Corrosion in steam generation systems causes many problems in refineries, gas plants and petrochemical plants. Corrosion in boilers is a function of the concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia and the way these species are controlled, and in some cases is caused by the presence of hydroxide and chloride anions or high concentrations of chelating chemicals in the boiler water.

The gradual reduction (decomposition) of metals due to chemical and electrochemical interactions is called corrosion, which causes significant financial losses to industries every year. For example, in water systems, various types of corrosion are defined as an electrochemical process.