After using an RO water purifier for a while, it is highly possible that impurities may clog inside the RO housing and on the RO membrane. So, it is high recommended to clean the housing and the membrane often when using a RO system. It is a good habit to always make sure the membrane and housing is kept clean all the times, since the frequency at which the RO membrane is cleaned is strongly related to the quality of the water. In this article, we will provide detailed information on how to clean or flash a RO membrane at home.
When dealing with hard water, various salts, minerals, and undesired foreign substances might accumulate and obstruct the smooth passage of water, resulting in a lower flow rate of the membrane. This may result in a decrease in the rejection rate as well as a decrease in the water quality on your system. So, cleaning your membrane is a very basic step in maintaining your system and ensuring that you get the best quality water at all times.
There are two types of cleaning agents: one for cleaning calcium and magnesium ions, which is used in areas with high water quality, and another for cleaning organic compounds. It may be created from scratch at home or purchased ready-made. To carry out this cleaning process, make sure that you have a PH tester. The reason for this is that while cleaning the membrane, we use citric acid or hydrochloric acid; citric acid is produced into a 2% solution, therefore the PH value must be kept around 2 – 3.If cleaning organic matter, use 0.1% sodium hydroxide plus 0.025% sodium dodecyl sulfonate, mix with purified water and adjust the PH value to about 11-12.
Only one solvent can be used at a time, not both solvents. Mixed-use will not only have no effect but also cause irreversible damage to the RO membrane. If you wish to use both solvents, first wash the membrane with calcium and magnesium ion cleaning solution for about two hours; then rinse with clean water, followed by organic cleaning solution. Of course, if the blockage is too serious, then simply use the booster pump to pump the reagent into the RO membrane shell, soak it for two hours, and then clean it. After cleaning, rinse the membrane with clean water.
Although cleaning a RO membrane is a good practice, it is not suggested to clean a membrane on a regular basis if its performance is poor. We propose replacing the membrane since cleaning a membrane can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the chemicals or solutions used in the procedure.
Post time: Aug-16-2022