Polyamine - Hydrophobic Picture (3)

Polyamine - Film Forming Amines (FFA)

For Steam boilers and Closed circuits

Our proven range of Film Forming Amine closed circuit inhibitors comprises formulations for systems manufactured from iron-based metals and yellow metals with specific formulations also designed for use in multi-metal systems.

Formulations are also available which effectively treat notably difficult semi-closed systems such as those cooling aluminium moulds. Mould corrosion and microbiological contamination are just two of the major issues with these systems that the use of biostable polyamine inhibitors can effectively overcome.

Polyamines are also compatible with Glycols so can be used effectively in chiller systems. The biostable nature of the polyamine inhibitor formulations is important in chillers where microbiological contamination can be a major issue if glycol levels fall below 20%.

The UK is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of low-carbon district heating networks and this is expected to continue. A recent report by the Climate Change Committee estimated that around 18% of UK heat could come from district heating networks by 2050. The low dose rates, extremely effective corrosion inhibition, and low environmental impact of using polyamines mean that this type of treatment is preferred for this type of system in many European countries.

 Why choose FFA inhibitors for Closed-circuit systems? 

All-in-One Solution: All in one low dose treatment– no requirement for biocide additions

  • Reduced costs associated with purchasing, logistics, handling, and storage of chemicals.

Enhanced Heat Transfer Efficiency: Removal of corrosion deposits on heat transfer surfaces creating cleaner/smoother surfaces, allowing for more efficient heat transfer.

Superior Corrosion Control: Polyamines provide a stable and reliable film that resists degradation, where underdosing or overdosing is less critical once the film is established.

  • Traditional nitrite inhibitors are prone to bacterial degradation and can induce microbiological issues if not dosed correctly. Underdosing can also lead to pitting corrosion.
  • Traditional molybdate inhibitors are expensive and rapidly deplete in systems with heavy corrosion.
  • Protective film makes the system less sensitive to changes in water conditions, such as contamination or pH fluctuations.
  • The robust protective film is especially beneficial for systems with intermittent operation.

Cost-Effective Treatment: Treat the metal surface rather than the entire volume of water within a system

  • Smaller quantities of chemical needed = lower treatment costs, making it a more cost-effective solution.

Enhanced Equipment Lifespan:

  • Film-forming polyamines extend boiler and pipework lifespan, minimize corrosion, and reduce maintenance costs, ensuring long-term financial savings.

Environmentally Friendly: Polyamines are a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional treatments

  • Reduced chemical consumption, and reduced handling of hazardous chemicals.
  • On discharge the polyamine formulations are biodegradable, unlike traditional inhibitor chemicals.
Product code Application Composition Benefit
BV1725 Closed circuit systems, heating and chilled. Suitable for aluminium. Blend of Polyamines Blend of amines for corrosion and scale inhibition in closed circuit systems. Suitable for heating and chiller systems. Provides corrosion protection for steel, cast iron, copper, brass and aluminium. Helps prevent scale deposition.
BV1723 Closed circuit systems, heating and chilled. Not suitable for aluminium. Blend of Polyamines Blend of amines for corrosion and scale inhibition in closed circuit systems.Suitable for heating and chiller systems. Provides corrosion protection for steel, cast iron, copper, and brass. Not suitable for aluminium. Helps prevent scale deposition.
BV1722 Older closed circuit systems where a progressive clean is required prior to preventative treatment. Blend of Polyamines Blend of amines for corrosion and scale inhibition in closed circuit systems. Recommended for use in older systems where a progressive clean is required prior to continuous dosing with preventative treatment. Contains a high level of iron chelators, as well as dispersants to mobilise existing iron deposits. Suitable for heating and chilled systems. Provides corrosion protection for steel, cast iron, copper, brass and aluminium. Helps prevent scale deposition.

Film Forming amines in steam boilers

Our range includes FFA formulations designed specifically for use in steam boilers. These multifunctional, volatile, organic inhibitors also contain neutralising amines and polymer dispersants, extremely effective all in one boiler treatments. FFA treatment programmes replace conventional boiler treatments using 3 or 4 chemicals and are designed to provide protection against metallic corrosion throughout the boiler system, including the feedwater, boiler and steam condensate surfaces. The strong surface affinity FFA’s can result in gradual removal of attached substances such as calcium scale or loosely adhering magnetite

As polyamines are volatile they work by producing a tenacious, microscopic, hydrophobic film on all the metallic surfaces thorough out the whole system. This film prevents dissolved oxygen, carbonic acid and other potentially corrosive anions such as chloride and sulphate from contacting and attacking the metal surfaces, while at the same time improving the heat transfer.

The dosing of FFA’s is usually is adjusted so that a small amount of film forming amine can be detected in the condensate, feed water and boiler water. In most cases, the presence of the smallest reliably detectable amount of amine suffices. The amine can usually be detected quantitatively at concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm.

Mode of action of Polyamines in Steam boiler treatment:

  • pH adjustment in feedwater, boiler water and steam/condensate system using Neutralising Amines
  • Protection of the complete system due to film formation in feedwater tank, feedwater line, boiler water and steam/condensate system by means of Film Forming Amines
  • Dispersion of scale-forming salts by Polymers in feedwater and boiler water

Benefits of using FFA’s in steam boilers

  • All in one chemical steam boiler treatment gives complete system coverage from a single feed point.
  • Reduced chemical purchasing, storage and handling A single polyamine formulation will carry out the function of all traditional steam boiler chemicals in a single drum.
  • Reduced treatment costs: both the Polyamine and neutralizing amine will return to the boiler with the steam condensate. Oxygen scavengers, such as sodium sulphite, are entirely non-volatile. Thus, they provide no protection of the steam condensate surfaces, and are lost entirely to the boiler blowdown.
  • Enhanced Heat Transfer Efficiency By acting on the magnetite layer and increasing its quality whilst decreasing its thickness the resulting in improved heat transfer. The formation of the film also has a cleaning effect on the system—a cleaner heat exchange surface means better heat transfer and potentially huge energy savings.
  • Energy and water savings: The products are all-organic and contribute little to the system conductivity, allowing higher cycles in the system, and reducing blowdown, ultimately saving both energy and water.
  • Protection during intermittent operation: Polyamine films have the capability to provide corrosion protection not only during the routine operation but also when plants are off-line due to load requirements, maintenance, and inspection (i.e., wet and dry lay-up conditions).
  • Food grade NSF certified formulation is available for the treatment of water from steam generators across a wide range of industries that directly interact with food products, excluding the milk and milk processing sector.
Product code Application Composition Benefit
BV1727 Steam Boilers, an FDA approved formulation. Must not be used on Dairy sites. A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Contains raw materials approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) legislation paragraph 21 CFR173.310 Meets NSF requirements for use in food sites, but must not be used on dairy sites. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system and controls scaling.
BV1731 Steam Boilers with mid-sized condensate systems, between 250m-750m. First choice product. A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system and controls scaling. Suitable for middle sized systems with condensate lines between 250m-750m
BV1728 Steam Boilers with small-sized condensate systems, <250m. A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system and controls scaling. Suitable for small systems with condensate lines <250m.
BV1732 Steam Boilers where additional dispersant may be required. A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines and dispersant. A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Contains dispersant. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system. The crystallisation of salts is modified, ensuring any precipitates are produced in a non-adherent form and their dispersion is enhanced, thus controlling scaling.

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Supply Partners

HuwaSan specialise in the production and distribution of chemicals for water treatment. B & V Chemicals are water treatment supply partners in the UK.