When dissolved oxygen enters the boiler water, what type of corrosion is typically caused?

When dissolved oxygen enters the boiler water, what type of corrosion is typically caused?

• A. Uniform corrosion
• B. Localized (pitting) corrosion
• C. General corrosion
• D. Galvanic corrosion

Answer: (B)

When dissolved oxygen enters boiler water, it can cause localized (pitting) corrosion. This type of corrosion occurs because oxygen is a highly corrosive agent, especially in the presence of water and metal. In a boiler system, the dissolved oxygen reacts with the metal surfaces, leading to small, localized areas of corrosion that can develop into pits. These tiny, focused areas of corrosion can penetrate the material quickly and compromise the integrity of the boiler components over time if not effectively managed. Localized pitting corrosion is particularly insidious because it often goes unnoticed until significant damage has occurred, making it critical for maintenance crews to regularly monitor and control oxygen levels in boiler water to mitigate this risk. Other types of corrosion, such as uniform or general corrosion, tend to affect larger areas of the surface and are typically more predictable, while galvanic corrosion occurs due to dissimilar metals being in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte.

When dissolved oxygen enters boiler water, it can cause localized (pitting) corrosion. This type of corrosion occurs because oxygen is a highly corrosive agent, especially in the presence of water and metal. In a boiler system, the dissolved oxygen reacts with the metal surfaces, leading to small, localized areas of corrosion that can develop into pits. These tiny, focused areas of corrosion can penetrate the material quickly and compromise the integrity of the boiler components over time if not effectively managed.

Localized pitting corrosion is particularly insidious because it often goes unnoticed until significant damage has occurred, making it critical for maintenance crews to regularly monitor and control oxygen levels in boiler water to mitigate this risk. Other types of corrosion, such as uniform or general corrosion, tend to affect larger areas of the surface and are typically more predictable, while galvanic corrosion occurs due to dissimilar metals being in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte.