Sulfite Scavenging

Definition

The chemical removal of residual dissolved oxygen from boiler feedwater using sulfite, monitored by a sulfite residual.

Low sulfite is the running example of a reading that demands diagnosis: it can mean increased oxygen load rather than a pump set too low. Sulfite reacts with dissolved oxygen to protect the boiler from corrosion. The residual is checked against deaerator temperature, condensate return, and makeup volume before adjusting the pump. It illustrates pulling the smallest lever that corrects the cause.

Related concepts

Dissolved Oxygen · Cause Over Symptom Diagnosis · Deaerator

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry