Objective The aim is to study the applicability of domestic defoamer and to address the problem of high production and operation cost caused by the use of imported polyether-modified silicone defoamer KS-604 in the natural gas purification unit of Jingbian gas field.

Method Polyether defoamer A-604 was selected from 18 kinds of domestic defoamers. The application effect of defoamer A-604 in the field unit was studied by an indoor experiment and field application test evaluation of domestic polyether defoamer A-604 and imported silicone defoamer KS-604 currently used in the unit.

Result The performance of domestic defoamer A-604 was comparable to that of imported defoamer KS-604. The defoamer A-604 exhibited a prolonged retention time in the field unit and demonstrated robust foaming inhibition capabilities. However, its defoaming effect was marginally inferior to that of KS-604 when the dosage was low. After adjusting the filling scheme for the domestic defoamer A-604 in the field unit to 2 liters each time, the average frequency of liquid interception occurred once every 4 days, with the lowest being once every 7 days.

Conclusion If the imported defoamer KS-604 currently used in the unit is replaced by the domestic defoamer A-604, under the premise of similar defoaming effect, a single set of units can save about 11 000 yuan per month, and the whole plant can save about 1.32 million yuan per year. The defoamer A-604 can be used as an alternative product of imported defoamer KS-604, which can greatly reduce the production and operation cost.