Formulation and evaluation of antifoams from palm kernel and coconut oils

• Published in: Biomass conversion and biorefinery 2024-05, Vol.14 (10), p.11327-11338
• Main Authors: Ifejika, Victor Enebeli, Joel, Ogbonna Friday, Aimikhe, Victor Joseph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Coconut oil; Crude oil; Defoaming; Energy; Esters; Fatty acids; Methanol; Original Article; Phase separation; Renewable and Green Energy; Silicones; Transesterification; Vegetable oils
• ISSN: 2190-6815; 2190-6823
• DOI: 10.1007/s13399-022-03224-3

The need to control or eliminate foam in oil and gas industry processes is crucial and of great concern for smooth and efficient plant operations. The majority of the existing defoamers and antifoams used in the oil and gas processing facilities, most often than not, contain toxic components that are environmentally unfriendly. Sustainable and eco-friendly options that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly are more desirable. This study aims to formulate antifoam/defoamer from modified palm kernel and coconut oil through a transesterification pathway and evaluate its foam inhibition and control capacity in foamy crude petroleum oil. Vegetable oils were extracted from palm kernel and coconut using the Soxhlet extraction method. Extracted oils were synthesized through a transesterification pathway to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Palm kernel (PKO) and coconut (CNO) oil FAME were blended with 20% silicone oil to give samples A and B. Crude PKO and CNO were blended directly with 20% silicone oil to give samples C and D. Samples E and F were, respectively, FAMEs of CNO and PKO with 10% methanol each. Physicochemical analysis and standard foam tests, including the foam rise and mechanical agitation tests, were used to determine defoamer properties, foam characterization, and stability. From the analysis of the results, the pH value of the defoamers ranged from 5.2 to 7.0. Viscosity ranged from 2.28 to 7.75 cSt, with samples E and F in the same range as the conventional defoamer. The defoamer samples’ densities were within the range of 0.8361–0.9012 g/cm 3 , as shown by the conventional defoamer (G). The defoamers’ cloud and pour points ranged from − 24 to 0.5 °C and − 30 to 2 °C. The samples were optically clear, with no phase separation. The foam inhibition and control capacity of sample F was significantly high and compared favorably with the high-spec conventional defoamer. Fatty acid methyl ester of crude PKO is recommended for use in a blend with 10% methanol for the production of fatty alcohol defoamers (FAD).