How do you remove colloidal silica from water?
SILICA REMOVAL Dissolved silica is best removed through reverse osmosis, while colloidal silica is best removed through ultrafiltration. It is always important to have your water tested for silica by a laboratory, in order to determine both the concentration and state of the silica present.
How do you precipitate silica from water?
When magnesium is present in well water and when its pH level is adequate, it will precipitate with some of the silica when carbonates are being removed. Mg can be topped up using MgO powder in cold conditions when MgO will solubilise through carbonation to form MgCO3. We can also add a chloride or sulphate Mg salt.
Can a water softener remove silica?
Removing Silica from Water Silica is a hard, ceramic/sand like mineral formed from Silicon and Oxygen. It is frequently found in water supplies as a colloid or in ultra fine particulate form. Water softeners don’t remove it and carbon filters don’t remove it, neither do Iron filters or cartridge filters!
What happens when silica is not removed from water?
Membrane fouling occurs when silica particles lodge in the membrane’s pores, obstructing the normal flow of liquids through the membrane. Additionally, because silica particles are abrasive, they can also cause premature tears and weakening of delicate filtration membrane materials.
Is silica in drinking water harmful?
Exposure to silica in drinking water has not been reported to cause human health effects. Studies in humans have shown that breathing certain forms of silica dust (for example, when working in a factory) can cause lung damage.
Can you filter out silica?
The other form of silica in the water is known as “Colloidal Silica”. This form is a polymeric form of silica where the particles are ultra-fine and cannot be filtered out of the water using normal filtration techniques. Colloidal silica cannot be removed using ion-exchange methods.
What is the best way to remove silica from water?
If it is colloidal silica, then ultrafiltration is the way to go. If the silica is reactive silica, then Reverse Osmosis is the most practical method to remove it from the water supply.
How is colloidal silica used in reverse osmosis?
When reverse osmosis (RO) plants are used in water treatment, colloidal silica and associated impurities can foul RO membranes leading to drop in productivity. This article discusses the origin and measurement of colloidal silica, its effect on water treatment processes and methods for removal of colloidal silica.
Where can you find reactive silica in water?
The mineral can be found in natural groundwater supplies in the forms of colloidal silica or reactive silica. While the removal of contaminants such as silica can be challenging to say the least. Engineers within Genesis Water Technologies have optimized an electrochemical process for effective silica removal from water.
What kind of resin is used to remove silica?
Ion Exchange Resin manufacturers have developed a strong-base anion exchange resin for this particular application and it is quite effective that it can reduce the Ionic Silica into parts-per-billion (ppb) levels. Ionic Silica is a very weak acid that is why it is removed by a Hydroxide-based cycle almost completely.