SYCON SiO2 – Online analyzer for automatic measurement of silicate concentration
Why does silicate need to be monitored?
Silicate (SiO₂) is a natural component of many bodies of water and enters industrial processes via the raw water. In low concentrations, silicate is inconspicuous – but at just a few ppm, glass-like, extremely hard deposits can form on turbine blades, membranes and heat exchangers. These deposits are very difficult to remove and lead to a loss of performance, increased energy consumption and costly downtime.
Silicate monitoring is particularly critical in power plants, ultrapure water systems and wherever mixed-bed filters or reverse osmosis membranes are used. Continuous online monitoring detects the depletion of the filter media at an early stage and protects downstream system components.
What is the SYCON SiO2?
The SYCON SiO2 from RLS Wacon is a fully automatic online analyzer for the quantitative determination of the silicate or silica concentration in process water. It works according to the colorimetric method and covers a broad spectrum with two measuring ranges: from ultra-pure water monitoring in the lower ppb range to highly contaminated process water with up to 150 ppm SiO₂.
The device offers the full range of functions of the SYCON platform: four relay outputs, Modbus RTU, analog output 4-20 mA, two digital inputs and a 9-language graphical display.
How does the SYCON SiO2 work?
The SYCON SiO2 works according to the colorimetric method. A water sample is automatically fed into the measuring chamber. The reagents are then added: Three reagents (Silicate-A, -B and -C) are used in the LR measuring range (Low Range) and two (Silicate-B and -C) in the HR measuring range (High Range). The reagents generate a color reaction whose intensity is proportional to the silicate concentration. An optical sensor evaluates the color intensity and calculates the measured value.
Before each measurement, the device automatically performs a zero point adjustment to compensate for disturbance variables such as turbidity or contamination. The analysis time is approx. 15 minutes. The measured values are shown on the display and automatically logged on the SD card.
Two measuring ranges for different requirements
Measuring range
Measuring range
Reagents
Typical application
LR (Low Range)
0.02-10 ppm SiO₂
Silicate-A, -B, -C
Ultrapure water, mixed bed filter monitoring, boiler feed water
HR (High Range)
10-150 ppm SiO₂
Silicate-B, -C
Process water monitoring, cooling circuits
The measured value can be displayed either as silicate (Si) or silicic acid (SiO₂) in the units mg/l, ppm, µg/l or ppb.
Advantages of the SYCON SiO2
Wide measuring range from 0.02 to 150 ppm SiO₂
Two measuring ranges (LR and HR) cover ultrapure water to highly contaminated process water
Automatic zero point adjustment before each measurement
Compensates for turbidity, contamination and extraneous light – reliable results even under difficult conditions
Early detection of filter exhaustion
Ideal for monitoring mixed bed filters – recommended between main filter and police filter
RS485 interface with Modbus RTU
Seamless integration into PLC and SCADA systems for central process monitoring
4 potential-free relay outputs
Limit value 1, limit value 2, device fault, analysis active / cooling water valve / reagent message
Compact, corrosion-free plastic housing
All components easily accessible – maintenance of the measuring chamber possible without tools
Sensor with automatic zero adjustment
Zero sample before every measurement – no manual calibration required during regular operation
9-language graphic display with SD card
Complete logging, installation wizard, software updates via SD card
The SYCON SiO2 is an analyzer for monitoring silicate in the ppm range.
A set of indicators A, B and C is required for measurement in the low range (LR: 0.02-10 mg/l).
For higher concentrations (HR: 10-150 mg/l) a set of indicators B and C is required.
