New PVD1 membranes ?????

[Brent]

I have been corresponding with D&G about the possibility of adding a 3rd membrane to my Airablo 150 / 160 GPH rig. They first told me that I could not add the 3rd membrane, then I get the following the I cut and past from their email.

"Good day,

Regarding your request to upgrade your machine, please find my following recommendations:

We are limited with a 3HP pump. It would be useless to add a third membrane on your set up, because the pump flow is to little. We suggest that you change your two present membranes (XLE440) for two PVD1 4x40 membranes with a 125gal/hour debit on each. How old are your membranes
The price for PVD1 membranes: 425.00/EA "

This sounds too good to be true. When I exchanged the original PVD1's for XLE-4040's at the beginning of last year, the rig performed like a 180 GPH RO and I was pretty pleased.

Now they are saying that just by putting in new a pair of PVD1's it will become a 250 GPH rig. I went to the Hydraunatics web site ( http://www.membranes.com/ ) and of course there is no data there because the PVD1 is a private model applied just for the Airablo OEM.

What to you guys think of this ?

PS Joe sells the XLE-4040 for about $ 225.00

[Brent]

Here's some info from Joe at formembranes.com (aka Atlantic RO)

In addition, the PVD1 has 365 sq ft of membrane to process the sap (see attached spec sheets).

The XLE-440 has 440 sq ft of membrane and is tighter: thus, better flow with no passing sugar. Also, XLE refers to Xtra Low Energy -- typical operating pressure 100 psi. Maximum: 600 psi.

Also, look at the rejection rates: PVD1 = 80%
XLE-440 = 99% -- It's a tighter membrane!

[wiam]

I got close to 250 with my 2 new xle 4040 membranes this year. But that was at about 450 psi.;)