Title of Invention

PROCESS FOR MAKING FOAM CONTROL COMPOSITIONS

Abstract A process for making a foam control composition comprising a cross-linked polyorganosiloxane in which is dispersed a filler, with hydrophobic surface, comprising step (A) mixing (i) a finely divided filler, (ii) a polyorganosiloxane having on at least two reactive substituents, for example on average two reactive substituents, and (iii) a polyorganosiloxane having at least three reactive substituents, capable of addition reaction via hydrosilylation; (B) hydrosilylation reaction of components (ii) and (iii) until the mixture at least partially gels, followed by applying shearing forces to this at least partially gelled mixture. Optionally step (A) comprises a diluent or solvent and after step (B) an emulsification step is carried out to make the foam control composition into an O/W emulsion. Also a process for controlling foam in an aqueous environment by using a foam control composition according to the invention, selected from inks, coatings, paints, detergents, black liquor of from those encountered during pulp and paper manufacture, waste water treatment, textile dyeing processes or the scrubbing of natural gas.
Full Text PROCESS FOR MAKING AND USING FOAM CONTROL COMPOSITIONS
[0001] The present invention relates to a process for making foam control compositions,
especially compositions which are of use in aqueous media, such as the paper making and
pulping process, textile dyeing process, inks, coatings, paints, detergents, waste water
treatment, the scrubbing of natural gas and metal working process. In particular the
invention relates to a process of making foam control compositions which comprise silicone
materials, in particular branched or cross-linked silicone materials. The invention also
relates to the foam control compositions thus made and to the different systems and
processes, such as inks, coatings, paints, detergents, black liquor, and pulp and paper
manufacture, waste water treatment, textile dyeing processes, metal working process and
the scrubbing of natural gas, using such foam control compositions.
[0002] Foam control compositions for pulping processes have been known and used for
some time and have been described in a number of publications. A very important type of
such pulping foam control compositions are based on silicone materials. For example
GB1296308, published in 1972, describes antifoam compositions for aqueous systems
which comprise a water insoluble organic liquid, e.g., mineral oil, a siloxane polymer, a filler
and an ingredient which makes the filler compatible with the siloxane polymer. The
compositions are claimed to be useful in the pulp and paper industry. In US 6656975
silicone compositions are described which comprise a continuous phase of a polar organic
liquid having dispersed in it particles of a silicone antifoam material encapsulated within an
organic encapsulating material of certain characteristics. The silicone antifoam is indicated
as comprising a polyorganosiloxane fluid and a hydrophobic filler, where the
polyorganosiloxane fluid is a linear, branched, or cross-linked polydiorganosiloxane having a
silanol level of 0.01-0.05 wt.%. The silicone composition is used for controlling foam in an
aqueous medium, e.g. in the pulp and paper industry. Silicone-based foam control agents
are known, and those using branched polyorganosiloxanes fluids have been described as
being particularly useful for detergent compositions. For example EP 0434060 describes a
silicone antifoaming agent composition, comprising a polydiorganosiloxane, silica and 1 to
200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polydiorganosiloxane and silica
combined, of a cross-linked organopolysiloxane polymer exhibiting fluidity. In GB 2257709,
there is described A method for preparing a silicone foam control agent which comprises the
steps of forming a mixture of a vinyl end-blocked polydiorganosiloxane, a volatile, low
viscosity organohydrogensiloxane, having at least 3 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms and a

solvent; reacting said mixture in the presence of a noble metal catalyst to make a branched
organopolysiloxane, and adding to the mixture a finely divided particulate material, having a
surface rendered hydrophobic by contact with a treating agent.
[0003] Thus silicone-based or silicone comprising foam control compositions can be
prepared by mixing at least 2 liquid materials which then undergo a chemical reaction in
liquid phase, which is for example a condensation or an addition type reaction, such as
hydrosilylation (also called hydrosilation) or silanol-silyl reaction. A particular material, e.g.
filler is often added, which may be done before or after the reaction. For example, in EP
0217501 there is described a foam control composition comprising (A) a liquid siloxane
component and (B) a finely divided filler having its surface rendered hydrophobic,
characterised in that the liquid siloxane component (A) has a viscosity at 25°C of at least 7 x
10-3 m2/s and is obtained by mixing (1) 100 parts by weight of a polydiorganosiloxane
having triorganosiloxy end groups; (2) from 10 to 125 parts by weight of a
polydiorganosiloxane having at least one terminal silanol group and at least 40 Si atoms,
and (3) from 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane resin comprising R"3SiO1/2
units and SiO2 units in a ratio of from 0.5:1 to 1.2:1 and in which R" denotes a monovalent
hydrocarbon group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said resin having on average at
least one silicon-bonded hydroxyl group per molecule and thereafter heating the mixture.
[0004] EP 0 270 273 describes reacting a mixture of components including a
polyorganosiloxane fluid with at least one hydroxyl and/or hydrocarbonoxy group, a resinous
siloxane or a silicone resin-producing silicon compound, a finely divided filler material and a
catalyst to promote the reaction of the components. EP0047630 A describes a composite
anti-foaming agent formed by mixing and reacting an organopolysiloxane oil and/or a
hydrocarbon oil; an organohydrogenpolysiloxane; a finely divided silica; and optionally a
catalyst for the reaction of silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms with silicon-bonded hydroxyl
radicals. EP 0 254 499 B describes a silicone defoamer composition obtained from different
polyorganosiloxane components which are first mixed and reacted with heating. A filler is
added before or after the condensation reaction. US 4 741 861 describes a silicone-based
antifoam composition comprising 3 kinds of diorganopolysiloxanes including one terminated
at both molecular chain ends with a vinyl diorganosilyl group and one terminated at both at
both molecular chain ends with a diorganosilyl group having a silicon-bonded hydrogen
atom, a finely divided silica powder an a platinum compound as catalyst. The increase in
molecular weight of the diorganopolysiloxane, which is chosen with relatively low viscosity

and may be emulsified in an aqueous medium, is suggested to take place after
emulsification by the addition reaction. EP 0 516 109 B1 describes silicone defoamer
compositions prepared by heating a mixture of components which include a trimethylsiloxy-
terminated dimethylpolysiloxane, a vinyldimethylsiloxy-terminated dimethylpolysiloxane, a
dimethylsiloxane-methylhydrogensiloxane copolymer, a trimethylsiloxysilicate,
microparticulate silica, and platinum catalyst.
[0005] There is constantly a need to provide further improved foam control agents for
aqueous media, such as the paper making and pulp industry, textile dyeing applications and
metal working applications, but in particular for the pulping process, such as the Kraft®
pulping process. A preferred process for making suitable foam control compositions
comprising a branched or cross-linked polyorganosiloxane material in which is dispersed a
finely divided filler, whose surface is hydrophobic, comprises the steps of
a) mixing (i) a finely divided filler, (ii) a polyorganosiloxane having on average at least
two reactive substituents, capable of addition reaction with component (iii) via
hydrosilylation and (iii) a polyorganosiloxane having at least three reactive
substituents, capable of addition reaction with component (ii) via hydrosilylation,
b) followed by causing hydrosilylation reaction of components (ii) and (iii) in the
presence of a transition metal catalyst.
[0006] It has now surprisingly been found that if the process for making a foam control
agent which comprises a branched, a lightly, a partially or a fully cross-linked silicone,
preferably polyorganosiloxane, includes both adding a finely divided filler prior to the
formation of the branched or cross-linked polyorganosiloxane and forming an at least
partially gelled structure or mixture of the branched or cross-linked polyorganosiloxane to
which shear forces are applied, improved foam control compositions can be obtained.
[0007] Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a process for
making a foam control composition comprising a branched or cross-linked
polyorganosiloxane material in which is dispersed a finely divided filler, whose surface is
hydrophobic, which comprises the steps of
A) mixing prior to step (B) (i) a finely divided filler, (ii) a polyorganosiloxane having at
least two reactive substituents, preferably on average two reactive substituents,
capable of addition reaction with component (iii) via hydrosilylation and (iii) a

