Alkane diol foam controlling agents

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a method for controlling the foaming of a waterborne composition or an industrial process by the incorporation of a foam controlling agent. The method comprises utilizing as the foam controlling agent a compound of the formula: HOR1R3C—[CH2]n—CR2R4OH R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group of alkyl radicals having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. R3 and R4 are independently alkyl radicals having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms. n is an integer from 1 to 6. The compound generates an initial (t=0 min.) or a final (t=10 min.) foamed density at least 30% greater than that of a 0.5 wt % aqueous solution of a 12 mole ethoxylate of a C12-C15 primary alcohol (C12-C15E12) when added at 0.2 wt % to the C12-C15E12 solution. The present invention also pertains to an aqueous composition comprising the foam controlling agent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.