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1
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8everse Csmosls ls a Lechnology LhaL ls used Lo remove a large ma[orlLy of conLamlnanLs from waLer by
pushlng Lhe waLer under pressure Lhrough a seml-permeable membrane. 1hls paper ls almed Lowards
an audlence LhaL has llLLle of no experlence wlLh 8everse Csmosls and wlll aLLempL Lo explaln Lhe baslcs
ln slmple Lerms LhaL should leave Lhe reader wlLh a beLLer overall undersLandlng of 8everse Csmosls
Lechnology and lLs appllcaLlons.
1hls paper covers Lhe followlng Loplcs:

1. undersLandlng Csmosls and 8everse Csmosls
2. Pow does 8everse Csmosls (8C) work?
3. WhaL conLamlnanLs does 8everse Csmosls (8C) remove?
4. erformance and deslgn calculaLlons for 8everse Csmosls (8C) sysLems
a. SalL 8e[ecLlon
b. SalL assage
c. 8ecovery
d. ConcenLraLlon lacLor
e. llux 8aLe
f. Mass 8alance
3. undersLandlng Lhe dlfference beLween passes and sLages ln a 8everse Csmosls (8C) sysLem
a. 1 sLage vs 2 sLage 8everse Csmosls (8C) sysLem
b. Array
c. 8everse Csmosls (8C) sysLem wlLh a concenLraLe recycle
d. Slngle ass vs uouble ass 8everse Csmosls (8C) sysLems
6. re-LreaLmenL for 8everse Csmosls (8C)
a. loullng
b. Scallng
c. Chemlcal ALLack
d. Mechanlcal uamage
7. re-LreaLmenL SoluLlons for 8everse Csmosls (8C)
a. MulLl Medla lllLraLlon
b. Mlcro lllLraLlon
c. AnLlscalanLs and scale lnhlblLors
d. SofLenlng by lon exchange
e. Sodlum 8lsulflLe (S8S) ln[ecLlon
f. Cranular AcLlvaLed Carbon (CAC)
8. 8everse Csmosls (8C) performance Lrendlng and daLa normallzaLlon
9. 8everse Csmosls (8C) membrane cleanlng
10. Summary



"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

2
345*,$1#45%46 )*+*,$* -$.'$%$
8everse osmosls, commonly referred Lo as 8C, ls a process where you demlnerallze or delonlze waLer by pushlng lL
under pressure Lhrough a seml permeable reverse osmosls membrane.

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1o undersLand Lhe purpose and process of 8everse Csmosls you musL flrsL undersLand Lhe naLurally occurrlng
process of Csmosls.

Csmosls ls a naLurally occurrlng phenomenon and one of Lhe mosL lmporLanL processes ln naLure. lL ls a process
where a weaker sallne soluLlon wlll Lend Lo mlgraLe Lo a sLrong sallne soluLlon. Lxamples of osmosls are when planL
rooLs absorb waLer from Lhe soll and our kldneys absorb waLer from our blood.

8elow ls a dlagram whlch shows how osmosls works. A soluLlon LhaL ls less concenLraLed wlll have a naLural
Lendency Lo mlgraLe Lo a soluLlon wlLh a hlgher concenLraLlon. lor example, lf you had a conLalner full of waLer
wlLh a low salL concenLraLlon and anoLher conLalner full of waLer wlLh a hlgh salL concenLraLlon and Lhey were
separaLed by a seml-permeable membrane, Lhen Lhe waLer wlLh Lhe lower salL concenLraLlon would begln Lo
mlgraLe Lowards Lhe waLer conLalner wlLh Lhe hlgher salL concenLraLlon.



A seml-permeable membrane ls a membrane LhaL wlll allow some aLoms or molecules Lo pass buL noL
oLhers. A slmple example ls a screen door. lL allows alr molecules Lo pass Lhrough buL noL pesLs or
anyLhlng larger Lhan Lhe holes ln Lhe screen door. AnoLher example ls Core-Lex cloLhlng fabrlc LhaL
conLalns an exLremely Lhln plasLlc fllm lnLo whlch bllllons of small pores have been cuL. 1he pores are blg
enough Lo leL waLer vapor Lhrough, buL small enough Lo prevenL llquld waLer from passlng.

8everse Csmosls ls Lhe process of Csmosls ln reverse. Whereas Csmosls occurs naLurally wlLhouL energy
requlred, Lo reverse Lhe process of osmosls you need Lo apply energy Lo Lhe more sallne soluLlon. A
reverse osmosls membrane ls a seml-permeable membrane LhaL allows Lhe passage of waLer molecules
buL noL Lhe ma[orlLy of dlssolved salLs, organlcs, bacLerla and pyrogens. Powever, you need Lo 'push' Lhe
waLer Lhrough Lhe reverse osmosls membrane by applylng pressure LhaL ls greaLer Lhan Lhe naLurally
occurrlng osmoLlc pressure ln order Lo desallnaLe (demlnerallze or delonlze) waLer ln Lhe process,
allowlng pure waLer Lhrough whlle holdlng back a ma[orlLy of conLamlnanLs.


