Abstract: An improved boiler feed water deaerator is provided which includes a plurality of spray valve assemblies therein which are shielded to effectively eliminate undesirable valve chattering and vibrations resulting from the horizontal component of incoming feed water and turbulent water flow through the valves. The valves hereof include an elongated, tubular, open ended water flow-directing shield with a shiftable valve plug adjacent the outlet end thereof. The plug is secured to an elongated stem disposed axially within the shield, and support structure is provided for the stem adjacent the upper inlet of the shield for permitting reciprocation and limited pivoting movement of the stem and plug.