Silicone Defoamer 30% Industrial Water Treatment
Silicone Defoamer 30% Industrial Grade is a water-dispersible silicone-based antifoam emulsion developed for rapid and reliable foam control in wastewater treatment, industrial process water, chemical processing, textile operations, pulp and paper systems, and other aqueous industrial applications.
The product is supplied as a milky white homogeneous liquid emulsion containing approximately 30% active silicone. The silicone phase is typically based on polydimethylsiloxane or related polysiloxane chemistry combined with an aqueous emulsification system.
Silicone defoamers are used to reduce existing foam and suppress further foam formation in systems where surfactants, detergents, organic contaminants, aeration, pumping, agitation, or process chemicals create excessive foam.
The low surface tension of the silicone active allows it to spread rapidly across the foam interface, destabilize foam films, promote bubble collapse, and reduce persistent foam accumulation.
The product is suitable for continuous or intermittent dosing and may be used directly or pre-diluted with compatible process water where permitted by the approved product instructions.
Product Information
Product Name: Silicone Defoamer
Alternative Name: Silicone Antifoam Emulsion
Product Type: Aqueous Silicone-Based Defoamer
Principal Active: Polydimethylsiloxane / Polysiloxane
CAS of Principal Active: 63148-62-9, where confirmed by product SDS
Grade: Industrial Grade
Physical Form: Liquid Emulsion
Appearance: Milky White Homogeneous Liquid
Active Silicone Content: 30% ±2%
Ionic Nature: Nonionic
Water Behavior: Water-Dispersible / Emulsifiable
Primary Function: Defoaming / Antifoaming
Primary Application: Wastewater and Industrial Process Water
Standard Packaging: 200 kg HDPE Drum
Important Product Identification
Silicone Defoamer is a formulated industrial product, not a single pure chemical.
The formulation may contain:
- Polydimethylsiloxane or modified polysiloxane
- Hydrophobic silica where applicable
- Nonionic emulsifiers
- Water
- Stabilizers
- Processing auxiliaries
For this reason, the finished product should not be described as 99% pure PDMS or as a single-component silicone chemical.
The exact formulation, principal component CAS number, and ingredient disclosure should match the current manufacturer SDS and TDS.
Key Features
- 30% active silicone content
- Industrial Grade
- Milky white homogeneous emulsion
- Nonionic formulation
- Water-dispersible
- Rapid foam knockdown
- Helps suppress foam reformation
- Suitable for aqueous systems
- Effective at relatively low treatment levels
- Suitable for wastewater treatment
- Suitable for industrial process water
- Suitable for chemical-processing systems
- Suitable for textile-processing applications
- Suitable for pulp and paper operations
- Suitable for industrial cleaning systems
- Can be used for continuous or intermittent dosing
- Suitable for automated metering systems
- Standard industrial drum packaging
- TDS, SDS and batch-specific COA available according to actual supplied formulation
Technical Specification
| Parameter | Specification |
| Product | Silicone Defoamer |
| Product Type | Aqueous Silicone Antifoam Emulsion |
| Grade | Industrial Grade |
| Appearance | Milky White Homogeneous Emulsion |
| Active Silicone Content | 30% ±2% |
| Ionic Nature | Nonionic |
| pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Specific Gravity at 25°C | 0.98–1.05 |
| Viscosity at 25°C | 500–2,500 mPa·s |
| Water Dispersibility | Dispersible / Emulsifiable |
| Emulsion Stability | Conforms |
| Foam Knockdown | Conforms to Internal Test |
| Foam Suppression | Conforms to Internal Test |
| Physical Form | Liquid |
| Standard Packaging | 200 kg HDPE Drum |
| Storage | Cool, Dry, Protected From Freezing |
| Typical Shelf Life | 12 Months, subject to manufacturer confirmation |
The final contractual specification should match the manufacturer's approved Technical Data Sheet and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Defoaming and Antifoaming Mechanism
Foam consists of gas bubbles stabilized by thin liquid films.
In industrial water and process systems, foam may be created or stabilized by:
- Surfactants
- Detergents
- Proteins
- Organic contaminants
- Process additives
- Biological activity
- Aeration
- Pumping
- Mechanical agitation
- Chemical reactions
The silicone active in the defoamer has very low surface tension and spreads rapidly across the foam film.
This action can destabilize the thin liquid film surrounding the bubbles, causing bubbles to coalesce and collapse.
The product can provide two related functions:
Defoaming: reduction of existing foam.
Antifoaming: suppression or reduction of future foam formation.
The balance between immediate foam knockdown and long-term foam suppression depends on the formulation, dosage, application point, and process conditions.
Wastewater Treatment
Silicone Defoamer is well suited for foam control in wastewater-treatment systems.
Potential applications include:
- Industrial wastewater treatment plants
- Municipal wastewater treatment
- Biological treatment tanks
- Aeration basins
- Equalization tanks
- Neutralization tanks
- Clarifiers
- Sludge-processing systems
- Effluent-treatment plants
- Wastewater transfer tanks
- Process-water collection systems
Excessive foam can reduce usable tank capacity and interfere with normal wastewater-treatment operations.
