethylsiloxane-based defoamer formulations are used, then defoaming activity is achieved, but long-lasting activity is insufficient due to high viscosities caused by branching or crosslinking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-lasting defoaming activityVSAvoidhandling difficulty due to high viscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polydimethylsiloxane with functionalized polysiloxanes containing arylalkyl or n-alkyl/aryl functionalities to create a composite defoamer system. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both long-lasting activity through the functionalized components and improved handleability by optimizing the ratio between the different polysiloxane types, thereby resolving the contradiction between durability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the defoamer by introducing functional groups (arylalkyl, n-alkyl, aryl) onto the polysiloxane backbone. This parameter change alters the viscosity and interfacial properties of the defoamer, enabling it to maintain effectiveness longer while reducing the handling difficulties associated with high viscosity through careful selection of chain length and functional group density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If functionalized polysiloxanes are introduced to counteract viscosity issues, then handleability improves, but defoamer activity may be reduced if only one type is used

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandleabilityVSAvoiddefoamer activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple types of functionalized polysiloxanes (arylalkyl-functionalized and n-alkyl/aryl-functionalized) into a single defoamer formulation. This combination allows the system to benefit from the improved handleability provided by the functional groups while maintaining high defoamer activity through the synergistic interaction between different functionalized components, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If siloxane-based defoamers are used, then defoaming effect is achieved, but activity is insufficient in vigorously foaming, surfactant-rich systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefoaming activity in surfactant-rich systemsVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal siloxane-based defoamer formulation that incorporates multiple functional groups (arylalkyl, n-alkyl, aryl) capable of interacting with various types of surfactants and foam structures. This multi-functional approach enables the single formulation to effectively address vigorously foaming, surfactant-rich systems across different applications, resolving the contradiction between reliability and formulation complexity by achieving broad effectiveness without requiring multiple specialized formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10744425B2Defoaming compositions for detergents
Publication Date: 2020.08.18 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

Effective defoamer compositions contain two different aryl-substituted organopolysiloxanes and filler particles, and show high defoaming capability.