Defoamers for wastewater treatment: a success story in the paper industry
Excessive foaming is a common challenge in many industrial wastewater treatment plants. In addition to making operation difficult and having a negative visual impact, this phenomenon reduces the efficiency of biological processes and can lead to additional maintenance costs.
In response to this problem, Adintus has developed the range TU-FOAMrange, a line of sustainable defoamers for wastewater treatment designed to effectively control foam without compromising the efficiency of biological systems.
In this article we share a success story in the paper industry, where the TU-FOAM PAPYRUS product demonstrated outstanding results.
The challenge: excess biological foam in MBBR reactor
A paper mill with a 700 m³ MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) type biological reactor had a recurring problem: the accumulation of persistent biological foam on the surface.
This type of incidence, which is common in the industry, negatively affects treatment performance and generates operational complications. In severe cases, the visual impact exposes companies to environmental sanctions.
The objective of the trial was to test the effectiveness of the defoamer TU-FOAM PAPYRUS in solving the problem in a rapid and sustainable manner.
Methodology: impact test on foams with watering can
The test was carried out using Adintus’ own technique: the “impact test on foams with a watering can”.
This procedure consists of diluting a small amount of defoamer in water and applying the mixture directly on the affected surface with a watering can, generating a “shower” effect.
In this way, the homogeneous diffusion of the product is favored compared to other application methods.
In this particular case:
0.4 L of TU-FOAM PAPYRUS diluted in 2.5 L of water were applied.
The product controlled a 120 m² foam front in only 5 minutes.
Results: efficiency and sustainability
The trial confirmed the efficacy of TU-FOAM PAPYRUS as a defoamer for wastewater in the paper industry:
✅ Fast and effective foam removal.
✅ Dosage optimization → lower additive consumption.
✅ Improvement of biological treatment efficiency.
✅ Contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible operation.
Conclusions
This case demonstrates the importance of selecting specific defoamers for wastewater treatment, adapted to the conditions of each industrial sector.
In the paper industry, TU-FOAM PAPYRUS is presented as an effective, fast and sustainable solution, capable of solving one of the most common problems in this type of plant.
👉 Do you want to know how to apply defoamers for wastewater treatment in your plant?
At Adintus we perform customized tests to offer the most appropriate solution for each process.
📩 Contact us and find out how to improve the operating efficiency of your wastewater treatment plant.
