Contactors are used extensively for deaeration of liquids in the microelectronics, pharmaceutical, power, food & beverage, industrial, photographic, ink and analytical markets.
The running cost of a membrane system includes electricity and seal water for a vacuum pump. A typical membrane system designed to degas the water outlined in this example can reach payback in less than two years.

Chemical treatment is also widely used to control dissolved oxygen in a boiler. Any chemical that is added to the water can increase the frequency of blow down, which affects operating costs of the boiler. In smaller low-pressure boilers (< 4500 lb/h and < 3.45 bars), chemical treatment alone may be used. A combination of steam deaeration and chemicals is most often used for larger high-pressure boilers.

Dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide control in boiler feed water protects the boiler from corrosion. Membrane contractors can be used to replace or supplement the chemical treatment program, which is often used to control dissolved oxygen. The contractors can minimize the volume of chemicals added to the feed water and offer savings to the end user by reducing chemicals and energy costs.