Oxygen Scavengers

Definition

Oxygen scavengers are chemical reducing agents that remove dissolved oxygen from water, depriving the cathode of its oxidizer. Examples include sulfite, bisulfite, and organic reducing agents.

They chemically consume dissolved oxygen so the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction cannot proceed, complementing mechanical deaeration. Because even trace oxygen can sustain corrosion, scavengers and deaeration are commonly used together in boilers. They are part of the strategy of starving the circuit by removing the electron acceptor.

Related concepts

Oxygen Reduction Reaction · Removing the Oxidizer (Oxygen Control)

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry