ULTRASONIC DEVICE FOR FOAM DESTRUCTION
Ultrasonic Device for Foam Destruction
Vladimir N. Khmelev, Senior Member, IEEE, Roman V. Barsukov, Dmitry V. Genne, Member, IEEE,
Maxim V. Khmelev, Member, IEEE
Biysk Technological Institute (branch) of Altay State Technical University named after I.I. Polzunov,
Biysk, Russia
Abstract — In article the brief review of ways of destruction
of foam, as bad factor of some technological processes is
submitted. To consideration the ultrasonic device with the disk
radiator, specially developed for research of process of clearing
of beer foam is submitted.
Index Terms— Defoamers, ultrasound, radiation ultrasound
in gas mediums.
I.INTRODUCTION
T
HE determining role in an intensification of the basic
technological processes of biochemical, food and
chemical manufactures is played with the hydromechanical
phenomena at interaction of gases with the liquids,
underlying convective of mass transfer and heat exchange in
heterogeneous systems. Many biotechnological and the
productions proceeding in system "gas - liquid", are
accompanied by intensive foaming [1].
Intensive foaming in the majority of technological
processes has the negative consequences expressing in
decrease use of useful volume of the technological equipment,
infringement of the rules of manufacture and sterility of
biotechnological processes, in increase in losses of products
and decline of productivity of the equipment, pollution of the
environment.
With foaming in technological volumes as associate with
the following problems: incorrect work of the control and
measuring equipment (measurement of temperature,
measurement of a level e.t.c.), bad mixing of chemical
reagents in a reactionary vessel and keeping of products in
foam, and, at last, presence of foaming can have a negative
effect on opinion of the customer on work of process.
Thus, the questions connected to reduction of foaming and
destruction of foam are now actual.
II.EXISTING WAYS OF FOAM DESTRUCTION
Problems and tasks of restriction and regulation of
intensive foaming frequently are solved at a level of intuitive
approaches and practical experience without taking into
account a modern level of scientific knowledge and technical
achievements in this area.
Till now in full the task of creation of rational and
optimum designs defoaming devices is solved, thus
calculation and creation defoaming devices were carried out
basically by empirical way that reduces their efficiency and
profitability.
1
Due to lines of the technical and economic reasons in the
food-processing industry the greatest distribution was
received with mechanical methods as more universal and not
having negative consequences.
A mechanical defoaming method - one of the traditional
and widely widespread receptions of division and destruction
of the foam, occuring due to creation in the foam difference of
hydrostatic pressure or influence on foam of working bodies
as firm surfaces, liquids, gas, pair at their relative movement
or reciprocal mixture.
The principle of action rotor deformation defoamers will
consist in destruction of initial foam by creation of critical
pressure and deformations at relative movement of a stream
of foam in a vicinity of working bodies initiating these
movement as blades, disks, plates, drums.
Complexity of a problem defoamers and its insufficient
developmental work till now did not allow to create the
uniform methodical approach for various kinds and types
mechanical defoamers. Therefore, in the majority, existing
design procedures of key parameters and characteristics
mechanical defoamers are received by empirical way in the
limited interval of change of skilled factors and sizes.
The institute of chemistry of oil of the Siberian Branch of
the Russian Academy of Science, receives the patent « THE
WAY OF DESTRUCTION OF FOAM IN THE ELECTRIC
FIELD ». This way concerns to electrophysical ways of
clearing of foams. The way consists in creation above a
surface of foam of the volumetric electric category with
density of a current (0,5-50) 10-3А/m2. The category create
by accommodation above this surface multielectrode system.
The invention solves a problem increase power efficiency of
destruction foam use electrodes.
This way is applicable only to nonflammable
environments, with explosion-proof pairs. The electric
categories penetrating a zone of formation of foam, in some
cases can lead to initiation of additional reactions, that as is
not always allowable.
Besides the questions connected to destruction of foam to
technologists it is necessary to take measures for the
prevention of its formation. With this purpose in system
usually enter such substances which, possessing high
superficial activity, do not give some proof foam. These
substances supersede foam former from a surface of a liquid
and by it do impossible existence of foam. As similar
antifoam, apply various substances, for example, spirits,
complex ethers. From spirits to destruction foam apply
 ULTRASONIC DEVICE FOR FOAM DESTRUCTION
cyclohexanol, amyl and octyl spirits, and also mixes of the
supreme spirits.
In practice application of this way as has a line of the
restrictions connected to inadmissibility of used in an initial
product of additional components which can lead to change of
its qualitative structure.
Other defoamers method consists in "burning" a film of
foam by influence on it of high temperatures. The basic lack
of this way is loss of a product as there is its intensive
evaporation from a surface films of foams. In some cases it is
not of great importance, or demands accommodation
additional condensers. Besides influence of high
temperatures, limited use of this way.
For destruction of proof foams other mechanical and power
influences can be used. The most interesting and perspective
is the acoustic way of destruction of the foam, deprived the
lacks inherent in existing ways of defoamers.
III.ACOUSTIC WAY DESTRUCTION OF FOAM
The acoustic way destruction of foam [2] consists in
formation of an acoustic beam of the certain intensity directed
to a zone of formation education of foam. The sign-variable
sound field most actively influences the open layers of foam
as deep into the acoustic beam will penetrate poorly because
of the big attenuation. Thus, destruction of foam by acoustic
way occurs, since an open surface of a layer of foam.
At certain intensity a sound wave sign-variable forces
achieve such values at which there is a break films of foams.
For various foams there is a threshold intensity of a sound
wave at which there is its destruction.
Resistance of foam sound influence depends in many
respects on structure of foam. The foams consisting of large
bubbles, as a rule, easily and quickly collapse at low intensity
a sound wave. The foams consisting of fine bubbles more of
the rack to influence of acoustic fields also demand the
greater intensity.
The structure of foam defines not only effective intensity of
a sound wave, but also its optimum frequency. For destruction
of foams, their consisting fine bubbles, use more high-
frequency fluctuations. In any case frequency of a sound wave
gets out outside of a range of audibility of a human ear as at
high intensity a sound wave use acoustic defoamers would be
Fig. 1. The ultrasonic generator with a disk radiator for work in gas
environments.
dangerous, and demanded special sound insulation.
2
The laboratory of acoustic processes and devices, at Biysk
institute of technology, had been developed the equipment for
acoustic destruction of foam (see figure 1), consisting of the
disk radiator intended for radiation of an acoustic wave in gas
environments and the electronic generator, the radiator
intended for a feed [3].
The developed acoustic complex have the following
characteristics:
- working frequency of a disk radiator makes 21500 Hz;
- piezoelectric type of the converter of electric energy in
mechanical;
- consumed electric capacity 200Watt;
- presence of a control system and stabilization of capacity of
radiation.
Feature of the developed radiator is presence of a focal
point on an axis, a perpendicular plane of a disk and taking
place through its center. Force of a sound in this point
achieves to 181 dB.
The developed equipment has been used at carrying out of
experiments connected with destruction of beer foam that is
actual at packing a product in plastic or aluminium container.
Speed of destruction of foam, during carrying out of
experiments has made 20 cm3 per second, and the following
features have been revealed:
- for processing great volumes of foam it is necessary to move
a disk radiator along a plane of foam, and as vertically in
process of her destruction that is connected to presence of a
focal point where speed of destruction of foam is maximal;
- speed of destruction of foam eventually is slowed down, that
is connected to saturation of the top layers by a liquid formed
during destruction of foam;
- at influence on thin layers of foam (less than 0.5 сm),
process of defoaming stops, as the acoustic beam will
penetrate deep into a liquid phase, and because of origin
cavitation, again there is a formation of foam;
Acoustic destruction of foam has a line of advantages in
comparison with known ways, namely:
- absence of contact to destroyed foam that provides sterility
of an end-product;
- an opportunity of use for clearing foam of easily
inflammable liquids;
- absence of account materials (in comparison with chemical
ways);
- prompt development and availability of the ultrasonic
equipment.
IV.CONCLUSION
The device is created, allowing to form ultrasonic
fluctuations of high intensity (more than 180 dB) providing
in contactless mode destruction of foams with a speed not less
than 20 cm3 due to its destruction in a powerful sign-variable
ultrasonic field. The received experience of creation of the
device of acoustic clearing of foam can be used for creation of
more powerful installations, with the greater productivity.
 ULTRASONIC DEVICE FOR FOAM DESTRUCTION 3

