Reverse Osmosis

Water Cycle Boiler

Process

Distribution
Dam Raw Water Network
Treatment Plant

Cooling Tower

Pumping Pumping

Water Cycle Rain

Wastewater
Treatment Plant Collection

Discharge

Collection Network
Agricultural Use
Sludge Treatment Incineration
Plant
REASONS FOR INCREASED POPULARITY WITH
REVERSE OSMOSIS

• Dramatic decrease in RO membrane prices (50% - 8yrs).

• Increasing costs of chemicals (esp. NaOH) for IX systems.
• Increased return on investment for reverse osmosis as pretreatment
to an ion-exchange system.
• Increased manufacturer awareness in properly designing
pretreatment systems.
• Increase in comfort level for operation of customer-owned RO
systems.
• Consistent water quality
 RO Seminar Objectives

– Reverse Osmosis Principles and Operation

(Reverse Osmotic Pressure)
– Designs and terminology
– Operating parameters, problems, troubleshooting
– Cleaning
– Products and Equipment
– Miscellaneous subjects
 Reverse Osmosis

Basic Principles
 Osmosis

H2O

Strong H2O Pure

Solution Water
H2O

Pure Water Flow

 Osmosis

Osmotic Head

H2O

Strong H2O Pure

Solution Water
H2O

Pure Water Flow

 Equilibrium
Applied Pressure, PF = Osmotic Pressure, POF

H2O

Strong H2O Pure

Solution Water
H2O
Osmotic Pressure, PO,P

Equilibrium
 Reverse Osmosis
Applied Pressure, PF > Permeate Pressure, PP

Osmotic H2O
Pressure, PO,F
Strong H2O Pure
Solution Water
H2O
Osmotic Pressure, PO,P

Pure Water Flow

 Types of Filtration
TYPICAL CROSS-FLOW
FILTRATION FILTRATION
Feedwater Feedwater Flow
Flow

Purified water Purified water

Solids on surface quickly Solids are swept away
foul the membrane by continuous flow
 CROSS-FLOW FILTRATION
CROSS-FLOW
FILTRATION

•ONE INFLUENT
•TWO EFFLUENT STREAMS
•HIGH VELOCITY MINIMIZES MEMBRANE
SCALING AND FOULING
 REVERSE OSMOSIS

RO Skids typically have three major

components.

CARTRIDGE
PRESSURE
FILTER HIGH-PRESSURE
VESSELS
FEED PUMP

FEED PRODUCT
TO WASTE
 Cross Flow Filtration Methods

Microfiltration Ultrafiltration Nanofiltration Reverse

Osmosis
Range Macro molecular Molecular Sub molecular Ionic
Particle 1.0 - 0.1 0.1 - 0.01 0.01 - 0.001 <0.001
size Micron Micron Micron Micron
Removes Suspended solids, Proteins, Pyrogens, Small Organics,
Large colloids, Colloids, Divalent ions Metals,
Bacteria Organics Virus Salts
Molecular >100,000 10,000 - 100,000 200 - 20,000 <300
Weight
Operating 10 psig 10 - 100 psig 150 -250 psig 150 - 800 psig
Pressure (0.7 kg/cm2) (0.7 kg-7.0/cm2) (14-17.5 kg/cm2) (14- 56 kg/cm2)
Pretreatment Low Medium High High
Needs

Capital Cost Low Medium High High

The Filtration Spectrum
 Thin Film Composite Polyamide Membrane

Polyamide
Ultrathin
Barrier Layer
0.2 micron
Microporous
40 micron Polysulfone

Reinforcing
120 micron Fabric
TFC Membrane
 Membrane Comparison

Characteristic CA TFC
Operating pH 5 - 6.5 2 - 11
Feed Pressure > 400 PSI < 200 PSI
Salt Rejection 90-96% >99%
Flux Rate (GPD/Ft2) 12-16 15-20
Bacteria Resistance Poor Excellent
Cl2 Tolerance 0.2-1.0 0.0
Physical Stability Good Better
Max T (0F) 104 113
 Membrane Comparison Cont.

