Abstract
A laboratory method for studying corrosion in steam condensate systems is described. In brief, a synthetic condensate is produced in a glass tower by aerating heated distilled water with a mixture of carbon dioxide and air. This condensate and a solution of the treatment are proportioned into a test container by gravity feed. A number of steel test coupons are suspended in the latter and the liquid is mildly agitated with a paddle stirrer. At periodic intervals a specimen is removed from the bath and the weight loss determined. The temperature, free carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen of the synthetic condensate, and the treatment concentration are controlled throughout the test.
Corrosion test data are presented for synthetic condensate systems in which sodium hydroxide, sodium polyphosphate and neutralizing and film forming amines are used, The effect of precorrosion of the test specimen and of contamination of the condensate with boiler water on the functioning of several types of inhibitors are described.
The merits and limitations of the test method and possible interpretations of certain of the results are discussed.
