Technical Information

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The Dow Chemical Company has been at the forefront of gas treating technology for the
past 60 years, attaining a leading position in amines, UCARSOL solvents, and
specialized technologies, such as SELEXOL solvents and the UCARSEP amine
reclamation system. The development of new products, technologies, and services are part
of ongoing programs to provide for the current and future needs of the gas treating
industry.
One of the problems Dow has addressed is the foaming occasionally experienced in gas
treating systems. These problems are usually the result of contaminants entering or
forming in the system. Improper operating conditions can also cause foaming. The best
cure is to find the cause and eliminate it. However, antifoams can be an effective interim,
or even long-term, cure if elimination of the cause is not possible.
Although antifoams have a wide range of applications in industry, many formulations are
not suitable for gas treating uses, and can actually aggravate the situation. Based on
extensive experience in commercial applications, Dow has developed a series of highperformance antifoams specifically designed for gas treating uses. UCARSOL GT 10
antifoam, one of the specialized products in this series, provides foam control in amine
treating and glycol dehydration systems as well as in physical solvent applications.
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UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam offers these important advantages:

Provides foam control across a wider spectrum of contaminants
Greater durability of foam resistance
Improved foam control at low concentration
Excellent mass transfer while controlling foam
Ease of use
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UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam is particularly useful in controlling foam conditions caused by

contamination from liquid hydrocarbons, particulates, or surfactants in general. Both
refinery and natural gas processing facilities often encounter these types of contamination
and should consider the use of UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam in physical solvent
applications and in amine treating and glycol dehydration systems.
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A versatile foam control agent, UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam provides these important

advantages:
Excellent antifoam durability
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Effective for a broad spectrum of contaminants

Reduced addition levels for control of severe foaming situations
Improved product quality and stability for superior foam control
Quick foam knockdown and rapid restoration of system performance
Ease of use; easy to disperse with good dilute stability
Improved overall performance of the system in terms of gas liquid separation and
reduced solvent loss
Requires only low concentrations for effective foam control (generally 2-20 ppm)
To illustrate how the performance of UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam compares with other
antifoam products, a comparison test was performed using MDEA solvent under
controlled conditions (see Table 1 and Figures 1-4). The MDEA was placed in a 50/50
solution with water and solvent was then added. The solution was placed in a graduated
cylinder equipped with a glass frit sparge tube at a 1085 ml/ml gas rate for 5 minutes.
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Antifoam
None
Competitive silicone
Competitive polyol
UCARSOL GT 10

Rating
Severe
Moderate
Moderate
Slight

Foam Volume (ml)

195
70
67
20

Break Time1 (sec)

134
15
16
<5

1. Time to open eye of fluid on sample surface after stopping gas flow.

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For answers to technical or support questions, contact your nearest Dow representative at
the numbers listed on the back of this brochure.
On-site plant assistance and quick responses are service benefits that come with the use of
UCARSOL GT-Series antifoams. An Engineering Consultant will provide technical
assistance as to the use level and application procedure.
Dows research and development laboratory facility has up-to-date equipment to provide
analytical and foam control troubleshooting capabilities for difficult-to-control systems.
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UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam performance is dictated by the activity of the foamant and

system losses.
UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam can be added to the aqueous system before foaming occurs.
In the event of a foaming situation, UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam can be used at moderate
levels as a defoamer to quickly regain system control. It can be injected continuously or
batch-added. If a full-flow carbon filter is present, continuous addition is recommended.
For slip stream or no carbon filtration, use either batch or continuous addition.
Generally, concentrations of 2 to 20 ppm UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam are adequate to
control foam in gas treating units. Typical concentrations are shown in Table 2 below.
However, we recommend that you contact Dow for specific recommendations or addition
amounts. With any foaming problem, an attempt should be made to identify and eliminate
the source of the foaming problem. Dow can provide assistance in identifying the cause.
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Parts per Million

UCARSOL GT 10 Antifoam (as received)
= 100
= 50
= 10
=5

Concentration
4 pints in 5,000 gallons
4 pints in 10,000 gallons
13 ounces in 10,000 gallons
2 pints in 50,000 gallons
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Specific Gravity at 20/20C

Weight per Gallon at 25C, lb
Flash Point, Pensky-Martens Closed Cup (ASTM D93), C
(F)
1.

1.00
8.3769
>101 (>214)

The physical property data listed are considered to be typical properties, not specifications.

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UCARSOL GT 10 antifoam is stable in storage and has a shelf life of 18 months. It has a
minimum storage temperature of 10C (50F) and a maximum storage temperature of
50C (122F). To ensure that product quality is maintained, the containers should be kept
tightly sealed. Based on the toxicological, physical, and chemical properties of the
product, only normal precautions common to good manufacturing practice need be
followed in handling and storage.
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Average Weight per Gallon at 25C, lb

Vapor Pressure at 20C, mm Hg
Flash Point, Pensky-Martens Closed Cup (ASTM D93), C (F)
Type of Containers and Net Contents, lb
5-gallon tight-head DOT 34, two-piece HDPE pail,
straight sides
55-gallon tight-head, DOT 17E steel drum, 22 1/2inch diameter
DOT Shipping Name
DOT Hazard Classification
DOT Identification No.
DOT Warning Label Required

8.3769
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>101 (>214)
44
440
None
None
None
None

1. Determined on typical commercial material. Containers and net contents subject to change

without notice.

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When considering the use of any Dow products in a particular application, you should
review Dows latest Material Safety Data Sheets and ensure that the use you intend can be
accomplished safely. For Material Safety Data Sheets and other product safety
information, contact Dow at the numbers listed below. Before handling any other
products mentioned in the text, you should obtain available product safety information and
take necessary steps to ensure safety of use.
No chemical should be used as or in a food, drug, medical device or cosmetic,
or in a product or process in which it may contact a food, drug, medical device or
cosmetic until the user has determined the suitability and legality of the use. Since
government regulations and use conditions are subject to change, it is the users
responsibility to determine that this information is appropriate and suitable under current,
applicable laws and regulations.
Dow requests that the customer read, understand, and comply with the information
contained in this publication and the current Material Safety Data Sheet(s).
The customer should furnish the information in this publication to its employees,
contractors and customers, or any other users of the product(s), and request that they
do the same.

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In the United States: call toll-free 1-800-447-4369 or 1-800-UCARSOL ID[

In Canada: call toll-free 1-800-447-4369 FDOO ID[
In Northern Europe and Scandinavia: call +32 89 51 1022 ID[
In Southern and Eastern Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa, India and Pakistan:
call +49 7227 91 3814 ID[
In the Pacific (except China): call toll-free +800 7776-7776 ID[WROOIUHH
In China: call toll-free +10 800 600-0015 ID[WROOIUHH
In Singapore: call (65) 6830-4651 ID[
In Japan: call +81-3-5460-2193 ID[
In South and Latin America: call 55 11 5188 9555 ID[
In Mexico: call 01 52 55 5201 4700 ID[
In Other Global Areas: call 1-989-832-1560 ID[86$
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NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Seller or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and
may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for Customers use and for ensuring
that Customers workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other governmental enactments. Seller assumes no obligation or liability for
the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.
Published July 2004.

*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

Form No. 170-01399-0704