2 membranes ro-di

[Opus]

Thanks for this! I have a question on the flow restrictor. If I can keep using the RO buddy it has a built in 300 flow restrictor. Should I add an additional flow restrictor at the membrane to get an added total of whatever number is recommended for the membrane size?

You would get rid of the 300 restrictor and install one that is made for 150gpd membranes. I guess you could do it your way but the second restrictor would have to be adjustable and you would have to fine tune it to the output ratio you are seeking.

 

[t5Nitro]

@AquaticLifeProducts can the 300 ml flow restrictor be replaced if the unit is taken apart? It seems like this is pretty small even for a 75 gpd membrane. Could a larger restrictor be placed for a 90 gpd single membrane?

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

What i mean is that would you still consider its flow restrictor and add a smaller in line one, like a 550 ml restrictor barrel for a total 850 ml restrictor? Or maybe they don't work that way.

I would not run a 150 gpd membrane on your system.

If you are determined to do that, then just use one single flow restrictor.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

@AquaticLifeProducts can the 300 ml flow restrictor be replaced if the unit is taken apart? It seems like this is pretty small even for a 75 gpd membrane. Could a larger restrictor be placed for a 90 gpd single membrane?

A 90 gallon per day membrane IS a 75 gpd membrane... the vendor is just advising you to run it at 10 psi over the manufacturer's spec.

Guess what - you can run any Filmtec 75 gpd at 60 psi rather than 50 psi and it will output 90 gpd. No magic here other than good marketing. https://www.buckeyehydro.com/calculator/

 

[t5Nitro]

Interesting!! Makes sense though. Maybe ill go back to a single 75 gpd membrane and keep the RO buddy as a booster. Thats probably the easiest and best for the membrane. I can takedown the water saver kit and remove the second membrane in series.

 

[Uncle99]

If membranes remove 95% of contaminates, the the first will reduce 100tds to 5tds and the second 5tds to 0.05tds, easier handled by DI.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

If membranes remove 95% of contaminates, the the first will reduce 100tds to 5tds and the second 5tds to 0.05tds, easier handled by DI.

That's if they are in a two pass system. There are no such systems used in this hobby. Remember it is the concentrate from the first membrane that feeds the second if you plumb membranes in series.

 

[SPS2020]

It's never a good idea to plumb two membranes in series (concentrate from the first feeding the second) unless you have soft, or softened water.

@Buckeye Hydro If you have a moment, I'll take some advice on my piggyback configuration, please.

My RODI was using a single 150gpd membrane with 31 TDS from the source and 0 TDS out of the single membrane. A booster pump provided around 80psi.

I upgraded to two 150 gpd membranes configured in a series as seen below and as instructed by Spectrapure with a 2400cc inline flow restrictor. The result was pressure dropped to 46psi and now has 3 TDS out of the second membrane. I can understand the drop in pressure, but am perplexed by the increase in TDS from 0 to 3.

Question is what would be anticipated results moving this to a parallel configuration? I'm assuming a longer membrane life and more waste water? Would there be a change needed for the flow restrictor in the parallel configuration?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Your feedwater is nearly RO quality - I'd leave it as is - plumbed in series.

Except 46 psi is not sufficient for 2 x 150 gpd membranes. If you're using an 8800 booster pump that is not up to the task.

Russ

 

[SPS2020]

Your feedwater is nearly RO quality - I'd leave it as is - plumbed in series.

Except 46 psi is not sufficient for 2 x 150 gpd membranes. If you're using an 8800 booster pump that is not up to the task.

Russ

Thanks, Russ!

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

High Capacity Booster Pump, 3/8 inch

At Buckeye Hydro we specialize in providing the highest quality water filtration systems and accessories for every potential need.

www.buckeyehydro.com

We also have a beefy power supply that can drive this pump

 

[SPS2020]

High Capacity Booster Pump, 3/8 inch

At Buckeye Hydro we specialize in providing the highest quality water filtration systems and accessories for every potential need.

www.buckeyehydro.com

We also have a beefy power supply that can drive this pump

My current model is: 8852-2J03-B423
Power supply model: TACS114-48
Output: 24V AC 2.0A
1\4" lines

Would I need something in the 5800 series like 5858-2LM2-B534? Giving you guys a call would probably be best, but thought others might gain some insight as well.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Our High capacity pump is in the 5800 series

 

[SPS2020]

Our High capacity pump is in the 5800 series

Thank you!

 

[BZOFIQ]

Here is my self built monster fully controlled by the APEX; took awhile to research and ask questions but working very well.

Thank you @Buckeye Hydro for answering all the questions I had and timely shipping stuff as needed.

 

[t5Nitro]

Here is my self built monster fully controlled by the APEX; took awhile to research and ask questions but working very well.

Thank you @Buckeye Hydro for answering all the questions I had and timely shipping stuff as needed.

Whoa that's a monster ro unit!!

 

[t5Nitro]

What would you guys do to optimize the flow restrictor with an RO smart buddy? I took it apart, thinking there would be a barrel type restrictor inside, but its an electrical flow restrictor? The green thing in the middle is the 300cc flow restrictor. The 550 ml per min barrel is what I wanted to use instead. This would make my 75 gpd membrane closer to 3:1. I think with the native restrictor it would run closer to 1.5:1.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Use a capillary flow restrictor instead. Much more flexible in terms of where you can install it.

Capillary Flow Restrictors

At Buckeye Hydro we specialize in providing the highest quality water filtration systems and accessories for every potential need.

www.buckeyehydro.com

 

[t5Nitro]

I just have to disconnect the wires to the flow restrictor in the middle you think? Add the capillary one or in line barrel to the waste line.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Wires? Do you mean tubes? Hard for me to tell what's what just from your pic.

One reason I am not a fan of those units... They take everything and enclose it and make it inaccessible.