"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

3
8elow ls a dlagram ouLllnlng Lhe process of 8everse Csmosls. When pressure ls applled Lo Lhe
concenLraLed soluLlon, Lhe waLer molecules are forced Lhrough Lhe seml-permeable membrane and Lhe
conLamlnanLs are noL allowed Lhrough.



7'8 5'*$ )*+*,$* -$.'$%$ 8',92
8everse osmosls works by uslng a hlgh pressure pump Lo lncrease Lhe pressure on Lhe salL slde of Lhe 8C and force
Lhe waLer across Lhe seml-permeable 8C membrane, leavlng almosL all (around 93 Lo 99) of dlssolved salLs
behlnd ln Lhe re[ecL sLream. 1he amounL of pressure requlred depends on Lhe salL concenLraLlon of Lhe feed waLer.
1he more concenLraLed Lhe feed waLer, Lhe more pressure ls requlred Lo overcome Lhe osmoLlc pressure.

ln very slmple Lerms, feed waLer ls pumped lnLo a 8everse Csmosls (8C) sysLem and you end up wlLh Lwo Lypes of
waLer comlng ouL of Lhe 8C sysLem: good waLer and bad waLer. 1he good waLer LhaL comes ouL of an 8C sysLem
has Lhe ma[orlLy of conLamlnanLs removed and ls called permeaLe. AnoLher Lerm for permeaLe waLer ls producL
waLer - Lhey mean Lhe same Lhlng. ermeaLe ls Lhe waLer LhaL was pushed Lhrough Lhe 8C membrane and
conLalns very llLLle conLamlnanLs.

1he 'bad' waLer ls Lhe waLer LhaL conLalns all of Lhe conLamlnanLs LhaL were unable Lo pass Lhrough Lhe 8C
membrane and ls known as Lhe concenLraLe, re[ecL, or brlne. All Lhree Lerms (concenLraLe, re[ecL, and brlne) are
used lnLerchangeably and mean Lhe same Lhlng. 8elow ls a slmple schemaLlc LhaL shows how an 8C sysLem works.
As Lhe feed waLer enLers Lhe 8C membrane under pressure (enough pressure Lo overcome osmoLlc pressure) Lhe
waLer molecules pass Lhrough Lhe seml-permeable membrane and Lhe salLs and oLher conLamlnanLs are noL
allowed Lo pass and are dlscharged Lhrough Lhe concenLraLe sLream, whlch goes Lo draln or can be fed back lnLo
Lhe feed waLer supply ln some clrcumsLances Lo be recycled Lhrough Lhe 8C sysLem Lo save waLer. 1he waLer LhaL
makes lL Lhrough Lhe 8C membrane ls called permeaLe or producL waLer and usually has around 93 Lo 99 of Lhe
dlssolved salLs removed from lL.

RO Membrane


Permeate Water
Pump (Low ConcenLraLlon of SalLs)


Reject Stream
(Plgh ConcenLraLlon of salLs)
Feed Water

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

4

lL ls lmporLanL Lo undersLand LhaL an 8C sysLem employs cross fllLraLlon raLher Lhan sLandard fllLraLlon where Lhe
conLamlnanLs are collecLed wlLhln Lhe fllLer medla. WlLh cross fllLraLlon, Lhe soluLlon passes Lhrough Lhe fllLer, or
crosses Lhe fllLer, wlLh Lwo ouLleLs: Lhe fllLered waLer goes one way and Lhe conLamlnaLed waLer goes a dlfferenL
rouLe. 1o avold bulld up of conLamlnanLs, cross flow fllLraLlon allows waLer Lo sweep away conLamlnanL bulld up
and also allow enough Lurbulence Lo keep Lhe membrane surface clean.

/0#1 8%:: )*+*,$* -$.'$%$ ,*.'+* (,'. 8#1*,2
8everse Csmosls ls capable of removlng up Lo 99+ of Lhe dlssolved salLs (lons), parLlcles, collolds,
organlcs, bacLerla and pyrogens from Lhe feed waLer (alLhough an 8C sysLem should noL be relled upon
Lo remove 100 of bacLerla and vlruses). An 8C membrane re[ecLs conLamlnanLs based on Lhelr slze and
charge. Any conLamlnanL LhaL has a molecular welghL greaLer Lhan 200 ls llkely re[ecLed by a properly
runnlng 8C sysLem. Llkewlse, Lhe greaLer Lhe lonlc charge of Lhe conLamlnanL, Lhe more llkely lL wlll be
unable Lo pass Lhrough Lhe 8C membrane. lor example, a sodlum lon has only one charge (monovalenL)
and ls noL re[ecLed by Lhe 8C membrane as well as calclum for example, whlch has Lwo charges.
Llkewlse, Lhls ls why an 8C sysLem does noL remove gases such as CC
2
very well because Lhey are noL
hlghly lonlzed (charged) whlle ln soluLlon and have a very low molecular welghL. 8ecause an 8C sysLem
does noL remove gases, Lhe permeaLe waLer can have a sllghLly lower Lhan normal pP level dependlng
on CC
2
levels ln Lhe feed waLer as Lhe CC
2
ls converLed Lo carbonlc acld.

