Mechanism and Application of Chemi Tech Defoamers in Mineral Processing

Causes and Impacts of Foam in Mineral Processing

Foam formation during ore beneficiation is driven by:

Chemical residues: Surfactants like collectors reduce slurry surface tension;

Mechanical agitation: Aeration and pumping introduce microbubbles;

Ore properties: Fine particles (e.g., <0.1mm tungsten) stabilize foam.

Excessive foam causes mineral loss (e.g., 15% drop in iron concentrate recovery6) and equipment wear.

Chemi Tech Defoamer Mechanisms

Effective defoaming requires two-phase action:

Bursting: Hydrophobic particles disrupt foam films via Marangoni effect suppression;

Suppression: Molecular barriers prevent bubble regeneration.

Chemi Tech's KM-8032 combines silicone-polyether hybrids, achieving 50% faster defoaming than conventional products.

Technical Advantages

Extreme tolerance: Stable at pH 1-14 and ≤150℃;

Customized formulas: Tailored for metal/non-metal ores;

Cost efficiency: Saves ¥0.3-1.5/ton with ROI <4 months.