Defoamer testing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided wherein the foam inhibiting effectiveness of defoaming and antifoaming additives on various types of foamable liquid mediums is measured. A single generally cylindrical foam cell having openings at both ends is provided wherein an interchangeable foam cell insert having varied geometry is longitudinally disposed within the foam cell. The foam cell insert is provided with a plurality of centralizer walls extending into the foam cell with an agitator member being carried by the centralizer walls. Foamable liquid medium is introduced into the foam cell and recirculated therethrough to form a dynamic fluid-flow system. As the liquid medium passes through both the foam cell and the foam cell insert, it comes into contact with the agitator member carried by the centralizer walls of the foam cell insert forming foam which accumulates in the foam cell. After a sufficient amount of foam is formed, a defoaming or antifoaming agent is introduced into the foam cell, and its effect on the level of foam present in the foam cell is measured. The interchangeable foam cell inserts are of varying lengths and carry varyingly configured agitator members, so that depending on whether a high or low foaming liquid medium is introduced, an appropriate foam cell insert may be chosen and inserted into the foam cell. The interchangeable foam cell inserts allow for a single foam cell to be used for measuring purposes thus decreasing the cost and potential down-time associated with such testing.