Filming Amine (aliphatic amine) Test Kits

Click on a catalog number in the tables below for more information or to purchase a FFA test kit.

What Are Aliphatic Amines (Filming Amines)?
Filming amines have many different names including Film Forming Amines (FFA), Film Forming Amine Product (FFAP), or Film Forming Products (FFP). Despite the different names, they are all water treatment chemicals commonly used in high pressure boilers, cooling systems, and heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) to prevent corrosion of metal surfaces.

Filming amines are a type of corrosion inhibitor, but the mechanics of how they protect the metal within a system is unique. Structurally, aliphatic amines are long carbon chains with an amine head. The amine attaches to the metal surface and forms a hydrophobic layer that protects the metal. FFAPs offer protection from corrosion, reduced corrosion product transport, prevention of scale build-up, smooth heat transfer surfaces, and protection of equipment during shutdown or layups. FFAPs can be used alongside or replace conventional corrosion inhibitor treatment regimes. They are applied to different components of the steam cycle including the boiler feedwater, generator, and condensate return lines.

Why Test for Filming Amines?
Correctly measuring the amount of aliphatic amines in your system is critical for optimum performance of your system. Underdosing a system can leave it vulnerable to corrosion such as pitting. Overdosing the system can lead to the creation of micelles, or “gunk balls” as they are commonly known. These can lead to clogged pipes and reduced efficiency. Frequent and consistent filming amine analysis is a best practice to ensure dosing is at the correct levels.

About Our Aliphatic Amine Test Kits
These visual test kits use the standard methyl orange chemistry but features a unique extraction technique. This extraction eliminates several steps required by other procedures and increases the sensitivity of the test. This process takes 3 minutes total to complete.

Click on a catalog number in the tables below for more information or to purchase a test kit for aliphatic amine analysis.

Visual Kits

Method

The Methyl Orange Method

Reference: ASTM D 2327-80, Mono- and Dioctadecylamines in Water.

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.