RELATION BETWEEN MECHANICAL FOAM-BREAKING DIFFICULTY AND THE FOAMING CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLUTIONS

Using a small foaming apparatus, liquid foaming characteristics such a s liquid holdup in foamate flow (phi(t)) , rate of liquid drainage fro m foam (v), foam velocity (u(f)) and foam size (d(f)) were examined fo r various liquids. A parameter phi(f), incorporating phi(t), v and u(f ), was obtained. The relationship among phi(f), d(f) and the liquid ho ldup in foam, phi(b), in the actual gas-bubbling systems under foam co ntrol was expressed in the form of phi(b) is-proportional-to phi(f) d( f)1.83, regardless of the type of foaming liquid or its concentration. This relationship was useful for the prediction of phi(b) as related to mechanical foam-breaking difficulty.