Today we are going to talk about particulate fouling of RO membranes. It usually comes out from four common‑situations.

1. Security filter failure: The 5‑micron filter cartridge is broken or the sealing ring leaks, so solid particles will rush directly into the membrane housing.

2. Pre‑treatment media leakage: The water distributor inside multimedia filters or activated carbon tanks get damaged, filter media escape into the pipeline.

3. Inadequate flushing of new‑built systems: Welding slag from pipes and residual rust inside water tanks will carry to membrane elements.

4. Sharp rise of raw‑water turbidity: Surface water or groundwater suddenly turns muddy, and pre‑treatment can not intercept these contaminants.

I have shared a case before about filter media leakage on heat‑sanitized RO membranes for pharmaceutical factories, you can check it out if you have not read it yet.

Case Analysis of Dow heat sanitizable ro membrane

Once any of the above‑mentioned problems occurs, your RO system will show some abnormal signs. Operating pressure and inter‑stage differential pressure will go up, and membrane elements gain extra weight. Permeate flow rate and salt rejection will drop accordingly. In serious cases, fiberglass membrane housings may even get cracked and damage.

Take a look at these two pictures to see what particulate contaminants look like on RO membranes.

If you have any questions about water‑treatment systems, feel free to leave your message and interact with XBYMC.