Polyamide Defoamer for Aqueous Media Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defoamer systems for aqueous media, particularly those using fatty acid amides, face issues with rapid settling of dispersed solids, requiring non-aqueous solvents and incurring high energy costs, while also being environmentally and occupationally hazardous.
Innovation Solution
Polyamides prepared from dicarboxylic acids and diamines, with optional modifications using monoamines and monocarboxylic acids, are used as hydrophobic solids in defoamer formulations, offering improved defoaming effectiveness, storage stability, and compatibility with modern safety and environmental standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fatty acid amides are used as hydrophobic solids in defoamers, then defoaming effectiveness is improved, but rapid settling of dispersed solids occurs reducing storage stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of fatty acid amides by introducing specific hydrophobic groups and adjusting molecular weight parameters. This creates a balanced composition where the hydrophobic portion provides defoaming effectiveness while the modified structure prevents rapid settling, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite defoamer systems combining fatty acid amides with specific carrier media and optional adjuvants. This composite approach allows the hydrophobic solids to remain effectively dispersed in the carrier medium, preventing settling while maintaining defoaming performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If non-aqueous solvents are used in defoamer formulations, then processability is improved, but environmental and occupational safety requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reformulates defoamer compositions to use aqueous or water-compatible carrier media instead of non-aqueous solvents. By adjusting the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the fatty acid amide components, the formulation maintains processability and effectiveness while eliminating hazardous solvents to meet safety and environmental standards.
3Manufacturing precision
If shock-like cooling or heating processes are used to disperse fatty acid amides, then fineness of dispersion is improved, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-modifies the fatty acid amide molecules during synthesis to include dispersibility-enhancing groups. This preliminary structural adjustment allows the material to disperse finely in the carrier medium using minimal energy input, eliminating the need for high-energy shock cooling or heating processes while achieving the required dispersion fineness.
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 polyamide-based defoamer formulations demonstrate enhanced defoaming properties, improved storage stability, and compatibility with various carrier systems, eliminating the need for non-aqueous solvents and reducing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophobic solids are often added in amounts of 0.1 to 10% by weight, which specifically promote dewetting processes on foam lamellae and thus support the foam collapse very effectively
Implementation Method 2
defoamers for aqueous media which contain certain polyamides as a hydrophobic component
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a polyamide produced from at least one diamine and at least one dicarboxylic acid in a formulation for defoaming aqeuous media. The invention also relates to antifoaming agents for aqueous media, containing such a polyamide.