polyorganosiloxane having at least three reactive substituents, capable of addition
reaction with component (ii) via hydrosilylation;
B) followed by causing hydrosilylation reaction of components (ii) and (iii) in the
presence of a transition metal catalyst
wherein the hydrosilylation reaction is conducted until the reaction mixture gels at least
partially, and shearing forces are applied to this at least partially gelled mixture.
[0008] The finely divided filler (i) to be used in step (A) of the process of the invention is a
finely divided particulate material. It may be any of the known inorganic fillers suitable for
formulating foam control compositions. Such fillers are described in many patent
applications and are commercially available. They include fumed TiO2, AI2O3,
aluminosilicates, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids,
polyethylene wax, reaction products of isocyanates with certain materials, e.g.
cyclohexylamine, alkyl amides, e.g. ethylene or methylene bis stearamide and SiO2 with a
surface area as measured by BET measurement of at least 50 m2/g. Preferred fillers are
silica fillers which can be made according to any of the standard manufacturing techniques
for example thermal decomposition of a silicon halide, a decomposition and precipitation of a
metal salt of silicic acid, e.g. sodium silicate and a gel formation method. It is preferred that
silica used in a process according to this invention is a precipitated silica or a gel formation
silica, most preferably precipitated silica. The average particle size of these fillers may
range from 0.1 to 20 µm but preferably is from 0.5 to 2.0 µm.
[0009] The surface of finely divided filler particles is hydrophobic in order to make the foam
control composition sufficiently effective in aqueous systems. Where they are not naturally
hydrophobic, the filler particles must be rendered hydrophobic, which may be done either
prior to or after dispersing the filler particles in step (A) of the process of the invention. This
can be effected by treatment of the filler particles with treating agents, e.g. fatty acids,
reactive silanes or siloxanes, for example stearic acid, dimethyldichlorosilane,
trimethylchlorosilane, hexamethyldisilazane, hydroxy-endblocked and methyl-endblocked
polydimethylsiloxanes and siloxane resins. Fillers which have already been treated with
such compounds are commercially available from many companies, for example Sipernat®
D10 from Degussa. The surface of the filler may alternatively be rendered hydrophobic in
situ, i.e. after the filler has been dispersed in the liquid siloxane component. This may be
effected by adding to the liquid siloxane component prior to, during or after the dispersion of
the filler e.g. during step (A) of the process of invention, the appropriate amount of a treating

agent, for example of the kind described above, and causing some reaction to take place, for
example by heating the mixture to a temperature above 40°C. The quantity of treating agent
to be employed will depend for example on the nature of the agent and the filler and will be
evident or ascertainable by those skilled in the art. Sufficient should be employed to endow
the filler with at least a discernible degree of hydrophobicity. Preferably, the surface of the
filler is rendered hydrophobic before dispersion in the reagent mixture.
[0010] It is important for the invention that the finely divided filler (i) is added prior to the
hydrosilylation reaction of step (B). Later addition does not provide all the benefits in quality
of the foam control compositions. The filler (i) is added to the foam control agents in an
amount of about 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 5% by weight.
[0011] When manufacturing products, such as foam control compositions according to the
invention, by chemical reaction from fluid or liquid reactants, one usually wants to obtain a
product or material of low to middle viscosity. If the viscosity of the reacting mixture
becomes too high (for example above 60 000 centistokes), the material is more difficult to
handle and/or to emulsify. If the material gels, it may stick to the manufacturing equipment,
resulting in a waste of reactants, loss of production time and production output as well as a
need for extra time and effort for the cleaning of equipment. This is supported, for example,
by EP 0 516 109 B where on pages 3 and 4 it teaches to limit the cross-linking density and
to use low viscosity reactants otherwise "gelation becomes a substantial risk". The applicant
surprisingly found that the reaction mixture can be allowed to gel at last partially and may be
recovered (for example liquefied or redispersed) by applying shear forces. Furthermore, the
compositions then obtained tend to present better antifoam properties than compositions
which have not been allowed to gel, independently of their final viscosity.
[0012] The reactive substituents of components (ii) and (iii) are silicon bonded hydrogen
atoms and silicon-bonded aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups where the
unsaturation is between terminal carbon atoms of said group It is not important whether the
silicon-bonded hydrogen groups or the unsaturated groups are on component (ii) or on
component (iii), provided one is predominantly, preferably solely, found on component (ii)
and the other is predominantly, preferably solely, found on component (iii).
[0013] Although component (ii) may comprise some branching or some pending siloxane
units on a predominantly linear backbone, it is most preferred that component (ii) is a linear

polyorganosiloxane material. It is particularly preferred that the reactive substituents are
located on the terminal silicon atoms of the polyorganosiloxane. Although it is fo be noted
that having such groups on different silicon atoms in the polymer chain, which chain could be
cyclic or linear, would be expected to work also, it is known that such materials are more
difficult to obtain and are usually more expensive to produce.
[0014] With regard to component (iii) it is not crucial whether this is a linear, branched,
resinous or cyclic polyorganosiloxane material. It is preferred that the reactive groups are
spaced in the polymer in such a way that they are substituted on different silicon atoms,
preferably sufficiently far apart to enable easy reaction with a number of polyorganosiloxane
materials of component (ii).
[0015] It is preferred that the silicon-bonded aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups
are alkenyl groups, preferably vinyl or allyl groups, most preferably vinyl groups, The
description which follows will use the option of component (ii) having the aliphatically
unsaturated hydrocarbon groups as substituents and component (iii) having the silicon
bonded hydrogen atoms, but it is to be understood that the reverse situation is equally
plausible and effective, and the description should be read as including the alternative option
with the details applicable accordingly.
[0016] The particularly preferred component (ii) which are useful in step (A) of the process
of the invention is a vinyl end-blocked polydiorganosiloxane having the general formula Vi-
[Si(R2)O]n-Si(R2)Vi, wherein R denotes a monovalent organic group and Vi denotes a vinyl
group. The organic group R is preferably a hydrocarbon group of up to 8 carbon atoms,
more preferably an alkyl group or an aryl group, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, hexyl or phenyl. It
is particularly preferred that at least 80% of all R groups are methyl groups, most preferably
100%. The value of n, which denotes an integer, is such that the viscosity of the vinyl end-
blocked polydiorganosiloxane is in the range of from 200 to 100,000 mPa.s, more preferably
2000 to 55,000 mPa.s at a temperature of 25°C.
[0017] In step (A) of a process according to the invention the component (iii), being a
polyorganosiloxane having silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, also sometimes referred to as
an polyorganohydrogensiloxane, may be cyclic, linear, branched or resinous, or may be a
mixture including two or more of such polyorganohydrogensiloxanes. The viscosity of
component (iii) is such that it is substantially lower than that of component (ii), preferably no

