How to clean 4040 reverse osmosis membrane

The 4040 reverse osmosis membrane is mostly common used in reverse osmosis water treatment system, and after a period of operation it need to be replaced or cleaned. Regular cleaning can help to restore the performance of reverse osmosis membrane, to better ensure the product water quality and extend the service life of membrane.

The cleaning methods normally are divided into Physical method and Chemical method.

Physical method: Remove contaminants on the membrane surface by mechanical force.

Chemical method: Remove contaminants by chemical reaction on the surface of membrane.

1) Manual scrubbing method

This method is a relatively original but effective method. The specific way is to gently wipe off the dirt on the film surface with a soft substance after disassembling the flat film, and rinse off with water while wiping. This method can effectively remove a large amount of dirt on the film surface. But not useful for the finer impurities that penetrate deep into the pores of the membrane.

2) Isobaric hydraulic flushing method

The specific way is to turn off the product water valve and turn on the concentrated water valve, then rinse the surface of membrane by increased water flow, this is effective to flush the large amount of soft impurities on the surface of membrane.

3) Reverse flushing method

The specific way is to flush the membrane from the back surface (porous support layer) to the front surface (dense layer) of the film. After reverse flushing method and then use isobaric hydraulic flushing method, the cleaning effect will be obvious.

4) Hot water washing method

Rinse the surface of membrane with heated water (30-40℃), which is effective to remove viscous and hot soluble impurities (sugar, etc.).

5) Water-gas mixing cleaning method

This way is to send the purified compressed air into the system with water, it will cause vigorous stirring action on the membrane surface to effectively remove stubborn impurities.

When select the chemicals for cleaning 4040 reverse osmosis membrane, one principle is that should not cause chemical reaction with other elements, the other principle is that should not cause secondary pollution when use chemicals. It will be much more effective if combine Isobaric hydraulic flushing method and Reverse flushing method when clean the surface of membrane by chemicals.

1) If using oxidant cleaning agent, normally use 1%-3% H2O2, 500-1000mg/L NaClO, etc. which are effective to remove dirt and also kill bacteria..

2) If using enzymatic detergent cleaning, normally use 0.5%-1.5% pepsin, trypsin, etc., which is effective  to remove protein, polysaccharides, and grease contaminants

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