Modification on the formulation of silicone based antifoam for industrial surfactant

Antifoaming agent is substance that have unique ability to reduce, prevent and controlling the formation of foam. However, usage a neat silicone oil is insufficient due to the low effectiveness on controlling the formation of foam. Thus, modification of silicone-based formulation is needed. In the present work, four modified silicone-based antiform formulation were prepared by blending with the hydrophobic silica particle with or without (Antifoam 1) addition of additives namely glyceryl monostearate (Antifoam 2), polypropylene glycol (Antifoam 3) and potassium hydroxide (Antifoam 4) respectively. As a result, physical properties of all modified formulation indicate the pH value range 5.78 to 8.27, density between 1.32 to 1.61 g/mL and viscosity from 420 to 523 cP. The efficiency of modified formulation antifoam was observed based on time taken on controlling the formation of foam using Bartsch method (ASTM Standard D3601) and gas bubbling method (ASTM D3427) at different ratio surfactant and water (40:10, 30:20, and 20:30). Highest efficiency of modified antifoam recorded on Antifoam 3 with the time taken of 0.34 sec for Bartch method and 0.32 sec for gas bubbling method at low ratio surfactant, suggesting this formulation as the most efficient antifoam on controlling the formation of foam during industrial processing.