DEFOAMING COMPOSITIONS FOR DETERGENTS

Abstract

Described are novel defoamer powders containing (A) 100 parts by weight of a defoamer formulation containing (Aa) a polysiloxane containing units of formula (I): R1R2SiO2/2, in which R1 is a monovalent, optionally branched, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 is a monovalent, optionally branched, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, (Ab) a filler, (Ac) an organopolysiloxane resin composed of units of the general formula (II): R3a(R4O)bSiO(4-a-b)/2, in which R3 is a monovalent, optionally substituted, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R4 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and b is 0, 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that the sum total of a+b is 3 and, in less than 50% of all units of formula (II), the sum total of a+b=2, optionally a further organopolysiloxane (Ad), optionally water-insoluble organic compound (Ae) and optionally catalyst (Af), (B) 10 to 45 parts by weight of a waxy additive containing a monoester (B) of glycerol and a fatty acid that is free of a polysiloxane-containing additive and that contains less than 5% by weight of a triester (B) of glycerol and a fatty acid, (C) 10 to 50 parts by weight of a polycarboxylate binder that has a pH of 3 or less when it is dissolved in water, (D) 120 to 5000 parts by weight of at least one pulverulent carrier material, with the proviso that the carrier material contains less than 50% by weight of alkaline carrier material.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. Defoamer powders, comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of a defoamer formulation comprising (Aa) a polysiloxane containing units of formula (I) ##STR00012## wherein R.sup.1 may be identical or different and is a monovalent, optionally branched, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and wherein R.sup.2 may be identical or different and is a monovalent, optionally branched, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, (Ab) a filler, (Ac) an organopolysiloxane resin composed of units of the general formula ##STR00013## wherein R.sup.3 may be identical or different and is a monovalent, optionally substituted, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein R.sup.4 may be identical or different and is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein a is 0, 1, 2 or 3, wherein b is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein the sum total of a+b is 3 and in less than 50% of all units of formula (II) in the organopolysiloxane resin the sum total of a+b=2, (Ad) optionally a further organopolysiloxane consisting of units of formula (III) and (IV) ##STR00014## wherein R.sup.1 has the definition as described above, wherein R.sup.5 may be identical or different and may be R.sup.1 or OR.sup.6, wherein R.sup.6 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, (Ae) optionally water-insoluble organic compounds, (Af) optionally an alkaline or acidic catalyst or the reaction product thereof with components (Aa) to (Ad); (B) 10 to 45 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the defoamer formulation (A), of a waxy additive containing a monoester (B) of glycerol and a fatty acid that is free of a polysiloxane-containing additive and that contains less than 5% by weight of a triester (B) of glycerol and a fatty acid; (C) 10 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the defoamer formulation (A), of a polycarboxylate binder that has a pH of 3 or less when it is dissolved in water; and (D) 120 to 5000 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the defoamer formulation (A), of at least one pulverulent carrier material, with the proviso that the carrier material contains less than 50% by weight of alkaline carrier material, preferably less than 40% by weight of alkaline carrier material, more preferably less than 25% by weight of alkaline carrier material.

15. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein the polysiloxane (Aa) is an organopolysiloxane of the formula (VIII) ##STR00015## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 have the definition given for them in claim 14, wherein x is greater than or equal to 0 and on average less than 200, and wherein y is on average greater than 5 and less than 200.

16. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein silicas are used as fillers (Ab).

17. The defoamer od claim 14, wherein the organopolysiloxane resins (Ac) used are MQ resins composed of units of the formulae ##STR00016## wherein the molar ratio of M to Q units is in the range from 0.5 to 2.0; wherein the MQ resins may also contain, in addition to the M and Q units, small amounts of R.sup.3SiO.sub.3/2 or (R.sup.4O)SiO.sub.3/2 (T) units or R.sup.3.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 (D) units, in amounts from 0.01 to 20 mol %, based on the sum total of all siloxane units; wherein the MQ resins may contain up to 10% by weight of free Si-bonded hydroxyl or alkoxy groups, such as methoxy or ethoxy groups; and wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 have the definition given for them in claim 14.

18. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein the waxy additive (B) contains greater than or equal to 30% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 50% by weight and in particular greater than or equal to 70% by weight of a monoester of glycerol and a fatty acid and less than 5% by weight of a triacylglycerol in the total mixture of the waxy component (B) used.

19. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein the monoester of glycerol and a fatty acid is glycerol monolaurate, glycerol monomyristate, glycerol monopalmitate or glycerol monostearate.

20. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein the polycarboxylate binder (C) is a water-soluble or water-dispersible homopolymer, copolymer or a salt thereof comprising at least 60 percent by weight of segments of the general formula (V) ##STR00017## wherein n has a value between 10 and 100 000, preferably between 20 and 10 000, particularly preferably between 30 and 1000, wherein R.sup.8 is selected from hydrogen, (optionally substituted) hydrocarbon radicals having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, carboxyl groups or salts thereof, and groups of the general formula ##STR00018## wherein R.sup.9 is an optionally functionalized hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein R.sup.10 is either hydrogen, the radical R.sup.9 or R.sup.11SO.sub.3X, wherein R.sup.11 is a divalent alkylene radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein X is a hydrogen atom or a cation, and wherein at least 5 mol %, preferably at least 10 mol %, particularly at least 15 mol % of the radicals R.sup.8 are acidic groups selected from the carboxyl group or salts thereof and groups containing a sulfonyl group or salts thereof, preferably selected from the carboxyl group and salts thereof.

21. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein the polycarboxylate binder (C) is a homo- or copolymer of monomers selected from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), maleic anhydride and maleimide.

22. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein non-alkaline carrier materials such as phosphates, sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, sodium acetate or cellulose derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are used to an extent of greater than 50% by weight as pulverulent carrier materials.

23. The defoamer of claim 14, wherein the defoamer powders are used within a detergent or cleaning composition.

24. A process for producing defoamer powders, comprising: a premix, preferably in the form of a dispersion, of defoamer formulation (A), waxy additive (B) and binder (C) is produced, wherein (A) is 100 parts by weight of a defoamer formulation comprising (Aa) a polysiloxane containing units of formula (I) ##STR00019## wherein R.sup.1 may be identical or different and is a monovalent, optionally branched, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and wherein R.sup.2 may be identical or different and is a monovalent, optionally branched, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, (Ab) a filler, (Ac) an organopolysiloxane resin composed of units of the general formula ##STR00020## wherein R.sup.3 may be identical or different and is a monovalent, optionally substituted, SiC-bonded hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein R.sup.4 may be identical or different and is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein a is 0, 1, 2 or 3, wherein b is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein the sum total of a+b is 3 and in less than 50% of all units of formula (II) in the organopolysiloxane resin the sum total of a+b=2, (Ad) optionally a further organopolysiloxane consisting of units of formula (III) and (IV) ##STR00021## wherein R.sup.1 has the definition as described above, wherein R.sup.5 may be identical or different and may be R.sup.1 or OR.sup.6, wherein R.sup.6 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, (Ae) optionally water-insoluble organic compounds, (Af) optionally an alkaline or acidic catalyst or the reaction product thereof with components (Aa) to (Ad), wherein (B) is 10 to 45 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the defoamer formulation (A), of a waxy additive containing a monoester (B) of glycerol and a fatty acid that is free of a polysiloxane-containing additive and that contains less than 5% by weight of a triester (B) of glycerol and a fatty acid, wherein (C) is 10 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the defoamer formulation (A), of a polycarboxylate binder that has a pH of 3 or less when it is dissolved in water, and wherein (D) is 120 to 5000 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the defoamer formulation (A), of at least one pulverulent carrier material, with the proviso that the carrier material contains less than 50% by weight of alkaline carrier material, preferably less than 40% by weight of alkaline carrier material, more preferably less than 25% by weight of alkaline carrier material; and mixing the premix with the pulverulent carrier material.