A properly selected Silicone Defoamer can help control physical foam accumulation and improve process manageability.
Biological Wastewater Systems
Foaming in biological treatment systems may be associated with:
- High surfactant loading
- Organic contamination
- Aeration
- Filamentous microorganisms
- Changes in wastewater composition
- Process instability
Silicone Defoamer can help control the physical foam, but it does not correct the underlying biological or process cause.
Where persistent biological foaming occurs, plant operators should evaluate the treatment process in addition to using a defoamer.
Industrial Process Water
Silicone Defoamer may be used in a wide range of aqueous industrial process systems.
Potential applications include:
- Process-water tanks
- Recirculating water systems
- Utility-water systems
- Industrial washing systems
- Chemical-mixing tanks
- Process vessels
- Transfer systems
- Storage tanks
Compatibility testing should be carried out before full-scale use.
Effluent Treatment Plants
Potential applications in effluent-treatment plants include:
- Aeration tanks
- Neutralization systems
- Biological reactors
- Equalization tanks
- Clarifiers
- Sludge-processing systems
- Transfer sumps
- Effluent storage tanks
The product may be fed continuously during persistent foaming or intermittently when foam appears.
Chemical Processing
Silicone Defoamer may be used in suitable chemical-processing systems where foam interferes with production or handling.
Potential applications include:
- Reactor vessels
- Mixing tanks
- Aqueous chemical formulations
- Surfactant-containing systems
- Detergent processing
- Chemical cleaning systems
- Process-water operations
The effect of silicone on the finished product should be considered in processes where surface properties are critical.
Pulp and Paper Applications
Potential applications include:
- Pulp-processing systems
- Process water
- Wastewater treatment
- Coating preparation
- Stock preparation
- Selected paper-machine wet-end systems
Use in sensitive paper or coating operations should be evaluated for potential deposit formation, surface defects, or downstream processing effects.
Textile Processing
Silicone Defoamer may be used in selected textile-processing operations including:
- Washing
- Scouring
- Dyeing
- Finishing
- Process-water treatment
- Textile wastewater treatment
Compatibility with dyes, surfactants, auxiliaries, and finishing agents should be confirmed before large-scale use.
Industrial Cleaning Systems
The product may be useful in aqueous cleaning systems where detergents and surfactants generate excessive foam.
Potential applications include:
- Equipment washing
- Parts washing
- Alkaline cleaning systems
- Industrial detergent solutions
- Tank cleaning
- Process cleaning operations
Treatment concentration should be adjusted according to surfactant loading and foam severity.
Petrochemical and Oil & Gas Processing
Appropriately formulated silicone antifoams may be used in selected:
- Petrochemical operations
- Chemical-processing systems
- Gas-processing operations
- Aqueous process streams
- Utility-water systems
The specific product should be tested for compatibility with the process chemistry before use.
Cooling-Water and Utility Systems
Silicone Defoamer may be used in selected industrial utility-water systems where excessive foam is generated by surfactants or process contamination.
Potential applications include:
- Cooling-water reservoirs
- Recirculating-water systems
- Utility-water tanks
- Industrial circulation systems
Application should consider:
- System metallurgy
- Biocides
- Scale inhibitors
- Corrosion inhibitors
- Dispersants
- Heat exchangers
- Filtration systems
- Discharge requirements
- Silicone carryover
Application and Dosage
There is no universal dosage suitable for every foaming system.
The required treatment level depends on:
- Foam severity
- Foam type
- Surfactant concentration
- Organic loading
- Wastewater composition
- Temperature
- pH
- Aeration intensity
- Mechanical agitation
- Process residence time
- Product feed point
- Desired foam-control persistence
A low initial dosage should generally be evaluated first, followed by adjustment according to observed foam-control performance.
Recommended commercial wording:
Typical treatment level should be established by laboratory test or plant trial. Begin with a low dosage and increase gradually as required to obtain effective foam control.
Avoid using one guaranteed ppm value for all applications.
Addition Method
Silicone Defoamer may generally be:
- Added directly to the process
- Metered continuously
- Added intermittently
- Introduced upstream of major foam-generation points
- Pre-diluted where permitted by the approved product instructions
Potential feed points include:
- Aeration-tank inlet
- Tank recirculation line
- Wastewater transfer point
- Pump suction or discharge
- Process-water feed
- High-agitation zones
- Upstream of foam-producing equipment
The ideal feed point is a location that provides adequate distribution before significant foam formation occurs.
Dilution
Where approved by the manufacturer, Silicone Defoamer may be diluted with clean process water before dosing.
When dilution is used:
- Use clean water
- Mix gently
- Avoid excessive high-shear mixing
- Prepare only the quantity needed
- Use diluted product promptly
- Do not assume diluted material has the same storage stability as the original emulsion
The product-specific TDS should take priority over general dilution guidance.
Compatibility
Compatibility should be tested before large-scale use with:
- Coagulants
- Flocculants
- Polymers
- Biocides
- Surfactants
- Detergents
- Antiscalants
- Corrosion inhibitors
- Acids
- Alkalis
- Process solvents
- Membrane systems
Special care should be taken where downstream membrane filtration or coating processes are involved.
