Stabilization of catalyzed aqueous sulfite and bisulfite ion solutions

摘要

A method for stabilizing an aqueous solution containing sulfite or bisulfite ions and a water-soluble metal catalyst. The method comprises incorporating a stabilizing amount of a alpha substituted carboxylic acid or salt thereof or a vinyl carboxylic acid or salt thereof in the solution. The carboxylic acid inhibits sludge formation when the aqueous solution is stored. The preferred carboxylic acid, citric acid, also enhances the oxygen scavenging rate of the sulfite and bisulfite when the solution is used to treat aqueous systems for oxygen removal.