25. The process of claim 24, wherein the premix is mixed in the form of an aqueous dispersion with the pulverulent carrier material.

26. The process of claim 24, wherein the defoamer powder is subsequently dried.

27. The process of claim 24, wherein the defoamer powders are used within a detergent or cleaning composition.

Description

EXAMPLE 1: PRODUCTION OF THE DEFOAMER FORMULATIONS (A)

Production of the Defoamer Formulations (A1):

[0169] 82.3 parts by weight of a trimethylsiloxy-terminated methyloctylsiloxane having an average chain length of 55 and a viscosity of 700 mPa.Math.s (measured at 25 C. and a shear rate of 10/s), 5 parts of a fumed silica having a BET surface area of 300 m.sup.2/g (available under the name HDK T30 from Wacker Chemie AG Munich), 5 parts of a hydrocarbon mixture having a boiling range of 235-270 C. (commercially available under the name Exxsol D 100 S from Staub & Co Nuremberg, Germany), 5 parts of a silicone resin that is solid at room temperature and consists of the following units (according to 29Si NMR and IR analysis): 40 mol % of (CH.sub.3).sub.3SiO.sub.1/2, 50 mol % of SiO.sub.4/2, 8 mol % of C.sub.2H.sub.5OSiO.sub.3/2 and 2 mol % of HOSiO.sub.3/2, this resin having a weight-average molar mass of 7900 g/mol (based on a polystyrene standard), and 0.7 parts of a 20% by weight solution of KOH in glycerol were mixed in a dissolver and heated to 110 C. for 4 hours. A defoamer formulation having a viscosity of 35 500 mPa.Math.s (2.5 rpm, 25 C.) was obtained.

Production of the Defoamer Formulations (A2):

[0170] The production method for the defoamer formulation (A1) is repeated, where 82.3 parts by weight of a trimethylsiloxy-terminated dodecylmethylsiloxane having an average chain length of 55 and a viscosity of 1100 mPa.Math.s (measured at 25 C. and a shear rate of 10/s) is used as organopolysiloxane (Aa). A defoamer formulation (A2) having a viscosity of 28 700 mPa.Math.s (2.5 rpm, 25 C.) was obtained.

Production of the Defoamer Formulations (A3):

[0171] 85 parts of a trimethylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxy-(alpha-methylstyryl)methylsiloxy-methyloctylsiloxy copolymer having an average chain length of 60, a ratio of dimethylsiloxy units to (alpha-methylstyryl)methylsiloxy units to methyloctylsiloxy of 10 to 9 to 1 and a viscosity of 1500 mPa.Math.s (measured at 25 C. and a shear rate of 10/s), 5 parts of the fumed silica as for defoamer formulation (A1), 5 parts of the hydrocarbon mixture as for defoamer formulation (A1), 5 parts of the silicone resin as for defoamer formulation (A1) and 0.7 parts of a 20% by weight methanolic KOH solution were mixed in a dissolver and heated to 110 C. for 4 hours. A defoamer formulation having a viscosity of 9500 mPa.Math.s (2.5 rpm, 25 C.) was obtained.

EXAMPLE 2: PRODUCTION OF THE DEFOAMER POWDERS ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P1):

[0172] 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1) are mixed together with 1.25 parts of glycerol monostearate (available under the name GMS90 from Faci having a content of glycerol tristearate of less than 1% by weight (according to HPLC analysis)) at a temperature of 50 C. The mixture obtained is dispersed in 2.5 parts of a polyacrylic acid solution heated to 50 C. and having a pH of 2.5 (50% by weight solution of polyacrylic acid commercially available as Sokalan CP 10 S from BASF). The result is a white, creamy, flowable dispersion. The dispersion obtained is added under high shear to a mixture of 72.5 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A. After drying at 80 C. to constant weight, the defoamer powder (P1) according to the invention is obtained.

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P2):

[0173] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.75 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 2.5 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 70 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the defoamer powder (P2).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P3):

[0174] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 1.25 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 7.5 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 70 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the defoamer powder (P3).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P4):

[0175] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.75 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 7.5 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 70 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the defoamer powder (P4).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P5):

[0176] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 1.9 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 1.9 parts of paraffin (melting range: 56-58 C.), 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 67 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the defoamer powder (P5).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P6):

[0177] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A3). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 66 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the defoamer powder (P6).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (P7):

[0178] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A2). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 66 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the defoamer powder (P7).

EXAMPLE 3: PRODUCTION OF NON-INVENTIVE DEFOAMER POWDERS

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP1):

[0179] 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90 and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1) are mixed with one another at 50 C. and the warm mixture is added to a mixture of 70 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A, with the result that the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP1) is obtained.

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP2):

[0180] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 11.1 parts of a polyacrylic acid having a pH of 8.5 (45% by weight solution of polyacrylic acid commercially available as Sokalan CP 10 from BASF) and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 66 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP2).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP3):

[0181] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90, 8.0 parts of an acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer having a pH of 8.0 (40% by weight solution of polyacrylic acid commercially available as Sokalan CP 5 from BASF) and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 67 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP3).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP4):

[0182] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 3.8 parts of Steareth-4, 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 66 parts of sodium sulfate and 15 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP4).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP5):

[0183] Analogously to the description for defoamer powder (P1), a dispersion is produced from 10.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1). Addition of this dispersion to a mixture of 70 parts of sodium sulfate and parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP5).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP6):

[0184] A mixture of 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS90 and 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1) are together with 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S on parts of sodium carbonate and final drying the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP6) is obtained.

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP7):

[0185] 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A1) are dispersed in 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S. Addition of this dispersion to 85 parts of zeolite 4A and final drying gives the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP7).

Production of the Defoamer Powder (VP8):

[0186] 10 parts of the defoamer formulation (A3) are mixed with 3.8 parts of glycerol monostearate GMS 90, and the mixture is dispersed in 8.0 parts of Sokalan CP 10 S. Addition of this dispersion to 82 parts of maize starch and final drying gives the (non-inventive) defoamer powder (VP8).

EXAMPLE 4

Tests of Defoamer Efficacy in the Washing Machine 0.5% by weight of defoamer powders was added to 130 g of a washing powder ECE-2 from WFK. The washing powder was then placed into a drum washing machine (model: Miele Novotronik W918 without Fuzzy Logic) together with 3500 g of clean cotton laundry. The washing program is then started. The program runs at a temperature of 40 C. and a water hardness of 3 GH. The foam height is recorded over a period of 55 minutes. The average foam score is determined from the foam scores ascertained over the entire period (0% no foam measurable up to 100% overfoaming). The lower this score, the more effective the defoamer powder over the entire period.

[0187] Storage tests in the washing powder ECE-2 are carried out as follows: [0188] 0.5% by weight of defoamer powders is added to 130 g of the washing powder and thoroughly mixed. The mixture is placed into a PE bag having a film thickness of 50 m, the PE bag is closed and stored in a climatic chamber for 4, 8 or 12 weeks at 35 C./70% humidity. After storage, the contents of a bag are examined as above in the drum washing machine to check the foam control. Each foam score determination is an average value of several individual measurements.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Defoamer effect of 0.05% of the defoamer powders according to the invention in the washing powder ECE-2 with and without storage: Defoamer Average foam score Average foam score after powder without storage storage for 12 weeks P1 ++ ++ P2 ++ ++ P3 ++ ++ P4 ++ ++ P5 ++ ++ 0-10% foam: ++ 11-20% foam: + 21-40% foam: 41-60% foam: >60% foam:

[0189] All defoamer powders according to the invention have an excellent defoamer effect in the washing powder ECE-2. Even after storage for 12 weeks, the defoamer powders still exhibit an outstanding defoamer effect.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Defoamer effect of 0.05% of the non-inventive defoamer powder VP1 in the washing powder ECE-2 with and without storage: Defoamer Average foam score Average foam score after powder without storage storage for 12 weeks VP1 ++

