Foaming During Transfer of Reactor

[RJB32482]

We have issues with foaming during a transfer of a slurry from our reactors to a holding kettle. We pump the reactor to the holding kettle. The reactor has 3 sets of 45 degree pitched turbine blades and the hold tanks have 2 of these. We use an antifoam product on the slurry during transfer but we are looking to cut back. He are some ideas I had:

1. Lower the transfer rate
2. Decrease the agitator speed in the reactor during a transfer
3. Decrease the pH of the slurry during transfer.

Are the 3 ideas on track with decreasing foaming in the holding kettle? Any other ideas? Thanks.

 

[Latexman]

What's the pressure in the RX and holding tank? Could there be some degassing?

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[ash9144]

Good point by LM on pressure. Increasing pressure and lowering temp would certainly help.

On your agitator idea, why would run the agitator for the duration of transfer. There is some min level required for the agitator or you will damage the agitator.

pH is always a major factor and depends on your process. My experience has been that higher pH helps with foaming but this will be dependent on process.

Another possibility is adding additional solvent or other excess fluid to your batch.

Is the material two phase or one?