Imide Anti-Foam Composition for Surfactant-Driven Process Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surfactants used in various industries often result in excess foam production, which disrupts industrial processes, and Si-based products for controlling foam cause downstream issues like depositions and catalyst poisoning.
Innovation Solution
The use of an anti-foam composition comprising an imide-containing compound to reduce foam in industrial media, which can prevent or reduce foam formation by up to 100%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surfactants are used to alter surface properties or emulsify materials, then surface activity and emulsification are improved, but excess foam production occurs which disrupts processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anti-foam composition as an intermediary substance that mediates between the surfactant's foam-generating action and the process's foam-free requirement. This composition contains specific compounds (silicone oils, polymers, inorganic particles) that act as mediators to disrupt foam stability without interfering with surfactant functionality, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining surface activity and eliminating harmful foam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the foam system by introducing anti-foam composition with specific properties (surface tension, viscosity, density) that differ from the foam-forming surfactant solution. This parameter change causes the foam to become unstable and collapse, while the surfactant's surface-active parameters remain unchanged, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If Si-based anti-foam products are used to control foam, then foam reduction is achieved, but downstream issues occur such as depositions, catalyst poising, and unwanted ash residues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs anti-foam composition based on organic compounds (silicone oils, esters, polymers) that are consumed in small amounts and do not accumulate as harmful residues. These compounds are designed to perform their anti-foam function and then dissipate or integrate into the process stream without causing long-term harm, unlike persistent Si-based materials that cause catalyst poisoning and depositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of adding any substance (which could itself cause foaming or contamination) into a benefit by carefully selecting anti-foam composition ingredients that are specifically designed to reduce foam while being inert toward catalysts and not forming harmful depositions. The anti-foam agents' hydrophobic properties, which could potentially cause fouling, are instead utilized to preferentially locate at foam interfaces where they are most effective, leaving the bulk process stream clean.
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
Effectively reduces foam in polymer, delayed coker, fuel, and oil processes, preventing foam formation or reducing its extent, and can be used as detacking and cloud point depressants.
Implementation Method 1
adding an anti-foam composition to the medium, wherein the anti-foam composition comprises an imide-containing compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for reducing an amount of foam in a medium. A method may include adding a composition to the medium and reducing the amount of foam in the medium. The composition may include an anti-foam composition that includes an imide-containing compound. The anti-foam composition may comprise, for example, a detacking composition, a fuel cloud point depressant, and/or a crude oil pour point depressant.