FILMING AMINES

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

on the metal surfaces.

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Filming amines are long chain organic compounds which, when added to the steam line,
volatilize with the steam and then deposit in the form of a protective coating over metal
surfaces that come in contact with the steam and the condensate. They inhibit corrosion simply
by imposing a waterproof barrier between the metal and the condensate. Corrosive agents
which may be present in the condensate (dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, for example)
are rendered ineffectual by the amine film that keeps water from directly touching the metal.

Filming amines are used to inhibit corrosion in condensate systems; when the steam and the
condensate contain appreciable amounts of dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, where
the condensate comes in contact with metals that can not withstand elevated pH levels, or
where chemical control would be too difficult or too expensive should a neutralizing amine be
used.

Since filming amines are to be fed directly to the steam header, they offer a practical means
by which to protect isolated sections of a condensate system when it is unnecessary or not
feasible to condition the entire condensate system.

Selected sections of the condensate system or individual pieces of equipment are able to
obtain improved heat transfer due to the cleaner metal surfaces that are seen with the use of a
filming amine. This is due to the metal to amine contact that removes the deposits in the
condensate lines, which impede heat transfer, and the presence of water repellent films that
encourage drop wise condensation.

No tests are necessary in the control of filming amine feed. Chemical dosage is adjusted
based on the steam load, so that the amount used is just sufficient to form and maintain a
protective film of amine on all the metal surfaces that are contacted by condensate. Although
the effectiveness of the treatment can be determined by corrosion test coupons (installed at
suitable locations in the condensate system) the best indication of effective results is obtained
by the evidence of reduced maintenance and repairs to the systems.

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As a general rule, the feed of filming amine is started at the rate of about ten pounds of a
filming amine solution for every million pounds of boiler feed water. However, since many
factors govern the initial dosage and the rate at which this dosage is increased or decreased,
a competent water treatment engineer should work out the details of actual feed rates.

Filming amine treatment is most effective when the condensate pH falls within the range of 4.0
to 8.5, and the condensate must be relatively free of dissolved solids or a sufficient protective
film will not form.

Although neutralizing amine solutions can be fed to feedwater systems, to boilers directly, or to
individual steam lines, filming amines themselves are incompatible with other dissolved
substances and therefore, must be fed independent of all other treatment chemicals to the
steam header. When the emulsion form of the amine is used, it can be diluted in any
proportions with condensate that is from 60 to 115 degrees F. Emulsion is added to the
condensate slowly and with vigorous stirring; amine solution prepared in this way is stable
down to temperatures of 60 degrees F.

To prepare a solution of solid ODA filming amine, the material should be stirred into hot
condensate whose temperature is at least 170 degrees F. The strength of the feed stock
should not exceed 2% and should preferably be less than 1%. To insure stability of the
emulsion thus prepared, the chemical tank should be equipped with a steam coil, immersion
heater. Or, other heating arrangement so that the temperature of the solution can not fall below
130 degrees F.

Treatment with filming amine effectively removes much if not all of the corrosion products and
deposits that are present in the condensate system as a result of the problems, which the
system may have encountered due to the previous conditions. In most cases, the feeding of
filming amine should be started at a rate that is well below the recommended maintenance
level. Old deposits of corrosion products, oil and the like in the return lines can be loosened
very rapidly if too much filming amine is used. This condition can prove to be troublesome.
Rapid removal of old corrosion deposits will cause traps to plug, excessive accumulations of
corrosion products in the boiler and plugging problems in any area of the condensate system
where there is pressure or flow reduction. In extreme cases, until the condensate is considered
suitable for boiler use, the unusually dirty condensate must be dumped or filtered.

The two types of filming amines most commonly used in condensate systems are;
Octadecylamine (ODA) and Tallow or Soya amine. ODA is the most commonly used of the two
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filming amines and will form a good film in short run situations. In steam that has a relatively
high level of carbon dioxide (8-10 ppm), ODA at levels that are considered typical for
maintenance feed rate and at levels that are considered over feed, will react to form a
substituted carbamide. This forms iron coated "goof balls" which will plug any trap or orifice in
the condensate system. If the carbamide is able to return to the boiler, it will form "goof balls" in
the boiler that will float, causing the potential for steam generation problems. In cases where
the carbon dioxide is high in the steam, ODA should be blended with a neutralizing amine and
fed at a rate that is below the normal maintenance level. This will prevent the formation of the
carbamide and will allow the ODA to travel farther in the system.

The feeding of ODA is to be to the steam header through a stainless steel quill. The product
should be kept as hot as possible or the wax nature Of the ODA will cause it to gel and drop
out. This can cause the quill to plug. In this case, the quill will have to be pulled and cleaned
before the ODA treatment can be resumed. The injection quill should be part of a corporation
fitting if it is possible for this reason.

The major difference between ODA and the tallow (soya) amine is that the ODA is a primary
amine while the Tallow is a tertiary amine. This means that there is a double bond in the tallow
amine and in the ethoxyl group substitution of the amine. This double bond increases the
solubility of the amine and drastically reduces the possibility for the tallow amine to cause
sloughing. The reduction of sloughing prevents the formation of the "goof balls" that the ODA is
known for. The ethoxyl group that is attached to the nitrogen in the tallow amine will allow the
amine to attach to metal. It also allows the amine to attach with three bonding points versus the
one bonding point that the ODA utilizes. This creates a more even film that does not build up
as the ODA does, while allowing the tallow amine to carry farther than the ODA as it is more
soluble in the condensate. In addition, the tallow amine is an emulsion that is not as viscous as
the ODA and as such, it does not tend to have plugging problems when it is fed.

All filming amines form a film that prevents the attack by oxygen and by carbonic acid. The
addition of neutralizing amines will allow the filming amine to carry farther in the system and will
eliminate some if not all of the carbonic acid from the system. The true benefits of one type of
filming amine versus the other must be determined by a competent water treatment engineer
with the proper knowledge of the individual aspects of the system to be treated.