Analysing foam parameters, Controlling surfactant effects

The new generation SITA FoamTester

20 years of experience meets the needs of innovative foam testing

The SITA FoamTester analyses the characteristics of surfactant-containing liquids easy, fast and precise with automated measuring sequences.

• Fully automated foam analysis

• Precise reproducible foaming

• Innovative optical measuring method

• Measuring foam and liquid volume

• Analysing foam structure

• Recording drainage

• Automated cleaning

Automated SITA foam testing

Functionial components of the SITA FoamTester

Benefits of automated foam testing

•Autonomous repetition of test runs without intervention by the user

•Immediate statements about the reproducibility•Fast and easy screening of test and sample parameters

Convenient sample handling

•Automatic sample preconditioning (e.g. temperature, concentration of additives) with external devices

•Integrated sample reservoir with magnetic stirrer for running multiple test series

•Automated self-cleaning system with external liquid supply (e.g. tap water)

Flexible experimenting

•Easy and free creation of experiments at the office PC by drag‘n‘drop using fully parameterisable device tasks and supportive functions (loops and timers)

•Creating multiple re-usable templates and exactly repeatable test routines to select and start by a single touch at the device

•Instant start with test routines for typical applications pre-defined by SITA

Create foam

Differentiation of various sample formulations and reproducible test sequences using an application-oriented foam creation with proven SITA method

•Established SITA standardised stirring disc

•Variable stirring parameter: speed, duration, acceleration, direction, intervals•Minor influence of the vessel glass on foam formation•Removable measuring vessel with stirring unit

Measure foam

Use of optical, contactless measuring methods

•Foam Surface Scanner

Determination of the topography of the foam surface and therefore the total volume using the structured-light method

•Foam Interface Scanner

Determination of the foam structure and the liquid level by optimal use of a movable camera system, which illuminates and observes the measuring vessel at an angle Θ above the critical angle for total internal reflection

•Automatic acquisition of the total volume (liquid and foam) by the Foam Surface Scanner, of the residual liquid volume by the Foam Interface Scanner and of the foam volume in combination

•Analysis of the foam volume of clear and cloudy liquids

•Recording of the foam structure over the range of 130 mm x 50 mm

•All measurements in the same measuring vessel, connected to the thermal circuit

Analyse foam and understand foaming

•Convenient evaluation of measuring data with the software SITA-FoamLab in the office

•Complete transparency of the measuring progress and the results by intuitive visualisation

•Analysis of the slope and the resulting volume during foam formation

•Analysis of the foam decay and the drainage

•Analysis of bubble sizes and shapes in the foam structure

•Comprehensive characterising of foam and foaming

-By the determination of further parameters such as half-life period and foam density

-By the individual height-dependent evaluation of foam structure parameters such as average bubble size or circularity index

-By tracking time dependent changes in the foam structure

-Flexible comparison by clear display of different measuring sequences

-Easy export of data and results for documentation

Fields of Application

Optimisation of surfactant containing products in

•Product Development

•Raw material development and selection

•Product processing and application

•Quality and process assurance

Application examples

Cosmetics

•Influence of the formulation and raw materials on foaming behavior

•Foam stability of toothpaste and foam baths

•Foam structure as a reference point for user perception

Cleaning agents

•Influence of temperature on the foaming of spray cleaners

•Influence of contaminations on the foaming in cleaning baths

Cooling lubricants

•Influence of water hardness on aging process

•Durability of defoamers

•Optimisation of the filtration process to prevent foaming

Inks, paints and coatings

•Effectiveness of defoamers

Liquid processing industry

•Foaming behaviour of flow suspension in paper industry

•Recipe optimisation to reduce foaming in bottle filling of beverages•Adjustment of foaming production auxiliaries in textile manufacturing•Foaming effects of polymers in plastic production

Optional: External laboratory devices for sample conditioning

•Extension of experiments by additional functions for sample conditioning

•Automatic integration and direct control within the test sequence

Automatic dispenser CAT Contiburette μ10D

for the dosage of liquids

Resolution: 10 µl

Dosing speed: 0,2 - 20 ml/min

Thermostat Lauda ECO RE 415S

for cooling and heating of sample liquids

Temperature range: (-15...200) °C

Ambient temerature range: (5 ... 40) °C

Thermostat Lauda ECO E4S

for heating of sample liquids

Temperature range: (room temperature...200) °C

Ambient temerature range: (5 ... 40) °C

Previous model SITA foam tester R-2000

The previous model SITA foam tester R-2000 is no longer available.

If you have any questions concerning your existing device, please contact us directly.

The market launch of the SITA FoamTester is supported within the scope of the German development programme "Market launch of innovative products and product design".