Refinery antifoams

Foam can interfere with liquid-level control and separation. Antifoam treatment is intended to break existing foam and limit its continued formation within the selected process.

Documented applications include delayed coking, thermal cracking, crude flash drums, vacuum towers and gas-oil separators. Formulation suitability and delivery characteristics should be reviewed for the specific service.

• Process-fluid composition, operating temperature and foam persistence
• Observed carryover, level-control problems and feed changes
• Injection arrangement, downstream restrictions and compatibility

Define the foam-control objective before introducing treatment. Where suitable testing is available, compare formulations using representative process material and relevant conditions.

Monitor foam-related operating observations, liquid carryover and treatment response alongside feed and unit changes during a plant evaluation.