Characteristic CA TFC

Silica Rejection 85% 98%

Nitrate Rejection 85% 94%
Maximum SDI 5 5

3rd Year Compaction 20% 0%

Hydrolysis 2X None
 Typical Passage of Ions
Ion % Salt Passage % Salt Rejection
Ammonium 5 95
Sodium 2 98
Potassium 2 98
Magnesium <1 99+
Strontium <1 99+
Calcium <1 99+
Nitrate 15 85
Bisilicate 10 90
Chloride 2 98
Fluoride 2 98
Bicarbonate 2 98
Sulfate 1 99
Phosphate 1 99
* TFC element rated for a 98% NaCl rejection
Membrane Configurations

• Spiral Wound

• Hollow Fiber

• Tubular
Spiral Wound Membrane Elements
Spiral Wound Membrane Elements
Wound Elements

Flow
Pattern
for a
Spiral
Wound
Element
Hollow Fiber Membrane
 Hollow Fiber Membrane Element

Concentrate

P
e
r
Feedwater m
e
a
t
e

Concentrate
Note: Only 4 hollow fibers are shown
Tubular Membrane
 Reverse Osmosis

System Design & Operations

 Glossary of Terms

• Concentrate
– Reject
– Brine
• Permeate
– Product
 Reverse Osmosis Basics
FEEDWATER PERMEATE

75 gpm
100 gpm
75% Recovery

600 ppm TDS 30 ppm TDS

5% Salt Passage

25 gpm
25% Concentrate
CONCENTRATE
2310 ppm TDS
95% Salt Rejection
 REVERSE OSMOSIS
What is RO Permeate and % Recovery?

• Permeate is water recovered as product.

• % Recovery = Permeate Flow Rate x100

Make-up Flow Rate
– % Recovery calculates percent of feedwater that
becomes product.
– % Recovery describes performance of the system
– Greater recovery=less waste=cost savings.
– Recovery typically ranges from 50% to 75% (can go
as high as 85%)
– % Recovery and permeate quality are inversely
related.
 REVERSE OSMOSIS

RECOVERY CONCENTRATION
FACTOR
50% 2

75% 4

80% 5

83% 6

87.5% 8
 REVERSE OSMOSIS

What is RO Concentrate and % Rejection?

• Concentrate (or Brine) is the waste from the RO.

• Reject is a calculation of the percentage of
solids/solutes in feedwater rejected by the
membrane.
– Typically ranges from 95% to 99+% for most ionic
solutes and set by membrane manufacturer.
– Greater % reject means better permeate quality.
– Species dependant
• Multi-valent ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) higher rejection
• Monovalent ions (Na+, Cl-) lower rejection
• Gases (O2, CO2) no rejection
 RO Systems

– Reject Staging
• Multi-stages for reject
• Increased utilization of water
– Incremental increase in investment
– Minimal decrease in water quality
– Multi - Pass
• Product staging
• Improves water quality
– May eliminate the need for downstream
polishing
Two-Stage RO System - Reject Staging
TRAIN #1
FEED PERMEATE

HIGH
PRESSURE PUMP TRAIN #2

2:1 ARRAY
1st STAGE
PERMEATE

FEED 2nd STAGE

REJECT

CONCENTRATE
CONCENTRATE

VESSEL

ELEMENTS
 Reject Staging

• Increased Utilization of
Water
– Incremental Increase in
Investment
– Minimal Degradation in
Water Quality
 Double Pass RO System

1st Pass Permeate

Feed

* pH 9.0
w/ NaOH
Permeate

1 st Pass Concentrate to Drain

2nd Pass Concentrate Recycled

 Double Pass

• Applications:
– Seawater (High TDS)
– Ultra-high purity applications

• Benefits of interstage pH
adjustment
– Improved Alkalinity Rejection
– Improved Silica Rejection
– Improved TOC Rejection
Typical RO Machine
 What Are the Advantages of RO ?

• Removes nonionic impurities and dissolved solids

(i.e. organics, silica, bacteria)

• Reduction of hazardous chemical storage and

handling associated with ion exchange

• Economic advantages increase with increasing

feed TDS
 What Are the Disadvantages of RO?
• Concentrate is rejected and this can be a significant volume of
water.

• RO membranes reject a fixed percentage of feedwater ions

– Further treatment is required for many applications.

• Ultimate filter which is easily fouled:

– Increasing operating costs

– Reducing membrane life

Typical Operating Cost Breakdown

Electrical
44%

Chemicals
14%

Membrane
Replacement
12% Other Labor
5% 25%
 Reverse Osmosis

Membrane Problems and Solutions

 Membrane Problems

 Scaling
- Mineral Salts
- Silica
 Fouling
- Metal Oxides
- Colloidal Silt & Crud
- Biological & Organics

 Hydrolysis & Chemical Attack

- pH, Temperature, Oxidants, Biodegradation
 Compaction
 REVERSE OSMOSIS

•80% to 90% of problems are

related to pretreatment of RO
Feedwater
•The purpose of pretreatment is
to prevent
• Membrane Fouling
• Membrane Scaling
• Membrane Degradation
 REVERSE OSMOSIS
Effects of Fouling, Scale, Degradation

Poor Permeate Quality

Increased Operating Pressure

Frequent cleaning

Membrane Replacement

Increased O&M cost

 RO Fouling
Category Examples Sources
Scaling Salts CaCO3 Feedwater
CaSO4 Sulfuric Acid
Ba / Sr - SO4
CaF2
SiO2 - Complexes
Metal Oxides Iron Feedwater
Manganese Corrosion
Aluminum Clarifiers
Colloids Silt Surface Waters
Rust Corroding Pipes
Biological Organic Slimes Non-Cl2 Feed
Bacteria Off-line Systems
Organic Polymer Coagulant Overfeed
Hydrocarbon Process Leaks
 Scale
• Cause:
– Salt exceeds solubility limits due to
concentration effects

• Prevention:
– Reduce Recovery
– Acid Feed (CaCO3)
– Sodium Zeolite Softening
– Antiscalant
Concentration Polarization
Mineral Scale
Silica Fouling
 Metal Oxide
Iron, Manganese and Aluminum
• Cause:
– Feedwater
– Corrosion in system piping
– Clarifier carryover

• Prevention:
– Oxidation & Filtration
– Greensand Filtration (Mn)
– Softening (Fe & Mn)
– Chemical Antifoulant
Iron Fouling
 REVERSE OSMOSIS

SCALE CONTROL

•RO
For:
• DOSAGE CONTROL
• LEAK ANALYSIS DIAGNOSTICS
• TRUE SYSTEM RECOVERY
• MEMBRANE INTEGRITY
• COST CONTROL
 Components of RO TRASAR®

Trasar 8000 Handheld Fluorometer Trasar 3000 Fluorometer for

for Monitoring and Diagnostics On-line Monitor & Control
 120 MW CCGT Cogeneration
Plant, Florida

• Description of demineralization system

– Water source: city water
– Pre-treatment: feed water dechlorination
– Reverse osmosis: 2X100 gpm systems
– Post-treatment: mixed-bed ion exchange column
• Performance issues
– Fouling of membrane elements resulting in frequent
cleanings
– Poor permeate quality resulting in frequent regeneration of
polishing ion exchange bed.
 Active control of
scale inhibitor dosage

30 30

25 25 Actual Dose
PPM as Antiscalant

ppm antiscalant
20 20 Target Dose & Control
Limits
15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

