Due to the fact that purchasing a reverse osmosis system for your company is a significant investment, it is of the utmost importance that you take proper care of it and ensure that it is cleaned and maintained in accordance with the requirements. It is strongly suggested that a reverse osmosis system be cleaned using a cleaning in place (cip) procedure, and in fact, some vendors include this cost in the original purchase price of the system. The question is, however, why is it necessary to deal with the equipment at its current location, and what precisely is involved in the process? May I ask what the cip approach is? The cip process entails the elimination of any foulants that are present in the membranes that are used for reverse osmosis. In order to attain the level of cleanliness that is needed, cleaning solutions are repeatedly distributed throughout the elements. To begin, an alkali is used in order to eliminate the organic components. Subsequently, an acid clean is carried out in order to deal with the inorganic compounds, which may include calcium, magnesium, iron, or manganese. Normally, these two procedures are sufficient; but, if at any time it is thought that bacteria has entered the system and is creating fouling, then a bactericide will also be used in a third stage clean. This is because bacteria are known to cause fouling. Let the professionals handle it. The cip procedure is something that you should never try to carry out unless you are an expert in the field or have had the appropriate training to carry out the service. Those that are knowledgeable have the information readily available to them and will recognize when it is time to switch out the cleaning solution. In addition to this, they will be able to determine the completion of the process in a short amount of time and have an instant understanding of how successful it has been. In order to increase the efficiency of the cleaning process, some professionals will use the usage of a hot solution. However, the person who is working with the product should not heat the solution to an excessive degree since doing so may cause harm to the membrane; once again, this is something that should be left to those who are knowledgeable about the matter. The strength and condition of the chemicals that are used in the process will also be monitored by your service provider in case it becomes necessary to replace or add to the concentration of the chemicals. The most important advantage of working with a professional is that they will make certain that the amount of time that the reverse osmosis system is not in use is kept to a minimum. This is because the system is a piece of equipment that you do not want to be out of use for an excessive amount of time. whenever it is appropriate to clean a reverse osmosis system When one or more of the following three things has happened, you should have your membranes treated. This is the basic rule of thumb that you should follow. There is a five to ten percent rise in the normalized pressure decrease. a decrease in the normalized permeate flow of more than ten percent The normalized salt passage becomes between five and ten percent higher. Regular maintenance of your reverse osmosis system is essential to ensuring that it will last as long as possible, just as it is with any other piece of mechanical equipment. Keep up with the cleaning, and you and your kit will be able to look forward to a long and trouble-free relationship. You will get out of it what you put in, so make sure you remain on top of it. publisher’s plate The firm allwater technologies ltd is a totally autonomous business that offers consulting and water treatment equipment, such as a reverse osmosis system and an effluent treatment plant. Sean Clifford is an adviser at the company. A multitude of years of expertise and specialized knowledge are brought together by the organization, which is dedicated to establishing and sustaining long-term relationships with its clients, as well as producing the greatest possible value and benefit for those clients.