Abstract
For an aerated agitated vessel (AAV) treating various foaming liquids, the foam-breaking characteristics of a rotating-disk mechanical foam-breaker (MFRD) fitted to the AAV were evaluated. Foaming behavior of the AAV and foam-breaking behavior of the MFRD under varying operating conditions were related to the changes in liquid holdup in the foam. The agitation power in required the AAV with MFRD was found to be smaller than that in the AAV using antifoam agents (AFs), due to increased gas holdup. Comparison of the power input between two AAVs when foaming was controlled by the MFRD and AFs also demonstrated the superiority of mechanically controlled foaming.
