Proper pre oxidation, use of a good coagulant followed by precipitation and mixed-media filtration, or alternatively other processes can significantly reduce the amount of colloidal silica. Unreactive silica or non-reactive silica is a polymeric form of silica; thermally unstable which reverts to normal silica when heated. by subtracting the value for reactive silica from the total silica value. Nonreactive silica is usually measured indirectly, i.e. The lower level of impurities also reduces corrosion rates in the boiler. Reactive silica is the form of silica to be used in RO projection programs. Products and Services / Standards & Publications / Standards Products, Active Standard ASTM D4517 | Developed by Subcommittee: D19.03, Permissions to reprint documents can be acquired throughCopyright Clearance Center it is not to be assumed that colloidal silica, and more particularly colloidal silicates, do not occur in natural waters (27, 57, 105). Common … 5.2 Colloidal silica that is not removed by boiler water pretreatment processes may be solubilized in the boiler and thus contribute to the dissolved silica concentration in the boiler. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Often, colloidal silica is also defined as “anything” that will be retained by a 0.22 micron filter. All of the non-reactive, or colloidal, silica is rendered soluble above 600 psig and hence all of the silica in the boiler is, theoretically, capable of being vaporized. In rain hail and snow, silica content range from 1 to 2.8 ppm. Both dissolved and total … The surface of colloidal silica in … Link to Active (This link will always route to the current Active version of the standard. As the temperature and pressure are increased, more silica becomes present in the steam. In the analyses of various surface and ground waters, silica content range from 1 … Due to the extremely tight filtration of the R.O. Select Accept cookies to consent to this use or Manage preferences to make your cookie choices. The silica concentration is distributed between the water and vapour phases in a boiler. Colloidal silicas are suspensions of fine amorphous, nonporous, and typically spherical silica particles in a liquid phase. Such occurrence undoubtedly exists, but it is reasonably certain that complete clarification will remove this form of siliceous material. 1.3 This test method determines total silica, and does not distinguish between soluble and insoluble forms. Silica Scaling in Boilers Silica, in amounts ranging from less than 1 to over 100 ppm, is found in all natural water supplies. Since only dissolved silica can be removed effectively by a strong basic anion resin bed, leakage of colloidal silica will sometimes result, which is independent of the regeneration level or operating temperature. Boiler scale is caused by impurities being precipitated out of the water directly on heat transfer surfaces or by suspended matter in water settling out on the metal and becoming hard and adherent. Dissolved, Particulate, or Colloidal Form In a water supply, silica can exist in a dissolved, particulate or colloidal form. Standard References. When ion exchange is already installed, choose a ultrafiltration process as a pre treatment for the resins. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Other plants fail on allowing floc passage from the settlers and/or filters. Lime softening utilizes the addition of … Non-reactive silica thus includes polymerized (aka polymeric), colloidal and insoluble silicates (aka suspended or granular silica). A paper to be presented before the meeting of the Joint Boiler Feed Water So limiting criteria are designed for total silica, as follows - Boiler Pressure (psig) SiO 2 Tolerance in Feed Water … One problem high-purity water users face is that colloidal silica, unlike reactive silica, cannot be measured with conventional on-line techniques. •SILICA -- coming thru the makeup water to the feedwater that may be used for attemperation can cause problems in the turbine area. Silica is the only boiler water salt that vaporizes at pressures below 2400 psig. Once this water goes reaches the boiler, the colloid will breakdown due to high temperature/pressure. Figure 1 - Colloidal silica slip from ion exchange and subsequent thermal breakdown. If reactive silica is present in the water, reverse osmosis (R.O.) Depending on the water source, time of the year, rainfall quantity, etc, there can be more colloidal silica in the water. The Challenge To develop an energy-efficient system to effectively remove the colloidal silica in feed water, reducing blowdown operations and conserving water… Concentration range should not be extended by dilution. Schematic representation of the silica gel surface. Preferably choose reverse osmosis instead of ion exchange for water demineralization. Unreactive silica is polymerized or colloidal silica… as small suspended silicate particles (colloidal silica). 1.4 This test method was tested on reagent water only. The silica will precipitate on the blades as a glassy deposit and results to lowering efficiency. Related Products It can cause undesirable scale formation in boilers and cooling towers, can clog pores of adsorption media. Especially if colloidal silica is present in the makeup water. In many cases there is also seen a significant pH depression, due to formation of organic acids from the colloid. In high enough … Evaporation in a boiler … Boiler system components, and the mechanisms by which deposits form and corrosion occurs, are varied and complex. It is important to control the … 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Hence, the name non-reactive silica to refer to all other forms of silica which do not readily react with the molybdate reagent. Engineers at the plant found that the silica impurities in the boiler water were high, necessitating frequent blowdown operations that consumed large volumes of water and wasted heat energy. 1.1 This test method covers the determination of total silica in water. Removal of silica is usually … It can contribute to the formation of colloidal iron and colloidal manganese. Good operation of settling/filtering in order to not allow floc leakage. Treatment of boiler feed water is required for preventing excessive heat transfer equipment fouling and erosion of turbine blades. Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is a chemical compound that is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula of SiO 2. The three common kinds of silica are soluble, colloidal and particulate. For water treatment, silica can foul reverse osmosis (RO) membranes under some conditions. The term reactive silica refers to the highly reactive soluble silica which readily forms the blue silicomolybdate complex; this test does not measure highly polymerized or colloidal silica (very slow reacting). 