Effective Cleaning Protocols for Removing Reverse Osmosis Fouling
2 patents in this list
Updated:
In order to preserve optimal performance, reverse osmosis (RO) systems require routine cleaning to eliminate reverse osmosis fouling. Scaling and biofouling can be avoided with good cleaning practices.
But there's more to think about than just cleaningᅳfrom making sure cleaning solutions are compatible with system materials to choosing the appropriate cleaning frequency and performance monitoring.
1. Chemical-Free Control of Silica Scaling in Reverse Osmosis Systems Through Ion Concentration Management
KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD., 2019
A method for controlling reverse osmosis (RO) membrane systems to prevent silica scaling at low temperatures without chemicals. The method involves measuring aluminum and iron ions in the feed and concentrate and adjusting system parameters based on those levels. By maintaining the aluminum and iron concentrations below certain thresholds (e.g., 0.4 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L, respectively), scaling can be prevented without pH adjustment or scale inhibitors. This allows continuous, long-term RO operation without reverse osmosis fouling at low temperatures.
2. Continuous Operation Reverse Osmosis System with Isolated Membrane Bank Cleaning
HITACHI, LTD., 2018
A reverse osmosis system with multiple membrane banks that allows continuous operation while cleaning membranes. The system has a bypass line to divert water around a bank being cleaned and a chemical cleaning line to provide a cleaning solution to a bank being bypassed. This lets the system isolate, clean, and restart one bank at a time while the others produce water.
Without the proper procedures in place, cleaning a reverse osmosis system to get rid of reverse osmosis fouling might harm the system. Protocols such as making sure cleaning solutions are compatible with system materials to choosing the appropriate cleaning frequency, and performance monitoring are necessary for efficient operation and filtration.