The device has passed successful check in laboratory

conditions and can be recommended for industrial use.

REFERENCES
[1] A.G. Kasatkin The basic processes and devices of chemical technology .-
M.: Chemistry, 1973.-800p.
[2] Gallego Juares, Juan, Antonio [ES/ES] and other, “Ultrasonic defoaming
system using emitters comprising a stepped vibrating plate,” ES Patent WO
2004/024317 A1
[3] Ultrasonic technological apparatus «Afrodita» http://u-sonic.ru/devices/
afrodita.shtml.

Vladimir N. Khmelev (SM’04)— dean

of information technologies and
automation faculty at Biysk
technological institute, professor, Ph.D
(ultrasound). Honored inventor of
Russia. Laureate of Russian Government
premium for achievements in science and
engineering. Area of scientific interests is
application of ultrasound for an
intensification of technological processes.
IEEE member since 2000, IEEE Senior
Member since 2004. His biography
published in 7th issue of book “Who is
who in scientific and engineering”

Roman V Barsukov Ph.D (ultrasound),

was born in Biysk, Russia, 1975. He
received degree on information
measuring engineering and technologies
from Altay State Technical University,
key specialist of electronics. Laureate of
Russian Government premium for
achievements in science and engineering.
His main research interest are
development of high -power electronic
generators for ultrasonic technological
devices.

Genne V. Dmitry (S’06) was born in

Biysk, Russia in 1982. He received
degree on information measuring
engineering and technologies from
Biysk Technological Institute of
AltSTU. He is post-graduate student of
Biysk Technological Institute. His
main research interest are development
of high -power electronic generators for
ultrasonic technological devices.

Maxim V. Khmelev (S'03) was born

in Biysk, Russia in 1982. He received
degree on information measuring
engineering and technologies from
Biysk Technological Institute of
AltSTU. He is post-graduate student of
Biysk Technological Institute.