Recently, I have received several messages from clients in the Middle East and Europe through our website backend. Many of them encountered different troubles while running reverse‑osmosis membranes on‑site, and they wanted practical solutions to these issues.

That’s exactly why I created XBYMC, this website was built to meet your real‑world demands. Starting from today, we will launch a new series, and our first topic covers detection and solutions for microbial fouling on reverse osmosis membranes.

Take a look at the pictures below.

If you see conditions like these, your membranes are most likely suffering from microbial fouling.

Besides, microbial contamination on RO membranes usually comes with these warning signs you should pay attention to:

1. Lower permeate flow and reduced salt rejection rate

2. Higher operating pressure and increased pressure drop between stages

3. Bad odour can be noticed if you get close and smell it

Once you find out the root problem, fixing it won’t be too hard. The first step is chemical cleaning, alkaline cleaning is our main choice here. Then, add non‑oxidizing biocide into the system for disinfection.

Alright, that’s all for today’s sharing on microbial fouling of RO membranes. We will talk more about microbial blockage of reverse osmosis membranes in our next post!