Abstract: Herein is described a technique for maintaining a copper ion in the plus 2 oxidation state, as it is employed as an inhibitor in an alkanolamine gas conditioning absorbent solution to provide corrosion protection of the metals in contact with the alkanolamine solution. The procedure disclosed for maintaining copper in the plus 2 state is to apply an induced or impressed voltage across a point, or several points, in the circulating copper containing solution of the gas conditioning plate for the recovery of CO.sub.2 from flue gas particularly when oxygen is present in the gas being treated.