Over heated membranes

[madmapler]

Last night I left my ro in the wash cycle without soap to let the warm water do its thing. I meant to shut it off after an hour but got distracted and let it go for closer to 3. When I got to the ro room it was very hot. I would guess the water temp was around 150 degrees. I weaned it off by adding cold permeate over about 10 minutes until things cooled off and now I can only hope for the best. Anyone else have any thoughts or experience with this? These membranes have been through a lot this year. They survived a major freeze when my heater kicked out and now this. Could be the makings of an xle commercial.....I hope!

[GeneralStark]

No high temp. shut off? Typically membranes have a high temp threshold and the manufacturer likely provides that info. I wouldn't think 150F would be too problematic, though the high temp cutoff for my PVD membrane is 113F.

[madmapler]

No shut off. This is an old memtec(late 80s early 90s). If it ever had one, it hasn't worked since I have had it. I'm sure it went well beyond the recommended temp. That's why I usually go an hour. That gets it up to about 115 degrees.

[wiam]

I had a Memtek. Mine had high temp shut down. Controls on mine where not too hard to add shut downs on. The low pressure did not shut down when rinsing until I added a pressure switch. A thermostat like this could be wired to control circuit. http://m.ebay.com/itm/10A-110V-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Temp-Sensor-Thermostat-Control-Relay-US-/121314210967?

[madmapler]

Thanks for looking that up Wiam. I ordered one. I did a soap wash and started concentrating again and so far so good. I was going to get new ones after the season anyway. I just hope I can get through this one.

[Urban Sugarmaker]

If you know who made your membrane you could always call the manufacturer too. Maybe they are a little "over-engineered" and a transient high temp might not have done damage. Could you do a performance test to see if it's still performing as usual?

[madmapler]

They are xle 440s. I just finished up for the night and it seems like everything was at least as good as before. It looks like I got away with it.

[wiam]

I would check permeate tank for sugar. after mine has rinsed for a while I do a membrane performance check. If you pull out of concentrate test port at this time any sugar in permeate will be concentrated.

[Goggleeye]

Saw this old thread and thought I'd add to it...

So for the second time in as many years, I got distracted and let my RO membranes get too hot on a wash cycle. I have new MES membranes this year. Tonight I let them get to 119 F. Spec sheet says not to go over 113. Did I ruin them? How can I tell?

I've got to put a high temp cut off on this machine (MicRO 2). And suggestions for an economical temperature switch?

Thanks,

[BAP]

Saw this old thread and thought I'd add to it...

So for the second time in as many years, I got distracted and let my RO membranes get too hot on a wash cycle. I have new MES membranes this year. Tonight I let them get to 119 F. Spec sheet says not to go over 113. Did I ruin them? How can I tell?

I've got to put a high temp cut off on this machine (MicRO 2). And suggestions for an economical temperature switch?

Thanks,
Your best bet is to contact MES. They are very helpful and will tell you what you need to know.

[Goggleeye]

Your best bet is to contact MES. They are very helpful and will tell you what you need to know.
Just a quick update, I called them, and they got back to me in very short order. Awesome customer service. And for those wondering, they told me that the membranes shouldn't have been damaged, but their performance may drop a bit. I ran a permeate test and it was just a couple of percent under the previous test. So all is not lost!

Any suggestions for a high temp cut off so this doesn't happen again?

[DocsMapleSyrup]

I've used the Inkbird ITC-1000 and small W1209 temp controllers with good results over years. I used the W1209 to control the pump from my sap tank to my head tank but didn't want the pump to start until after the temp was above 32 degrees. Also used the ITC-1000 type on home built smoker. Available on Amazon for <$20.

[BAP]

Just a quick update, I called them, and they got back to me in very short order. Awesome customer service. And for those wondering, they told me that the membranes shouldn't have been damaged, but their performance may drop a bit. I ran a permeate test and it was just a couple of percent under the previous test. So all is not lost!

Any suggestions for a high temp cut off so this doesn't happen again?
Good to hear that you got the answer you need quickly from MES. Sounds like you didn’t get much damage and will be able to get through the season in good order.