100

120

140

160

180

200
20

40

60

80
0
100

150

200

250
50
0

Hours of Continuous Operation Hours of Continuous Operation

Before Control After Control

Reduced membrane fouling.
 RO TRASAR® Benefits: 120 MW
CCGT Cogeneration Plant

Savings
Before After % $/yr
Antiscalant 12 ppm 9 ppm 25% $5,600

Cleaning 26 per year 4 per year 85% $26,000

Membrane 2 yr life 4 yrs life 50% $6,000

replacement

Polishing IX Every 100K gal Every 800K gal 88% TBD

regeneration

Total Savings > $37,600/yr

 Colloids

• Cause:
– Surface water
– Corrosion in system piping - (Line
all vessels)

• Prevention:
– Coagulation & filtration
– Zeolite softening
– Chemical Antifoulant
 Bacteria, Slime

• Cause:
– Surface water
– Non-Cl2 Feed
– Off-Line RO System

• Prevention:
– Biocide
• Cl2 residual
– Dechlorination
• Non-Oxidizing Biocide
• UV Sterilization
Microbiological Fouling
 Organic

• Cause:
– Polymer overfeed
– Surface Water
– Process Leaks

• Prevention for Polymer Overfeed:

– Streaming Current Detector
– Sodium Zeolite Softener
– Inorganic Coagulant
 Hydrolysis & Chemical Attack

CA MEMBRANES TFC MEMBRANES

• Microbio growth present • Oxidants in feedwater

• pH < 5.0 or > 6.5 (i.e. Cl2, O3)
• Temperatures > 104 oF (40 0C) • Temperatures > 112 oF (44 0C)
• Exposed to direct sunlight • Exposed to direct sunlight
Membrane Degradation
Results of Membrane Problems

• Reduced water quality

– Shorter run lengths on downstream IX

• Premature membrane replacement

• Higher operating costs

Reverse Osmosis

Monitoring
 Monitoring

• Pretreatment
– 90% of operational
problems are found here

• System
– 10% of operational
problems are found here
 RO System Monitoring

• Pretreatment monitoring
- Silt Density (SDI), Turbidity, pH,
Oxidants Particle Size and Counts

- Temperature, Pressure, TDS

- Foulants (bacteria, metals,

hardness, silica)
 RO System Monitoring

• Performance monitoring
- Percent salt rejection

- Normalized permeate flowrate

- Differential pressure
 Pretreatment

• Silt Density Index (SDI)

• Langlier Saturation Index (LSI)

• Stiff Davis Index (TDS >4,000 mg/L)

• Feedwater Analysis
 Silt Density Index (SDI)

• Empirical indication of potential fouling

• Based on rate of plugging a 0.45m filter
• Hollow Fiber SDI < 3.0
• Spiral Wound SDI < 5.0
• Typical Well Water SDI < 3
• Typical Surface Water SDI > 6
 Silt Density Index
Pressure Pressure
Regulator Gauge
Feed
Supply By-Pass to
(30-80 drain
psig)

Filter
Holder

SDI = P30 / T = (1 - ti / tf) * 100

T
Langlier Saturation Index (LSI)

• Indicates the potential for CaCO3

scale
• LSI > 0 “indicates scaling”
• Calculation:
– Computer programs
– Permutit Handbook
 REVERSE OSMOSIS
PERMACARE RO-12
SCALE PREDICTION SOFTWARE
 Feedwater Analysis

• Minimal water test includes

– Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Silica
– SO4, Alkalinity, pH, Conductivity
– SDI
– TOC
– Color

• Full water analysis should include

analysis scaling/fouling contaminants
 Additional Pretreatment

• Turbidity
• pH
• Oxidants
• Temperature
• Pressure
• TDS / Conductivity
• Foulants - bacteria, metals, hardness, silica
etc.
Affect of SDI on Flux & % Recovery per
Element
Max. Flux Max. %
Feed source SDI (gal/ft2/day) Recovery

RO permeate <1 25 30%

Well water <3 20 19%
Surface supply <3 17 17%
Surface/softened <5 16 15%
Seawater <5 10 13%
Guidelines for 8 inch
Filmtec element
 Affect of SDI on Flux by System

Max. Flux Nalco

Feed source SDI (gal/ft2/day) Recommendation

RO permeate <1 21 – 25 22

Well water <3 16 – 20 16

Surface supply <3 13 – 17

14
Surface supply <5 10 – 16
13

Nalco recommendations
for longer membrane life
Effect of Temperature on Permeate Flowrate
120
Permeate Flowrate,

110
% of Design

100

90

80

70

60
30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 0F
-1.1 4.4 10.0 15.6 21.1 26.7 32.2 37.8 43.3 0C
TEMPERATURE
 System Monitoring

The Critical 3

• Percent Salt Rejection

• Normalized Permeate Flowrate (NPF)

• Differential Pressure (ΔP)

(Use Computer and Trend Data)

 Salt Rejection

% Rejection = (TDSfeed - TDSPermeate) x 100

TDSfeed

Common to use conductivity measurement as an

indication of TDS
 Net Differential Pressure

D P = Pf - Pc
DP differential pressure, “delta P” or pressure drop
Pf = feed pressure
Pc = concentrate pressure
 Normalized Permeate Flowrate

Flownormalize : Qn = NDP(start-up) * FT * Qp
NDP(daily)

NDP = Pf - Pp - PO Pf = Feed Pressure

NDP = Pf - Pp - PO Pp = Permeate Pressure
FT = Temp. Correction PO,F = Osmotic Press. Feed
Factor
PO,C = Osmotic Press. Brine
Qp = Permeate Flowrate
 Net Driving Pressure

Available Pressure to “Drive” the Process

• NDP = PF + PO,P - PP - PO,F

• Brackish water PO,P = 0
• Average NDP
• NDP = PF - PP - PO,F

• NDP = (PF+Pc) - (PP+PP) - (PO,F+PO,C)

2 2 2
 Trending & Normalization

Enter Data Using Nalco “RO Trend”

• Permeate Flow
• Differential
Pressure
• Salt Rejection
Effect of Driving Pressure on Permeate Flowrate
Permeate Flowrate, %

100%

Percent Rejection, %
80%
100%
60%
80%
40% 60%
40%
20% 20%
0% 0%
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
DRIVING PRESSURE
Feed Flow Vs. NDP
Raw Data Vs. Normalized Data
 Start Up Information

• Collect Initial Data within first 24 to 72 hours

• Everything is compared to “Start up” data

Daily Operation & Performance Parameters

Date Percent salt rejection (calculated)

Operator’s initials Feed (membrane) pressure
Feedwater silt density index (SDI) Permeate pressure
Feedwater turbidity Reject pressure
Feedwater temperature Net differential pressure (calculated)
Feedwater temperature correction Net driving pressure
factor Feedwater flowrate
Feedwater pH Permeate flowrate
Oxidant concentration (i.e. Cl, sanitizer) Reject flowrate
Feedwater conductivity or TDS Normalized permeate flowrate
Permeate conductivity or TDS (calculated)
Reject conductivity or TDS Percent recovery (calculated)

Use Computers to Trend this Data

 Trending Data
Using the Performance Variable
100
%
Reject 90
Leaking O-ring
80 Replaced
Membrane Elements
Normalized100 cleaned
Permeate
Flow Rate 90
(gpm) Start-up
80
40 120
Net Differential Differential Pressure
Pressure 30 110 Feed Flow
(psig) Rate (gpm)
20 100
Feed Flow Rate
90
 REVERSE OSMOSIS

• RO-EYE
T
M
• REVERSE OSMOSIS
MONTIROING AND
CONTROL SYSTEM
• Real time data monitoring
• Data normalization
• TRASAR control
 Reverse Osmosis

