Control of silica in boiler feedwater and boiler water is necessary to minimize the formation of scale-forming silicates that decrease heat transfer in the boiler. Volatilization and carryover of silica with the steam may cause hard, glassy siliceous deposits to form on turbine blades that reduce turbine efficiency.

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. Both dissolved and total silica are of interest.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of total silica in water.

1.2 This test method is applicable in the range from 25 to 250 μg/L of silica as SiO₂. Higher concentrations may be determined by decreasing the aliquot volume (see Note 6). Concentration range should not be extended by dilution.

1.3 This test method determines total silica, and does not distinguish between soluble and insoluble forms.

1.4 This test method was tested on reagent water only. It is the user's responsibility to assure the validity of the test method for waters of other matrices.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D859 Test Method for Silica in Water

D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water

D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits

D3919 Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

D4453 Practice for Handling of High Purity Water Samples

D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples

D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis

Keywords

atomic spectroscopy; boiler water; graphite furnace; high-purity water; silica; Colloidal dispersions; High-purity water; Inorganic compounds--water; Silica content; Spectroscopy--atomic absorption;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 71.060.20 (Oxides)

Citing ASTM Standards

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