Membrane Installation

Parts of a Pressure Vessel

End cap assembly
There are two (2) end-caps per pressure vessel. One end-cap is on the feed end of the
pressure vessel while the other end-cap is installed on the brine end of the same
vessel. The brine end end-cap also contains the permeate port.

Membrane adapter
There are two (2) membrane adapters (also called stub tube adapters) per pressure
vessel. These devices connect the membrane product water tube to the end-cap
assembly at each end of the pressure vessel.
Interconnector
There are six (6) membrane inter-connectors per 7 membrane pressure vessel. The
interconnectors connect the product water tubes between each adjacent membrane
element.

Brine Seal
Each membrane element requires a brine seal (sometimes called a chevron seal). The
brine seal fits in a groove at the feed end of the element with the open section of the
seal facing the incoming feed water. The brine seal will expand under normal
operation, effectively sealing against the inside wall of the pressure vessel and thus
stop feed water by-passing around the outside of the element, thus forcing all the
feed water through the membrane brine channel.
Pressure Vessel Preparation/Membrane Installation Steps
1. The pressure vessels are all properly mounted in their respective positions. Refer to
the pressure vessel manufacturer’s instructions in the appendix to identify all vessel
components. Inspect all O-rings on the end caps for proper fit. Lubricate all O-rings
with glycerin. Following the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual, install the
downstream end-caps (concentrate/brine end).

2. Install the large PVC thrust cone into the feed end of the pressure vessel.

3. Unwrap the membrane elements and place them on a clean surface to drain the
preservative – usually sodium meta-bisulfite solution. Latex gloves should be worn
when handling the elements and all surroundings should be kept in a clean state.

4. First, all membranes should have brine seals on one end which becomes the feed
end. The brine seals should be lubricated with glycerin.

5. On the downstream end of the first membrane, install one of the membrane
adapters (stub tube adapters). Lubricate all O-rings. The membrane adapter will push
into the product water tube of the membrane. Next, push the thrust cone and
membrane element into the feed end of the pressure vessel, pushing the membrane
element in about halfway.

6. Next, push the interconnector into the feed end of the first membrane loaded. The
next membrane will push onto the first membrane connecting the two membranes
with the inter connector. Push the second membrane into the pressure vessel making
sure it is kept aligned until half of the second membrane is inside the pressure vessel.

7. Repeat this procedure to push the last membrane into the pressure vessel. On the
feed end of the last membrane install another membrane adapter (stub tube
adapter). This adapter will connect the membrane to the end cap assembly of the
feed end of the pressure vessel. Push all membranes from the feed end until the lead
end membrane adapter seats into the downstream (brine/concentrate) end-cap.
Should seating the adapter in the end-cap prove difficult, try tapping the downstream
end cap to help align it with the adapter.

8. Finally, install the feed end end-cap assembly. Refer to the manufacturers’ manual
for complete installation instructions regarding the pressure vessels and membranes.

NOTE: Be careful not to roll any of the O-rings. Rolled, broken, or nicked O-rings
will result in raw feed water entering the permeate tube of the membrane, which
will reduce permeate water quality.
Victaulic Joint at RO Plant