Tugger Burke works in the technical department here at Kleen-Rite and always has helpful tips for car wash owners. In this post, Tugger points out some important things to remember when it comes to reverse osmosis systems and the membranes used in those systems.

Reverse osmosis systems are common in many of today’s car washes. It is important to keep track of your R.O data to know when it is time to replace your system’s membrane(s). Flow, TDS, & pressure are some of the important areas of interest you will want to keep a log of. When it comes time to replace the membrane, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions to prevent premature failure.

Proper start-up of your R.O system will prepare your new membranes for service. This prevents damage due to overfeeding or hydraulic shock. A complete system check should be completed, along with any pressure adjustments and calibration prior to putting the new membranes into service.

During start-up, a gradual change from a standstill, to final operating state is recommended. It will take some time (hours/days) for the membrane to achieve stabilized performance. Remember, it is very important NOT to increase pressure at this time because you are not getting enough flow.

Again, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing new membrane elements in your R.O system. If you have any questions, we are here to help!

Tugger Burke

Kleen-Rite Technician

Tom@kleen-ritecorp.com