Morpholine
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Morpholine is an organic
chemical compound having the chemical formula O(CH2CH2)2 NH.
This heterocycle, pictured at right, features both amine and
either functional groups. Because of the amine, morpholine is a
base; its conjugate acid is called morpholinium. For example,
neutralizing morpholine with hydrochloric acid makes the salt
morpholinium chloride.
Morpholine is a common additive, in parts per million
concentrations, for pH adjustment in both fossil fuel and
nuclear power plant steam systems. Morpholine is used because
its volatility is about the same as water, so once it is added
to the water, its concentration becomes distributed rather
evenly in both the water and steam phases. Its pH adjusting
qualities then become distributed throughout the steam plant to
provide corrosion protection. Morpholine is often used in
conjunction with low concentrations of hydrazine or ammonia to
provide a comprehensive all-volatile treatment chemistry for
corrosion protection for the steam systems of such plants.
Morpholine decomposes reasonably slowly in the absence of oxygen
at the high temperatures and pressures in these steam systems.
Features:
Highly effective
Volatile in nature
Long shelf life
Purity
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