Pump & Pressure

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Questions on Pumps & Pressure for Reverse Osmosis

Systems
Question Shortcuts (click a
topic to skip to that
question)
What is the minimum
Pressure required for a 36
GPD membrane?
Will RO Membranes
desalinate seawater at
30-40PSI?
Is it safe to run the system
at 80 PSI?

What is the minimum pressure required for M-T1812A36 membrane to give output
below which the water flow will stop?

This will depend on the total dissolved solids [TDS] in your water. For a rough
estimate take TDScontent of water in ppm and divide by 100. This would be the
minimum pressure in pounds per square inch. For example for a water TDS of 500
ppm, the minimum pressure would be 5 psi.

Is it possible to use a reverse osmosis membrane to perform desalination of

seawater at a pump pressure of 30-40 psi?

No. The natural osmotic pressure of typical seawater is about 350 psi, therefore,
to get any water to pass through the membrane the applied pressure would need
to be more than the seawater psi.

What is the safe operating pressure for the AAA-1005 system? Can a booster pump
be installed to maintain at 80 psi?

The Maximum pressure recommended is 80 psi and is ok to operate with a booster

pump.

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Pump & Pressure

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http://www.watertreatmentguide.com/membrane_requirements.htm

How do I install a permeate pump onto my residential RO?

Click Below for permeate pump installation instructions:

ERP-1000 Installation Instructions (PDF)

Can Auto Shut Off Valve be used w/ boost pump & pressure switch?

Yes, if the PSW shuts off the pump BEFORE the ASV shuts off the water supply to
the membrane. If the ASV is located upstream of the pump, and shuts off the supply
of water to the pump while it is still running, the PSW will continue to allow electricity
to flow to the pump. While dry running is not harmful to the pump, energy is
consumed, and moving parts are wearing.
If the ASV is located between the pump and the membrane, the pump will continue
to run under pressure, requiring the water in the pump to continually by-pass within
the pump. This condition will develop heat, and may cause damage to the pump.

The Aquatec booster pump output pressure is only 60psi?

Assuming you have not adjusted the by pass setting, you may be using a membrane
with a permeate production higher than the pump can supply. Either switch to a
higher
flow pump, or go to a lower rated membrane.

What effect does feed pressure have on the tank/faucet pressures in Residential RO
Systems?

None. The flow of water to the membrane will increase, but 80 psi pump discharge
pressure will not change due to the preset by pass pressure.

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http://www.watertreatmentguide.com/membrane_requirements.htm

The pump that delivers water to the refrigerator is noisy.

The pressure switch controlled demand delivery pump is probably delivering more
water than the icemaker can accept (usually about 1/4 gpm at 35 psi), and is
momentarily
reaching its shutoff pressure. Use a lower flow pump, and add an accumulator
between
the pump and refrigerator if necessary.

What is the useful life of a Procon Pump?

Procon pumps have an expected life of 10,000 hours of continuous use.

When running my RO system the upstream and downstream pressure gauges are
pegged at 0. The particle filter prior to the feed pump is clean and the TDS on the
conductivity meter is 2. What could be the problem?

This may mean that the incoming water flow is just enough for the pump to run the
pump. And when the pump turns on the pump is sucking all the water to create a
near zero pressure in the feed line. When the pump shuts down, the gauges should
show the static in-line pressure (not zero).

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Softeners, Etc.] [RO Filters & Housings] [RO Membrane Housings/Pressure Vessels] [Residential RO Components] [Commercial RO Components] [RO Pumps]
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All Content on this site is intended for informational purposes for experienced water treatment professionals only. Applied Membranes, Inc. does not assume any
liability for any damages caused by the misapplication or misinterpretation of any of the information contained on this website.
Applied Membranes, Inc. 2007

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