Foam Monster

[stevan]

I have a 20m3 sodium hydroxide soln recirc tank that generates foam like you wouldn't believe. We've tried knock down sprays but they just don't cut it.
Any ideas or experiences that may help us beat the foam monster?
I was thinking of using a venturi scrubber to draw the foam from the tank, destroy the bubbles and return the soln back to tank. I am not sure this will work; afraid it may just generate more foam.
Any comments would be graetly appreciated.

 

[grumpus]

Do you know the cause of the foaming?

What type of contaminants are in the system? Anything that could possibly reduce the surface tension?

Grumpus

 

[aspearin1]

In my experience regarding caustic wash tanks, we took care of foaming with airflow over the top of the tank and into a ventilation system. We didn't attempt recovery, but it may be practical. These were immersion wash tanks, though. Might be different than your system. My suggestion is air, though. It'll cut through it.