Amphiphilic Janus Particle-Stabilized Silicone Emulsions for Defoaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of silicone-based defoamers is time and energy intensive due to the need to melt surfactants and other ingredients, and existing compositions do not provide optimal anti-foaming activity and longevity in industrial processes.

Innovation Solution

The use of amphiphilic Janus particles with hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces stabilizes silicone-in-water emulsions, replacing surfactants and improving defoaming performance by forming a silicone-in-water emulsion with specific ratios of filled silicone and high viscosity dimethylsiloxane, eliminating the need for heat and reducing production time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If surfactants are used to stabilize silicone-in-water emulsions, then the emulsion can be formed and stabilized, but the manufacturing process becomes time and heat intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the stabilizing mechanism from surfactant-based to particle-based stabilization. By using hydrophobic particles that adsorb to the silicone-oil/water interface, the system achieves emulsion stability without requiring the melting and extensive processing of surfactants, thereby reducing production time and energy consumption while maintaining stable emulsion formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates surfactants from the emulsion formulation, replacing them with hydrophobic particles as the stabilizing agent. This removal of surfactants eliminates the need for heat-intensive melting processes and reduces manufacturing time while still achieving effective emulsion stabilization through particle adsorption at the interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If surfactants are used to stabilize silicone-in-water emulsions, then the emulsion can be formed, but energy consumption increases due to heating requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional defoamers are used, then foam can be controlled, but anti-foaming activity and longevity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam controlVSAvoidanti-foaming activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite hydrophobic particles that combine multiple functionalities: they provide emulsion stabilization through interface adsorption, deliver defoaming activity through silicone oil release, and ensure longevity through sustained performance in the process stream. This composite approach integrates multiple functions into a single stabilizing agent, achieving superior foam control compared to conventional surfactant-based systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional defoamers are used, then foam can be controlled, but performance longevity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam controlVSAvoidperformance longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3233233B1Defoaming compositions comprising amphiphilic particles and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2021.07.14 KEMIRA OY

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AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods of defoaming industrial process streams, the methods comprising adding to the industrial process stream an emulsion stabilized by amphiphilic particles, wherein the amphiphilic particles comprise at least one hydrophobic surface and at least one hydrophilic surface, and wherein the emulsion comprises silicone emulsion droplets in a continuous aqueous phase. Also disclosed herein are defoamer compositions comprising amphiphilic particles and methods of making such compositions.