Antifoams in non-aqueous diesel fuels: Thin liquid film dynamics and antifoam mechanisms

HypothesisFoaming in diesel fuels is not well understood and leads to operational challenges. To combat deleterious effects of foaming, diesel formulations can include additives called antifoams. Existing antifoams, unfortunately, are inherently ash-generating when combusted, with unknown environmental impacts. They are prohibited in certain countries, so identifying effective alternative ash-free antifoam chemistries is needed. ExperimentsWe conduct systematic characterization of foam stabilization and antifoaming mechanisms in diesel for two different antifoams (silicone-containing & ashless chemistries). Employing a custom technique combining single-bubble/single-antifoam-droplet manipulation with white light interferometry, we also obtain mechanistic insights into foam stability and antifoam dynamics. ResultsCoalescence times from both bulk foam and single bubble experiments confirm ashless antifoams are effective at reducing foaming, demonstrating the potential of ashless antifoams. Further, we perform single-antifoam-droplet experiments and obtain direct experimental evidence revealing the elusive antifoaming mechanisms. Interestingly, the silicone-containing and ashless antifoams seemingly function via two different mechanisms: spreading and dewetting respectively. This surprising finding refutes conventional wisdom that spreading is likely the only antifoam mechanism in diesels. These results and the reported experimental framework significantly enhance the scientific understanding of non-aqueous foams and will accelerate the engineering of alternative antifoam chemistries for non-aqueous systems.