The special features of the SYCON SiO2 analyzer include
Compact design with easily accessible components
Tool-free maintenance of the measuring cell
Simple and intuitive operation via 8 buttons and large display
Durable and precise analysis technology
Extensive standard equipment
The following functions are reliably displayed by the SYCON Silicate analyzer:
Automatic zero point adjustment before each measurement
An individually adjustable limit value for alarm function via relay
Interfaces for measured value output
Measured values and log on SD card
Modbus RTU
Analog output 4 – 20 mA for measured value or detailed status messages
Four relay outputs for individual alarm and warning messages and for controlling other components (e.g. sample pump for unpressurized sample water)
Two programmable digital inputs
Field of application
The SYCON SiO2 is used wherever the silicate concentration in the process water needs to be continuously monitored:
Area of application
Description
Power stations
Protecting turbines from silicate deposits – even low concentrations can form glass-like deposits on turbine blades and permanently reduce performance
Mixed bed filter monitoring
Recommended between main filter and police filter – an increase in the silicate concentration reliably indicates the exhaustion of the filter medium
Boiler feed water
Monitoring the feed water to prevent deposits in the boiler – silicate deposits are extremely hard and difficult to remove
Ultrapure water treatment
Monitoring of demineralized water for semiconductor production, the pharmaceutical industry and laboratory operations
Cooling water circuits
Checking the silicate concentration in the circulating water of open cooling circuits
District heating networks
Monitoring the water quality in the network to prevent deposits in pipes and heat exchangers
Requirements for the sample water
Parameters
Requirement
pH value
9-10
Iron (Fe)
< 3 ppm
Copper (Cu)
< 0.2 ppm
Aluminum (Al)
< 0.1 ppm
Manganese (Mn)
< 0.2 ppm
Characteristics
Clear, free of solids, free of gas bubbles, free of grease, oil and clouding agents
Maintenance
The SYCON SiO2 requires more frequent maintenance intervals than the other SYCON devices due to the 3-reagent system:
Interval
Measure
72 hours
Visual inspection
Every 4 weeks
Cleaning the measuring chamber and dosing plug
Every 10,000 analyses or 6 months
Installation of the maintenance set: Replacement of all 3 peristaltic pump cassettes, hoses and seals
Installation and commissioning
Mount the device on a dry, easily accessible wall – Use mounting brackets
Make water connections: Inlet (6 mm) and outlet (1/4 inch), free short outlet required
Electrical connections: Supply voltage, 4 relay outputs, analog output, RS485, 2 digital inputs
Insert reagent bottles (A, B, C) and connect to the dosing pumps – ensure correct assignment
Start installation wizard – Select measuring range (LR or HR) and unit
Add reagents until there are no more air bubbles in the tubes and dosing plugs
Start the first analysis run and check the measured value
Tip for the installation
For mixed bed filter monitoring, select the measuring point between the main filter and the police filter. This ensures that exhaustion of the main filter is detected in good time before silicate reaches the police filter or downstream system components.
Important notes
For indoor use and wall mounting only
Reagents may contain hazardous components – observe safety data sheets, wear safety goggles and gloves
Reagent bottles A, B and C must be correctly assigned – confusion leads to incorrect measurements
After maintenance, pump all three reagents individually until no more air bubbles escape
Install maintenance set (item no. 33-020027) every 6 months or 10,000 analyses
Clean the measuring chamber every 4 weeks
Measuring range and reagents
Measuring range
Range (ppm SiO₂)
Reagents required
Item no. (set)
LR (Low Range)
0,02 – 10
Silicate-A, -B, -C
32-010100
HR (High Range)
10 – 150
Silicate-B, -C
32-010110
Units: mg/l, ppm, µg/l, ppb (optionally Si or SiO₂).
Specifications at a glance
Property
Value
Measuring principle
Colorimetric method
Parameters
Silicate (Si) / silicic acid (SiO₂)
Measuring range LR
0.02-10 ppm SiO₂ (reagents A, B, C)
Measuring range HR
10-150 ppm SiO₂ (reagents B, C)
Units
mg/l, ppm, µg/l, ppb (Si or SiO₂)
Accuracy
± 5 % of the displayed measured value
Repeatability
± 2.5 % of the maximum measured value
Duration of analysis
approx. 15 minutes
Reagent consumption (LR)
A: 1 ml, B: 0.5 ml, C: 0.5 ml per analysis
Reagent consumption (HR)
B: 1 ml, C: 1 ml per analysis
Analyses per reagent set
approx. 1,000 (LR or HR)
Water consumption
approx. 2 l per analysis at 2 bar
Shelf life of reagents
2 years (stored in a cool and dark place)
Electrical data
Property
Value
Supply voltage
100-240 V AC, 47-440 Hz
Power consumption
30 VA (operation) / 3.5 VA (standby)
Relay outputs
4 relays, max. 250 V AC/DC, 1 A, potential-free changeover contacts (NC/NO)
Analog output
0-20 mA or 4-20 mA, resolution < 100 µA, max. 750 Ω Load
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