Optimal Cleaning of RO Elements

Optimal Cleaning of RO elements

Ideal cleaning situation

• The type of foulant present on the membrane elements is

known
• Effective cleaning procedures are followed
• Cleaning restores membrane element performance to
original start-up data
• Proper designed RO system and CIP skid
• Few cleanings per year
• Membrane element life 3-5 years
Reality

• What is on the membrane is not known

(may have a vague idea)
• Cleanings are not restoring membrane element
performance
• Operating time between cleanings become shorter: more
frequent cleaning
• Short membrane life (< 3 years)
But ……

• There are things that enable you to optimize your current

cleaning practices
Water characteristics

• Colloids: SDI
• Scalants: LSI, SI
• Organics: TOC
• Micro-organisms: CFU/ml

All lead to membrane fouling

Fouling behavior - water sources

• Well water leads to iron fouling, scaling

• City water leads to scaling, colloidal, organic, and microbiological
fouling
• Surface water leads to scaling, colloidal, organic, and microbiological
fouling
Other factors affecting cleaning

• Plant design
• Plant operation
• Membrane element
• Chemicals
• Cleaning procedures
• CIP equipment
Cleaning criteria

• Normalized flow declines by 10%

• Pressure drop increases by 10-15%

• Normalized salt passage increases by 5-10%*

*Dependent on individual system design

Incorrect cleaning criteria

• Pump pressure cannot be further increased

• RO system barely produces permeate
• Pressure drop is 15 psi per element or 50 psi per multi-
element vessel
A typical pressure drop for a multi element vessel in the first stage is
approximately 15-20 psi. The 50 psi pressure drop cleaning criteria would mean
that the pressure drop has increased 333%.
Operating at 50 psi pressure drop may cause irreversible element damage due to
high axial load. In addition, high pressure drop typically indicates severe fouling.
Cleaning or repeated cleanings are often not able to restore the membrane
element performance decline caused by the fouling.
Further, cleaning will not restore the performance decline caused by the
mechanical damage
Typical cleaning frequencies

• Well water (SDI <3) 2 / year

• City water (SDI 3-5) 3 - 4 / year
• Surface water (SDI 3-5) 4 - 6 / year
• Waste water (SDI 3-5) 4-12 / year
The role of normalization

• Determine whether performance changes are due to

fouling, problems or operating parameters
• Comparison of actual performance to a reference
performance
• Normalization programs – FT Norm
 Cleaning maintenance

Proper Cleaning Maintenance

Normalized Cleaning after a

Permeate 10-15% decline
maximizes RO
Flowrate
performance
Cleaning after 10-15% decline

Improper Cleaning Maintenance

Waiting too long
to clean reduces
Normalized RO performance
Permeate
Flowrate

Cleaning after > 15% decline

Time
Before you clean

• Determine location of fouling

• Obtain detailed feed water source analysis
• Identify pH and temperature limits of membrane element
Location of the fouling

• First stage
colloidal fouling, organic fouling,
microbiological fouling
• Last stage
scaling, organic fouling,
microbiological fouling
Feed water source

• Well water:
– iron fouling, scaling
• City water:
– scaling, colloidal, organic, and microbiological fouling
• Surface water:
– scaling, colloidal, organic, and microbiological fouling
• Analyze feed water and concentrate sample
• Analyze cartridge filter residue or SDI filter residue
FILMTEC™ membranes
-pH and Temperature limits

Element type Max Temp Max Temp Max Temp Max Temp
50 C 45 C 35 C 25 C
(122 F) (113 F) (95 F) (77 F)
pH range pH range pH range pH range

BW30, BW30LE, Contact 1 - 10.5 1 - 12 1 - 13

TW30, TW30HP, Dow for
LE, XLE, NF90 assistance

SW30HR, SW30, Contact 1 - 10.5 1 - 12 1 - 13

SW30HR LE, Dow for
SW30XLE assistance

NF270, NF200 Not allowed 3 - 10 1 - 11 1 - 12

Other membrane manufacturers

• Typical cleaning pH limits 3.5 – 10

• Harsh cleaning pH limits 2 - 12
FILMTEC™ elements can be cleaned
between pH 1 and 13…Why?

