ASTM D4189

ASTM D4189 – Standard Test Method for Silt Density Index (SDI) of Water

Description:

Significance and Use

5.1 The SDI can serve as a useful indication of the quantity of particulate matter in water.

5.2 The SDI can be used to determine effectiveness of various processes such as filtration or clarification used to remove particulate matter.

5.3 The SDI has been empirically correlated with the fouling tendency of some water treatment equipment such as reverse osmosis devices.

5.4 The SDI may vary as a function of water temperature, and values obtained at different temperatures may not necessarily be comparable.

5.5 The SDI can vary with the membrane filter manufacturer. Thus, SDI values obtained with filters from different membrane manufacturers might not be comparable.

Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the silt density index (SDI) of water. This test method can be used to indicate the quantity of particulate matter in water and is applicable to relatively low (<1.0 NTU) turbidity waters such as well water, filtered water, or clarified effluent samples. Since the size, shape, and nature of particulate matter in water may vary, this test method is not an absolute measurement of the quantity of particulate matter.

1.2 This test method is not applicable for reagent grade water Types I, II, and III of Specification D1193, or effluents from most reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration systems.