Analysis of the Foam Generated Using Surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

The performance evaluation of a sodium lauryl sulfate to qualify as a foaming agent is presented in this paper. When new surfactants are used a systematic study of production parameters on the foam characteristics needs to be undertaken unlike proprietary foaming agents and foam generator for which manufacturer has predefined the parameters. The relative influence of the foam parameters and optimization of factors were carried out through a systematic experiment design. The foam production parameters namely foam generation pressure and dilution ratio of foaming agents are observed to have significant effect on all foam characteristics with the exception of foam output rate on which only foam generation pressure has influence. The foam with good initial foam density need not necessarily be stable foam. The optimum levels of foam production parameters are determined for the surfactant Sodium lauryl sulfate which can be used to produce stable foam for foam concrete production.