Manufacturing process for a polydimethylsiloxane-based antifoam.
Trial formulations for stability testing.


A proposed manufacturing process for a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based antifoam is as follows:

  • Component Preparation (milling, drying, heating)
  • Dosing of PDMS, emulsifier, and filler
  • Homogenization: mixing at 8,000-12,000 rpm for 10-15 min
  • Thermal Conditioning: 80°C for 2 hours
  • Cooling to 30-40°C

Trial formulations for stability study

Eight trial formulations of polydimethylsiloxane-based antifoam with varying fillers, emulsifiers, and their ratios:

  • PDMS — 90%, Aerosil — 5%, PEG — 3%, Glycerin — 2%
  • PDMS — 88%, Zeolite — 5%, PEG — 4%, Glycerin — 3%
  • PDMS — 85%, Calcium carbonate — 5%, PEG — 5%, Glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 87%, Silicon dioxide — 3%, Lecithin — 5%, Glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 90%, Aluminosilicates — 5%, PVA — 3%, Glycerin — 2%
  • PDMS — 89%, Calcium carbonate — 5%, Tween-80 — 3%, Glycerin — 3%
  • PDMS — 88%, Zeolite — 4%, PVP — 4%, Propylene glycol — 4%
  • PDMS — 85%, Silicon dioxide — 5%, Lecithin — 5%, Propylene glycol — 5%

This allows for an assessment of the impact of different fillers, emulsifiers, and their concentrations on the antifoam’s properties.

Details of the proposed antifoam components

  • Silicon dioxide (Aerosil) — a highly dispersed amorphous silicon dioxide, used as a filler to increase viscosity and emulsion stability.
  • Glycerin — a trihydric alcohol and effective emulsifier; improves wettability and spreadability.
  • Zeolites — aluminosilicate minerals; a filler with a highly porous structure. They increase viscosity and stability.
  • PEG (Polyethylene glycol) — a polymeric non-ionic emulsifier that ensures emulsion stability.
  • Calcium carbonate — a filler that increases the viscosity and density of the antifoam.
  • Aluminosilicates — clay minerals used as a filler and structuring agent.
  • PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) — a high-molecular-weight emulsifier that stabilizes the emulsion.
  • Propylene glycol — a dihydric alcohol; an effective emulsifier and solubilizer.
  • Lecithin — a phospholipid-based emulsifier that ensures the formation of stable emulsions.

8 Variations of three-component antifoams based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a limited number of chemical substances:

  • PDMS — 90%, silicon dioxide — 5%, glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 87%, silicon dioxide — 8%, glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 85%, silicon dioxide — 10%, glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 92%, zeolite — 3%, PEG — 5%
  • PDMS — 90%, zeolite — 5%, PEG — 5%
  • PDMS — 88%, zeolite — 7%, PEG — 5%
  • PDMS — 90%, calcium carbonate — 5%, propylene glycol — 5%
  • PDMS — 87%, calcium carbonate — 8%, propylene glycol — 5%

In these formulations, the ratio of PDMS to filler (silicon dioxide, zeolite, calcium carbonate) is varied, while maintaining a fixed concentration of the emulsifier (glycerin, PEG, propylene glycol).

8 Variations of four-component antifoams based on PDMS using the proposed substances:

As fillers:

  • Silicon dioxide (Aerosil): Provides emulsion stability; low cost.
  • Aluminosilicates (zeolites): Good sorption capacity; widely available.

As emulsifiers:

  • Polyethylene glycol: Provides stability; compatible with silicone.
  • Glycerin: An effective emulsifier; inexpensive product.
  • PDMS — 85%, silicon dioxide — 5%, zeolite — 5%, PEG — 5%
  • PDMS — 87%, silicon dioxide — 5%, zeolite — 3%, glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 90%, silicon dioxide — 3%, zeolite — 2%, PEG — 5%
  • PDMS — 88%, silicon dioxide — 5%, zeolite — 2%, glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 85%, silicon dioxide — 10%, zeolite — 2%, PEG — 3%
  • PDMS — 87%, silicon dioxide — 5%, zeolite — 3%, glycerin — 5%
  • PDMS — 90%, silicon dioxide — 2%, zeolite — 3%, PEG — 5%
  • PDMS — 89%, silicon dioxide — 5%, zeolite — 1%, glycerin — 5%

8 Variations of compositions with percentage ratios:

  • Water — 80%, lauryl sulfate — 15%, silicon dioxide — 2%, PEG — 3%
  • Water — 80%, lauryl sulfate — 15%, silicon dioxide — 2%, glycerin — 3%
  • Water — 80%, lauryl sulfate — 15%, zeolite — 2%, PEG — 3%
  • Water — 80%, lauryl sulfate — 15%, zeolite — 2%, glycerin — 3%
  • Water — 85%, lauryl sulfate — 10%, silicon dioxide — 2%, PEG — 3%
  • Water — 85%, lauryl sulfate — 10%, silicon dioxide — 2%, glycerin — 3%
  • Water — 85%, lauryl sulfate — 10%, zeolite — 2%, PEG — 3%
  • Water — 85%, lauryl sulfate — 10%, zeolite — 2%, glycerin — 3%

8 Variations without percentage Indication:

  • Water, lauryl sulfate, silicon dioxide, PEG
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, silicon dioxide, glycerin
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, zeolite, PEG
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, zeolite, glycerin
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, silicon dioxide, PEG
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, silicon dioxide, glycerin
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, zeolite, PEG
  • Water, lauryl sulfate, zeolite, glycerin

Foam suppressants in drilling fluids. Moscow Pre-Professional Olympiad for Schoolchildren.
1. Vote with your head, not your heart—or you lose. Calculations, risks, and comfortable conditions. Final case selection→
2. Hello, Defoamers: a case study on accessing foreign resources, Moscow libraries, and teamwork→
3. Oil drilling for dummies. Cyberleninka is here to help.
Bloomberg vs. Rosnedra. Calculating the drilling fluid volume for all of Russia→

4. Foam and its formation processes.
Composition of drilling fluid and the causes of foaming→

5. Drilling fluid components→
6. Types of defoamers and their impact on foam formation in drilling fluids.
An analysis of silicone defoamer components→

7. Performance requirements for silicone defoamers in drilling fluids: selecting fillers and emulsifiers→
8. Optimal component ratio and process parameters for the production of a polydimethylsiloxane-based defoamer→
9. Manufacturing process for a polydimethylsiloxane-based antifoam.
Trial formulations for stability testing→
10. Physical and chemical operating conditions for drilling fluids.
Featuring alkyl sulfates and lignosulfonates→

11. Unused material from a case study: a collection of online Info on defoamers→

Other articles about my school projects→
This article in Russian→