All Volatile Treatment includes which of the following chemical classes?

• A. Non-volatile polymers
• B. Heavy metals
• C. Inorganic acids
• D. Hydrazine, Ammonia, Ethanolamine, and Methoxypropylamine

Answer: (D)

Volatile Treatment relies on chemicals that vaporize with steam so they can travel through the entire steam and condensate system and protect metal surfaces from corrosion. The chemicals used are chosen for their volatility and their corrosion-protection actions: hydrazine acts as an oxygen scavenger, removing dissolved oxygen that would otherwise cause rust; ammonia and volatile amines raise and stabilize the pH in the condensate to minimize acidic attack; and specific volatile amines like ethanolamine and methoxypropylamine are added to enhance this pH control while remaining volatile enough to move with the steam.

Non-volatile polymers wouldn’t reach the surfaces via steam, so they don’t provide the intended protection. Heavy metals would be contaminants, not protective additives. Inorganic acids would lower the condensate pH and promote corrosion rather than prevent it. That’s why the listed volatile amines and hydrazine—ethanolamine and methoxypropylamine along with ammonia—are the proper components of Volatile Treatment.