Scribd
Upload
12 views

DOW - ROM - Cleaning Tips

FOR reverse osmosis

Uploaded by

richmon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views

DOW - ROM - Cleaning Tips

FOR reverse osmosis

Uploaded by

richmon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Tech Manual Excerpt

FILMTEC Membranes
Cleaning and Sanitization: Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Tips 1. It is strongly recommended to clean the stages of the RO or NF system separately. This is
to avoid having the removed foulant from stage 1 pushed into the 2nd stage resulting in
minimal performance improvement from the cleaning. If the system consists of 3 stages,
stage 2 and stage 3 should also be cleaned separately. For multi-stage systems, while
each stage should be cleaned separately, the flushing and soaking operations may be
done simultaneously in all stages. Fresh cleaning solution needs to be prepared when the
cleaning solution becomes turbid and/or discolored. High-flow recirculation, however,
should be carried out separately for each stage, so the flow rate is not too low in the first
stage or too high in the last. This can be accomplished either by using one cleaning pump
and operating one stage at a time, or by using a separate cleaning pump for each stage.

2. The fouling or scaling of elements typically consists of a combination of foulants and


scalants, for instance a mixture of organic fouling, colloidal fouling and biofouling.
Therefore, it is very critical that the first cleaning step is wisely chosen. FilmTec strongly
recommends alkaline cleaning as the first cleaning step. Acid cleaning should only be
applied as the first cleaning step if it is known that only calcium carbonate or iron
oxide/hydroxide is present on the membrane elements. Acid cleaners typically react with
silica, organics (for instance humic acids) and biofilm present on the membrane surface
which may cause a further decline of the membrane performance. Sometimes, an alkaline
cleaning may restore this decline that was caused by the acid cleaner, but often an
extreme cleaning will be necessary. An extreme cleaning is carried out at pH and
temperature conditions that are outside the membrane manufacturer’s guidelines or by
using cleaning chemicals that are not compatible with the membrane elements. An extreme
cleaning should only be carried out as a last resort as it can result in membrane damage.

If the RO system suffers from colloidal, organic fouling or biofouling in combination with
calcium carbonate, then a two-step cleaning program will be needed: alkaline cleaning
followed by an acid cleaning. The acid cleaning may be performed when the alkaline
cleaning has effectively removed the organic fouling, colloidal fouling and biofouling.

3. Always measure the pH during cleaning. If the pH increases more than 0.5 pH units
during acid cleaning, more acid needs to be added. If the pH decreases more than 0.5
pH units during alkaline cleaning, more caustic needs to be added.

4. Long soak times. It is possible for the solution to be fully saturated and the foulants can
precipitate back onto the membrane surface. In addition, the temperature will drop during
this period, therefore the soaking becomes less effective. It is recommended to circulate
the solution regularly in order to maintain the temperature (temperature should not drop
more than 5°C) and add chemicals if the pH needs to be adjusted.

5. Turbid or strong colored cleaning solutions should be replaced. The cleaning is repeated
with a fresh cleaning solution.

6. If the system has to be shutdown for more than 24 hours, the elements should be stored
in 1% w/w sodium metabisulfite solution.

Page 1 of 2 * Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Form No. 609-02142-0705


FILMTECTM Membranes Notice: The use of this product in and of itself does not necessarily guarantee the removal of cysts and pathogens from water.
For more information about FILMTEC Effective cyst and pathogen reduction is dependent on the complete system design and on the operation and maintenance of
membranes, call the Dow Liquid the system.
Separations business:
North America: 1-800-447-4369 Notice: No freedom from any patent owned by Seller or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws
Latin America: (+55) 11-5188-9222 may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products
Europe: (+32) 3-450-2240 and the information in this document are appropriate for Customer’s use and for ensuring that Customer’s workplace and
Pacific: +60 3 7958 3392
disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other governmental enactments. Seller assumes no obligation or
Japan: +813 5460 2100
liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
China: +86 21 2301 9000
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.
http://www.filmtec.com

Page 2 of 2 *Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Form No. 609-02142-0705

You might also like