Efficient Defoaming for Battery Recycling Alkaline Systems | Chemi Tech Professional Solution

In the hydrometallurgical stage of battery recycling, strong alkaline environments are crucial for separating and extracting valuable metals. However, intense chemical reactions and material interactions often generate substantial stubborn foam. This foam not only overflows, causing material loss and site contamination, but more severely hinders solid-liquid separation, reduces the effective volume of reaction tanks, and leads to decreased overall process efficiency and increased costs. Traditional defoaming methods often offer short-lived effects, cannot withstand the harsh conditions of high alkalinity and temperature, and frequent additions introduce new variables and expenses.

Addressing this industry pain point, Chemi Tech has developed a series of defoamers specifically designed for strong alkali systems in battery recycling. The core of our solution lies in the product's chemical structure, which is highly compatible with alkaline environments. Its unique molecular design enables rapid penetration and disruption of the foam film's surface tension for quick bubble breaking. Simultaneously, it remains stably dispersed in the liquid phase, providing persistent foam suppression, and tolerates high temperatures and high ionic strength, preventing secondary foaming.

The application steps are clear and straightforward. First, our technical engineers evaluate foam samples based on the customer's specific process conditions, such as alkali concentration, temperature, and agitation intensity, to recommend the most suitable defoamer type and initial addition point. Typically, initial addition is suggested at process nodes prone to foaming, such as the beginning of the leaching reaction or at the feed pump inlet. The product can be added directly by drip or continuously injected as a diluted solution using a metering pump. The required dosage is minimal, usually only a few hundred to a few thousand parts per million of the total system, to achieve significant results. We then provide follow-up support to optimize the addition strategy, ensuring stable defoaming at the lowest cost.

We assisted a customer specializing in ternary battery material recycling to resolve foam issues in their lithium hydroxide leaching stage. Under high-temperature, concentrated alkali conditions, the foam layer thickness frequently exceeded 30 centimeters, severely impacting production. After adopting Chemi Tech's customized defoamer, the initial addition reduced the foam layer to below 5 centimeters within ten minutes and enabled eight hours of continuous operation without replenishment. This change increased their per-tank processing efficiency by approximately 15% and significantly reduced material cleanup work caused by foam overflow. The customer provided positive feedback regarding improved production stability and controllability.

Choosing Chemi Tech means selecting not just a product, but a reliable partner for process optimization. We are committed to providing professional, efficient, and long-lasting defoaming solutions to help battery recyclers overcome strong alkali foam obstacles, unlock production line potential, and achieve more stable and economical operations.