Ro membrane question

[Zbass]

general question about RO Filter. I don't have any TDS meters but I have just noticed a significant decrease in my output. my resin, carbon, and sentiment filters are fairly new. it's been just a little over a year on my RO membrane. is this a good sign it needs to be changed? and also would it help to add maybe muilptile sentiment filters to help improve the life of the ro membrane , cause I have to change the sentiment filters about every 3 months, its get pretty nasty.

 

[lapin]

Sediment can build up on the outside layer of the RO filter. Do you flush it regularly ?

 

[Shirak]

What type of water are you on? Sediment filters looking bad after 3 months is not a good sign. Is it a 5 micron? Typically the sediment is 5 micron and the carbon block is 1 micron. Finer silt can still get through and clog the surface of the RO membrane. Can you do a flush with the waste side full flow? That may flush some of the stuff off the membrane.

 

[Zbass]

Sediment can build up on the outside layer of the RO filter. Do you flush it regularly ?

no. It doesn't have a flush on it

 

[Zbass]

What type of water are you on? Sediment filters looking bad after 3 months is not a good sign. Is it a 5 micron? Typically the sediment is 5 micron and the carbon block is 1 micron. Finer silt can still get through and clog the surface of the RO membrane. Can you do a flush with the waste side full flow? That may flush some of the stuff off the membrane.

it doesn't have a flush on it. im not sure I am supposed to flush it

 

[Zbass]

What type of water are you on? Sediment filters looking bad after 3 months is not a good sign. Is it a 5 micron? Typically the sediment is 5 micron and the carbon block is 1 micron. Finer silt can still get through and clog the surface of the RO membrane. Can you do a flush with the waste side full flow? That may flush some of the stuff off the membrane.

im on city water

 

[Shirak]

If the sediment filter is needing replacing every few months then I think flushing the membrane would be a good idea. Everything you have described so far sounds like the membrane is clogging up. Only other potential this time a year is colder water which will reduce RO output.

Can you disconnect the flow restrictor and then let the waste line flow unrestricted for a minute? I would also look into a changing the waste line/flow restrictor assembly to one that has a flush bypass function. Some photos of your current setup might help.

With regard to your previous question. Would more pre filters help? Yes maybe.. if they are catching more particles that could clog the carbon and the membrane. I think I would be inclined to go with a 5 micron and a 1 micro sediment filter and then a 1 micron carbon block. @Buckeye Hydro would be good to talk to about options as your RO membrane shouldn't be clogging up within a year.

 

[Zbass]

If the sediment filter is needing replacing every few months then I think flushing the membrane would be a good idea. Everything you have described so far sounds like the membrane is clogging up. Only other potential this time a year is colder water which will reduce RO output.

Can you disconnect the flow restrictor and then let the waste line flow unrestricted for a minute? I would also look into a changing the waste line/flow restrictor assembly to one that has a flush bypass function. Some photos of your current setup might help.

With regard to your previous question. Would more pre filters help? Yes maybe.. if they are catching more particles that could clog the carbon and the membrane. I think I would be inclined to go with a 5 micron and a 1 micro sediment filter and then a 1 micron carbon block. @Buckeye Hydro would be good to talk to about options as your RO membrane shouldn't be clogging up within a year.

So I’m doing what you said and it’s flushing as we speak. I’m trying to send you pics but it’s just spinning

 

[Zbass]

If the sediment filter is needing replacing every few months then I think flushing the membrane would be a good idea. Everything you have described so far sounds like the membrane is clogging up. Only other potential this time a year is colder water which will reduce RO output.

Can you disconnect the flow restrictor and then let the waste line flow unrestricted for a minute? I would also look into a changing the waste line/flow restrictor assembly to one that has a flush bypass function. Some photos of your current setup might help.

With regard to your previous question. Would more pre filters help? Yes maybe.. if they are catching more particles that could clog the carbon and the membrane. I think I would be inclined to go with a 5 micron and a 1 micro sediment filter and then a 1 micron carbon block. @Buckeye Hydro would be good to talk to about options as your RO membrane shouldn't be clogging up within a year.

 

[Zbass]

 

[Zbass]

 

[Zbass]

 

[Zbass]

flushed it for 20 minutes, no change in the flow. I would say it probably is the cold weather here then . it's about 32 degrees and my filters are in my garage.

 

[Shirak]

I would but the restrictor back in and give it a try and see if it's improved. There isn't much more you can do at this point. Flushing will help to a point.. But it also depends on how badly the membranes are clogged and what they are clogged with. You may need to replace the membranes. Before I did that, I would look into the pre-filter setup and easier flush valve to help reduce this problem in the future.

I am on a well and have pretty silty water. Lots of prefilters but they don't catch stuff below 1 micron in size. I run a lot of water out the waste (4 or 5: 1 roughly) which helps prevent particles from clogging the membrane. The 2nd membrane on your system makes it hard to do this and will cause more clogging problems.

 

[Shirak]

flushed it for 20 minutes, no change in the flow. I would say it probably is the cold weather here then . it's about 32 degrees and my filters are in my garage.

Is the water temperature different now than summer? Could be partly that. The filters being in a cold room will only be an issue for a few minutes but a lot of city water are supplied with large water towers which could be colder this time of year.

 

[Zbass]

Is the water temperature different now than summer? Could be partly that. The filters being in a cold room will only be an issue for a few minutes but a lot of city water are supplied with large water towers which could be colder this time of year.

oh yes. I would say the water is much colder now

 

[Shirak]

oh yes. I would say the water is much colder now

That would certainly do it!

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Unfortunately your system does not have:

• pressure gauge
• TDS meter

So we are sort of flying blind here. Some potential causes:

• sediment filter is clogged
• carbon block is clogged
• RO membrane(s) are scaled or fouled
• water pressure is low
• water temperature is low

Also - be very careful that the system isn't exposed to freezing temps - freezing water in the system will destroy the plastic parts.

Russ