Do not describe the product as:
Compatible with all membranes
unless specifically demonstrated by testing.
pH Considerations
The product can be used in many industrial aqueous systems, but performance and emulsion stability may vary according to pH.
The actual process should be evaluated for:
- Foam-control efficiency
- Emulsion stability
- Compatibility
- Separation
- Precipitation
- Interaction with other chemicals
Do not claim universal stability across the entire pH scale unless supported by the product-specific TDS.
Temperature Considerations
Defoaming performance may change with temperature.
High temperatures can affect:
- Emulsion stability
- Viscosity
- Silicone dispersion
- Foam generation
- Process chemistry
Low temperatures can affect flow properties and may damage some silicone emulsions if freezing occurs.
Performance should be confirmed under actual operating conditions.
Packaging
Standard Packaging
200 kg HDPE Drum
This is the recommended standard industrial packaging.
Alternative Packaging
Where genuinely available:
- 25 kg HDPE Drum
- 50 kg HDPE Drum
- 1000 kg IBC Tank
Only actual packaging options should be advertised.
Storage
Store Silicone Defoamer in the original sealed container in a:
- Cool location
- Dry warehouse
- Well-ventilated area
Protect from:
- Freezing
- Excessive heat
- Direct sunlight
- Contamination
- Prolonged exposure to air
Recommended general storage range:
Approximately 5–35°C, unless otherwise specified by the product-specific TDS.
Avoid freezing because freeze-thaw exposure may cause emulsion separation or reduced performance.
Shelf Life
Typical recommended shelf life:
12 Months
This should only be stated when confirmed by the actual manufacturer documentation.
Shelf life depends on:
- Storage temperature
- Packaging condition
- Exposure to contamination
- Freeze-thaw history
- Product formulation
Keep containers tightly closed when not in use.
Handling and Safety
Handle according to the current product-specific Safety Data Sheet.
Recommended workplace measures may include:
- Protective gloves
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Suitable protective clothing
- Good industrial hygiene
- Adequate workplace ventilation
Avoid:
- Eye contact
- Ingestion
- Prolonged skin contact
- Uncontrolled spills
- Unnecessary environmental release
Spilled product may make floors slippery.
Clean spills promptly according to site procedures and SDS instructions.
Transport
Transport classification must come from the actual product SDS because Silicone Defoamer is a formulated aqueous mixture.
Confirm the following before shipment:
- UN Number, where applicable
- Proper Shipping Name
- Transport Hazard Class
- Packing Group
- Marine Pollutant status
- ADR/RID classification
- IMDG classification
- IATA classification
Do not copy transport data from pure silicone oil or another supplier's antifoam product.
Quality Control
Typical quality-control parameters may include:
- Appearance
- Active silicone content
- pH
- Specific gravity
- Viscosity
- Ionic nature
- Water dispersibility
- Emulsion stability
- Foam knockdown
- Foam suppression
- Packaging integrity
Actual batch results should be reported in the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Technical Data Summary
Product: Silicone Defoamer
Alternative Name: Silicone Antifoam Emulsion
Product Type: Aqueous Silicone-Based Defoamer
Principal Active: Polydimethylsiloxane / Polysiloxane
CAS of Principal Active: 63148-62-9, where confirmed by SDS
Grade: Industrial Grade
Appearance: Milky White Homogeneous Emulsion
Active Silicone Content: 30% ±2%
Ionic Nature: Nonionic
pH: 6.0–8.0
Specific Gravity at 25°C: 0.98–1.05
Viscosity at 25°C: 500–2,500 mPa·s
Water Dispersibility: Dispersible / Emulsifiable
Primary Function: Defoaming / Antifoaming
Primary Application: Wastewater Treatment
Additional Applications: Industrial Process Water / Chemical Processing / Textile / Pulp & Paper / Industrial Cleaning
Standard Packaging: 200 kg HDPE Drum
Storage: Cool, Dry, Protected From Freezing
Supporting Documentation
Available documentation may include:
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Batch-Specific Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Transport Classification
Additional certifications or performance claims should only be stated when supported by valid documentation for the actual supplied product.
Product Summary
Silicone Defoamer 30% Industrial Grade is a milky white, water-dispersible, nonionic silicone antifoam emulsion designed for effective foam control in wastewater treatment, industrial process water, chemical processing and other aqueous industrial systems.
The product contains approximately 30% active silicone and provides both rapid foam knockdown and ongoing foam-suppression support when properly applied.
Typical applications include wastewater-treatment plants, aeration tanks, effluent-treatment systems, process-water tanks, chemical-processing vessels, textile operations, pulp and paper systems, and industrial cleaning processes.
The product is normally supplied in 200 kg HDPE drums, with alternative industrial packaging available where applicable.
Actual dosage, feed point, dilution method, temperature range, process compatibility and treatment frequency should be determined by plant testing and the requirements of the specific application.
The final product specification, principal-component CAS number, shelf life, transport classification and batch results should always correspond to the actual manufacturer's TDS, SDS and Certificate of Analysis.