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Since it requires a large capital investment and there are ongoing expenses for the necessary chemicals, it is not economically practical for residential applications. It is used in large boiler feeds and large cooling towers. The most common application for this treatment method is commercial. The calcium and magnesium hydroxides absorb the silica particles, removing them from the water supplies. This creates a reaction where calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate precipitate out.
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This process involves adding calcium hydroxide to the water. Since silica is such a common naturally occurring mineral, there are actually a number of methods that can be used to remove it from water supplies. Methods to Remove Silica From Water Supplies
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So, while it may appear that the effects of silica in your water are purely aesthetic, there are some compelling reasons to address this water quality issue. Additionally, the silica particles may react when you use the water to prepare tea or coffee, increasing its unpalatability. This may lead to drinking less water, putting you and your family at risk of dehydration. Many people find drinking water with floating bits of minerals in it unappealing. It is worth noting that if you have colloidal silica, you may find the water unpalatable. In fact, many foods such as onions, wheat, oats, root vegetables, and strawberries contain silica. Silica is not considered harmful if ingested in small quantities in drinking water. But, if the vinegar does not remove the stain, it was most likely caused by silica.įortunately, like hard water, silica does not pose a danger to health. If you can remove the stain with vinegar, it was caused by water hardness. It can interfere with water flow, interfering with water heaters and other systems that require a defined pressure range to operate correctly.Īn easy way to determine if you have a hard water problem or silica water contamination is to apply vinegar to any scale accumulations. This scale acts in the same way as the hard water scale, accumulating inside water using appliances and fixtures to compromise performance and efficiency. It can also accumulate on surfaces to form scale. You may notice scratching, spotting, or etching on your glassware or fixtures. Silica is often confused with water hardness as it can cause similar problems. Additionally, the surface of the silica particles that are in contact with the liquid is covered with siloxane bonds, creating a hydrophilic substance that can form hydrogen bonds. The silica is typically spherical particles that are non-porous and amorphous. This occurs when silica particles are suspended in the liquid. The other type of silica in water supplies is colloidal silica. So, reactive silica is a non-polymeric type of silica. This can create ionized forms of silica or dissolved silicon dimers. In simple terms, this means any silica molecules that have reacted with other molecules. Reactive silica is any type of monomeric silica. Generally speaking, there are two forms of silica that exist in water supplies. The levels of silica in nature can vary from 1 part per million to over 100 parts per million. It is formed when silicon and oxygen molecules merge with another mineral or metal. This is a crystalline compound that is a common component in sand, minerals, and many rocks. Silica is often known as SiO2 or silicon dioxide. So, here we’ll delve into this water contaminant and whether you should feel concerned about the issue. While you may have heard about issues with iron, lead, or other well-known contaminants, you may not have thought about silica in your water supply. These days, there seems to be water quality issues reported in the media practically every day.
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He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator.