end of season ro and membrane storage

[PerryFamily]

At the end of the season, what is the proper procedure for RO storage and more importantly membrane storage.

RO is a waterloo / small 600 with a nf270

At my last boil I did a soap wash and rinsed with 600 gallons of permeate water. Now what do I do?
I drained the pumps and pulled the recirc pump off and the permeate left in the vessel smells bad.

I am going to get a storage can for the membrane, well actually build one from 8" sch 40 for less than half the price, do I need to put anything in it other than distilled water for summer storage?

Thanks in advance for the positive responses.

[mapleack]

Yes you need membrane preservative. The fact that it smells bad isn't good, that means there was bacteria growth. You may want to get a "factory" wash done.

[brookledge]

I'd agree with Andy, you already have bacteria growth. Put the membrane in preservative as soon as possible. How old is the membrane? A factory wash and test will be about $200 plus or minus depending on who does it. But well worth it at this point. How many gallons per hour were you getting? If it is already slowing down then you may want to replace it instead of sinking money into haveing it cleaned. A new membrane will be about 800.
Keith

[PerryFamily]

The membrane is 5 seasons old. I was running well above 600 gph ( cant remember exactly) which I was told was not unheard of being a NF 270 membrane? It dosent smell like really rancid or strong, it just smells kinda wierd.

My initial thought seeing it was 4 yrs old when I got it, and now knowing the 270 will pass sugar and mineral at high pressure was to abuse it last year and replace it for the 2014 season. But adding another 500 taps , vacuume pump, releaser,tanks......you get it money is running out.

It worked great last year. I ran the pressure between 300 and 325 psi, but I had a hard time getting 1.7% to any more than 3-4% on a single pass? I ended up recirculating to get it up to 10%. On my large sap hydrometer it showed no sugar passing but I didnt boil any permeate down for a more accurate test.

Maybe I will check with MES for a price on cleaning as they are less than 15 minutes from me.

But to be clear I should get it is MSBS and distilled as soon as possible?
If there is bacterial growth of any amount, will it be obvious?

[markcasper]

Any membrane should be taken out and stored in good permeate/distilled water with preservative ASAP. I was told no more than two weeks in the tower after season by one rep., and was told by another rep. to do it the same day or night that you finish up cooking. Was told to think of all the hours that membrane saved you and to take care of it. I actually had mine sit for 4 days after this year, but I did a wash and rinse twice over those 4 days. I know what smell your talking about. Forgot to disconnect the cartridge filter on mine until last week, when I did it was pretty bad with a thin white slime film on the inside after dumping the permeate out.

Your end cap on the bottom will show bacteria growth easily. After you pull it off when removing your membrane, take your finger to it and you'll see what I mean.

[Big John]

Many large producers leave them in now. We went 5 years, just put new ones in xle 4040, same flow. We run fresh water through every other month and maybe a wash at the half way point. As long as you keep the membrane submerged it will not grow bacteria because that takes air. You may need a check valve before you HP pump and on the permeate as to not let air in. We also think it is good for the pump seals to not be dry as well. Don't forget to NOT FREEZE IT.

[Super Sapper]

There are a lot of bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen.

[PerryFamily]

At this point the machine is not hooked up so running in is not an option. I spoke to MES yesterday and I think I am going to order one of theirs. Probably will have this one cleaned and used as a spare. MES called me back within a couple hours. Thats better than I can say for some other places. Could have driven there too only 10 minutes from me.
Thanks for the info and suggestgions

[Mark]

Atlantic RO has an XLE 440 for $645

http://www.atlanticro.com/FTP.pdf