MeFoam-MO (Mineral-Oil-Carrier Silicone Defoamer): The Standard Defoamer for Pulp, Paper, and Wastewater Process Water
SEMITECH MeFoam-MO is the mineral-oil-carrier silicone defoamer engineered for pulp mills, paper mills, and wastewater treatment plants. Mineral-oil base provides cost-effective foam suppression at 50–500 ppm with the silicone phase as the active foam-rupture component. Standard 200 kg drum packaging.
Contents
| Mineral oil carrier | 50–500 ppm | 200 kg drum |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Typical dosing | Bulk packaging |
Chemistry & Specifications
Refined mineral oil carrier (75–85%) + non-modified PDMS active (10–20%) + hydrophobic silica + emulsifier blend.
Four-component blend: mineral oil (75–85%), PDMS (10–20%), hydrophobic silica (1–3%), emulsifier (1–3%). Viscosity 100–300 cP, density 0.88–0.92 g/cm³, flash point 150–180°C. The mineral oil carrier is ~80% cheaper per kg than silicone, and reduces silicone residue on finished paper — critical since residual silicone interferes with downstream printing inks and adhesives.
Defoaming Mechanism: Mineral Oil Spreading + Silica-Nucleated Silicone Rupture
Mineral oil spreads on bubble film, silicone phase nucleates rupture, oil residue compatible with paper-making.
Hybrid two-mechanism defoaming: mineral oil spreads on the bubble interface, then the silicone-silica phase nucleates rupture. Knockdown 30–60 seconds, persistence 4–12 hours.
- Dosing 50–150 ppm — pulp mill brown-stock washer
- Dosing 100–300 ppm — paper-machine wet-end foam suppression
- Dosing 150–500 ppm — wastewater treatment aeration tank
- Dosing 50–200 ppm — petroleum refining water-stripping
Avoid for waterborne paint — mineral oil will cause oil-spot defects; specify MeFoam-PE or MeFoam-S.
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Applications & Formulation Guidance
Pulp & paper (largest), wastewater treatment, petroleum refining, gas processing water-stripping.
Pulp and paper (largest) — brown-stock washers, screen-and-cleaner, paper-machine wet-end at 50–300 ppm. Wastewater treatment — aeration tanks, equalisation basins at 150–500 ppm. Petroleum refining — sour-water strippers and amine units at 50–200 ppm. Food-beverage wastewater — clarification stages at 100–300 ppm (switch to MeFoam-FG for carry-back to consumables).
Procurement, Storage and Quality Control
CoA per shipment; 200 kg drums standard for plant-scale; 12-month sealed shelf life; Class III combustible (not flammable).
CoA per batch: viscosity (100–300 cP), silicone content (12–20%), mineral oil (75–85%), water (≤1.0%), flash point (150–180°C). MOQ 200 kg. Lead time 1–2 weeks Asia, 4–6 weeks Europe/North America. Shelf life 12 months sealed; 9 months opened. Not approved for direct food-contact; REACH-registered for industrial use.
MeFoam-MO Specification Sheet
SEMITECH stocked grade; CoA per batch.
| Property | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Mineral oil + PDMS + hydrophobic silica + emulsifier blend | — |
| Form | Self-emulsifying liquid | — |
| Mineral oil content | 75–85% | FT-IR |
| Active silicone content | 12–20% | Solvent extraction |
| Hydrophobic silica content | 1–3% | Ash analysis |
| Emulsifier content | 1–3% | FT-IR |
| Appearance | Translucent off-white to pale-amber liquid | Visual |
| Density (25°C) | 0.88–0.92 g/cm³ | ASTM D1475 |
| Viscosity (25°C) | 100–300 cP | Brookfield |
| Water content | ≤1.0% | Karl Fischer |
| Flash point | 150–180°C (closed cup) | ASTM D93 |
| Pour point | −10 to 0°C | ASTM D97 |
| Self-emulsification (1% in water) | Stable milky emulsion | — |
| Packaging | 25 kg pail / 200 kg drum / 1 t IBC | — |
| Shelf life | 12 months sealed below 30°C | — |
FAQ
+Why does the paper industry prefer mineral-oil-carrier defoamers?
Silicone residue on paper causes printing defects and weakens adhesive bonds. Mineral oil residue is invisible to all standard paper-finishing operations and is allowed under indirect food-contact regulations.
+Can I use MeFoam-MO for waterborne paint?
No. Mineral oil phase-separates over 4–8 weeks and creates fish-eye/crawling defects. Specify MeFoam-PE or MeFoam-S for paint applications.
+How do I determine the right dosing rate for my pulp mill?
Start with equipment-supplier baseline (typically 50–150 ppm on brown-stock washers). Adjust with foam-height monitoring over 1–2 weeks; control-loop tuning typically achieves 20–40% cost reduction vs constant-rate dosing.