more than 1000 mPa.s at 25 °C. Suitable cyclic polyorganohydrogensiioxanes include those
of the formula (RR'SiO)x in which R is as defined above and R' is a group R or a hydrogen
atom, provided there are at least three silicon atoms which have a hydrogen atom
substituted thereon, and x is an integer with a value of from 3 to 10. Preferably R is an alkyl
or aryl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms preferably methyl, each R' is hydrogen and x
is an integer from 3 to 5. Suitable linear polyorganohydrogensiioxanes for use as
component (iii) include those of the general formula R'3SiO(RR'SiO)ySiR'3 where R and R'
are the same as defined above and y is from 2 to 300, preferably 2 to 40, more preferably 3
to 25, provided there are at least 3 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule Resinous
or branched polyorganohydrogensiloxane materials for use as component (iii) have a three
dimensional structure and may include monovalent (R'3SiO1/2) units, divalent (R'2SiO2/2)
units, trivalent (R'SiO3/2) units and/or tetravalent (SiO4/2) units, wherein R' has the same
meaning as identified above, provided there are at least 3 silicon-bonded hydrogen groups
per molecule. The preferred resinous polyorganohydrogensiloxane materials for use as
component (iii) have a molecular weight of no more than 15,000. It is particularly preferred
that component (iii) has from 3 to 10, most preferred 3 to 5 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms
per molecule, with each hydrogen atom being substituted on a different silicon atom
[0018] As indicated above, components (ii) and (iii) may be having Si-H and the preferred
Si-alkenyl functionality respectively, instead of the ones specifically described above. In
such case, component (ii) may be a polyorganohydrogensiloxane, preferably a
polydialkylsiloxane having terminal Si-H groups, for example a polydimethylsiloxane having
terminal dimethylhydrogensiloxane units and a viscosity at 25°C of from 200 to 100,000
preferably from 2000 to 55,000 mPa.s. Additionally, component (iii) could be for example a
resinous material having mono-functional units (R"3SiO1/2), difunctional units (R"2SiO2/2),
trifunctional units (R"2SiO3/2) and tetrafunctional units (SiO4/2) wherein R" denotes a group
R or a monovalent unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group. Some OH groups may also be
substituted onto some silicon atoms. A particularly preferred resinous material would be a
vinyl substituted siloxane resin having mainly monofunctional and tetrafunctional units, a
molecular weight of about 5,000 and an average of 3 to 5 vinyl units substituted on different
silicon atoms.
[0019] It is important that the ratio of components (ii) and (iii) are carefully selected so that
the hydrosilylation reaction is well conducted and controlled. By choosing the right level of
reactive groups of each type, the cross-linking or branching density can be controlled and

pre-determined. In addition, using excess of one functional group, preferably the
aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon group, the amount of unreacted groups in the final
branched or cross-linked polyorganosiloxane can be controlled. This is particularly important
where the presence of unreacted SiH groups is to be minimised for example for safety
reasons. Preferably the ratio of the number of SiH groups to aliphatically unsaturated Si-
bonded hydrocarbon groups is in the range of from 1/10 to 10/1, more preferably the ratio
will be from 1/3 to 3/1, most preferably 1/2 to 1/1.
[0020] During step (B), components (ii) and (iii) are caused to react by hydrosilylation
reaction in the presence of a transition metal catalyst. The transition metal catalyst for use in
step (B) of the process of the invention catalyses the hydrosilylation reaction and may be
selected from a variety of hydrosilylation catalysts known to promote the reaction of vinyl-
functional radicals with silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms. Suitable transition metal catalysts
include platinum and rhodium-containing compounds and complexes. Platinum catalysts
such as platinum acetylacetonate or chloroplatinic acid are representative of these
compounds and suitable for use. A preferred transition metal catalyst is a chloroplatinic acid
complex of divinyltetramethyldisiloxane diluted in dimethylvinylsiloxy endblocked
polydimethylsiloxane which may be prepared according to methods described by Willing in
U.S. patent No. 3,419,593. Most preferably this mixture contains about 0.6 weight percent
platinum.
[0021] It is possible to include the transition metal catalyst at the same time as
components (i) to (iii), but if this is done, it is preferred that a method is used of halting the
activity of the catalyst till the process is ready to proceed. Such options include the use of
an inhibitor, which is discussed below and the use of physical separation, such as
encapsulation, which is undone immediately prior to starting step (B) of the process
according to the invention. Alternatively, and more preferably, the transition metal catalyst is
added in immediately prior to starting step (B) of the process of the invention, which may be
done by any known means, and will require some efficient dispersion of the catalyst into the
mixture. It is particularly preferred to prepare the mixture of step (A) and bring it to the right
temperature to enable the hydrosilylation reaction to occur, at which stage the catalyst
either neat or in diluted form (for example in a small portion of component (ii) or (iii),
preferably the component having the aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon substituents or in
a small portion of a diluent or solvent as discussed below) is introduced and mixed to cause
good dispersion in the mixture. Reaction would then proceed immediately.

[0022] Hydrosilylation catalysts which are useful as transition metal catalysts for use in
step (B) of the process according to the invention are well known in the art and the
interested reader is referred to the following patents for detailed descriptions regarding their
preparation and use: Speier, U.S. Patent No. 2,823,218; Willing, U.S. Patent No. 3,419,359;
Kookootsedes, U.S. Patent No. 3,445,420; Polmanteer et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,697,473;
Nitzsche, U.S. Patent No. 3,814,731; Chandra, U.S. Patent No. 3,890,359 and Sandford,
U.S. Patent No. 4,123,604. Many of the catalysts known in the art require the reactants to
be heated in order for a reaction to occur. When such catalysts are employed this
requirement must be taken into consideration.
[0023] In its simplest terms, the hydrosilylation reaction for forming the branched or cross-
linked polyorganosiloxane using the preferred components (ii) and (iii), which is a three
dimensional polymer network, in step (B) of the process of the present invention can be
characterised as:

The reaction may be carried out in any convenient way but we prefer to blend the vinyl
endblocked polydiorganosiloxane, polyorganohydrogensiloxane, optionally a solvent or
diluent and bring that blended mixture up to the required reaction temperature, at which time
the transition metal catalyst is added to enable the reaction. The hydrosilylation reaction
may occur at ambient temperature, but is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 30
to 100°C, more preferably about 70°C.
[0024] Preferably, where component (ii) is the aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon group
containing polyorganosiloxane, e.g. the vinyl end-blocked polydiorganosiloxane, it is
included in the reactant solution in an amount of up to 98%, preferably 80 to 92% by weight
based on the weight of components (i), (ii) and (iii) combined in step (A). On the same
basis, the amount of finely divided filler (i) would be added in the range of 2 to 15% by
weight and the amount of component (iii) would be in the range of 0.1 to 5% by weight based
on the total weight of components (i), (ii) and (iii). The optimal amount will be determined to
some extent on the choice of the other ingredients, the amount of cross-linking which is
desired and the final viscosity of the foam control composition which is aimed at, and some
routine experimentation may be necessary to reach the optimum combination. It is therefore
particularly useful to select the amount of such components carefully. The presence of

optional ingredients may of course affect the absolute amounts and the relative amounts of
each of these ingredients used.
[0025] The concentrations of transition metal catalyst and optional inhibitor to be used in
the present invention may be determined by routine experimentation. Typically, the effective
amount of catalyst should be in a range so as to provide from 0.1 to 1000 parts per million
(ppm) of the actual metal (e.g. platinum) by weight based on the weight of components (ii)
and (iii) combined in the mixture used in step (B) of the process according to the present
invention. As an example, when the preferred catalyst mixture (i.e. the chloroplatinic acid
complex of divinyltetramethyldisiloxane containing about 0.6% by weight of platinum) and
inhibitor (i.e. bis(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)maleate) are employed, a ratio by weight of
inhibitor to catalyst mixture ranging from zero to about 0.6 provides a suitably wide range of
inhibition which is adequate under most practical conditions of manufacture.
[0026] The branched or cross-linked polyorganosiloxane prepared in step (B) of the
process according to the present invention has a three dimensional network and preferably
is such that the final foam control composition has a viscosity of from 20,000 to 100,000
mPa.s measured at 25°C, more preferably from 40,000 to 75,000 mPa.s. For purposes of
foam control compositions according to the present invention, the branched or cross-linked
polyorganosiloxane itself could have a viscosity of from 20,000 to several million mPa.s at
25°C. It is preferred that the cross-linking density of the resulting polyorganosiloxane is as
high as possible as that provides better performance in the foam control applications. In
order to handle these materials, the amount of solvent or diluent is to be selected such that
the final viscosity of the foam control composition is as desired.
[0027] In step (A) of the process according to the invention it is optional to include chain
extenders. There are materials similar to component (ii), and especially the preferred type of
component (ii), being a substantially linear polyorganosiloxane material where the active
group is present at the terminal silicon atoms of the siloxane. These materials will perform
the role of taking part in the hydrosilylation reaction, but with the effect of spacing out the
places where the final polyorganosiloxane is branched. It is therefore suggested that the
reactive group of the chain extender is the same as the reactive group of component (iii).
Examples of suitable chain extenders would be a,aj-divinyl polydimethylsiloxane, it
component (iii) is using the aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon reactive groups

[0028] In step (A) of the process according to the invention it is optional, but preferred that
a solvent or diluent is employed which is preferably a polydiorganosiloxane. Suitable
polydiorganosiloxane solvents or diluents are substantially linear or cyclic polymers,
although mixtures thereof can also be used, wherein the silicon-bonded substituents are
groups R, as defined above. Most preferably at least 80% of all silicon-bonded substituents
are alkyl groups, preferably methyl groups. Most preferred solvents or diluents include
trimethylsiloxy end-blocked polydimethylsiloxanes having a viscosity of from 500 to 12,500
mPa.s, more preferably 500 to 5000 mPa.s measured at 25°C The solvents or diluents are
mainly present to solubilise the branched or cross-linked polyorganosiloxane made in step
(B) of the process of the invention, which is particularly useful for the higher viscosity
branched or cross-linked polydiorganosiloxanes.
[0029] The amount of solvent or diluent which can be used may vary widely, and it is
preferred that larger amounts of solvent or diluent are used where the branched or cross
linked polyorganosiloxane has itself a higher viscosity. The amounts of solvent or diluent
used could be as high as 90% by weight based on the total formulation of the foam control
composition, but preferably from 50 to 80 % is used. It is most appropriate to determine the
amount and type, including viscosity, of solvent or diluent used by trial and error based on
the desired viscosity of the final foam control composition. The latter may vary widely, and is
often determined by the application in which it is to be used, but it is preferably in the range
from 20,000 to 100,000 mPa.s at 25°C, more preferably from 40,000 to 75,000 mPa.s.
[0030] When transition metal catalysts such as platinum catalysts are used in step (B) of
the process of the invention an inhibitor may be desirable in order to improve the shelf life of
the starting materials or to control the viscosity-time profile of the final foam control
compositions. These inhibitors are also known in the art and include ethylenically
unsaturated isocyanurates, such as trialkylisocyanurate, dialkylacetylenedicarboxylates,
alkyl maleates, di-allylmaleate, phosphine, phosphites, aminoalkyl silanes, sulphoxides,
acrylonitrile derivatives and acetylenic alcohols such as 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol and others.
Particular inhibitors preferably used are diethyl fumarate, bis(2-methoxy-1-
methylene)maleate, bis(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)maleate and 1-ethynyl-1-cyclohexanol. All
of these materials are well known in the art and are commercially available products The
amount of inhibitor which could be used in the foam control composition may vary from
0.001 to 2% by weight based on the total weight of the foam control composition, but more
preferably would be in the range of 0.005 to 0.5% by weight. Selection of appropriate

inhibitors will also depend on the end use of the foam control agent, as some of the named
inhibitors are not acceptable for food contact purposes.
[0031] Upon completion of step (B) of the process according to the invention, it may be
possible to use the foam control agent in any suitable form, including as a neat component
as obtained from step (B), in diluted form, in the form of a dispersion, in the form of an
emulsion or in the form of a granule. The neat foam control composition is often a relatively
viscous liquid. At least partial gelation of the reaction mixture will have occurred during step
(B). A gelled material is jelly-like, with a physical state intermediate between solid and liquid
state, usually flowable under pressure, but not freely flowing under atmospheric pressure.
Where the material is not sufficiently flowable, such as obtained after the at least partial
gelation, shearing forces are to be applied, for example through thorough stirring or by
passing the material through a homogenizer or other mixer to improve its flowability The
improvement in flowability can be achieved by dispersing, redispersing or liquefying the
material through application of the shearing forces. This may be done prior to use of the
neat material or prior to further manipulation to provide it in another suitable form, such as a
emulsion. A certain amount of flowability of the foam control compositions according to the
invention is important for the foam control compositions to work effectively in a liquid or liquid
containing environment.
[0032] For most applications, it is preferred that the foam control composition is emulsified,
as this helps with dosing and dispersion of the foam control composition in its final
application. Emulsions may be obtained by standard (mechanical) emulsification processes
in a subsequent step in the process according to the invention. Alternatively emulsification
may be obtained by forming an emulsion during step (A), followed by the cross-linking
reaction of step (B) being carried out in the emulsion particles. Such process is often
referred to as emulsion polymerisation process. Suitable surfactants for the emulsification of
foam control agents are well known and have been described in a number of publications.
In typical emulsions, the continuous phase is preferably water, but some alternative or
additional materials may be used, which are compatible with water, such as alcohols or
polyoalkylenes. Preferably the continuous phase is predominantly water and is present in
amounts from 30 to 95% by weight of the total weight of the emulsified foam control
composition. The components (i), (ii). and (iii) would normally provide from 5 to 50% by
weight of such an emulsion and the surfactants would represent from 1 to 20% by weight

