Watermaker Membrane Problems

[svasunto]

So I screwed up.

I got the HP and LP fittings mixed up when I installed my new membranes and put about 300 (or so) PSI of salt water through the product water out let fitting.

I ran it like this for a couple minutes but was having trouble building pressure so I stopped and looked at the membranes before realizing what happened.

I took the membranes apart and fixed everything up properly. When I started up the system again I ran it at 800 PSI and got product water at about 1300 PPM. The quality got better with time, but very slowly, and after about an hour I was making water at about 550 PPM. I have two SW30-2540 membranes and when I checked the individual outlets they've were 750 and 350 PPM respectively (or close enough).

Since then I've tried taking the membranes about and checking all O-rings again, as well as running only a single membrane in the system, however I can not get the product water below 900 PPM (although I have not run it for an hour like the first time, maybe only 15 minutes).

Have I ruined my membranes by putting water in the wrong way?

Thanks

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by svasunto

Have I ruined my membranes by putting water in the wrong way?

Thanks

Yes...you have damaged the microscopic layer of the membrane that does the RO magic and unfortunately, there is no fix once the membrane film is cracked and has microscopic tears.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you need two new membranes.

[svasunto]

Thanks

It's too bad I have to replace the membranes but at least I can stop chasing other problems.




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