TROUBLESHOOTING

Introduction
Instruments for Membrane Systems And Alarm Functions
Data Interpretation / Troubleshooting Steps

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INTRODUCTION

Scope of Discussion
Standard instruments
Standard controls

Reference Materials
Troubleshooting Guide in Manual
Control Narrative / Sequence of Operation

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INSTRUMENTS

Instruments provide insight into equipment performance

Instruments provide data which dictates machine maintenance

frequency

Properly maintained instruments ensure product quality is

reached and consumables are maximized.

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STANDARD INSTRUMENTS

pH Meters

Conductivity Meters (RO,NF)

Flow Meters

Pressure Switches/ Transmitters

Temperature Switches/ Transmitters

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HIGH / LOW pH ALARM

Acid Control :
High set point above control point and below feedwater pH level.
Alarm indicates inadequate acid
Low set point should be just below control set point.

Caustic Control:
Low set point should be below control point and above feedwater pH
level. Alarm indicates inadequate caustic.
High set point should be just above control set point.

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pH ALARM

High/Low pH
Set: Varies, 3 and 7 is typical for a machine depending
upon membrane type used
Action: Shuts down machine and lights alarm light after
15 seconds
To Restart: Press alarm Reset button, or turn machine off,
then on again

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MONITORING of pH

Prevent hydrolysis of membrane element due to low

pH

Prevent membrane breakdown due to high pH

Early warning of water chemistry change

Rough means to monitor CIP progress

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 CONTROL pH FOR PERMEATE
QUALITY
-pH effects on permeate conductivity / compliance with
USP 24.

- Need to meet drinking water neutrality requirements for

municipalities.

- Tight pH requirements for beverage specifications (5-7).

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MONITORING of FLOW

• Provides insight into degree of fouling in the

machine (Low Permeate Flow Rate)

• Allows recovery monitoring

(Permeate flow / Feed flow)
• Provides information for correct high pressure
pump operation
(Check the Pump Curve)

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CONDUCTIVITY

Function of Conductivity for Membrane Systems

Measurement of the permeate water gives a good

indication of the purity of the water

Measurement of the inlet vs. the permeate water gives a

good indication of the effectiveness of the membrane at
rejecting impurities

Conductivity measurement is a performance indicator

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PERMEATE CONDUCTIVITY

Indirectly monitoring TDS levels

Can be used to alarm in cases such as USP or DI

pretreatment

Important fouling indicator for inorganic salts and metals

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FEED CONDUCTIVIY

Monitor rejection in conjunction with permeate

measurement

Monitor feedwater fluctuations for chemistry changes

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TEMPERATURE FUNCTION

Temperature switches/ transmitters set limits for safe

operation of the machine and protect the membrane
from damage.

Typically located in the concentrate piping. Output from

conductivity sensor is used to measure temperature.

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TEMPERATURE ALARM

High Temperature
Set: 85F to 105°F
Action: Shuts down machine, and lights alarm after 15
seconds
To Restart: Wait until temperature switch cools down,
then turn on machine again

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PRESSURE

Typically three switches or a combination of switches and

transmitters
Inlet devices protect the high pressure pumps from running dry
Devices protect the membrane from excessive back pressure on
the permeate or concentrate
Transmitters can be used to monitor pre/ post cartridge filter
pressure and primary and final pressures

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PRESSURE ALARMS

Low Inlet Pressure

Set: 12 psig
Action: Shuts down machine and lights alarm light
after 15 seconds
To Restart: Press alarm bypass button, or turn
machine off, then on again.

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PRESSURE ALARMS

High Permeate/ Concentrate Pressure

Set: 80 psig
Action: Shuts down machine and lights alarm light after
0.0 seconds
To Restart: Turn machine off, then on again

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OPTIONAL INSTRUMENTS

Continuous on-line instruments

ORP meters

Slip stream monitors

Alkalinity
Turbidity
Silica
Chlorine
TOC

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ORP METERS

Measure oxidation/reduction potential of feedwater to a

membrane system.

Can be used to control sulfite or bisulfite injection based

on ORP levels

Calibration for alarm points is determined based on

feedwater ORP without sulfite or bisulfite injection.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
LOW INLET PRESSURE

• Insufficient feedwater pressure or flow.

• Prefilter clogged.
• Excessively high feed flow rates - starving supply.
• Inlet valve not opening - starving pump.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
LOW PERMEATE FLOW

• Low primary pressure (check normalized data).

• Operating on cold water (check normalized data).
• Dirty / fouled membrane elements (Clean)
• Flow meter inaccurate.
• Pump rotation backwards.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
LOW CONCENTRATE FLOW

• Concentrate orifice plugged with debris.

• Low final pressure.
• Flow meter inaccurate.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
HIGH PRIMARY PRESSURE

• Recycle or concentrate orifice plugged with debris.

• Restricted or reduced permeate flow - system backed
up
• Severely fouled membrane elements.
• High inlet pressure.
• Restricted concentrate flow rate.
• Inaccurate pressure gauge.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
WATER FLOWING WHEN MACHINE IS OFF

• Inlet valve not closing or seating.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
DECLINING REJECTION

• Dirty / fouled elements.

• O-ring seal broken or damaged (Sample individual
housings permeate quality)
• Change in incoming water quality.
• Overfeeding chemicals (pH adjust / bisulfite)
• Conductivity probe broken or fouled.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
MEMBRANE LIFE EXPIRED

• Dirty / fouled / precipitation on elements.

• Acid / caustic feed siphoning / running on suction.
• Inlet valve not closing.
• Acid (CA) or bisulfite (PA) system not pumping.

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Questions?

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