Defoamer Composition Using Vegetable Oil and Polysiloxane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current defoamers for waterborne coating and ink systems, such as mineral oil and silicone oil-based defoamers, face issues with compatibility and effectiveness, particularly under low shear force conditions, and health concerns with mineral oil usage in food contact applications.

Innovation Solution

A defoamer composition comprising an oil phase with vegetable oil, polyether ester, and polyether-modified polysiloxane, along with hydrophobic particles, stabilized by specific emulsifiers, forming an oil-in-oil emulsion that enhances compatibility and defoaming ability without phase separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyether-modified polysiloxane is used in high amount to enhance defoaming ability, then defoaming performance is improved, but compatibility and dispersion under low shear force deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefoaming abilityVSAvoidcompatibility under low shear force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The defoamer is segmented into distinct functional components: vegetable oil provides base compatibility and easy dispersion, while polyether-modified polysiloxane provides defoaming power. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between defoaming ability and compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite defoamer system combining vegetable oil and polyether-modified polysiloxane in specific ratios (1:4 to 4:1). This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both materials: vegetable oil's ease of dispersion and polysiloxane's defoaming efficacy, achieving both high defoaming performance and good compatibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If vegetable oil based defoamer is used, then ease of dispersion is improved, but defoaming power deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of dispersionVSAvoiddefoaming power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges vegetable oil and polyether-modified polysiloxane into a unified defoamer composition. The vegetable oil component ensures easy dispersion and compatibility with waterborne systems, while the polysiloxane component contributes strong defoaming power. The synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between ease of dispersion and defoaming effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If mineral oil based defoamer is used, then defoaming performance is improved, but health safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefoaming performanceVSAvoidhealth safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mineral oil with vegetable oil, which is biodegradable and safe for food contact applications. This substitution maintains defoaming performance through the addition of polyether-modified polysiloxane while eliminating the harmful effects of mineral oil, making the defoamer suitable for environmentally friendly and food-safe applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If silicone oil based defoamer is used, then defoaming ability is improved, but compatibility and defect formation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefoaming abilityVSAvoidcompatibility in ink systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the defoamer by using polyether-modified polysiloxane instead of conventional silicone oil. The polyether modification improves compatibility with waterborne ink systems and reduces defect formation, while maintaining the defoaming ability of polysiloxane. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between defoaming power and system compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition demonstrates improved compatibility and defoaming performance under low shear force conditions, comparable to polyether siloxane emulsion defoamers, while being safer for food contact applications, with enhanced stability and reduced defects in ink formulations.

Implementation Method 1

The defoamer composition comprises I) an oil phase, II) a water phase, III) at least one O/W emulsifier, and IV) at least one W/O emulsifier as co-emulsifier wherein the oil phase is an oil-in-oil emulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

at least one O/W emulsifier, and IV) at least one W/O emulsifier as co-emulsifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS20240141185A1Defoamer composition based on oil-in-water emulsions

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A defoamer composition contains I) an oil phase, II) a water phase, III) at least one O/W emulsifier, and IV) at least one W/O emulsifier as co-emulsifier. In the defoamer composition, the amount of the water phase is 20-90 wt. %, preferably 60-85 wt. % based on the total weight of the composition. The oil phase is an oil-in-oil emulsion containing A) at least one or more vegetable oil as component A, B) at least one or more polyether ester as component B, C) at least one or more polyether-modified polysiloxane, and optionally D) at least one or more hydrophobic particle as component D.