The Science of Defoaming

General Chemistry

In the 20 years since the publication of the author’s multi-contributor volume

on defoaming, a vast amount of new work has been published and many new insights

have been revealed. A cohesive, single-authored book, The Science of Defoaming:

Theory, Experiment and Applications provides comprehensive coverage of the

topic. It describes the mode of action of antifoams, presenting the relevant theory and

the supporting experimental evidence. Beginning with an introductory chapter that

discusses the intrinsic properties of foam, the book then describes experimental

methods for measuring foam properties important for studying antifoam action and

techniques used in establishing the mode of action of antifoams.

Since most commercially effective antifoams are oil based, a chapter is devoted

to the entry and spreading behavior of oils and the role of thin film forces in

determining that behavior. The book reviews the mode of action of antifoams, includ-

ing theories of antifoam mechanisms and the role of bridging foam films by particles

and oil drops. It also addresses issues related to the effect of antifoam concentration

on foam formation by air entrainment and the process of deactivation of mixed

oil–particle antifoams during dispersal and foam generation.

For applications where chemical antifoam use is unacceptable, the text examines

mechanical means of defoaming, such as the use of rotary devices and ultrasound.

The final chapters consider the application of defoaming in radically different contexts,

including waterborne latex paints and varnishes, machine washing of textiles, gas–oil

separation in crude oil production, and cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Focusing on

the basic science of defoaming, this book presents a balanced view, which also

addresses the challenges that may arise for these specific defoaming applications.

60414

Garrett

THE SCIENCE OF DEFOAMING

Theory, Experiment and Applications

surfactant

science

series

volume

155

THE SCIENCE OF DEFOAMING

THE SCIENCE OF DEFOAMING

Peter R. Garrett

THE SCIENCE OF

DEFOAMING

THE SCIENCE OF

DEFOAMING

surfactant science series volume

155

Theory, Experiment and Applications

THE SCIENCE OF

DEFOAMING

Theory, Experiment and Applications

SURFACTANT SCIENCE SERIES

FOUNDING EDITOR

MARTIN J. SCHICK

1918–1998

SERIES EDITOR

ARTHUR T. HUBBARD

Santa Barbara Science Project

Santa Barbara, California

1. Nonionic Surfactants, edited by Martin J. Schick (see also Volumes 19, 23, and 60)

2. Solvent Properties of Surfactant Solutions, edited by Kozo Shinoda (see Volume 55)

3. Surfactant Biodegradation, R. D. Swisher (see Volume 18)

4. Cationic Surfactants, edited by Eric Jungermann (see also Volumes 34, 37, and 53)

5. Detergency: Theory and Test Methods (in three parts), edited by W. G. Cutler and R.

C. Davis (see also Volume 20)

6. Emulsions and Emulsion Technology (in three parts), edited by Kenneth J. Lissant

7. Anionic Surfactants (in two parts), edited by Warner M. Linfield (see Volume 56)

8. Anionic Surfactants: Chemical Analysis, edited by John Cross

9. Stabilization of Colloidal Dispersions by Polymer Adsorption, Tatsuo Sato and

Richard Ruch

10. Anionic Surfactants: Biochemistry, Toxicology, Dermatology, edited by

Christian Gloxhuber (see Volume 43)

11. Anionic Surfactants: Physical Chemistry of Surfactant Action, edited by

E. H. Lucassen-Reynders

12. Amphoteric Surfactants, edited by B. R. Bluestein and Clifford L. Hilton

(see Volume 59)

13. Demulsication: Industrial Applications, Kenneth J. Lissant

14. Surfactants in Textile Processing, Arved Datyner

15. Electrical Phenomena at Interfaces: Fundamentals, Measurements, and

Applications, edited by Ayao Kitahara and Akira Watanabe

16. Surfactants in Cosmetics, edited by Martin M. Rieger (see Volume 68)

17. Interfacial Phenomena: Equilibrium and Dynamic Effects, Clarence A. Miller and P.

Neogi

18. Surfactant Biodegradation: Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, R. D. Swisher

19. Nonionic Surfactants: Chemical Analysis, edited by John Cross

20. Detergency: Theory and Technology, edited by W. Gale Cutler and Erik Kissa

21. Interfacial Phenomena in Apolar Media, edited by Hans-Friedrich Eicke and

Geoffrey D. Parfitt

22. Surfactant Solutions: New Methods of Investigation, edited by Raoul Zana

23. Nonionic Surfactants: Physical Chemistry, edited by Martin J. Schick

24. Microemulsion Systems, edited by Henri L. Rosano and Marc Clausse

25. Biosurfactants and Biotechnology, edited by Naim Kosaric, W. L. Cairns, and

Neil C. C. Gray

26. Surfactants in Emerging Technologies, edited by Milton J. Rosen