[0033] Suitable surfactants may comprise a nonionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an
anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or a mixture of such surfactants. Preferably the
nonionic surfactants are used. They could be a silicon-atom-containing nonionic, emulsifier,
but for the emulsification mostly non-silicon containing nonionic emulsifier are used
Suitable nonionic surfactants include sorbitan fatty esters, ethoxylated sorbitan tatty esters,
glyceryl esters, fatty acid ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates R3-(OCH2CH2)aOH, particularly
fatty alcohol ethoxylates and organosiloxane polyoxyethylene copolymers. Fatty alcohol
ethoxylates typically contain the characteristic group -(OCH2CH2)aOH which is attached to
a monovalent fatty hydrocarbon residue R3 which contains about eight to about twenty
carbon atoms, such as lauryl (C12), cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18). While the value or "a"
may range from 1 to about 100, its value is typically in the range of about 2 to about 40,
preferably 2 to 24. It is sometimes helpful to use a combination of surfactants to aid the
emulsification.
[0034] Some examples of suitable nonionic surfactants are polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl
ether, polyoxyethylene (5) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (2)
cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene (10) cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether,
polyoxyethylene (2) stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (10) stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (20)
stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (21) stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (100) stearyl ether,
polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether, and polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether. These and other fatty
alcohol ethoxylates are commercially available under trademarks and tradenames such as
ALFONICO, BRIJ, GENAPOL (S), NEODOL, SURFONIC, TERGITOL and TRYCOL
Ethoxylated alkylphenols can also be used, such as ethoxylated octylphenol, sold under the
trademark TRITONS.
[0035] Cationic surfactants useful in the invention include compounds containing
quaternary ammonium hydrophilic moieties in the molecule which are positively charged,
such as quaternary ammonium salts represented by R44N+X_ where each R4 are
independently alkyl groups containing 1-30 carbon atoms, or alkyl groups derived from
tallow, coconut oil, or soy ; and X is halogen, i. e. chlorine or bromine. Most preferred are
dialkyldimethyl ammonium salts represented by R52N+ (CH3)2X-, where each R5 is an alkyl
group containing 12-30 carbon atoms, or alkyl groups derived from tallow, coconut oil, or soy
and X is as defined above. Monoalkyltrimethyl ammonium salts can also be employed, and
are represented by R5N+(CH3)3X- where R5 and X are as defined above.

[0036] Some representative quaternary ammonium salts are dodecyltrimethyl ammonium
bromide (DTAB), didodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide, dihexadecyldimethyl ammonium
chloride, dihexadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride,
dieicosyldimethyl ammonium chloride, didocosyldimethyl ammonium chloride,
dicoconutdimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride, and
ditallowdimethyl ammonium bromide. These and other quaternary ammonium salts are
commercially available under tradenames such as ADOGEN, ARQUAD, TOMAH and
VARIQUAT.
[0037] Among the various types of anionic surfactants which can be used are sulfonic
acids and their salt derivatives; alkali metal sulfosuccinates , sulfonate glyceryl esters of fatty
acids such as sulfonate monoglycerides of coconut oil acids; salts of sulfonate monovalent
alcohol esters such as sodium oleyl isothionate; amides of amino sulfonic acids such as the
sodium salt of oleyl methyl tauride; sulfonate products of fatty acid nitriles such as
palmitonitrile sulfonate ; sulfonate aromatic hydrocarbons such as sodium alphanaphthalene
monosulfonate ; condensation products of naphthalene sulfonic acids with formaldehyde ;
sodium octahydro anthracene sulfonate ; alkali metal alkyl sulfates such as sodium lauryl
(dodecyl) sulfate (SDS); ether sulfates having alkyl groups of eight or more carbon atoms;
and alkylaryl sulfonates having one or more alkyl groups of eight or more carbon atoms.
[0038] Some examples of commercial anionic surfactants useful in this invention include
triethanolamine linear alkyl sulfonate sold under the tradename BIO-SOFT N-300 by the
Stepan Company.Northfield, Illinois; sulfates sold under the tradename POLYSTEP by the
Stepan Company; and sodium n-hexadecyl diphenyloxide disulfonate sold under the
tradename DOWFAX 8390 by The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan.
[0039] Amphoteric surfactants can also be used which generally comprise surfactant
compositions such as alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, and amine oxides, specific
examples of which are known in the art.
[0040] Optional ingredients may also be included in the emulsions of foam control
compositions according to the invention. These are well known in the art and include for
example thickeners, preservatives, pH stabilisers etc. Suitable examples of thickeners
include sodium alginate, gum arabic, polyoxyethylene, guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum,

ethoxylated alcohols, such as laureth-4 or polyethylene glycol 400, cellulose derivatives
exemplified by methylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose,
polypropylhydroxyethylcellulose, starch, and starch derivatives exemplified by
hydroxyethylamylose and starch amylose, locust bean gum, electrolytes exemplified by
sodium chloride and ammonium chloride, and saccharides such as fructose and glucose,
and derivatives of saccharides such as PEG-120 methyl glucose diolate or mixtures of 2 or
more of these and acrylic polymer thickeners (e.g. those sold under the tradenames
PEMULEN and CARBOPOL). Suitable preservatives include the parabens, BHT, BHA and
other well known ingredients such as isothiazoline or mixtures of organic acids like benzoic
acid and sorbic acid.
[0041] Where emulsification is intended, it is preferred to introduce another optional
ingredient. This may be included with the ingredients in step (A) of the process according to
the invention or may be added immediately prior to the emulsification process. This optional
ingredient is a silicone resin having monofunctional (M) and tetrafunctional (Q) units and
optionally difunctional (D) and/or trifunctional (T) units. The silicone resin may be tor-
example an organosilicon compound with the average units of the general formula R6dSiX4-
d in which R6 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, X is a
hydrolyzable group and d has an average value of one or less. Alternatively it may be a
partially hydrolyzed condensate of the organosilicon compound described immediately
above. Examples are alkyl polysilicate wherein the alkyl group has one to five carbon
atoms, such as methyl polysilicate, ethyl polysilicate and propyl polysilicate.
[0042] Preferably it is a resin which only has M and Q units and is also known as MQ resin.
The preferred MQ resins are those consisting essentially of (CH3)3SiO1/2 units and SiO4/2
units wherein the ratio of (CH3)3SiO1/2 units to SiO4/2 units is from 0.4:1 to 1.2:1 or a
condensate of said MQ resin with the organosilicon compound described above. These
silicone resins have been known and described in a number of publications and are
commercially available. The preferred examples of a suitable MQ resin is a siloxane resin
copolymer consisting essentially of (CH3)3SiO1/2 units and SiO2 units in a molar ratio of
approximately 0.75:1.
[0043] The main benefit for the use of the silicone resin is that it has surprisingly been
found that the use of small amounts of such resin substantially facilitates the emulsification

