RO Membrane Restoration

Extend the useable life of membranes for years at a fraction of the costs of new membranes.

WHAT IS MEMBRANE RESTORATION?

Reverse Osmosis membranes reject impurities but allow water to penetrate. Over time, particulate matter concentrates on the surface of the membranes reducing their efficiency. The under-performance of these “exhausted” membranes results in higher operating pressures, reduced output, poorer quality, and increased operating expenses.

Since membranes can exhaust in as little as 3 to 12 months (depending on the application), continually replacing your commercial reverse osmosis membranes can become a costly endeavor. Periodic professional membrane cleaning increases efficiency and extends the useable life of membranes for years. Since the costs implications are a fraction of what it costs to continually purchase new membranes, many operators have come to recognize the economic advantage of cleaning over replacement.

ACM Technologies is an expert provider of reverse osmosis membrane cleaning for RO systems in industrial and commercial applications. 

Advantages of cleaning 

• Increase effectiveness
• Environmentally friendly
• Reduce costs

Our specially engineered cleaning stations combine the right combination of flows, temperatures, and pressures with a broad spectrum of solutions capable of cleaning even the most stubborn foulants.

KNOWING WHEN TO CLEAN

Timing is everything. Failure to clean membranes at the appropriate time allows organics, clay, and biofilm to accumulate on the surface of the membrane. Wait too long causes these contaminants to compress into the membrane forming an impermeable layer, making removal more difficult. Extra cleaning cycles require more time and chemicals. But the cleaning process itself can weaken membranes if done too frequently.

Membrane manufacturers recommend cleaning when normalized parameters change by 10%-15%. Such parametric indicators include:

• Flux rate decreases by 10%
• Trans-membrane pressure (TMP) increases by 10%
• Permeate water quality decreases by 10%

REMOVING CLAY & ORGANICS

ACM has established strict parameters for the aqueous environment necessary to clean membranes effectively without harming them. Temperature and concentration are critical. 

The solution should be prepared using the correct chemical concentration with permeate water of 35°C – 40°C (95°F – 105°F) that circulates to warm the membranes. The pH and temperature and adjusted to comply with the guidelines for each membrane manufacturer. Micro bubbles are introduced to create turbulence and promote founts to dislodge. The cleaning solution is recirculated for 30 minutes and membranes are soaked for another 30 minutes to determine the extent of organic fouling. During soaking, normal osmosis causes permeate flow back through the membrane loosening deposits. Discolored solution is replaced with new solution and the process is repeated until the solution remains clean. 

INORGANIC CLEANING

Inorganic deposits such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and silica are more stubborn and require addition solutions to remove. Calcium carbonate and iron are cleaned with a mild acid cleaner containing micro bubbles. Chelating agents are used to remove inorganic founts like calcium sulfate and silica that cannot be removed by acid solution.    

RINSING

Once contaminants have been removed from the membranes, the must be rinsed until no cleaning solutions are detected. Flushing the with permeate removes remaining contaminants and left over chemical solution. Membranes are flushed until a normal pH is achieved (typically 30-60 minutes).  Once complete, the membranes are wrapped in plastic sleeves, boxes, and shipped back to return to service.

 SUPPORTED SIZES

Our cleaning infrastructure is capable of cleaning both 4” and 8” diameter RO membranes.  

 REPORTING

ACM’s RO Membrane Health Analysis records the critical performance metrics for each membrane both before and after the cleaning process detailing how effective the cleaning was in restoring flow and salt rejection. We will evaluate your membranes and offer clean/replace recommendations for any size or manufacturer. Cleaned membranes are returned to you packaged in new boxes and bags. ACM can also provide “loaner” membranes for use while we clean your units. 

 PROCESS

1. Discard any membranes you feel are not salvageable.

2. Click here to or click the “Get Started” button.

3. Complete the online form. Enter all the information about the membranes you want cleaned.

4. Print your cleaning confirmation and along with your fouled membranes and a signed PO to ACM.

Send your membranes to :

ACM Technologies
Membrane Restoration
344 Granary Road
Forest Hill, MD 21050

To lower your total cost of ownership and learn more about RO membrane cleaning, contact your ACM or ResinTech representative.