[0190] In the case that no polyacrylic acid is used (as described in EP 0 210 731, EP 1 534 403 and EP 1 528 954), the (non-inventive) antifoam powder (VP1) does exhibit an outstanding defoamer efficacy without storage. However, the defoamer efficacy breaks down completely after storage for 12 weeks. The combination of acidic polyacrylic acid and glycerol monostearate (as used in the defoamer powders P1 to P5 according to the invention) is therefore necessary to achieve a very good storage stability.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Defoamer effect of 0.05% of the non-inventive defoamer powders VP2 and VP3 in the washing powder ECE-2 with and without storage: Defoamer Average foam score Average foam score after powder without storage storage for 8 weeks VP2 ++ VP3 ++

[0191] In the case that no acidic polyacrylic acid is used, there is likewise an outstanding defoamer efficacy without storage. However, the defoamer efficacy has completely broken down already after 8 weeks.

[0192] If, in contrast, an acidic polyacrylic acid is used (as in the defoamer powders P1 to P5 according to the invention), an outstanding storage stability is achieved.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Defoamer effect of 0.05% of the non-inventive defoamer powders VP4 and VP5 in the washing powder ECE-2 with and without storage: Defoamer Average foam score Average foam score after powder without storage storage for 12 weeks VP4 + VP5 +

[0193] In the case that a stearyl polyether is used instead of the glycerol monostearate (VP4) or if the glycerol monostearate is completely dispensed with (VP5), a slightly worse efficacy is already exhibited without storage. The defoamer efficacy is significantly reduced after storage for 12 weeks.

[0194] If, in contrast, a glycerol monostearate is used (as in the defoamer powders P1 to P5 according to the invention), both an excellent efficacy without storage and an outstanding storage stability are achieved.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Defoamer effect of 0.05% of the non-inventive defoamer powder VP6 in the washing powder ECE-2 with and without storage: Defoamer Average foam score Average foam score after powder without storage storage for 4 weeks VP6

[0195] In the case that exclusively an alkaline carrier is used and that the polycarboxylate binder and the defoamer formulation are not added in the form of an aqueous premix, there is a weaker defoamer efficacy without storage. In addition, the defoamer efficacy has significantly broken down after storage for 8 weeks.

[0196] If, in contrast, the alkaline carrier is not the main component (as in the defoamer powders P1 to P5 according to the invention having approx. 18% by weight based on the total amount of carrier materials) and if the polycarboxylate binder is added together with the antifoam formulation as an aqueous premix to the carrier materials (as in the defoamer powders P1 to P5 according to the invention), there is an outstanding efficacy without storage, and the defoamer efficacy still exists even after storage for 12 weeks.

EXAMPLE 5: DISPERSIBILITY OF THE DEFOAMER POWDERS

[0197] 150 g of water is initially charged into a 250 ml glass bottle. The defoamer powder is added thereto and stirred with a spatula. A visual evaluation is performed after 10 s and after 60 s.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Solubility/dispersibility of 0.1% by weight of defoamer powders in water after 10 and 60 seconds: Defoamer Visual evaluation Visual evaluation powder after 10 seconds after 60 seconds P7 Clear solution, little Clear solution, sediment sediment largely dissolved VP7 Cloudy solution, Cloudiness has sediment increased again VP8 Low cloudiness of the Cloudiness of the solution solution, sediment has increased again

[0198] In the case that exclusively zeolite or else exclusively starch is used as carrier material (VP7 and VP8), there is low solubility. In both cases, the result is a cloudy solution that becomes even more cloudy over time.

[0199] In the case that a water-soluble carrier material (sodium sulfate) is used as main component (P7), the result is a clear solution. The sediment that arises at the beginning (but less than in the case of VP7 or VP8) largely dissolves over time. The use of water-soluble carrier materials as the main component of the defoamer powders according to the invention clearly exhibits an advantage over the prior art.