SR0081937_OWTS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

RO Troubleshooting The ability to troubleshoot a problem with an R.O. system is important! Our Master Water Specialists have decades of experience in residential, commercial and industrial R.O. systems. Below are some common problems and their potential solutions. High TDS: Possible causes include a bad/torn membrane, worn ASV (Auto Shutoff Valve), post filtration problems, low water use. Possible Solutions: Test the membrane performance by removing the membrane permeate water line from the membrane housing and testing the water after allowing the water to run for several minutes. The production and rejection rates should meet specification based on incoming TDS, pressure (at membrane inlet) and temperature. Older membranes will see these numbers degrade overtime. If the membrane tests good, the cause could be a torn seal in the ASV. If the ASV is over 5 years old it should be replaced. A torn ASV seal can cause the untreated water to blend with the treated water. Post filters can impart TDS. If the membranes tests good, try running water out of the faucet through the post filter for 15 minutes with the tank turned off. The TDS should drop to the same as the membrane. If the TDS remains high, then you may have a remineralizing filter or a filter that is imparting TDS. If the TDS drops after 15 minutes then it is likely the system is simply being under utilized. Regular flushing of the system should be done. Weekly is usually considered acceptable. Vibration: This is one of the most frustrating problems and most difficult to correct. Vibration can be caused by many factors, none of which are easy to determine. Common causes include air in the system, harmonics, ASV, tank pressure, and improper application. Possible Solutions: Air in the system can be removed by closing the tank ball valve and tilt the unit so that the permeate side of the membrane is up. Open the faucet for 1 minute, then close for 1 minute. Repeat this 4 times. Open the tank and retest the system. If this does not correct the problem, installing a 900 ml/min. flow restrictor on the inlet to the 50 GPD membrane housing may correct the problem. Other solutions include adjusting the feed water pressure lower (PSI must never exceed 80 PCI per UPC code 608.2) and adjusting the tank pressure to 4 PSI. The most common installation error that causes vibration is the installation of an ASV to a mechanical float without a pressurized storage tank. Add a small storage or accumulator tank to eliminate this issue on water coolers or other devices that use a mechanical float. Not Enough Water: R.O. membranes are a consumable item and require regular replacement or testing. Common causes of low water production are low water pressure, temperature, high tds, undersized unit, inadequate incoming water flow, fouled mem- brane by either scale, floccing, or biologics, missing drain flow restrictor, bad tank. Possible Solutions: Membranes have easily calculable specifications. Please refer to our membrane page for detailed specifica- tions for temperature and pressure ratings. Residential membranes are commonly rated for SO gpd at 75 PSI and 77°F. lower pres- sures or temperatures and high TDS can all greatly reduce a membranes performance. Be sure to have a professional way of measuring water production. A simple graduated cylinder is recommended. Fouled membranes are more difficult to determine and can happen very quickly. Scale issues are typically caused by inadequate brine ratios or hard water. Increasing the water to the waste typically reduces this issue. Floccing fouling commonly occurs when municipal supplies add excessive floccing agents to the water supply. Biological fouling is typically caused by improper or infrequent system maintenance and a lack of system sanitiz- ing. A missing drain flow restrictor is another common problem that occurs when the installer reuses the drain line from the old system and inadvertently disposes of the drain line tubing which typically contains the drain flow restrictor. A worn or missing check valve will typically cause the system to cycle on and off. These are just a few common problems that occur with R.O. systems. Please contact your supplier for available training seminars where these issues and many more are discussed in a classroom setting. A 50 GPD system will produce water at a rate that mimics a fast drip or slow trickle and will typically fill the storage tank in about 1 to 4 hours. The storage tank uses an air charged bladder to push product water to the faucet. Based on various factors, the actual liquid volume of the storage tank will likely be about 50% of the actual capacity. As the tank empties, it is normal for the flow rate to the faucet to steadily decrease. The system will automatically replenish the storage tank at the rate of about 1-2 gallons per hour. Note that lower water temperature will result in slower replenishment of the storage tank. 14