Project Description
Pulp & Paper Defoamer Manufacturer: Pulp Mill & Wet End Solutions
Foam is a persistent challenge across the pulp & paper industry. Without effective defoamers and foam control solutions, excessive foam affects paper quality, increases chemical consumption, and disrupts production efficiency.
Pulp Mill & Wet-End Application Requirements
- Injection Point: Must be located at high-turbulence zones (e.g., fan pump inlet) for optimal dispersion.
- Continuous Dosing: Diaphragm metering pumps with ±1% accuracy are required to maintain steady PPM levels.
- Temperature Monitoring: Real-time tracking of white water (45-60°C) to prevent exceeding the defoamer's cloud point.
- Shear Stability: Formulations must withstand high-speed centrifugal cleaners without oil slicking.
1. Drainage Impairment
Entrained micro-foam in the headbox reduces dewatering speed on the wire, limiting machine speed and increasing steam consumption in dryers.
2. Surface Defects (Pinholes)
Stable surface foam creates pinholes and fisheyes on the finished sheet, leading to rejected reels and compromised coating uniformity.
3. Chemical Carryover
Inefficient brown stock washing causes black liquor carryover, increasing the demand for bleaching chemicals and elevating COD levels in effluent.
Defoamer Selection Guide: From Pulp Mill to Paper Machine
| Process Stage | Foam Challenge | Recommended INVINO® Grade |
|---|---|---|
|
Pulp Mill (Black Liquor) Washing & Screening |
High Alkali & Lignin |
INVINO-6930
(Silicone Emulsion) High solid content, stable in black liquor. |
|
Paper Machine (Wet End) White Water System |
Degassing & Drainage |
INVINO-5045 (40-50°C) INVINO-5060 (45-60°C) Fatty Alcohol type. Zero impact on sizing. |
|
High-Speed Paper Machine Closed Loop Systems |
Stubborn Micro-foam |
INVINO-8061 /
8062
(100% Active) Polyether/Non-silicone. High concentration. |
|
Paper Coating Sizing Press / Kitchen |
Surface Defects (Fisheyes) |
INVINO-3000 (99% Active) Mineral Oil based. Excellent leveling. |
| Surface Sizing | Film Uniformity | INVINO-8082 (100% Active) |
| Effluent Treatment | Discharge Compliance | INVINO-620S (Modified Silicone) |
Foam Control: From Pulp Mill to Paper Machine
Pulp Processing
& Washing
- The Challenge: Black Liquor foam caused by lignin and high alkalinity during washing and bleaching.
- The Impact: Reduces washing efficiency, causes chemical carryover, and slows down production.
- Solution: High-solid silicone emulsions stable in high temp & strong alkali.
Papermaking
(Wet End)
- The Challenge: Entrained air and surface foam in White Water systems.
- The Impact: Poor drainage, pinholes in paper, and frequent paper breaks.
- Solution: Fatty Alcohol or Polyether defoamers that ensure degassing without causing pitch spots.
Coating &
Sizing
- The Challenge: Micro-foam during pigment mixing and starch sizing preparation.
- The Impact: Visible surface defects like fisheyes and craters on the finished paper.
- Solution: Mineral oil or molecular-level defoamers for perfect leveling.
Effluent
Treatment
- The Challenge: Aeration foam in biological treatment ponds.
- The Impact: Environmental compliance risks and potential overflow.
- Solution: Eco-friendly, fast-knockdown antifoams safe for bacteria.
Key Advantages of Choosing INVINO
Comprehensive coverage
From pulping, papermaking, coating, surface sizing to wastewater treatment, INVINO delivers pulp & paper defoamer solutions that keep foam under control across the entire process.
Technical expertise
Industry experience with on-site trials, process audits, and tailored recommendations to solve papermaking foam control challenges efficiently.
Proven performance
Improve sheet formation and stabilize white water systems with reliable results trusted by leading paper mills worldwide.
Sustainability focus
Eco-friendly defoamers that support effluent compliance and reduce environmental footprint without sacrificing production efficiency.
Customer Success Stories with INVINO Pulp & Paper Defoamer
Case Study 1: INVINO-5045 Fatty Alcohol Defoamer for Papermaking (White Water)
Background: A leading paper mill required a reliable defoamer to improve sheet formation and paper quality in the headbox and forming section.
Challenge: The mill had used a competitor’s product but needed a defoamer that could maintain performance during extended high-speed production runs.
Solution: After evaluating various options, the mill selected INVINO-5045, a fatty alcohol-based defoamer. It provided consistent foam control even at higher speeds, delivering reliable long-term performance.
- ✔ Improved sheet formation and paper quality
- ✔ Reduced maintenance costs through efficient foam control
- ✔ Enhanced cost-effectiveness with reduced defoamer usage
- ✔ Reliable performance across challenging operational conditions
Case Study 2: INVINO-8061 Polyether Defoamer for High-Temperature White Water Systems
Background: A major paper mill experienced foam challenges in its white water system, particularly when temperatures exceeded 50°C.
Challenge: The competitor’s defoamer could not deliver stable performance under high-temperature conditions, leading to production inconsistencies.
Solution: The mill switched to INVINO-8061, a polyether-based defoamer designed for high-temperature applications. It provided stable foam suppression up to 60°C, ensuring reliable operation.
- ✔ Superior foam control in high-temperature white water systems (up to 60°C)
- ✔ Increased water recovery efficiency and consistency in paper quality
- ✔ Reduced defoamer usage while maintaining stable foam control
- ✔ Better cost efficiency with minimal reapplication required
Critical Process Warning: "Pitch Spots" Prevention
Excessive or improper use of silicone-based defoamers in the wet end can lead to agglomeration with wood resins, causing "pitch spots" on the felt. We recommend a Step-Dosing Protocol: start with 10 PPM and monitor the drainage rate before scaling. Always use fatty alcohol types for paper grades requiring high sizing (AKD/ASA) compatibility.
Pulp & Paper Defoaming: Technical FAQ
Q1: Does the defoamer interfere with paper sizing (AKD/ASA) efficiency?
A: It depends on the formulation. Silicone-based defoamers can sometimes lower the sizing degree if overused. For sizing-sensitive grades, we recommend INVINO-5045 (Fatty Alcohol), which is specifically designed to have zero impact on AKD/ASA retention and sizing performance.
Q2: Why does my defoamer lose efficacy when the white water temperature exceeds 55°C?
A: This is likely due to the cloud point of the polyether components. When the system temperature exceeds the cloud point, the active ingredient precipitates. In high-temperature systems, we switch to our 8061 series, which maintains emulsion stability up to 65°C.
Q3: How can we prevent "pitch spots" or oil spots on the paper felt?
A: Oil spots are typically caused by emulsion breakage under high shear or incompatibility with wood resins. Using a low-shear dosing point and ensuring the defoamer has high salt-tolerance can prevent agglomeration. Regular washing of the felt with specialized detergents is also advised.
Q4: What is the recommended dosing point for wet-end foam control?
A: For maximum dispersion, the defoamer should be injected at a point of high turbulence, such as the inlet of the fan pump or the white water collection tank. Avoid dosing directly into stagnant zones to prevent localized concentration spikes.
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