Conventional brown stock washer defoamers are produced from petroleum-based oils and synthetic silicone fluids.  Recently, these raw materials have been subject to substantial cost increases driven by unfavorable supply and demand and escalating energy costs.  These cost increases have placed added pressure on pulp producers’ budgets as prices for brown stock defoamers have risen.

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies recently introduced a new, patented technology that offers improved performance over traditional defoamers and mitigates the impact of escalating raw material costs.  Advantage™ biodefoamer technology  is produced using agri-based oils (i.e., oil produced from agricultural produce), which are readily available, naturally occurring, and more cost effective than traditional defoamer raw materials.  Biodegradable and FDA approved, the technology offers a stable supply and demand prospectus that ensures future price stability for the pulp producer.

Mode of Action

Similar to conventional brown stock defoamers, Advantage biodefoamer technology works by preferential surfactant displacement and physical bubble disruption.  However, the agri-based oils used in the manufacture of the product reduce the affinity of the liquor for pulp fibers, which in turn reduces liquor surface tension.  The reduced surface tension allows for improved washer drainage.

Features

Available as an emulsion or a concentrate
< 1% VOCs per EPA Method 24
No SARA 313 components, APEs or NPEs
No animal derivatives
Dioxin precursor compliant
All components listed on TSCA Inventory and DSL/NDSL Inventory
(Canada)
FDA approved for fatty and aqueous food contact under 21 CFR 176.210
(no limitations)
Suitable for the production of paper or paperboard for food packaging purposes according to the XXXVI Recommendation of the BfR
Non-hazardous per OSHA and DOT
No measurable difference in HAPs emissions
No warning required under Prop. 65

Recorded Benefits

The following benefits have been recorded from practical applications of Advantage biodefoamer technology.  Not all benefits are realized for all applications.

Mitigates impact of increasing energy and raw material costs
Improved defoaming
Improved drainage
Improved washer efficiency
Improved pulp cleanliness
Reduced chemical consumption (e.g., brown stock washer defoamer, bleaching chemical)
Biodegradable / environmentally friendly