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Old 31-05-2011, 15:29   #1
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Watermaker Query

Hi,

I'm just bringing my Aqua-Base watermaker back into commission after it not having been used for something in the region of 2 years. Prior to that I have receipts that it was serviced and the membranes re-newed and apparently it was never used again after that.....til now.

It runs, pressurises and produces water from sea water, but the TDS are high at around 700.

Can anyone give me a list of things to do in which order to see if I can get this figure down to a respectable level? Or do I just fork out for new membranes??!!

Thanks
Sam
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Old 01-06-2011, 12:49   #2
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Re: Watermaker Query

2 years is a long time for a watermaker to be in storage unless the membranes were preserved in glycol.
The membranes are probably dehydrated in which case they will need replacing. I have had limited success bringing dried out membranes back to limited life by completely immersing them in fresh, unchlorinated water for a few days then refitting and bringing the pressure up very slowly but they are never quite the same as new.
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Old 01-06-2011, 19:03   #3
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Re: Watermaker Query

I agree, two years is a long time. Even using Proplyne Glycol -100 a watermaker should be flushed and re-pickled each year. As a side note, I have become, over time and experiance, a believer in using nothing else but PG-100 regardless of the time a watermaker will be stored.
You might want to also check the membrane vessels O-rings that seal the product tube on the membrane. Many times after such a long period of non use these can fail to seal properly once pressure is re-applied. It doessn't take but a very very small failure there to raise the TDS levels to the 700PPM range.
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Old 06-06-2011, 08:01   #4
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Re: Watermaker Query

Thanks for your advice, NoTies & Tellie, I'll replace the O-rings; can I tell by looking at the membrane if it is dehydrated?

Best
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Old 06-06-2011, 12:12   #5
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Re: Watermaker Query

It's usually impossible to tell by looking but the ends should be clean and white/light coloured and no obvious signs of damage. If the membrane housings are not completely full of liquid when you start dismantling then you can be pretty much guaranteed the membranes will be no good.
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