Energy, Environment & Utilities

Silica for Defoamers and Antifoams

Silica as a booster for defoamers

Defoamers are required for water purification, for example in wastewater treatment plants, where foam is caused by organic residues. Special defoamer formulations with oil and surfactants are used here. The functionality of these defoamers can be optimized with silica: Hydrophobic SIPERNAT® specialty silica or AEROSIL® fumed silica boosts the efficiency of oil-based defoamers and foam regulators, which enables manufacturers to reduce the amount of oil in their formulations. And hydrophilic silica acts as anti-settling agent and optimizes the rheology of oily media used in defoamers.