A Southeastern Utility Plant was experiencing heavy foaming in the Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) area. Each of the Absorber Feed Tanks had a chronic foaming problem. The Foam control agent being used was supplied by an established, nationally known water treatment company. Defoamer usage was 15 gallons per day in each module, or 90 gallons per day.

At this rate of feed, foam control was inadequate. Level indicators could not accurately track the tank levels. Erratic reagent feed resulted from the inaccurate level readings. Operations personnel were concerned that gross overfeeding could cause them to run out of reagent--thus leading to emissions problems.

Foaming was also cited as the cause of poor limestone utilization and additional housekeeping requirements. Sometimes, foam spewed out through the AFT mist eliminators with enough force to stick to the ceiling fifteen feet overhead! A constant flow of foamed reagent exited through the mist eliminators, creating pools several feet thick on top of each Absorber Feed Tank.

AS-10 was initially added to one module which was experiencing heavy foaming. Seconds after the initial dose, the foam stopped coming out of the mist eliminators. The foam remained under control for over 2 1/2 hours from the first dosage of AS-10. Operators had previously used five gallons of the old defoamer to knock the foam down for only five to ten minutes.

AS-10 was able to control the foam in this system at 20 % of the original feed rate. Lowered feed rates will reduce the utility’s use-cost by over 50 %.

Management stated , "The best thing is, your stuff works. Our old material could not control the foam." The operators were happy and so was housekeeping.

Interested in seeing if AS-10 Industrial Antifoam can work for you? Contact techservices@appliedspecialties.com for a FREE no cost survey of your facility. At ASI, we produce results!