of the foam control compositions according to this invention. Indeed addition of as little as
up to 0.5% of a silicone resin by weight, based on the weight of the foam control composition
will enable foam control agents with high viscosity or high molecular weight branched or
cross-linked polyorganosiloxanes to be readily emulsified by mechanical means, which
would otherwise be extremely difficult. Also it was found that the addition of such small
amounts of silicone resin provides emulsions with smaller particle size for identical
emulsification processes. This of course will lead to greater stability of the emulsion Larger
amounts than 0.5% may also be added, but do not provide any further benefit to the
emulsification step of the process according to the invention.
[0044] Alternative ways of providing the foam control compositions according to the
invention include dispersions thereof. For example US 6656975 describes a silicone
composition comprising a continuous phase of a polar organic liquid having dispersed
therein particles of a silicone active material (such as a silicone antifoam) encapsulated
within an organic encapsulating material which is solid at 25°C, is sparingly soluble in the
polar organic liquid at 25°C but is substantially dissolved in the polar organic liquid at an
elevated temperature in the range 40-100°C, wherein the three phase contact angle
between the organic encapsulating material, the silicone antifoam, and the polar organic
liquid, with the angle measured through the silicone, is below 130°. The disclosure includes
a foam control composition comprising a continuous phase of a polar organic liquid having
dispersed therein a polyorganosiloxane fluid combined with a surfactant of HLB below 8 and
a hydrophobic silicaceous material. Particular examples of suitable polar organic liquids
include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols and copolymers of
polyethers, such as materials sold under the tradenames of Pluriol® and Pluronic®
Polyorganosiloxane oxypolyalkylene copolymers may also be added to help render the
dispersions self-emulsifiable in aqueous media.
[0045] Yet another suitable approach to deliver the foam control compositions according
to the present invention is by providing them in particulate or granular form. Particulate foam
control compositions often contain a carrier material for the foam control agent to make the
foam control composition into a more substantial solid particulate material and facilitate its
handling. The particulate foam control compositions are used for example by post-blending
them as a powder with the rest of a powder detergent composition. Materials that have been
suggested as carrier materials for particulate silicone based foam control compositions
include water soluble, water insoluble and water dispersible materials. Examples oi

suggested carrier materials are sulphates, carbonates, such as for example soda ash,
phosphates, polyphosphates, silicas, silicates, clays, starches, cellulosic materials and
aluminosilicates. Often, the encapsulating or protective materials are used in combination
with the carrier material.
[0046] A foam control composition comprising an encapsulating or protective material is
known from EP636684, which comprises from 1 to 30 parts by weight of a silicone antifoam,
from 70 to 99 parts by weight of a zeolite carrier for the antifoam, from 1 to 60% by weight of
the silicone antifoam of a surface active agent which has been deposited on the zeolite
carrier not later than the silicone antifoam and from 1 to 40 parts by weight of a
polycarboxylate-type binder or encapsulant. In US patent 6165968, there is disclosed that
such polycarboxylate-type binder preferably has a pH of 3 or less when dissolved in water.
Processes for making foam control compositions in granular form are known from these and
other documents, include spray drying, agglomerated granulation processes and the like and
can be applied to the foam control compositions of this invention to provide the particulate or
granular material for use in many applications, such a powder detergent formulations
[0047] It has been found that the foam control compositions of the present invention offer
particular advantage when the foaming system comprises highly acid or highly basic
aqueous environments, such as those having a pH of less than about 3 or greater than
about 12. This holds particularly for highly acidic or basic systems at elevated temperatures
Thus, for example, under the extremely harsh conditions encountered in paper pulp
manufacture, wherein the aqueous foaming medium (Kraft® process "black liquor") has a pH
of 12 to 14 and a temperature of 50°C to 100°C, the foam control compositions of the
present invention have been found to provide defoaming activity for considerably greater
time periods than antifoam agents of the prior art. They also tend to provide a good
antifoaming effect in that they knock down existing foam effectively.
[0048] The foam control compositions of the present invention can be used as any kind of
foam control compositions, i.e. as defoaming agents and/or antifoaming agents. Defoaming
agents are generally considered as foam reducers whereas antifoaming agents are
generally considered as foam preventors. The foam control compositions of the present
invention find utility in various media such as inks, coatings, paints, detergents, including
textile washing, laundry and auto dish washing, black liquor, and pulp and paper
manufacture, waste water treatment, textile dyeing processes, the scrubbing of natural gas.

[0049] In the following examples foam control agents have been prepared to exemplify the
invention. They are to be seen as representative, but not restrictive of the invention AH
parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise defined and all viscosities are
5 dynamic viscosities, measured at 25°C, unless otherwise indicated.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
[0050] In a beaker were mixed 20 parts of a mixture of 52% vinyl functional resinous
polyorganosiloxane having a molecular weight of about 13,000 in a mixture of trimethyl
siloxy and vinyldimethyl siloxy end-groups and 48% vinyldimethyl end-blocked polydimethyl
siloxane with an average degree of polymerisation (DP) of 14, 580 parts of a
dimethylhydrogen end-blocked polydimethyl siioxane with a viscosity of 13,000 mPa.s with
125 parts of Sipermal D10 from Degussa and as a diluent there was added 2366 parts of
trimethyl end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of 1000 mPa.s and 31 parts
of a resinous polyorganosiloxane having a molecular weight of about 13,000 and having
trimethyl siloxy end-groups. The ratio of Si-vinyl groups to Si-hydrogen atoms was 0 65.
The components were mixed in a Hauschild® Dental mixer for 100 seconds. After the
mixture was found to be well dispersed at ambient temperature, at which time 3 parts by
weight of a catalyst which was a chloroplatinic acid complex of divinyltetramethyldisiloxane
diluted in 70% by weight of dimethylvinylsiloxy endblocked polydimethylsiloxane which may
be prepared according to methods described by Willing in U.S. patent No. 3,419,593 were
added and mixed in. The mixture was allowed to react over a period of 24 hours at room
temperature, at which time 10 parts of diallyl maleate were added by admixture and
homogenisation. After reaction, a homogeneous, viscous liquid was obtained which was
used as such. The final viscosity of the foam control composition was 44,600 mPa.s at
25°C
EXAMPLE 2
[0051] A foam control composition was prepared along the tines of Example 1, except that
instead of 580 parts of the dimethylhydrogen end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane with a
viscosity of 13,000 mPa.s, only 434 parts were used, instead of the 20 parts of the mixture of
52% vinyl functional resinous polyorganosiloxane having a molecular weight of about 13,000
and a mixture or trimethyl siloxy and vinyldimethyl siloxy end-groups and 48% vinyldimethyl

