Silica

Definition

Dissolved silica in boiler water, capped by guidelines because it is volatile at high pressure and can deposit on turbine blades. It accumulates as cycles increase.

Silica limits tighten sharply with pressure, from below 150 mg/L at low pressure to below 8 mg/L at high pressure. At high pressure silica can carry into the steam and form tenacious deposits on turbine blades. It is one of the three guideline-limited parameters along with TDS and alkalinity.

Related concepts

Carryover · Total Dissolved Solids · ASME or ABMA Guidelines

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry