93-11: Silica Stabilization in Industrial Cooling Towers: Recent Experiences

Silica Stabilization can allow increased cycles of concentration in waters where silica is a limiting factor. Recent applications of scale inhibitors specifically for silica control are part of successful water conservation programs. In one case, a Pacific refinery with 80-ppm silica in its make-up water has reduced its make-up water requirements by 50%. A discussion of silica chemistry and inhibition will be presented along with a field case study.