NEUTRALIZING AMINE

Purpose: To control corrosion in the condensate system by maintaining a

protective coating of iron oxide over the metal surfaces, while
supplying sufficient material of an alkaline nature, to neutralize the
carbonic acid that is formed in the condensate system.

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Steel in contact with water tends to dissolve (i.e. corrode) spontaneously. Iron put into solution this way
immediately reacts with water, producing an insoluble oxide coating, which will prevent rapid continuation of
the corrosion process. If it were not for this protective oxide coating, the iron would go completely into
solution in a relatively short time. Corrosive agents are simply those materials that have an ability to remove
or prevent the formation of a protective oxide coating over the metal. Pure water itself is corrosive to steel
while the protective coating is in the process of formation. This process will tend to continue unless the pH
value of the water is increased by the addition of an alkaline substance.

Steam condensate, which contains free carbon dioxide, is corrosive to steel because it removes and
prevents the formation of a protective oxide coating. Volatile alkaline materials such as ammonia and
neutralizing amines (Cyclohexylamine, DEAE, AMP & Morpholine) neutralize dissolved carbon dioxide and
increase the pH value of steam condensate so that a protective oxide coating will be able to form. Being
quite volatile under boiler steaming conditions, these neutralizing inhibitors simply go off with the steam and
then return into solution at the points where the condensation of the steam occurs. In general, the alkaline
materials are used where the free carbon dioxide is entering the boiler, and the condensate is virtually
oxygen free.

Where the steam contains a large amount of carbon dioxide or where there is an appreciable loss of steam
or condensate from the system, ammonia offers considerable cost advantage over neutralizing amines such
as Cyclohexylamine. However, because of ammonia's affinity for copper and nickel, ammonia must not be
used in systems containing these metals unless control of the water conditions is excellent, the equipment is
well vented, and oxygen contamination is negligible. For all-around excellence of protection, simplicity of
control and freedom from concern over possible attack on nonferrous metals, the neutralizing amines are
definitely preferred over ammonia.
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The feed of neutralizing chemicals is based upon the pH value of the condensate. In central stations, a pH
value of 8.2 to 8.8 is recommended, while in most industrial and commercial applications where control is
more difficult a wider range of pH values (7.5 to 8.6) may be employed. Chemical feed should be
controlled very carefully to avoid condensate pH values above 9.0 if zinc-bearing or copper-bearing alloys
are contacted by the condensate. This is important, as the alkaline solutions over a pH value of 9.0 will have
a deleterious effect on these types of metals and their alloys.

Volatile neutralizing inhibitors can be fed in a water solution along with most other chemicals used for water
conditioning purposes. For the best results, the feed should be continuous to some point in the feedwater
system, preferably downstream from all of the deareating equipment. Neutralizing amines are volatile in
nature and will leave with the deareated gases if fed to the deareator. The amount of amine that will be lost
will vary based on the temperature and the pressure of the DA. Neutralizing amine should not be fed to
the deareating equipment if it is possible to feed it to the feed water line or directly to the boiler.

When amine treatment is first started in a system that contains old deposits from corrosion by-products,
these deposits may slough off and contaminate the condensate. This can occur for an extended period of
time, as an equilibrium must be reached in the condensate and a stable oxide coating will have to form on
the metal.

During initial cleaning, there may be a temporary increase in maintenance requirements on traps and other
pieces of equipment where loose particles of rust can accumulate. The cleaning process is completed in a
relatively short period of time and usually represents only a temporary inconvenience. It is only to be
expected for an extended period of time as previously mentioned if the system is seriously fouled with
deposits. In extreme cases, until the condensate is considered suitable for use in boilers, unusually dirty
condensate should be dumped or passed through a filter.

Another reason for proper control of the condensate corrosion in the condensate system is the effect that
the iron and copper removed from the lines will pose as deposits in the boiler. As the percentage of the iron
and copper in the deposit in the boiler increase, the ability for the deposit to prevent heat transfer increases
dramatically. The control of the boiler water to prevent deposit formation with out taking into account the
potential for deposits from poor condensate treatment will result in a badly scaled boiler and a drastic loss in
fuel to steam efficiency. Therefore, it is very important that the proper condensate treatment program be
utilized in the chemical treatment program.

Each neutralizing amine will carry off with the steam and then condense out in the condensate to react with
carbon dioxide. They do this based on the liquid-vapor distribution ratio. The lower the ratio, the greater the
amine's ability is to stay with the team. In contrast, a low ratio means that the amine will drop out of the
condensate very rapidly. A high ratio means that the amine will carry with the condensate, but is not going to
run a long distance with the steam. With this in mind, many condensate treatment programs are based on
blending two or three different neutralizing amines together so that the product will benefit from the abilities
of each different amine. This is outlined as:

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 MORPHOLINE CYCLOHEXYLAMINE DEAE AMP-95

BOILING POINT 264 F 273 F 325 F 329 F

(100% Amine)

BOILING POINT Nonazeotrope 205 F 210 F Nonazeotrope

(Amine/Water)

DECOMPOSITION 644 F 626 F 794 F 680 F

LIQUID-VAPOR
DISTRIBUTION RATIO 0.4:1 4.7:1 1.7:1 0.3:1

COMMENTS: Min. 15 psig, short Suited for Used in med. Min. 75 psig
to med. systems low pressure to short runs short to med.
and long runs runs

CROSS OVER IN PRESSURE

REDUCTION SYSTEMS Not below 15 psig Yes Yes Not below 75 psig

CYCLOHEXYLAMINE
This amine has been used primarily for low-pressure systems and where the condensate has a long run. The
boiling point of 273 degrees F is equivalent to a boiler pressure of 30 psig. This illustrates that the amine will
function properly in low-pressure systems. What is more important to a system that operates at different
steam pressures (i.e. from 250 psig to 30 psig with steam pressure reduction stations) Cyclohexylamine has
the ability to stay with the steam/condensate over long runs and at different steam pressures.
Cyclohexylamine will stay with the steam as the pressures are reduced; this is not characteristic of the other
neutralizing amines. If the requirement for amine is very high, there is a possibility that an amine carbonate
deposit will be formed.

In this type of case, it is recommended that a blend of neutralizing amines be used with Cyclohexylamine. In
this way, the long run and the low pressure benefits of the Cyclohexylamine can be utilized, while preventing
carbonate deposition.

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DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL (DEAE)
DEAE is a very versatile amine. The steam distribution ratio is between that of Cyclohexylamine and that of
Morpholine. This allows it to be a good medium run amine, that is very effective it most of the industrial
condensate systems that are used today. It has the highest boiling point, so it is not very effective in low-
pressure systems. DEAE will form an azeotrope at 210 degrees F with water and is not noted for the
formation of an amine carbonate.

MORPHOLINE
This additive is the preferred amine that is acceptable for use on direct sterilization. It has a very low boiling
point and a very low distribution ratio. This makes this amine very effective on short run systems and for the
protection of steam turbines from carbonic attack. Morpholine will not carry on long runs and must be
blended with DEAE, Cyclohexylamine or both for the proper protection of extensive systems.

2-AMINO-2-METHYL-1-PROPANOL (AMP-95)
AMP-95 has a high boiling point, and a very low distribution ratio. It is very effective on short to moderate
systems where the boiler pressure is at least 75 psig. With boiler systems that are below 75 psig, the amine
will not be able to effectively leave the boiler with the steam. IBA is used in replacement for Morpholine.
The amine has a low odor and will not sustain ignition. This makes it a very safe replacement for
Morpholine.