Foam control in aqueous media

Abstract

The present invention relates to foam control compositions and methods for controlling foam in aqueous media by adding to the system an effective amount of the foam control agent of the present invention. The antifoam/defoam compositions of the present invention include a concentration of active ingredients such as a polyalkylene glycol, a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, and an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, the compositions carried in polybutene and surfactants selected from polyethylene glycol esters, sorbitan esters, polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene fatty acid esters, and dialkyl phthalate. These compositions have been found to be superior in controlling foam versus conventional defoamers. The benefits of the foaming control effect are more evident at moderate to high temperatures and high caustic aqueous media such as Bayer process liquors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.