8everse Csmosls ls very effecLlve ln LreaLlng bracklsh, surface and ground waLer for boLh large and small
flows appllcaLlons. Some examples of lndusLrles LhaL use 8C waLer lnclude pharmaceuLlcal, boller feed
waLer, food and beverage, meLal flnlshlng and semlconducLor manufacLurlng Lo name a few.

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1here are a handful of calculaLlons LhaL are used Lo [udge Lhe performance of an 8C sysLem and also for
deslgn conslderaLlons. An 8C sysLem has lnsLrumenLaLlon LhaL dlsplays quallLy, flow, pressure and
someLlmes oLher daLa llke LemperaLure or hours of operaLlon. ln order Lo accuraLely measure Lhe
performance of an 8C sysLem you need Lhe followlng operaLlon parameLers aL a mlnlmum:

1. leed pressure
2. ermeaLe pressure
3. ConcenLraLe pressure
4. leed conducLlvlLy
3. ermeaLe conducLlvlLy
6. leed flow
7. ermeaLe flow
8. 1emperaLure

@#:1 )*A*&1%'4 B
1hls equaLlon Lells you how effecLlve Lhe 8C membranes are removlng conLamlnanLs. lL does noL Lell you
how each lndlvldual membrane ls performlng, buL raLher how Lhe sysLem overall on average ls
performlng. A well-deslgned 8C sysLem wlLh properly funcLlonlng 8C membranes wlll re[ecL 93 Lo 99
of mosL feed waLer conLamlnanLs (LhaL are of a cerLaln slze and charge). ?ou can deLermlne effecLlve Lhe
8C membranes are removlng conLamlnanLs by uslng Lhe followlng equaLlon:


"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

3
SalL 8e[ecLlon =
ConducLlvlLy of leed WaLer - ConducLlvlLy of ermeaLe WaLer
x 100

ConducLlvlLy of leed
1he hlgher Lhe salL re[ecLlon, Lhe beLLer Lhe sysLem ls performlng. A low salL re[ecLlon can mean LhaL Lhe
membranes requlre cleanlng or replacemenL.

@#:1 ;#$$#6* B
1hls ls slmply Lhe lnverse of salL re[ecLlon descrlbed ln Lhe prevlous equaLlon. 1hls ls Lhe amounL of salLs
expressed as a percenLage LhaL are passlng Lhrough Lhe 8C sysLem. 1he lower Lhe salL passage, Lhe
beLLer Lhe sysLem ls performlng. A hlgh salL passage can mean LhaL Lhe membranes requlre cleanlng or
replacemenL.

SalL assage = (1- SalL 8e[ecLlon)

)*&'+*,C B
ercenL 8ecovery ls Lhe amounL of waLer LhaL ls belng 'recovered' as good permeaLe waLer. AnoLher
way Lo Lhlnk of ercenL 8ecovery ls Lhe amounL of waLer LhaL ls noL senL Lo draln as concenLraLe, buL
raLher collecLed as permeaLe or producL waLer. 1he hlgher Lhe recovery means LhaL you are sendlng
less waLer Lo draln as concenLraLe and savlng more permeaLe waLer. Powever, lf Lhe recovery ls Loo
hlgh for Lhe 8C deslgn Lhen lL can lead Lo larger problems due Lo scallng and foullng. 1he 8ecovery for
an 8C sysLem ls esLabllshed wlLh Lhe help of deslgn sofLware Laklng lnLo conslderaLlon numerous facLors
such as feed waLer chemlsLry and 8C pre-LreaLmenL before Lhe 8C sysLem. 1herefore, Lhe proper
8ecovery aL whlch an 8C should operaLe aL depends on whaL lL was deslgned for. 8y calculaLlng Lhe
8ecovery you can qulckly deLermlne lf Lhe sysLem ls operaLlng ouLslde of Lhe lnLended deslgn. 1he
calculaLlon for 8ecovery ls below:

8ecovery = ermeaLe llow 8aLe (gpm)
x 100

leed llow 8aLe (gpm)

lor example, lf Lhe recovery raLe ls 73 Lhen Lhls means LhaL for every 100 gallons of feed waLer LhaL
enLer Lhe 8C sysLem, you are recoverlng 73 gallons as usable permeaLe waLer and 23 gallons are golng
Lo draln as concenLraLe. lndusLrlal 8C sysLems Lyplcally run anywhere from 30 Lo 83 recovery
dependlng Lhe feed waLer characLerlsLlcs and oLher deslgn conslderaLlons.

>'4&*41,#1%'4 D#&1',
1he concenLraLlon facLor ls relaLed Lo Lhe 8C sysLem recovery and ls an lmporLanL equaLlon for 8C
sysLem deslgn. 1he more waLer you recover as permeaLe (Lhe hlgher Lhe recovery), Lhe more
concenLraLed salLs and conLamlnanLs you collecL ln Lhe concenLraLe sLream. 1hls can lead Lo hlgher
poLenLlal for scallng on Lhe surface of Lhe 8C membrane when Lhe concenLraLlon facLor ls Loo hlgh for
Lhe sysLem deslgn and feed waLer composlLlon.

