Preventing silica deposition and/or fouling on industrial water system (e.g., cooling, desalination, geothermal) equipment surfaces are difficult challenges for water technologists. The silica and metal silicate solution chemistries are very complex. At neutral pH, monomeric silica polymerization can occur and cause colloidal silica deposition. Operating systems above pH 7 may reduce silica-based scaling problems because silica solubility increases with pH. However, operating systems above pH 8.5 increases the potential deposition of a) magnesium silicate (if high silicate and Mg2+ ions levels are present and/or b) other scales (e.g., CaCO3 whose solubility decreases as pH increases). This paper investigates the influence of solution chemistry [i.e., silica supersaturation, pH, temperature, ionic strength, Fe(III), Al(III)] on the effectiveness of silica polymerization inhibitors.

Impact of solution chemistry on silica polymerization in the presence of inhibitors

244th National Meeting (2012)

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