Dissolved oxygen has long been recognized as a major contributor to the corrosion of steel lines and equipment in the steam generating industry. One of the most effective means of removing oxygen from the water used is by the addition of a chemical oxygen scavenger. The sulfite ion (SO₃) is an effective oxygen scavenger which chemically combines with dissolved oxygen to provide an oxygen-free water, thereby greatly reducing the rate of corrosion.

General Chemical manufactures a diverse line of sulfite-based oxygen-scavenging chemicals for use in steam generating equipment, oil well flooding, oil well drilling muds and other industries requiring oxygen-free aqueous process fluids. Our technical service personnel are available to discuss your application and recommend the chemical best suited for your particular needs.

Water treatment, for which Sulftech® is particularly useful, includes deoxygenation of boiler feed water, of secondary recovery oil field flooding water, and of water used for long distance transport of ores or other materials; the dechlorination of wastewater after disinfection with chlorine, but prior to discharge.

Sulftech®, catalyzed, is used where there is a need for the added assurance that boiler feed water will be deoxygenated rapidly. Sulftech®, catalyzed with sodium metabisulfite, is to be used when a stronger stock solution such as 10 or 15% is desired. Without sodium metabisulfite the cobalt sulfate catalyst would precipitate as the hydroxide within a few hours due to hydrolysis.

• Sodium Sulfite
• Sodium Metabisulfite
• Sodium Bisulfite Solution
• Catalyzed Sodium Sulfite, Sulftech® Grade
• Catalyzed Sodium Sulfite, Sulftech® Grade/Sodium Metabisulfite
• Ammonium Bisulfite

• Na₂SO₃ + O₂-->2 Na₂SO₄

• Na₂S₂O₅ + O₂ + H₂O -->Na₂SO₄ + H₂SO₄

• 2 NaHSO₃ + O₂ -->Na₂SO₄ + H₂SO₄

• 2NH₄HSO₃ + O₂ -->(NH₄)2SO₄ + H₂SO₄

• Boiler Water Treatment: oxygen will react with protective magnetite film and can led to boiler pitting.
• Oil Well Flooding: dissolved oxygen in flooding water can be corrosive to ferrous and mild steel equipment.
• Oil Well Drilling (Fluids or Muds): dissolved oxygen can cause corrosion to drill and casing.

For more information on this topic, click here to request our Oxygen Removal Brochure.