Acidic RO Membrane Cleaner – Aquanol 1038

Complete RO Membrane Cleaning Process

For a comprehensive membrane cleaning program, Aquanol 1040 Alkaline Cleaner and Aquanol 1038 Acidic Cleanercan be used as separate sequential cleaning stages.

1. Diagnose the Membrane Condition

Before chemical cleaning, identify the reason for the decline in RO performance.

Monitor parameters such as:

• Permeate flow
• Feed pressure
• Concentrate pressure
• Differential pressure
• Permeate quality
• Normalized permeate flow

Determine whether cleaning is required and select the appropriate cleaning sequence based on the nature of the fouling.

2. Prepare the RO Cleaning System

• Shut down the RO plant.
• Isolate the membrane pressure vessels from normal operation.
• Drain the system as required.
• Prepare the cleaning tank and circulation loop.
• Use suitable cleaning water as recommended by the membrane manufacturer.
• Ensure the cleaning equipment and membrane materials are compatible with the selected chemicals.

3. Alkaline Cleaning – Aquanol 1040

Begin with Aquanol 1040 Alkaline RO Membrane Cleaner when alkaline cleaning is appropriate.

• Prepare the Aquanol 1040 cleaning solution at the concentration recommended for the specific membrane and fouling condition.
• Circulate the alkaline cleaning solution through the membrane vessels.
• Allow the solution to contact the membrane for the recommended cleaning period.
• Monitor the cleaning solution and system conditions during circulation.
• Drain the spent cleaning solution after the cleaning stage.

The alkaline stage is particularly useful when the membrane has accumulated contaminants that respond better to alkaline cleaning.

4. Intermediate Flush

After completing the alkaline cleaning stage:

• Drain the cleaning solution.
• Flush the RO system thoroughly with suitable water.
• Continue flushing until the alkaline cleaning solution has been adequately removed.
• Do not mix the alkaline and acidic cleaning solutions directly.

A proper intermediate flush is important before introducing the acidic cleaner.

5. Acidic Cleaning – Aquanol 1038

After the alkaline stage and intermediate flushing, perform the acidic cleaning stage using Aquanol 1038 when required.

• Prepare the Aquanol 1038 cleaning solution according to the membrane manufacturer's recommended cleaning concentration.
• Introduce the solution into the cleaning system.
• Circulate the acidic cleaning solution through the membrane vessels under controlled conditions.
• Allow sufficient contact time according to the membrane manufacturer's cleaning procedure.
• Monitor the cleaning process.
• Drain the spent acidic cleaning solution after completion.

The acidic stage is intended for contaminants that respond better to acidic cleaning, particularly when inorganic deposits or scale are contributing to membrane fouling.

6. Final Flush

After completing acidic cleaning:

• Drain the acidic cleaning solution.
• Flush the RO system thoroughly with suitable water.
• Continue flushing until residual cleaning chemicals have been removed.
• Verify that the system is ready to return to normal operation.

7. Restart and Check Performance

Restart the RO system according to the normal startup procedure.

Check:

• Feed pressure
• Permeate flow
• Concentrate flow
• Differential pressure
• Permeate water quality
• Overall membrane performance

Compare the operating parameters with the values recorded before cleaning to evaluate the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

Important

Aquanol 1038 and Aquanol 1040 should not be mixed directly. When both cleaners are used sequentially, the system should be properly flushed between the alkaline and acidic cleaning stages.

Cleaning concentration, pH, temperature, circulation rate and contact time should always follow the RO membrane manufacturer's specifications.