• Test Kits

  •  
  • Premixed • Premeasured • Precise

Silica Test Kits

What is Silica?

Silica (SiO2) is the oxide of silicon, the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Silica is present as silicates in most natural waters. Typical concentrations lie between 1 and 30 mg/L. Higher concentrations may exist in brackish waters and brines. Silicates can be found in solution in water or as colloids that are more difficult to manage.

Why Test Water for Silica?

The silica content of water should be determined prior to its use in industrial applications as silica can form a harmful scale on equipment and heat transfer surfaces, particularly steam turbine blades. Silica will also foul reverse osmosis membranes reducing efficiency. Silica testing is crucial for boiler water, cooling water, natural water, wastewater, and high purity water environments.

About Our Test Kits.

CHEMetric’s colorimetric test kits for the analysis of silica in water come in both visual and instrumental forms. Our self-filling ampoule technology reduces the user’s exposure to chemicals and creates a test with fewer steps. All of our silica test kits for water use the heteropoly blue method with which a blue color develops in the presence of silica.

K-9011 – Is an Ultra Low Range (ULR) test kit for the visual colorimetric analysis of silica in water. This test kit utilizes ULR CHEMets® self-filling ampoules. The extended ampoules provide a longer pathlength to show more color that allows measurements at lower concentrations.

K-9010 – Is a visual test kit for the colorimetric analysis of silica in water. This test kit utilizes CHEMets® self-filling ampoules and comes with two comparators allowing for low and high range measurements.

K-9003 – Is an instrumental test kit for the colorimetric analysis of silica in water. This test kit utilizes Vacu-vials® self-filling ampoules. This product requires the use of a CHEMetrics Direct-Readout Photometer or a spectrophotometer that accepts a 13mm round cell.

Click on a catalog number in the tables below for more information or to purchase a silica testing kit.

Visual Kits

Range MDL Method Kit Catalog No. Refill Catalog No.
0-0.20 ppm 0.02 ppm Heteropoly Blue K-9011 R-9011
0-1 & 1-10 ppm 0.05 ppm Heteropoly Blue K-9010 R-9010

Instrumental Kits

Range Method Kit Catalog No.
V-2000 & V-3000: 0-10.00 ppm / Spec: 0-4.00 ppm Heteropoly Blue K-9003

The Heteropoly Blue Method


References: APHA Standard Methods, 23rd ed., Method 4500-SiO2 D – 1997. ASTM D 859-05, Silica in Water. USEPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Method 370.1 (1983).
CHEMetrics’ test method determines molybdate reactive silica. The heteropoly blue chemistry is employed. Silica reacts with ammonium molybdate under acidic conditions to produce heteropoly acids, which are then reduced to form a blue color. Phosphate interferences are masked with the addition of citric acid. Results are expressed as ppm (mg/L) SiO2.