end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane with an average DP of 14, only 0.16 parts were used, and
instead of the 2366 parts of the trimethyl end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a
viscosity of 1000 mPa.s, 2516 parts were used. After reaction, a gelled-up mixture was
obtained which stuck to the manufacturing equipment and could not be handled or
emulsified as such. It was then mixed with shear and the gel turned into a viscous liquid.
The ratio of silicon-bonded vinyl groups to silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms was 0 7 and the
final viscosity was 35000 mPa.s.
EXAMPLE 3
[0052] The foam control compositions of Comparative Example 1 and Example 2 were
then emulsified, using the following process.
105 parts of the foam control compositions of Comparative Example 1 and Example 2 were
each placed in a separate receptacle, which was heated to 70°C. A mixture of 9 3 parts of
Volpo S2 and 9.3 parts of Brij 78 surfactants was preheated to 60°C and mixed in with the
compositions. 45 parts of a mixture of 0.76 parts of Keltrol RD, 2.32 parts of Natrosol
250LR, 0.16 parts of sorbic acid, 0.32 parts of benzoic acid, 0.77 parts of a 10% solution of
sulphuric acid and 95.66 parts of water were added and after thorough mixing, another 112
parts of the mixture were added and mixed in. Then 219.5 parts of water were added also,
resulting in an emulsion of the foam control compositions of Comparative Example 1 and
Example 2.
EXAMPLE 4
[0053] The emulsified foam control compositions of Example 3 were tested in a foam cell
using on softwood liquor. To this effect 600 ml of softwood is preheated at 90°C and
introduced in a graduated and thermostatically controlled glass cylinder having an inner
diameter of 5 cm This foamable liquid was circulated through a circulation pipe at a
temperature adjusted to 89°C. The circulation flow rate is controlled using a MDR Johnson
pump set up at a frequency of 50 Hz. When the foam height of 30 cm is reached, 150 µl of
emulsion of the tested foam control composition is injected in the liquid jet. The evolution of
the foam height was monitored and recorded. The foam height was measured in cm over a
sufficient period to allow the foam control composition to have exhausted its capacity, which
is when the foam height of 29cm has been reached again in the foam cell, and the time at
which this occurred was measured as it indicates the longevity of the foam control

composition. The first time overflow is mentioned below, the time (in seconds) when first
overflow occurred is given in the table.
[0054] The results were as shown in Table 1:

[0055] As can be seen on table above, the composition of Example 2, showed an
improved persistency as compared to composition of Comparative Example 1, showing that
a more highly cross-linked polyorganosiloxane material (resulting from a greater Si-vinyl/Si-H
ratio) does improve foam controlling ability.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5
[0056] A foam control composition (Comparative Example 5a) was prepared by mixing
1820 parts of a trimethyl siloxane end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of
1000 mPa.s, 834 parts of a dimethylvinylsiloxane end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having

a viscosity of 9000 mPa.s, 140 parts of a 31 % mixture of resinous polyorganoslloxane
having a molecular weight of about 13,000 and trimethyl siloxy end-groups and 69% of a
trimethyl end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of 1000 mPa.s, 7 5 parts of a
trimethylsiloxane end-blocked copolymer of dimethylsiloxane units and
methylhydrogensiloxane units, having a viscosity of about 7 mPa.s and 0.3% of SiH groups
and 3.5 parts of the catalyst used in Example 1 was mixed in and the mixture left to react
under agitation at a temperature of 40°C for 2.5 hours. The resulting gelled mixture was
homogenised under shear forces before 1.1 parts of diallyl maleate and 12 parts of Sipernat
D10 silica were dispersed into the compound. The resulting Comparative Example 5 had a
viscosity of 80,600 mPa.s.
[0057] A similar foam control composition (Comparative Example 5b) was carried out using
a different silica filler (Sipernat D17, which has a larger average particle size, a larger
specific surface area, and is made hydrophobic via a different treatment). The viscosity of
the final material was 50,800mPa.s.
EXAMPLE 6
[0058] A foam control composition (6a) was prepared by mixing 193.9 parts of a trimethyl
siloxane end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of 1000 mPa.s, 88.8 parts of a
dimethylvinylsiloxane end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of 9000 mPa.s,
15.2 parts of a 31% mixture of resinous polyorganosiloxane having a molecular weight of
about 13,000 and trimethyl siloxy end-groups and 69% of a trimethyl end-blocked
polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of 1000 mPa.s, 0.8 parts of a trimethylsiloxane end-
blocked copolymer of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydrogensiloxane units, having a
viscosity of about 7 mPa.s and 0.3% of SiH groups and 0.34 parts of the catalyst used in
Example 1 and 1.24 parts of Sipernat D10 was mixed in and the mixture left to react under
agitation at a temperature of 40°C for 2.5 hours. The resulting gelled mixture was
homogenised under shear forces before 0.11 parts of diallyl maleate were dispersed into the
compound. The resulting Example 6a had a viscosity of 59,600 mPa.s.
[0059] A similar foam control composition (Example 6b) was carried out using a different
silica filler (Sipernat D17, which has a larger average particle size, a larger specific surface
area, and is made hydrophobic via a different treatment). The viscosity of the final material
was 49,200mPa.s.

EXAMPLE 7
[0060] The foam control compositions of Examples 5 and 6 were tested in the foam ceil in
softwood black liquor, as detailed in Example 4 above. The results are provided in Table 2
below. Again the first time overflow occurred is given in seconds after the firs mention of
overflow in the table below.
[0061] Table 2: foam height in function of time

[0062] It is observed that the foam control composition which is according to the invention
has an excellent persistency while all the other shows only a moderate persistency (time for
the foam level to reach the maximum). Adding silica after reaction gives lower persistency
compositions.
EXAMPLE 8
[0063] Foam control compositions were prepared using the ingredients of Example 6
except that the mixture of 31% resinous polyorganosiloxane and 69% of a trimethyl end-

blocked polydimethyl siloxane was omitted and that the trimethylsiloxane end-blocked
copolymer of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydrogensiloxane units, having a viscosity of
about 7 mPa.s was replaced in Example 8a by a trimethylsiloxane end-blocked copolymer of
dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydrogensiloxane units, having a DP of 100 and having
6% of the silicon atoms bearing a hydrogen substituent, in Example 8b with a resinous
material having silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, in Example 8c with a trimethylsiloxane end
blocked copolymer of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydrogensiloxane units, having a DP
of 33 of which six silicon atoms had a hydrogen substituent and in Example 8d with another
SiH containing silicon resin and that the hydrosilylation reaction was carried out at 60°C for 3
hours and that the Si-vinyl over SiH ratio was 2.1/1 in the cases of Examples 8a, 8c and 8d.
In Example 8b, the reaction was carried out at 37°C for 2.5 hours and the SiVi/SiH ratio was
1.3/1. After application of shear, viscosities of the resulting foam control compositions were
respectively 52,400, 41,600, 48,600 and 56,000mPa.s. In all cases did the foam control
composition provide excellent ability to control the foam in the black liquor experiment
described in Example 4.
EXAMPLE 9
[0064] Foam control compositions were prepared according to Example 6, using 12.5 parts
of the Sipernat D10, 150 parts of the dimethylvinylsiloxane end-blocked polydimethyl
siloxane having a viscosity of 9000 mPa.s, with 0.8 parts of trimethylsiloxane end-blocked
copolymer of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydrogensiloxane units, having a viscosity of
about 7 mPa.s, with 148.9 parts of the combination of the resinous polyorganosiloxane
having a molecular weight of about 13,000 and trimethyl siloxy end-groups and trimethyl
end-blocked polydimethyl siloxane having a viscosity of 1000 mPa.s, but with the amount of
resin varying from 2% for Example 9a, over 1% for Example 9b, 0.5% for Example 9c, 0.1%
for Example 9d and 0% for comparative Example 9e based on the total weight of the foam
control composition, and using a reaction temperature of 60°C for 3 hours. All compositions
were then emulsified in accordance with the detailed process as shown in Example 3,
immediately following the hydrosilylation reaction.

[0065] The results are summarised in the Table below.

[0066] It shows that the compound without resin was very difficult to emulsify and gave a
very inhomogeneous emulsion. It could also be seen that addition of 0.1 % resin improved
the emulsification but still gave some inhomogeneity, while the presence of 0.5% resin
produced a perfect emulsion. Higher amounts of resin did not give a visible further
improvement upon emulsification. In addition it was found that the presence of the resin
improved the consistency of particle size of the emulsion particles, and even managed to
reduce the particle size and hence improve the stability and homogeneity of the emulsion.
[0067] Details are provided in the Table below

[0068] These results confirm that resin addition greatly enhances or restores the
emulsification of foam control compositions according to the invention. Only very small
addition levels are necessary.

CLAIMS
1 A process for making a foam control composition comprising a branched or cross-
linked polyorganosiloxane material in which is dispersed a finely divided tiller,
whose surface is hydrophobic, which comprises the steps of
A) mixing, before step (B) (i) a finely divided filler, (ii) a polyorganosiloxane
having at least two reactive substituents, preferably on average two reactive
substituents, capable of addition reaction with component (iii) via
hydrosilylation and (iii) a polyorganosiloxane having at least three reactive
substituents, capable of addition reaction with component (ii) via
hydrosilylation;
B) followed by causing hydrosilylation reaction of components (ii) and (iii) in the
presence of a transition metal catalyst
wherein the hydrosilylation reaction is conducted until the reaction mixture at least
partially gels, and shearing forces are applied to this at least partially gelled mixture.
2. A process according to Claim 1, wherein the finely divided filler (i) is a silica with a
surface area as measured by BET of at least 50m2/g, selected from precipitated
silica and gel formation silica with a particle size of from 0.5 to 2pm
3. A process according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein component (i) is added in an amount
of from 2 to 15% by weight, component (ii) in an amount of from 80 to 92% by
weight and component (iii) in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the
total weight of components (i), (ii) and (iii) and the amount of transition metal
catalyst is in the range of providing 0.1 to 1000 parts per million of the metal by
weight based on the combined weight of components (ii) and (iii).
4. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein component (ii) and
component (iii) have reactive substituents selected from silicon bonded hydrogen
atoms and silicon-bonded aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, where the
unsaturation is between the terminal carbon atoms of said group.
5 A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein component (ii) is a
linear polyorganosiloxane material with the reactive groups situated on the terminal
silicon atoms thereof.

6. A process according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the aliphatically unsaturated
hydrocarbon is a vinyl or allyl group.
7. A process according to any of the preceding claims wherein component (iii) is
selected from cyclic, linear, branched or resinous polyorganosiloxanes or a mixture
including two or more of such polyorganosiloxanes, whereof the viscosity is
substantially lower than that of component (ii).
8. A process according to Claim 7, wherein the resinous polyorganosiloxane material
tor use as component (iii) has a molecular weight of no more than 15,000, has from
3 to 10 silicon-bonded reactive groups per molecule, with each being substituted on
a different silicon atom.
9 A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of reactive
groups in components (ii) and (iii) is such that on average from 3/1 to 1/3 SiH
groups are used for every silicon bonded aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon
group.
10. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the final foam control
composition has a viscosity of from 20,000 to 100,000 mPa.s measured at 25oC
11 A process according to any of the preceding claims, which also comprises in step
(A) from 50 to 80% by weight of a polydiorganosiloxane as a solvent or diluent
having a viscosity from 500 to 12,500 mPa.s at 25°C, based on the total weight of
the foam control composition.
12. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foam control
composition has a viscosity in the range from 40,000 to 75,000 mPa.s at 25°C.
13. A process according to any of the preceding claims wherein after step (B), the foam
control composition is emulsified as an oil-in-water emulsion.

14. A process according to claim 13, wherein a silicone resin having monofunclional
and tetrafunctional units, is added in amounts of up to 5% by weight of the total
weight of the foam control composition.
15. A process for controlling foam in an aqueous environment by using a foam control
composition according to any of the preceding claims, said aqueous environment
being selected from inks, coatings, paints, detergents, black liquor of from those
encountered during pulp and paper manufacture, waste water treatment, textile
dyeing processes or the scrubbing of natural gas.
16. A process according to Claim 15, where the aqueous environment has a pH of less
than 3 or more than 12.
17. A process according to any of the preceding claims wherein the shearing forces are
applied to the foam control composition comprising the at least partially gelled
reaction mixture through a step selected from thorough stirring the mixture, passing
the mixture through a homogenizer and passing the mixture through a mixer to
improve its flowability.
18. A process according to Claim 17, wherein the flowability of the at least partially
gelled reaction mixture resulting from step (B) is improved by dispersing,
redispersing or liquefying the mixture through application of the shearing forces.
19. A process according to Claims 1, 17 or 18, wherein the application of the shearing
forces is applied prior to use of the foam control composition as a neat material or
prior to further manipulation of the mixture resulting from step (B) to provide it in an
emulsion form.

A process for making a foam control composition comprising a cross-linked polyorganosiloxane in which is dispersed
a filler, with hydrophobic surface, comprising step (A) mixing (i) a finely divided filler, (ii) a polyorganosiloxane having on
at least two reactive substituents, for example on average two reactive substituents, and (iii) a polyorganosiloxane having at least
three reactive substituents, capable of addition reaction via hydrosilylation; (B) hydrosilylation reaction of components (ii) and (iii)
until the mixture at least partially gels, followed by applying shearing forces to this at least partially gelled mixture. Optionally step
(A) comprises a diluent or solvent and after step (B) an emulsification step is carried out to make the foam control composition into
an O/W emulsion. Also a process for controlling foam in an aqueous environment by using a foam control composition according
to the invention, selected from inks, coatings, paints, detergents, black liquor of from those encountered during pulp and paper manufacture,
waste water treatment, textile dyeing processes or the scrubbing of natural gas.

Documents:

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-ABSTRACT.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-CLAIMS.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-FORM-1.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-FORM-2.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-FORM-3.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-PA.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137-1.1.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(11-09-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-ABSTRACT.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-(17-02-2014)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-abstract.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-claims.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-correspondence.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-description (complete).pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-form 1.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-FORM 18.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-form 3.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-form 5.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-gpa.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-international publication.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-international search report.pdf

4556-KOLNP-2008-PCT PRIORITY DOCUMENT NOTIFICATION.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-pct request form.pdf

4556-kolnp-2008-specification.pdf


Patent Number 260903
Indian Patent Application Number 4556/KOLNP/2008
PG Journal Number 22/2014
Publication Date 30-May-2014
Grant Date 28-May-2014
Date of Filing 10-Nov-2008
Name of Patentee DOW CORNING CORPORATION
Applicant Address MIDLAND, MICHIGAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 NAVET, EMILIE RUE DE BOSQUET, B-1495 VILLERS LAVILLE
2 HILBERER, ALAIN 71 RUE ARMAND BEUGNIES, F-59245 RECQUIGNE
3 VERMEIRE, LAURENT TRIEU LA BERGEOLE 17B/BTE8, B-7070 LE ROEULX
PCT International Classification Number B01D 19/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2007/054799
PCT International Filing date 2007-05-17
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 0610622.3 2006-05-31 U.K.