Quantcast
Advertisement

Neutralizer

Last updated: July 3, 2018

What Does Neutralizer Mean?

A neutralizer is a substance or material used in the neutralization of acidic water. It is a common designation for alkaline materials such as calcite (calcium carbonate) or magnesia (magnesium oxide) used in the neutralization of acid waters.

Neutralizers help prevent:

  • Acidic well water from creating blue-green stains
  • Pinhole leaks in copper pipes
  • Lead from leaching into drinking water
Advertisement

Corrosionpedia Explains Neutralizer

One common neutralizer is calcite. When properly applied, calcite corrects pH only enough to reach a non-corrosive equilibrium, and does not overcorrect under normal conditions. Upon contact with calcite, acidic waters slowly dissolve the calcium carbonate to raise the pH, which reduces the potential leaching of copper, lead and other metals found in typical plumbing systems. Depending on pH, water chemistry and service flow, the calcite bed must be periodically replenished as the calcite is depleted.

Masonry neutralizer or concrete neutralizer removes acid from walls so that the paint does not peel off. It is normally used on newly plastered concrete or after etching.

There is a rust neutralizer which chemically reacts with rust to create a neutral surface that does not rust further and makes it bondable with paint. It saves iron and steel items. The neutralizer acts as a primer to form a bond between the rusted metal and the newly applied paint.

To control corrosion conditions, many operators use various neutralizers at optimum ranges determined by site-specific conditions. Neutralizing amine is used to provide good control of aqueous condensate pH in overhead condensing systems. Neutralizers help control crude petroleum unit corrosion by reducing the concentration of the most aggressive corrosive species in the unit. The chemical properties of neutralizer salts formed are very important in minimizing fouling and corrosion problems that can result from the use of organic neutralizers for pH control.

Advertisement

Synonyms

Neutralization

Share This Term

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Related Reading

Trending Articles

Go back to top