ConcenLraLlon lacLor = (1 / (1-8ecovery )

1he concepL ls no dlfferenL Lhan LhaL of a boller or coollng Lower. 1hey boLh have purlfled waLer exlLlng
Lhe sysLem (sLeam) and end up leavlng a concenLraLed soluLlon behlnd. As Lhe degree of concenLraLlon

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

6
lncreases, Lhe solublllLy llmlLs may be exceeded and preclplLaLe on Lhe surface of Lhe equlpmenL as
scale.

lor example, lf your feed flow ls 100 gpm and your permeaLe flow ls 73 gpm, Lhen Lhe recovery ls
(73/100) x 100 = 73. 1o flnd Lhe concenLraLlon facLor, Lhe formula would be 1 - (1-73) = 4.

A concenLraLlon facLor of 4 means LhaL Lhe waLer golng Lo Lhe concenLraLe sLream wlll be 4 Llmes more
concenLraLed Lhan Lhe feed waLer ls. lf Lhe feed waLer ln Lhls example was 300 ppm, Lhen Lhe
concenLraLe sLream would be 300 x 4 = 2,000 ppm.

D:?E

Cfd = gpm of permeaLe x 1,440 mln/day s
# of 8C elemenLs ln sysLem x square fooLage of each 8C elemenL

lor example, you have Lhe followlng:
1he 8C sysLem ls produclng 73 gallons per mlnuLe (gpm) of permeaLe.
?ou have 3 8C vessels and each vessel holds 6 8C membranes. 1herefore you have a LoLal of 3 x 6 = 18
membranes.
1he Lype of membrane you have ln Lhe 8C sysLem ls a uow lllmLec 8W30-363. 1hls Lype of 8C
membrane (or elemenL) has 363 square feeL of surface area.


1o flnd Lhe flux (Cfd):

Cfd = 73 gpm x 1,440 mln/day s
18 elemenLs x 363 sq fL

= 108,000
6,370

1he flux ls 16 Cfd.

1hls means LhaL 16 gallons of waLer ls passed Lhrough each square fooL of each 8C membrane per day.
1hls number could be good or bad dependlng on Lhe Lype of feed waLer chemlsLry and sysLem deslgn.
8elow ls a general rule of Lhumb for flux ranges for dlfferenL source waLers and can be beLLer
deLermlned wlLh Lhe help of 8C deslgn sofLware. lf you had used uow lllmLec LL-440l 8C membranes ln
Lhe above example, Lhen Lhe flux would have been 14. So lL ls lmporLanL Lo facLor ln whaL Lype of
membrane ls used and Lo Lry and keep Lhe Lype of membrane conslsLenL LhroughouL Lhe sysLem.

D**5 /#1*, @'?,&* F(5
Sewage LffluenL 3-10
Sea WaLer 8-12
8racklsh Surface WaLer 10-14
8racklsh Well WaLer 14-18
8C ermeaLe WaLer 20-30

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

7

G#$$ "#:#4&*
A Mass 8alance equaLlon ls used Lo help deLermlne lf your flow and quallLy lnsLrumenLaLlon ls readlng
properly or requlres callbraLlon. lf your lnsLrumenLaLlon ls noL readlng correcLly, Lhen Lhe performance
daLa Lrendlng LhaL you are collecLlng ls useless.

?ou wlll need Lo collecL Lhe followlng daLa from an 8C sysLem Lo perform a Mass 8alance calculaLlon:
1. leed llow (gpm)
2. ermeaLe llow (gpm)
3. ConcenLraLe llow (gpm)
4. leed ConducLlvlLy (S)
3. ermeaLe ConducLlvlLy (S)
6. ConcenLraLe ConducLlvlLy (S)

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M
E D**5 >'45?&1%+%1CN O L;*,.*#1* D:'8 E ;*,.*#1* >'45?&1%+%1CN P L>'4&*41,#1* D:'8Q>'4&*41,#1* >'45?&1%+%1CN

!
#$$% #&'( $)*+&, -$./$+0$ #&'( 1 2'34$30.+0$ #&'(

lor example, lf you collecLed Lhe followlng daLa from an 8C sysLem:
ermeaLe llow 3 gpm
leed ConducLlvlLy 300 S
ermeaLe ConducLlvlLy 10 S
ConcenLraLe llow 2 gpm
ConcenLraLe ConducLlvlLy 1200 S

H0*4 10* G#$$ "#:#4&* RJ?#1%'4 8'?:5 I*K

(7 x 300) = (3 x 10) + (2*1200)

3,300 2,430

H0*4 (%45 10* 5%((*,*4&*K

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()*
+,,

--
--
+,,

O MSB

A dlfference of +/- 3 ls ok. A dlfference of +/- 3 Lo 10 ls generally adequaLe. A dlfference of > +/-
10 ls unaccepLable and callbraLlon of Lhe 8C lnsLrumenLaLlon ls requlred Lo ensure LhaL you are
collecLlng useful daLa. ln Lhe example above, Lhe 8C mass balance equaLlon falls ouL of range and
requlres aLLenLlon.




"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

8
345*,$1#45%46 10* 5%((*,*4&* I*18**4 T#$$*$ #45 $1#6*$ %4 # )*+*,$* -$.'$%$ L)-N $C$1*.
1he Lerm 'sLage' and 'pass' are ofLen mlsLaken for Lhe same Lhlng ln an 8C sysLem and can be confuslng
Lermonology for an 8C operaLor. lL ls lmporLanL Lo undersLand Lhe dlfffernce beLween a 1 and 2 sLage
8C and a 1 and 2 pass 8C.

=%((*,*4&* I*18**4 # M #45 U $1#6* )- @C$1*.
ln a one sLage 8C sysLem, Lhe feed waLer enLers Lhe 8C sysLem as one sLream and exlLs Lhe 8C as elLher
concenLraLe or permeaLe waLer.

ln a Lwo-sLage sysLem Lhe concenLraLe (or re[ecL) from Lhe flrsL sLage Lhen becomes Lhe feed waLer Lo
Lhe second sLage. 1he permeaLe waLer ls collecLed from Lhe flrsL sLage ls comblned wlLh permeaLe waLer
from Lhe second sLage. AddlLlonal sLages lncrease Lhe recovery from Lhe sysLem.

M $1#6* )- $C$1*.
leed WaLer
ermeaLe WaLer
ConcenLraLe WaLer


)- GRG")VWR



U $1#6* )- $C$1*.
leed WaLer
ermeaLe WaLer
ConcenLraLe WaLer


)- GRG")VWR


)- GRG")VWR


)- GRG")VWR


1
sL
SLage 2
nd
SLage
D**5
;*,.*#1*
/#1*,
>'4&*41,#1*
/#1*,
D**5
;*,.*#1*
/#1*,
>'4&*41,#1*
/#1*,

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

9

V,,#C
ln a reverse osmosls sysLem an array descrlbes Lhe physlcal arrangemenL of Lhe pressure vessels ln a 2
sLage sysLem. ressure vessels conLaln 8C membranes (usually from 1 Lo 6 8C membranes are ln a
pressure vessel). Lach sLage can have a cerLaln amounL of pressure vessels wlLh 8C membranes. 1he
re[ecL of each sLage Lhen becomes Lhe feed sLream for Lhe nexL successlve sLage. 1he 2 sLage 8C sysLem
dlsplayed on Lhe prevlous page ls a 2:1 array whlch means LhaL Lhe concenLraLe (or re[ecL) of Lhe flrsL 2
8C vessels ls fed Lo Lhe nexL 1 vessel.

)- @C$1*. 8%10 >'4&*41,#1* )*&C&:*
WlLh an 8C sysLem LhaL can'L be properly sLaged and Lhe feed waLer chemlsLry allows for lL, a
concenLraLe recycle seLup can be uLlllzed where a porLlon of Lhe concenLraLe sLream ls fed back Lo Lhe
feed waLer Lo Lhe flrsL sLage Lo help lncrease Lhe sysLem recovery.

leed WaLer
ermeaLe WaLer
ConcenLraLe WaLer





)- GRG")VWR


)- GRG")VWR


)- GRG")VWR




ConcenLraLe 8ecycle SLream




;*,.*#1*
/#1*,
>'4&*41,#1*
/#1*,
D**5 /#1*,

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

10
@%46:* ;#$$ )- +$ ='?I:* ;#$$ )-
1hlnk of a 'pass' as a sLand alone 8C sysLem. WlLh Lhls ln mlnd, Lhe dlfference beLween a slngle pass 8C
sysLem and a double pass 8C sysLem ls LhaL wlLh a double pass 8C, Lhe permeaLe from Lhe flrsL pass
becomes Lhe feed waLer Lo Lhe second pass (or second 8C) whlch ends up produclng a much hlgher
quallLy permeaLe because lL has essenLlally gone Lhrough Lwo 8C sysLems.

8esldes produclng a much hlgher quallLy permeaLe, a double pass sysLem also allows Lhe opporLunlLy Lo
remove carbon dloxlde gas from Lhe permeaLe by ln[ecLlng causLlc beLween Lhe flrsL and second pass.
C0
2
ls undeslrable when you have mlxed bed lon exchange resln beds afLer Lhe 8C. 8y addlng causLlc
afLer Lhe flrsL pass, you lncrease Lhe pP of Lhe flrsL pass permeaLe waLer and converL C0
2
Lo blcarbonaLe
(PCC
3
-
) and carbonaLe (CC
3
-2
) for beLLer re[ecLlon by Lhe 8C membranes ln Lhe second pass. 1hls can'L
be done wlLh a slngle pass 8C because ln[ecLlng causLlc and formlng carbonaLe (CC
3
-2
) ln Lhe presence of
caLlons such as calclum wlll cause scallng of Lhe 8C membranes.

@%46:* ;#$$ )-
leed WaLer
ermeaLe WaLer
ConcenLraLe WaLer


)- GRG")VWR



='?I:* ;#$$ )-
leed WaLer
ermeaLe WaLer
ConcenLraLe WaLer

)- GRG")VWR )- GRG")VWR






ConcenLraLe 8ecycle back Lo feed waLer

D**5 /#1*,
>'4&*41,#1*
/#1*,
D**5
;*,.*#1*
/#1*,
>'4&*41,#1*
/#1*,

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

11
)- ;,*1,*#1.*41
roper preLreaLmenL uslng boLh mechanlcal and chemlcal LreaLmenLs ls crlLlcal for an 8C sysLem Lo
prevenL foullng, scallng and cosLly premaLure 8C membrane fallure and frequenL cleanlng requlremenLs.
8elow ls a summary of common problems an 8C sysLem experlences due Lo lack of proper
preLreaLmenL.
D'?:%46
loullng occurs when conLamlnanLs accumulaLe on Lhe membrane surface effecLlvely plugglng Lhe
membrane. 1here are many conLamlnanLs ln munlclpal feed waLer LhaL are naked Lo Lhe human eye and
harmless for human consumpLlon, buL large enough Lo qulckly foul (or plug) an 8C sysLem. loullng
Lyplcally occurs ln Lhe fronL end of an 8C sysLem and resulLs ln a hlgher pressure drop across Lhe 8C
sysLem and a lower permeaLe flow. 1hls LranslaLes lnLo hlgher operaLlng cosLs and evenLually Lhe need
Lo clean or replace Lhe 8C membranes. loullng wlll Lake place evenLually Lo some exLenL glven Lhe
exLremely flne pore slze of an 8C membrane no maLLer how effecLlve your preLreaLmenL and cleanlng
schedule ls. Powever, by havlng proper preLreaLmenL ln place, you wlll mlnlmlze Lhe need Lo address
foullng relaLed problems on a regular basls.
loullng can be caused by Lhe followlng:
1. arLlculaLe or colloldal maLer (dlrL, sllL, clay, eLc.)
2. Crganlcs (humlc/fulvlc aclds, eLc)
3. Mlcroorganlsms (bacLerla, eLc). 8acLerla presenL one of Lhe mosL common foullng problems
slnce 8C membranes ln use Loday cannoL LoleraLe a dlslnfecLanL such as chlorlne and Lhefore
mlcroorganlsms are ofLen able Lo Lhrlve and mulLlply on Lhe membrane surface. 1hey may
producL blofllms LhaL cover Lhe membrane surface and resulL ln heavy foullng.
4. 8reakLhrough of fllLer medla upsLream of Lhe 8C unlL. CAC carbon beds and sofLener beds may
develop an under draln leak and lf Lhere ls noL adequaLe posL fllLraLlon ln place Lhe medla can
foul Lhe 8C sysLem.

8y performlng analyLlcal LesLs, you can deLermlne lf Lhe feed waLer Lo your 8C has a hlgh poLenLlal for
foullng. 1o prevenL foullng of an 8C sysLem, mechanlcal fllLraLlon meLhods are used. 1he mosL popular
meLhods Lo prevenL foullng are Lhe use of mulLl-medla fllLers (MMl) or mlcrofllLraLlon (Ml). ln some
cases carLrldge fllLraLlon wlll sufflce.

@&#:%46
As cerLaln dlssolved (lnorganlc) compounds become more concenLraLed (remember dlscusslon on
concenLraLlon facLor) Lhen scallng can occur lf Lhese compounds exceed Lhelr solublllLy llmlLs and
preclplLaLe on Lhe membrane surface as scale. 1he resulLs of scallng are a hlgher pressure drop across
Lhe sysLem, hlgher salL passage (less salL re[ecLlon), low permeaLe flow and lower permeaLe waLer
quallLy. An example of a common scale LhaL Lends Lo form on an 8C membrane ls calclum carbonaLe
(CaCC
3
).

>0*.%&#: V11#&9
Modern Lhln fllm composlLe membranes are noL LoleranL Lo chlorlne or chloramlnes. Cxldlzers such as
chlorlne wlll 'burn' holes ln Lhe membrane pores and can cause lrreparable damage. 1he resulL of
chemlcal aLLack on an 8C membrane ls a hlgher permeaLe flow and a hlgher salL passage (poorer quallLy

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

12
permeaLe waLer). 1hls ls why mlcroorganlsm growLh on 8C membranes Lends Lo foul 8C membranes so
easlly slnce Lhere ls no bloclde Lo prevenL lLs growLh.

G*&0#4%&#: =#.#6*
arL of Lhe preLreaLmenL scheme should be pre and posL 8C sysLem plumblng and conLrols. lf 'hard
sLarLs' occur mechanlcal damage Lo Lhe membranes can occur. Llkewlse, lf Lhere ls Loo much
backpressure on Lhe 8C sysLem Lhen mechanlcal damage Lo Lhe 8C membranes can also occur. 1hese
can be addressed by uslng varlable frequency drlve moLors Lo sLarL hlgh pressure pumps for 8C sysLems
and by lnsLalllng check valve(s) and/or pressure rellef valves Lo prevenL excesslve back pressure on Lhe
8C unlL LhaL can cause permanenL membrane damage.

;,*1,*#1.*41 @':?1%'4$
8elow are some preLreaLmenL soluLlons for 8C sysLems LhaL can help mlnlmlze foullng, scallng and
chemlcal aLLack.

G?:1% G*5%# D%:1*, LGGDN
A MulLl-Medla lllLer ls used Lo help prevenL foullng of an 8C sysLem. A MMl Lyplcally conLalns Lhree
layers of medla conslsLlng of anLhraclLe coal, sand and garneL, wlLh a supporLlng layer of gravel aL Lhe
boLLom. 1hese are Lhe medlas of cholce because of Lhe dlfferences ln slze and denslLy. 1he larger (buL
llghLer) anLhraclLe coal wlll be on Lop and Lhe heavler (buL smaller) garneL wlll remaln on Lhe boLLom.
1he fllLer medla arrangemenL allows Lhe largesL dlrL parLlcles Lo be removed near Lhe Lop of Lhe medla
bed wlLh Lhe smaller dlrL parLlcles belng reLalned deeper and deeper ln Lhe medla. 1hls allows Lhe enLlre
bed Lo acL as a fllLer allowlng much longer fllLer run Llmes beLween backwash and more efflclenL
parLlculaLe removal.

A well-operaLed MulLl-Medla lllLer can remove parLlculaLes down Lo 13-20 mlcrons. A MulLl-Medla lllLer
LhaL uses a coagulanL addlLlon (whlch lnduces Llny parLlcles Lo [oln LogeLher Lo form parLlcles large
enough Lo be fllLered) can remove parLlculaLes down Lo 3-10 mlcrons. 1o puL Lhls ln perspecLlve, Lhe
wldLh of a human halr ls around 30 mlcrons.

A mulLl medla fllLer ls suggesLed when Lhe SllL uenslLy lndex (Sul) value ls greaLer Lhan 3 or when Lhe
LurbldlLy ls greaLer Lhan 0.2 n1u. 1here ls no exacL rule, buL Lhe above guldellnes should be followed Lo
prevenL premaLure foullng of 8C membranes.

lL ls lmporLanL Lo have a 3 mlcron carLrldge fllLer placed dlrecLly afLer Lhe MMl unlL ln Lhe evenL LhaL Lhe
under dralns of Lhe MMl fall. 1hls wlll prevenL Lhe MMl medla from damaglng downsLream pumps and
foullng Lhe 8C sysLem.

G%&,'(%:1,#1%'4 LGDN
MlcrofllLraLlon ls effecLlve ln removlng colloldal and bacLerla maLLer and has a pore slze of only 0.1-
10m. Ml ls helpful ln reduclng foullng poLenLlal for an 8C unlL. Membrane conflguraLlon can vary
beLween manufacLurers, buL Lhe "hollow flber" Lype ls Lhe mosL commonly used. 1yplcally, Lhe waLer ls
pumped from Lhe ouLslde of Lhe flbers, and Lhe clean waLer ls collecLed from Lhe lnslde of Lhe flbers.
MlcrofllLraLlon membranes used ln poLable waLer appllcaLlons usually operaLe ln "dead-end" flow. ln
dead-end flow, all of Lhe waLer fed Lo Lhe membrane ls fllLered Lhrough Lhe membrane. A fllLer cake LhaL

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

13
musL be perlodlcally backwashed from Lhe membrane surface forms. 8ecovery raLes are normally
greaLer Lhan 90 percenL on feed waLer sources whlch have falrly hlgh quallLy and low LurbldlLy feeds.

V41%$&#:#41$X@&#:* Y40%I%1',$
AnLlscalanLs and scale lnhlblLors, as Lhelr name suggesLs, are chemlcals LhaL can be added Lo feed waLer
before an 8C unlL Lo help reduce Lhe scallng poLenLlal of Lhe feed waLer. AnLlscalanLs and scale
lnhlblLors lncrease Lhe solublllLy llmlLs of Lroublesome lnorganlc compounds. 8y lncreaslng Lhe solublllLy
llmlLs, you are able Lo concenLraLe Lhe salLs furLher Lhan oLherwlse would be posslble and Lherefore
achleve a hlgher recovery raLe and run aL a hlgher concenLraLlon facLor. AnLlscalanLs and scale lnhlblLors
work by lnLerferlng wlLh scale formaLlon and crysLal growLh. 1he cholce of anLlscalanL or scale lnhlblLor
Lo use and Lhe correcL dosage depends on Lhe feed waLer chemlsLry and 8C sysLem deslgn.

/#1*, @'(1*4%46
A waLer sofLener can be used Lo help prevenL scallng ln an 8C sysLem by exchanglng scale formlng lons
wlLh non scale formlng lons. As wlLh a MMl unlL, lL ls lmporLanL Lo have a 3 mlcron carLrldge fllLer
placed dlrecLly afLer Lhe waLer sofLener ln Lhe evenL LhaL Lhe under dralns of Lhe sofLener fall.

@'5%?. "%$?:(%1*
8y addlng sodlum blsulflLe (S8S or SM8S), whlch ls a reducer, Lo Lhe waLer sLream before an 8C aL Lhe
proper dose you can remove resldual chlorlne and chloramlnes.

F,#4?:#, V&1%+#1*5 >#,I'4 LFV>N
CAC ls used for boLh removlng organlc consLlLuenLs and resldual dlslnfecLanLs (such as chlorlne and
chloramlnes) from waLer. CAC medla ls made from coal, nuLshells or wood. AcLlvaLed carbon removes
resldual chlorlne and chloramlnes by a chemlcal reacLlon LhaL lnvolves a Lransfer of elecLrons from Lhe
surface of Lhe CAC Lo Lhe resldual chlorlne or chloramlnes. 1he chlorlne or chloramlnes ends up as a
chlorlde lon LhaL ls no longer an oxldlzer.

1he dlsadvanLage of uslng a CAC before Lhe 8C unlL ls LhaL Lhe CAC wlll remove chlorlne qulckly aL Lhe
very Lop of Lhe CAC bed. 1hls wlll leave Lhe remalnder of Lhe CAC bed wlLhouL any bloclde Lo klll
mlcroorganlsms. A CAC bed wlll absorb organlcs LhroughouL Lhe bed, whlch ls poLenLlal food for
bacLerla, so evenLually a CAC bed can become a breedlng ground for bacLerla growLh whlch can pass
easlly Lo Lhe 8C membranes. Llkewlse, a CAC bed can produce very small carbon flnes under some
clrcumsLances LhaL have Lhe poLenLlal Lo foul an 8C.

)- =#1# H,*45%46 #45 W',.#:%Z#1%'4
1he 8C membranes are Lhe hearL of Lhe 8C sysLem and cerLaln daLa polnLs need Lo be collecLed Lo
deLermlne Lhe healLh of Lhe 8C membranes. 1hese daLa polnLs lnclude Lhe sysLem pressures, flows,
quallLy and LemperaLure. WaLer LemperaLure ls dlrecLly proporLlonal Lo pressure. As Lhe waLer
LemperaLure decreases lL becomes more vlscous and Lhe 8C permeaLe flow wlll drop as lL requlres more
pressure Lo push Lhe waLer Lhrough Lhe membrane. Llkewlse, when Lhe waLer LemperaLure lncreases
Lhe 8C permeaLe flow wlll lncrease. As a resulL, performance daLa for an 8C sysLem musL be normallzed
so LhaL flow varlaLlons are noL lnLerpreLed as abnormal when no problem exlsLs. 1he normallzed flows,
pressures and salL re[ecLlon should be calculaLed, graphed and compared Lo Lhe basellne daLa (when Lhe
8C was commlssloned or afLer Lhe membranes were cleaned or replaced) Lo help LroubleshooL any
problems and also deLermlne when Lo clean or lnspecL Lhe membranes for damage. uaLa normallzaLlon

"#$%&$ '( )*+*,$* -$.'$%$

14
helps dlsplay Lhe Lrue performance of Lhe 8C membranes. As a general rule of Lhumb, when Lhe
normallzed change ls +/- 13 from Lhe basellne daLa Lhen you need Lo Lake acLlon. lf you don'L follow
Lhls rule Lhen 8C membrane cleanlngs may noL be very effecLlve aL brlnlng Lhe membranes back Lo near
new performance.

)- >:*#4%46
8C membranes wlll lnevlLably requlre perlodlc cleanlng, anywhere from 1 Lo 4 Llmes a year dependlng
on Lhe feed waLer quallLy. As a general rule, lf Lhe normallzed pressure drop or Lhe normallzed salL
passage has lncreased by 13, Lhen lL ls Llme Lo clean Lhe 8C membranes. lf Lhe normallzed permeaLe
flow has decreased by 13 Lhen lL ls also Llme Lo clean Lhe 8C membranes. ?ou can elLher clean Lhe 8C
membranes ln place or have Lhem removed from Lhe 8C sysLem and cleaned off slLe by a servlce
company LhaL speclallzes ln Lhls servlce. lL has been proven LhaL offslLe membrane cleanlng ls more
effecLlve aL provldlng a beLLer cleanlng Lhan onslLe cleanlng sklds.

8C membrane cleanlng lnvolves low and hlgh pP cleaners Lo remove conLamlnanLs from Lhe membrane.
Scallng ls addressed wlLh low pP cleaners and organlcs, colloldal and blofoullng are LreaLed wlLh a hlgh
pP cleaner. Cleanlng 8C membranes ls noL only abouL uslng Lhe approprlaLe chemlcals. 1here are many
oLher facLors lnvolved such as flows, waLer LemperaLure and quallLy, properly deslgned and slzed
cleanlng sklds and many oLher facLors LhaL an experlenced servlce group musL address ln order Lo
properly clean 8C membranes.

@?..#,C
8everse Csmosls ls an effecLlve and proven Lechnology Lo produce waLer LhaL ls sulLable for many
lndusLrlal appllcaLlons LhaL requlre demlnerallzed or delonlzed waLer. lurLher posL LreaLmenL afLer Lhe
8C sysLem such as mlxed bed delonlzaLlon can lncrease Lhe quallLy of Lhe 8C permeaLe and make lL
sulLable for Lhe mosL demandlng appllcaLlons. roper preLreaLmenL and monlLorlng of an 8C sysLem ls
cruclal Lo prevenLlng cosLly repalrs and unscheduled malnLenance. WlLh Lhe correcL sysLem deslgn,
malnLenance program, and experlenced servlce supporL, your 8C sysLem should provlde many years of
hlgh purlLy waLer.