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dd

  • Posts: 2624
Slowed production rate?
« on: March 17, 2012, 03:48:25 pm »
The production rate on my RO has slowed by about 50% but the tds is still the same - around 003. New pre-filter. Wondered if it could need the membranes replacing (300gpd unit) but if that was the case would have thought the tds would have gone up to indicate this. Water pressure still the same.

Any help appreciated.

Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2012, 04:08:19 pm »
if you use a di you will not see the tds go up.But the flow will drop. Same as my 3oo gal.I used much more resin.

dd

  • Posts: 2624
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2012, 04:16:16 pm »
I don't use a DI. My tds is at 002-003 so I don't see the need. As I said tds is the same but production rate has slowed dramatically the main problem being I get a much higher waste ratio which is not good with me being on a water meter and living in a dry region with possible water restrictions.

Window Washers

  • Posts: 9036
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2012, 04:30:07 pm »
have you checked the amount of flow you have ?

if you have sounds to me the membrane is clogged or sucking in air
If your not willing to learn, No one can help you, If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you ;)

Londoner

Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2012, 04:37:18 pm »
How old is the membrane? if its older than 18 months bin it anyway. Funny things membranes.

dd

  • Posts: 2624
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2012, 04:43:40 pm »
I checked the psi and tried bypassing the pre-filter to see if it made any difference (it didn't). I am guessing I need new membranes but am puzzled because tds has remained the same and the decline in production rate was sudden.

Membranes are just over 3 years old but I use a water softener which is supposed to extend membrane life (costwise I don't think it saves but was part of a previous RO set-up I had).

Planning to order new membranes Monday morning just trying to figure if I have missed something though.

Spruce

  • Posts: 8668
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2012, 10:10:51 pm »
Before you replace the membranes, replace both the sediment and carbon filters. While they are apart, clean out all the gaskets and housings with fresh water.

We use micron 5 sediment filters, but would imagine micron 1 filters would clogg without much visibility of filtered particles. One of the local cleaners had a slow water flow and replacing both these elements and cleaning everything out rectified the situation.
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

Window Washers

  • Posts: 9036
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2012, 01:29:37 am »
Before you replace the membranes, replace both the sediment and carbon filters. While they are apart, clean out all the gaskets and housings with fresh water.

We use micron 5 sediment filters, but would imagine micron 1 filters would clogg without much visibility of filtered particles. One of the local cleaners had a slow water flow and replacing both these elements and cleaning everything out rectified the situation.
it said he has new prefilter on original post, although thats great dvice for people having this problem and have not yet changed the pre filters as this is the main coause of the problem, second is air getting into the system (this does not have to make a leak, it can suck air in and not let it out very few thingsto check to correct.

I would want to know the flow of water, as the water company could have restricted it.

in my area some days it will fly out alot more some days seems a little slow this is them controling the water (if there is a leak somethere they drop the pressure, for other reasons they restrict the flow this does impact more so if you are anywhere near the end of the line on your water inlet to your house.
If your not willing to learn, No one can help you, If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you ;)

Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2012, 03:21:47 am »
I would put my money on the membranes looking at all the information we have. If you don`t have a booster get one it will make a mass difference.

dd

  • Posts: 2624
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2012, 05:44:24 pm »
Thanks for replies. Will order some new membranes and hopefully this will sort it.

I did by-pass the pre-filter briefly connecting RO directly to main supply but this made no difference so this seems to rule out a pre-filter problem.

It runs well (until now) off my mains pressure so prefer to get by without a booster pump and keep things as simple as possible. As far as I can tell mains pressure has not dropped.

Not sure how to tell if air is in system though.

supernova77

  • Posts: 3547
Re: Slowed production rate?
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2012, 06:19:57 pm »
Quote
The production rate on my RO has slowed by about 50% but the tds is still the same - around 003. New pre-filter. Wondered if it could need the membranes replacing (300gpd unit) but if that was the case would have thought the tds would have gone up to indicate this. Water pressure still the same.

Any help appreciated.

dd,

Were are you located?

My flow rate dropped over the winter, which is normal... Then for the last week or so the flow rate was a lot better... Now since Thursday / Friday the flow rate has dropped again.

My guess is my water company (South East Water) have dropped the pressure in my area.

I have a new (second hand) pumped RO to setup in my unit - Thats my job for next weekend!

Andy