Filming amines are fed continuously into boiler feedwater to protect metal surfaces from corrosion caused by dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in condensate water. The amine forms a thin film on the surfaces which repels the potentially corrosive water.

The Colorimetric Method. The 3-minute procedure uses the standard methyl orange chemistry and features a unique extraction technique. The extraction eliminates several steps required in other procedures-and provides increased sensitivity.

The filming amine compound reacts with methyl orange to form a yellow-colored complex that is extracted into an immiscible organic solvent. Results are expressed in ppm (mg/L) octadecylamine.