Trouble Shooting
 Flow Through a Pressure Vessel

Brine becomes more concentrated

Feed Flowrate Decreases

Product

Feed Concentrate
Indications of Trouble
Change
• Salt Rejection

• Differential Pressure

• Normalized Permeate Flow

• Others
 Trouble Shooting Changes

• Check Instrument Calibrations

– Compare Percent Recovery by Conductivity Vs.
Flow

• Identify the Location of the Decline

– Front end Vs. Back end, Stage 1 Vs. Stage 2

• Investigate Potential Causes of the Problem

– Use both visual and analytical data

• Correct the Potential Cause of the Problem

 Troubleshooting
Instrument Calibration

• Compare Recovery Calculations

– Conductivity Vs. Flow

• Pressure Meter Change Out

– Quick Disconnects

• Hand Held Vs. On-line Instrumentation

• Thermometers
Trouble Shooting / Changes in Salt Rejection

Identify the Location of the Decline

• Check Individual Pressure Vessel
Performance

• Probe the Pressure Vessel (Spiral

Wound)

• Individual Membrane Testing

– Single Element Test Skid
Check Individual Pressure Vessel Performance

First Stage Pressure Vessel Profile:

Pressure Vessel # Permeate TDS (ppm)
1 25
2 22
3 49
4 20

Second Stage Pressure Vessel Profile:

5 36
6 34

Example - 4:2 Array

 When to Probe

• High salt passage

• Individual pressure vessels have

high conductivity
 Individual Element Performance

• Probe the Pressure Vessel (Spiral Wound)

– 1/4” Tubing into Permeate Line
– Conductivity versus Penetration
• Location of Problem
– Check front / mid / end each element
– Note direction of feed water flow
 Probing a Pressure Vessel
1/4”
Polypropylene
Tubing
RO Vessel Containing 6 Elements

Probe every 8 inches to determine membrane or o-ring damage

 Probing a Pressure Vessel
Membrane Element # Permeate TDS (ppm)
1 Lead End 25
2 23
3 25
4 21
5 Tail End 54
Remember to Note Feedwater Direction
Troubleshooting Individual Membrane Elements

• Individual Membrane Testing

– In House
• Non-destructive
– Single Element Test Stand

– Autopsy
• Potentially Destructive
• More detailed Information`
 Problems
Cause General Symptoms
Salt Passage Permeator D P Product Flow

Scalants Significant Slight to Moderate Slight Decrease

Carbonates, Sulfates, Increase (10-25%) Increase ( < 10%)
Phosphates
(10 - 50%)

Metal Oxides Rapid Marked Rapid Marked Rapid Marked

Foulants Increase ( > 2x) Increase ( > 2x) Decrease ( > 50%)
Iron, Manganese etc.

Colloidal Gradual Gradual Gradual

Foulants Marked Increase Marked Increase Marked Decrease
mostly Aluminum Silicates ( > 2x) ( > 2x) ( > 50%)

Biofilm Marked Increase Marked Increase Marked Decrease

Foulants ( > 2x) ( > 2x) ( > 50%)

Pluggage Increase Rapid Marked Rapid Marked

Macro Increase Decrease
 Frequent Causes of Change

Change in Permeate TDS

Higher Lower
“O” Ring Leakage Lower Feedwater
Membrane Damage TDS
Higher Feed TDS Initial
Low Product Flow BioFouling
Low Brine Flow
Fouling
Scaling
 Frequent Causes of Change
Change in Pressure Drop

Higher Lower
Biofouling Lower Flow Rates
Scaling Higher Feed Temp.
Inorganic Fouling
Higher Flow Rates
Lower Feed Temp.
 Frequent Causes of Change
Change in Feed Pressure

Higher Lower
Scaling Higher Feed Temp.
Pluggage Lower Feed TDS
Higher Feed TDS Membrane Damage
Lower Feed Temp.
Improper Valving
 Frequent Causes of Change
Change in Feed Chemistry
Chemistry Change Effect on System
pH Too High Membrane Damage
pH Too Low Membrane Damage
Cl2 outside Specs. Membrane Damage
Scaling Ions above Specs. Scaling
Increased SDI / Turbidity Fouling
Reverse Osmosis

Cleaning
 When do I clean?

• When any ONE of the following changes:

 NPF by 10% - 15%
 Differential Pressure by 10% - 15%
 Salt Rejection by 10% - 15%

• Start planning your strategy at the first

indication of a minimum change!
 Proper Cleaning Maintenance
Cleaning after a
10-15% decline
Normalized maximizes RO
Permeate performance
Flowrate
Cleaning after 10-15% decline

Time

Improper Cleaning Maintenance

Waiting too
Normalized long
Permeate to clean
Flowrate reduces
RO
Cleaning after >15% decline performance

Time
 Cleaning Skid
Isolate Stages

Cleaning
P Solution
Permeate Return Return
F Permeate
Recirculation
Supply

DP

SS/Plastic
Cleaning L
5m Pump TC Heater
T
CF

Sample Strainer Drain

 Cleaning

• Do Not Exceed Mftr. Specs!

– pH
– Pressure Drop
– Temperature
– Flow Rate
 Cleaning

• Cleaning CF size < Operating CF size

• Use permeate as Make-up

• Mix Chemical according to instructions

• Utilize “maximum” conditions

• Dump “first system volume” (i.e., flush)

 Cleaning

• Return permeate & concentrate to tank

• Make as little permeate as possible

(Open concentrate valve wide open)

• Pump Size is critical

 How To Choose a Chemical Cleaner

• Cleaner Selected for:

– Membrane Type
– Characteristics of Foulant
– Convenience
• Optimum Service
• Acid Cleaners First
• Followed by Caustic Cleaners
Cleaning Solutions
 Things to Remember

• Start planning to clean when:

– Differential Pressure changes 10%

– NPF changes 10%

– Salt Rejection changes 10%

 Things to Remember

• Order of cleaning chemicals:

– Caustic/Acid (can vary with contamination)
– Acid/Caustic (can vary with contamination)
– Sanitization

• Waiting too long will cause irreversible

damage!
Keep Good Records
 Membrane Cleaning Frequency

Cleaning Frequency Adequacy Estimate

Quarterly or less Adequate

Every 1-3 months Marginal

Every month or more Not adequate

 Clean Until

• pH Doesn’t Change

• Color Doesn’t Change

• Flow Doesn’t Change

• Pressure Doesn’t Change

 RO Element Test & Cleaning Stand
Permeate
% Salt Rejection Permeate
Feed
Monitor Flowrate
Pressure
Gauge

Globe
Valve Needle
Differential Valve
Pressure
Reject Reject
Pressure Flowrate
Gauge
Benefits of Maintaining an RO

• Reduced operating costs

• Reduced maintenance costs

• Reduced downtime

• Extended membrane life

• Improved water quality and output

 Typical Treatment Scheme

MULTIMEDIA SODIUM REVERSE

FILTER SOFTENER OSMOSIS TO ION
EXCHANGE
FEED OR BFW
WATER

(CARBON FILTER
GREENSAND FILTER)

CHLORINE ANTISCALANT
COAGULANT BISULFITE
ACID TO WASTE
CAUSTIC TREATMENT OR
COOLING TOWER
 Pretreatment Selection

Technique Controls
Multimedia Filters Suspended solids
Carbon Filters Suspended solids, organics, chlorine
Greensand Filters Suspended solids, iron, manganese
Sodium Softeners Hardness, scale formers, iron,
manganese, some suspended solids
Chlorine Microbes, organics
Bisulfite Free chlorine
Acid / Caustic Scale formers (acid), pH
Antiscalant Scale formers, foulants
Ultrafiltration Color or Bacteria
Recovery Scale
 REVERSE OSMOSIS SUMMARY

• Understanding RO terms is important for successful

unit operation.
• Initial design is critical and will determine long term
permeate quality.
• Data collection and normalization is vital to
maintenance and trouble shooting. (RO Eye)
• Pretreatment key to keeping membranes
performing well. (Permacare, RO Trasar, Permafloc
and/or Ultrasoft, Ultrasand)
• Cleaning based on trends in normalized data.
(Permaclean)