I was quite surprised to see such a dramatic display of ion activity (on the TDS meter) between deionization stages after I installed two additional DI canisters in my RODI system and separated the cation, anion, and mixed-bed resins. Nearly pure water from the membrane going into the cation resin measures as high as 500 ppm coming out, before decreasing and leveling off in the mid 20s. This phenomena occurs during the firsts 3 minutes every time I run the system after it had been idle for a day or more.
I described this in detail previously, simply seeking a technical explanation, but instead got some interesting but conflicting advice. I’m still in the dark about what exactly happens (chemically) to the water passing through the cation resin, but now I’m even more confused about what to do about it… if anything, since after all, the water exits the final stage at zero TDS.
Essentially, I was advised to employ one of three different variations of the same tactic, and that is, to install a valve to divert the first gallon or so directly to drain to avoid unnecessarily flooding the downstream filter elements with excessive contaminants, thereby shortening their useful lifespan. But here’s the kicker… I was advised by three different people to tap the plumbing in three different locations: 1) prior to the membrane; 2) after the membrane, prior to the cation resin; and 3) after the cation resin prior to the anion resin.
Has anyone here had a similar experience, and applied one of these solutions? Which one? Have you ever heard of anyone else doing it? Granted, it’d be an inexpensive and simple mod, but would it even make a measurable difference in the long run?
I described this in detail previously, simply seeking a technical explanation, but instead got some interesting but conflicting advice. I’m still in the dark about what exactly happens (chemically) to the water passing through the cation resin, but now I’m even more confused about what to do about it… if anything, since after all, the water exits the final stage at zero TDS.
Essentially, I was advised to employ one of three different variations of the same tactic, and that is, to install a valve to divert the first gallon or so directly to drain to avoid unnecessarily flooding the downstream filter elements with excessive contaminants, thereby shortening their useful lifespan. But here’s the kicker… I was advised by three different people to tap the plumbing in three different locations: 1) prior to the membrane; 2) after the membrane, prior to the cation resin; and 3) after the cation resin prior to the anion resin.
Has anyone here had a similar experience, and applied one of these solutions? Which one? Have you ever heard of anyone else doing it? Granted, it’d be an inexpensive and simple mod, but would it even make a measurable difference in the long run?