The high performance of diethylhydroxylamine in comparison with hydrazine for the removal of dissolved oxygen from boilers of power plant

In boilers and hot water heating systems, hydrazine is used as one of the powerful reducing agents for eliminating oxygen. Due to the toxicity and carcinogenicity of this material, a suitable replacement named diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) can be used. DEHA has low acute toxicity and animal tests do not show mutagenic activity. In this study, hydrazine and DEHA as deoxygenation materials were used in boilers of Tarasht power plant in Iran (Tehran). In different months (May to November), deoxygenation was examined by these two substances. The oxygen removal value of DEHA was equal to hydrazine and sometimes far better than it. The rate of deoxygenation reaction of DEHA was 40 ppb in most months of the year, but the number of peaks in hydrazine was greater (2 peaks with 50 ppb and 1 peak with 60 ppb). Hydrazine analysis is time-consuming, as well as pollutes the environment. On the other hand, DEHA of tests were completed sooner. Also, DEHA as an economical material with low toxicity can be a good alternative to hydrazine in boilers. This material can prevent boiler corrosion by oxygen removal.