• FilmTec does not oxidize the membrane as part of the

manufacturing process
• No membrane patching is applied
• Element construction is robust
• As a result, FILMTECTM membrane elements can
withstand pH 1 and pH 13
 Why clean at high pH?

• Much greater efficiency for removal

Effect of pH (alkaline cleaning)
of biofouling and organic fouling
• Facilitates longer operating time on removal of biofouling
between cleanings
20

Relative change permeate

- lower cleaning chemical costs
- better system operation 15
- membrane life is extended

flow
10 2% STPP+0.8%
NaEDTA@35C

0
pH 10 pH 11 pH 12

Cleaning below pH 12 is not effective

What’s so Special About pH 13?

• While others still restrict their cleaning limits FilmTec has

increased theirs
• pH 13 provides more options
– Higher temperature cleaning is not possible
– pH 12 is not effective
– Extend membrane life (2nd Wind)
Why clean at Low pH?

• Much greater efficacy for removal of calcium carbonate

• Removal facilitates longer operating time between
cleanings
- lower cleaning chemical costs
- better system operation
- membrane life is extended
Effect of acid type and pH
on calcium carbonate scale removal

2.5
Relative change permeate flow

2 pH 1 is most
effective
1.5

0.5

0
2% citric HCl@pH2.5 HCl@pH 2,35C HCl @ pH 1, HCl@ pH 1,
acid@pH 4, ,35C 25C 35C
40C

Recommended Cleaning Conditions

More
Less Effective
Effective
Citric acid concerns

• Less effective for removal of calcium carbonate, iron

oxide/hydroxide
• Can contribute/accelerate biofouling
Alkaline cleaning first
-Why?

Acid reacts with organics, silica, and

biofouling→ further membrane performance decline.

Subsequent cleanings may not restore the

performance decline caused by the acid cleaning
Key design considerations
– Cleaning In Place system

• Cartridge filters
• Temperature controlled heating/cooling
• CIP tank should not have a flat bottom
• Concentrate and permeate return lines immersed (minimize foaming)
• Properly designed cleaning pump
 CIP System

Permeate to Permeate to Storage Tank

Cleaning Tank (Normal Operation)
(Cleaning Operation)

Concentrate
Permeate from Concentrate to to Drain
Cleaning Tank (Normal Operation)
Storage Tank
(Cleaning Operation)

Cleaning Tank Cartridge Filter RO Unit

®
Recommended feed flow rates during
high flow cleaning

Feed pressure1 Element Feed flow per

diameter pressure vessel
psig bar inches gpm m3/hr
20-60 1.5 – 4.0 2.5 3-5 0.7-1.2
20-60 1.5 – 4.0 42 8-10 1.8-2.3
20-60 1.5 – 4.0 6 16-20 3.6-4.5
20-60 1.5 – 4.0 8 30-40 6 -9.1
20-60 1.5 – 4.0 83 35-45 8.0-10.2
1. Dependent on number of elements in pressure vessel
2. 4 inch full-fit elements should be cleaned at 12-14 gpm (2.7 – 3.2 m3/hr)
3. For full-fit and 440 sq.ft area elements
Key RO system design considerations
for optimal cleaning results

• Stages should be cleaned separately

• Pressure drop can be measured/calculated of each stage
• Concentrate, permeate return lines to CIP tank
• Permeate flush prior to shutdown
• High pressure pump is not used for cleaning
Cleaning must do’s

• Permeate flush between cleanings

• Permeate for cleaning chemical solution preparation
• Inspect CIP tank prior to each cleaning
• Measure pH during cleaning: adjust pH when needed
• Chemical solution preparation: take dilution effect into account
• Alkaline cleanings at elevated temperatures: 35°C (95°F)
• Acid cleanings can be carried out at minimum 25°C (77°F)
• When using commercial cleaners: verify their compatibility
• Never use laundry soaps/detergents or household cleaners
When in doubt

• Review FilmTec Tech Fact “Cleaning Procedures for

FILMTEC FT30 Elements”
– (#609-23010-0605)
• Review Chapter 6 “Cleaning and Sanitization” of the
FilmTec Technical Manual
• Consult your Dow representative
Thank You!

For more information please visit our web site or

contact your local Dow representative.
http://www.dowwaterandprocess.com/