Definition
Dissolved silicon dioxide in water (mg/L as SiO₂); during steam generation it forms a hard, glass-like deposit on heating elements that is very difficult to remove.
Detailed Explanation
Silica (dissolved SiO₂, mg/L) is a natural constituent that enters water as silicate minerals in rock and soil dissolve; it can be high in some groundwaters and in water of geothermal origin. In the laboratory it is usually measured spectrophotometrically by the molybdate method.
Why It Matters
Silica does not leave with the steam; as it concentrates in a boiling tank it can form a hard, glassy deposit on surfaces. Unlike calcium-carbonate scale, this deposit is hard to dissolve with common descaling acids and often requires mechanical cleaning. Deposits on heating-element surfaces impede heat transfer.
Engineering Note
RO membranes reject most dissolved silica; colloidal silica may require pre-filtration. The acceptable silica level for a humidifier is checked in the manufacturer's feedwater requirements; where it is high, RO pre-treatment and the drain setting are evaluated together.
How Nem Kontrol Teknolojileri Applies It
As Neptronic's authorised distributor in Türkiye, Nem Kontrol Teknolojileri asks the customer for a recent water analysis from an accredited laboratory when selecting a steam humidifier and compares the values with Neptronic's feedwater requirements. The resistive Neptronic SKE4 runs on any water, RO and DI included; water quality only affects maintenance frequency. Pre-treatment systems are designed and installed by specialist water-treatment companies.
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