Hydrazine tests explained

Hydrazine
For water and boiler water p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde Method

Introduction
Hydrazine is used as an oxygen scavenger for high pressure boilers in power plants and other
industries to reduce corrosion of metal pipes and fittings. The test for hydrazine is a modification of
the p-Dimethylamino-benzaldehyde Method, in which several solutions have been formulated into
a single, stable reagent called HydraVer™ 2 Hydrazine Reagent. The method is both sensitive and
easy to perform. It is used mostly for the determination of small amounts of hydrazine in boiler
feedwater. There are no common interferences.

Chemical reactions
Under acid conditions, hydrazine combines with p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde to form a yellow-
colored azine complex. Color development follows Beer’s law and is stable after maximum color is
developed in 10 to 15 minutes.

O
CH3 H H

2 N C H + :N N:
CH3
H H
p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde Hydrazine

CH3 CH3
N C N N C N +2H2O
CH3 CH3
H H
Azine complex (yellow in dilute solution)

Figure 1 Chemical reaction for p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde method

Hydrazine
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