RO Troubleshooting – Low RO Water Production Cleaning RO Membranes
In our RO Troubleshooting Series, we discussed that one of the causes may be dirty, scaled, or fouled membranes. It’s essential to be consistently cleaning RO membranes in order to maintain optimal water flow. Most of the major membrane manufacturers agree on the following statements:
1.) Reverse Osmosis membranes should be cleaned when normalized flow decreases by 10% from the initial acceptance test conditions
2.) Reverse Osmosis membranes should be cleaned when the overall pressure drop increases by 15% over the initial acceptance test conditions.
To know when your membranes need to be cleaned it’s good to have the start-up data. When you change your membranes you should use the “Start-Up” log (Click here for a copy of the Start-Up Log). Once you have this data you should be logging daily water quality, pressures, and flows to help determine when you are needing a cleaning. (Click here for a copy of the Daily Log.)
Cleaning membranes can be costly if not done correctly. While many RO Manufactures & Membrane Manufacturers have a cleaning process, you may want to verify that cleaning process with a water analysis. Sometimes cleanings need to be altered or changed based on water quality feeding the RO system. Cleaning RO membranes the wrong way can cause irreversible damage costing thousands of dollars in lost membranes!
Complete Water Solutions offers cleaning procedure reviews, chemicals, training, onsite cleaning services, and offsite cleaning services.
Need Help With Cleaning RO Membranes?
(855) 787-4200 info@complete-water.com
With over 30 years of hands-on experience in the water treatment industry, Nathan Olszak is a trusted water treatment expert. He specializes in designing, engineering, and servicing water treatment systems. As the owner of Complete Water Solutions, Osmonics, and Membrane Cleaning Pro, Nathan has built a reputation for delivering customized water treatment solutions that enhance efficiency, reliability, and water quality across various industries, including the medical, commercial, and manufacturing sectors.
Nathan’s journey in water treatment began as a service technician. He gained in-depth knowledge by working with all major brands of equipment, including Veolia, Suez, Bruner, Culligan, Pentair, Aquamatic, Osmonics, GE Water, Marlo, Lakeside, Fleck, Autotrol, US Filter, ION Pure, Siemens, Evoqua, and many others. This hands-on expertise, combined with his technical certifications, has made him a leader in water system engineering and water management.
Credentials & Expertise
- Certifications: David H. Paul Reverse Osmosis Certification, PLC Programming
- License: Power Plant Operating Engineer 3rd Class
- Specialties:
- Design & engineering of water treatment systems and advanced water systems
- Custom water filtration systems and solutions
- Installation, automation, and repair of water treatment systems
- Expertise in Reverse Osmosis (RO), Deionization, Water Softening, Carbon Filtration, Iron Filtration, UV Treatment, Ultrafiltration (UF), Process Filtration, CEDI/EDI, and more
- Specialized knowledge in Boiler Feed Water, Tower Makeup Water, and drinking water production for industries such as bottling, pharmaceuticals, and food processing
- Project management and reclaiming of water system waste for other uses
- Evaluation of raw water sources and potential contamination risks
- Industrial water treatment strategies to prevent corrosion and optimize system performance
- Boiler water treatment to enhance energy efficiency and system longevity
Nathan’s commitment to excellence extends beyond equipment sales and service. He works closely with clients to develop tailored water treatment services that optimize performance and meet their operations’ unique demands. His expertise covers methods that mitigate water impurities, ensure fresh water accessibility, and maintain regulatory compliance. It also includes the design of high-efficiency reverse osmosis systems for industrial use.
Nathan focuses on the latest technology in water conditioning, water softeners, filters, and pumps to improve maintenance and efficiency. His experience in laboratory testing and biofilm control ensures the highest industry standards in water treatment processes and water management.
Additionally, his deep understanding of infrastructure and water data analysis provides long-term, cost-effective solutions that promote health and safety. His expertise ensures that businesses receive top-tier, quality water treatment solutions.
For insights into the latest industry trends, innovations, and best practices, explore the Complete Water Solutions Blog, where Nathan shares valuable information on water filtration systems, sustainability, and water solutions engineering.
Give Us A Call (855) 787-4200 or Email info@complete-water.com
