F. TROUBLESHOOTING
RO TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
SYMPTOMS
Salt Passage
Permeate Flow
Pressure Drop
Location
Possible Causes
Verification
Corrective Action
Normal to
increased
Decreased Normal
to
increased
Predominantly
first stage
Metal oxide
Analysis of metal
ions in cleaning
solution.
Improved pretreatment
to remove metals.
Cleaning with acid
cleaners.
Normal to
increased
Decreased Normal
to
increased
Predominantly
first stage
Colloidal fouling
SDI measurement
of feed/ X-ray
diffraction
analysis of
cleaning sol.
Residue.
Optimize pretreatment
system for colloidal
removal. Clean with
high pH, anionic
detergent formulation.
Increased
Decreased Increased Predominantly
last stage
Scaling
(CaSO
4
, CaSO
3
,
BaSO
4
, SiO
2
)
Analysis of metal
ions in cleaning
sol. Check LSI of
reject. Calculate
maximum
solubility for
CaSO
4
, BaSO
4
,
SiO
2
in reject
analysis.
Increase acid addition
and scale inhibitor for
CaSO
3
and CaSO
4
.
Reduce recovery.
Clean with an acid
formulation for
CaCO
3
, CaSO
4
and
BaSO
4
.
Normal to
moderate
increase
Decreased Normal
to
moderate
increase
Can occur in
any stage
Biological fouling
Bacteria count in
permeate and
reject. Slime in
pipes and vessels.
Shock dosage of
sodium bisulfite.
Continuous feed of
low conc. Of bisulfite
at reduced pH.
Formaldehyde
sterilization. Clean
with alkaline anionic
surfactant. Chlorine
dosage up-stream with
subs. Dechlorination.
Replace cartridge
filters.
Decreased or
moderately
increased
Decreased
Normal
All stages
Organic fouling
Destructive
testing, e.g. IR
reflection
analysis.
Optimization of
pretreatment system
(e.g. coagulation
process.)
Resin/activated carbon
treatment. Clean with
high pH detergent.
Increased
Increased
Decreased
Most severe in
the first stage
Chlorine oxidant
attack
Chlorine analysis
of feed.
Destructive
element test.
Check chlorine feed
equipment and
dechlorination
equipment.
Increased
Increased
Decreased
Most severe in
the first stage
Abrasion of
membrane by
crystalline material
Microscopic
solids analysis of
feed. Destructive
element test.
Improved
pretreatment. Check
all filters for media
leakage.
Increased Normal
to
increased
Decreased
At random
O-ring leaks, End
or side seal glue
leaks.
Probe test.
Vacuum test.
Colloidal
material passage.
Replace O-rings.
Repair or replace
elements.
Increased
Normal to low
Decreased
All stages
Conversion too
high.
Check flows and
pressures against
design guidelines
Reduce conversion
rate. Calibrate sensors.
Increase analysis and
data collection.
Summary of Contents for R14-02
Page 9: ...Figure 1 Separate motor starter enclosure used only with CI 1000 controller ...
Page 10: ...Figure 2 Controller Package One ...
Page 11: ...Figure 3 Controller Package Two ...
Page 16: ...REVERSE OSMOSIS CONTROLLER OPERATION MANUAL Model CI 1000 A L A M O W A T E R R E F I N E R S ...
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