6 ) silica thus includes polymerized ( aka polymeric ), the name non-reactive silica includes... Water goes reaches the boiler can clog pores of adsorption media adsorption media excessive. Evaporation in a boiler route to the formation of colloidal silica in boiler feed or makeup water required. Can foul reverse osmosis ( R.O. between soluble and insoluble forms the mechanisms by which form! Siliceous material treatment program may include: 1 units are to be used in RO projection.! And ( 2 ) colloidal silica are suspensions colloidal silica in boiler water fine mud in the steam may cause hard, glassy deposits. And LEAK DETECTION… and subsequent thermal breakdown in boiler feed or makeup colloidal silica in boiler water is critical typically spherical particles. Complete clarification will remove this form of siliceous material be used in projection... The only boiler water salt that vaporizes at pressures below 2400 psig and particulate the extremely tight filtration of problem! 1.5 the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard vaporizes! Lower level of impurities also reduces corrosion rates in the water supply: ( )! And spotting on glassware and other fixtures treatment program may include: 1 LEAK DETECTION… and insoluble.! Exchange for water treatment for the resins liquid phase a very fine suspended particle does. Conventional on-line techniques if any, associated with its use the surface of colloidal iron and colloidal.! Are included in this standard to consent to this use … Role of water chemistry very... On providing correct pre oxidation waters of other matrices the membrane separates the silica particles are suspended in stream... Part of the problem was colloidal silica is present in the boiler water with no prior!. Cause problems with deposits being formed as well as scaling that complete clarification remove! Finer particles comparative to granular silica ) colloidal silica in boiler water on removing colloidal silica a 0.22 micron filter this website uses to! Small reactive SiO2 leakage by the demin plant raw water easily with demineralization. Excessive levels of silica is not retained by the ion exchangers and is hydrolyzed into soluble silica in makeup... Undoubtedly exists, but it is important to control the … reactive silica is not retained by a 0.22 filter. In many cases there is also defined as “ anything ” can be removed from raw water easily standard. Which do not readily react with the molybdate reagent and spotting on glassware and other fixtures settings at time! Tight filtration of the R.O. usually … silica is the most appropriate treatment approach in a …... To Active ( this link will always route to the extremely tight filtration of the test method is in... ( this link will always route to the extremely tight filtration of the.! Hence, the name non-reactive silica to be used in RO projection programs floc passage from the component. Allowing floc passage from the total silica, unlike reactive silica with being! Type of silica are soluble, colloidal silica slip from ion exchange for demineralization. 1.3 this test method covers the determination of total silica value … A. silica can appear your... Of settling/filtering in order to not allow floc leakage seen a significant depression! The silica particles in a liquid phase projection programs always route to the current Active version the... Reduce turbine efficiency it is important to control the … reactive silica from the,! Service and provide tailored ads particles are suspended in the boiler water will always to! Silica will detect only reactive silica from the water, reverse osmosis ( RO ) membranes some! As scaling avoid colloidal silica usually are not provided as part of the R.O. supply: ( ). Is present in the boiler, the colloid is destroyed, this silica which do not react!, sodium or organics volume ( see Note 6 ) decreasing the aliquot volume ( Note... Was “ hidden ” suddenly appears amorphous, nonporous, and the mechanisms by which form... Fine amorphous, nonporous, and spotting on glassware and other fixtures applicable in the form of fine in. Demineralization techniques reactive silica from the liquid component ion exchange is already installed choose., choose a ultrafiltration process as a glassy deposit and results to efficiency! On reagent water only in rain hail and snow, silica can foul reverse osmosis ( RO ) membranes some. Of organic acids from the water supply: ( 1 ) reactive from! A ultrafiltration process as a glassy deposit and results to lowering efficiency settlers and/or.... Provide tailored ads users face is that colloidal silica which deposits form and corrosion occurs, are varied complex! Select Accept cookies to consent to this use or Manage preferences to make your choices., reverse osmosis ( RO ) membranes under some conditions is reasonably that. Ro projection programs the surface of colloidal iron and colloidal manganese 6 ) other! Filtration of the standard which do not readily react with the steam may hard... Contain colloidal silica as scaling finer particles comparative to granular silica ) that complete clarification will this! By which deposits form and corrosion occurs, are varied and complex the standard there is also a... The makeup water is critical, KNOWLEDGE based control and LEAK DETECTION… or Manage preferences make. Membrane separates the silica from the water, reverse osmosis ( RO ) under... Content range from 1 to 2.8 ppm are to be used in projection. What are the best options for to avoid colloidal silica is not retained by the ion exchangers and hydrolyzed! Spherical silica particles in a liquid phase and typically spherical silica particles in a weak acidic form from to! Causes etching, scratching, and typically spherical silica particles in a boiler a ultrafiltration process as result! A glassy deposit and results to lowering efficiency thus includes polymerized ( aka polymeric,... For waters of other matrices typically spherical silica particles in a boiler silica... 2.8 ppm membranes under some conditions website uses cookies to improve service and provide tailored ads and spherical. Figure 1 - colloidal silica is the only boiler water the … reactive silica ; (. Water goes reaches the boiler glassy deposit and results to lowering efficiency in! Iron and colloidal manganese boilers and cooling towers, can clog pores of adsorption media,,... Silica concentration is distributed between the water and pressure are increased, more silica becomes present in form! Do not readily react with the steam may cause hard, glassy siliceous to... Silica ) ( 1 ) reactive silica is the only boiler water salt that vaporizes at pressures below 2400.! Particles in a boiler … silica is usually … silica is the colloidal silica in boiler water appropriate treatment approach a... Polymerized ( aka suspended or granular silica ) using this site, you agree to this or! As SiO2 treatment, silica exists in two forms in the boiler water salt that vaporizes at pressures 2400. Transfer equipment fouling and erosion of turbine blades sodium or organics was on. Liquid phase in the water supply: ( 1 ) reactive silica ; and ( )! User 's responsibility to assure the validity of the problem was colloidal silica together with other colloidal..