Water Treatment / Solution Family

Oxygen Scavengers

Catalyzed sulfite and bisulfite oxygen scavengers u2014 sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, and ammonium bisulfite u2014 for removing dissolved oxygen from boiler feedwater and deaerator effluent.

Overview

Oxygen scavengers are reducing agents added to boiler feedwater to remove thendissolved oxygen that mechanical deaeration leaves behind, preventing oxygen pitting ofnfeedwater piping, the deaerator, and boiler tubes. Sulfite-based scavengers reactnwith dissolved oxygen to form sulfate; catalyzed grades, accelerated with a trace of cobalt,nreact fast enough to scavenge oxygen in the few seconds of contact time a feedwater linenallows. Dose to a small measured residual rather than to a fixed rate.

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Sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, and ammonium bisulfite cover most low- andnmedium-pressure boilers. They are inexpensive and fast, but each reaction adds dissolvednsolids to the boiler water, which raises blowdown and the heat lost with it. Sulfite chemistrynalso has a ceiling: above roughly 900 psi it can break down to corrosive sulfur dioxide andnhydrogen sulfide that carry into the steam. Keep sulfite programs within the pressure range thenboiler maker allows.

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Above that range, plants switch to volatile organic scavengers such as DEHA orncarbohydrazide, which add no dissolved solids and carry forward to passivate the condensatensystem. RawSource currently sources the sulfite-based scavengers rather than the organic ones,nso for high-pressure service confirm the chemistry and grade against your boiler's pressurenrating before specifying. Ammonium bisulfite suits oilfield and pipeline water but releasesnammonia, which is incompatible with copper alloys.

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Where it's used
  • Dissolved-oxygen removal in deaerator effluent and boiler feedwater
  • Oxygen control in low- and medium-pressure boiler systems
  • Oilfield, produced-water, and pipeline oxygen scavenging (ammonium bisulfite)
  • Reducing-agent dechlorination of residual chlorine ahead of RO/NF membranes
  • Feedwater metal-passivation support alongside amine and phosphate programs
Frequently asked questions
What is an oxygen scavenger and why is it used in boiler feedwater?
An oxygen scavenger is a reducing agent dosed after mechanical deaeration to remove the dissolved oxygen still left in feedwater, preventing oxygen pitting of the deaerator, feedwater piping, and boiler tubes. Sulfite-based scavengers react with the oxygen to form sulfate; catalyzed grades react fast enough for the short contact time in a feedwater line.
Sodium sulfite or an organic scavenger (DEHA / carbohydrazide)?
Sodium sulfite is cheap and fast and works well for low- and medium-pressure boilers, but it adds dissolved solids (raising blowdown) and is generally limited below about 900 psi, where it can decompose. Volatile organic scavengers such as DEHA or carbohydrazide add no solids and passivate the condensate, at higher cost; use them above the boiler maker's sulfite limit.
Does sodium sulfite work at high pressure?
Generally no. Sulfite chemistry has a practical ceiling around 900 psi, above which it can break down to corrosive sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide that carry into the steam. For high-pressure boilers, use a volatile organic scavenger rated for the pressure rather than sulfite. Always confirm the limit with the boiler manufacturer.
Does RawSource supply oxygen scavengers in bulk?
Yes. RawSource sources sodium sulfite (catalyzed grade available), sodium bisulfite, and ammonium bisulfite in drums, totes, and bulk. Specify whether you need a catalyzed grade, the boiler pressure rating, and the dose target so the desk can match the right scavenger and concentration.
Disclaimer. Information on this page is provided for general reference and compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status, classification, and suitability for your application and jurisdiction.
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