REMOVING METHOD OF SILICA SCALE

PURPOSE:To keep geothermal water at high temperature and carry out the geothermal water treatment continuously within a short time by precipitating a silica component in water to be treated at a high temperature and saturated pressure atmosphere and separating it by sedimentation. CONSTITUTION:Geothermal water in which a silica component is dissolved is supplied to a closed structure pH adjusting tank 2 under high pressure through a leading pipe 1. Then, a pH adjusting agent is injected and the geothermal water is led along a flowing route 18. Next, the pH-adjusted geothermal water is led to a sedimentation-separation container 5 in closed condition through a pipe 9. a reverse funnel-type water collecting inlet 11 is formed in the upper part of the sedimentation-separation container 5 and owing to the circulating operation of the geothermal water, silica scales in the geothermal water precipitate cause polymerization reaction, and deposit in the bottom of the sedimentation-separation container 5. The silica component is easily removed continuously from high temperature geothermal water. Thus, silica scales are almost completely prevented from adhering to a geothermal water using facility.