Dumb question

[johnallin]

I know there must be a reason but I’m going to ask anyway.

Getting ready, I did a wash and rinse on my RO today and wondered if I could run a solution of StarSan through to keep the membrane fresh in the stainless canister.

I have Sodium Metabisulfite here but read not to use it unless I had a PVC storage container as it would corrode the stainless.

Is StarSan not good for the membrane?
Thanks.

[fred]

i would try it on the clear press first as the cdl ro is much more valuable. *medium grin*

[johnallin]

I did give the clear press and good spray-down with StarSan when I cleaned up last April - I think it's a great application for it as it's one of my most valued pieces of Maple equipment. <big grin>

Now getting back to the RO...

I've been keeping the membrane in the stainless housing on the RO, filled with permeate and hoses closed off so it stays wet.

Yesterday's wash was the first since the wash/rinse I did at clean-up last April. The membrane gets funky after a while and the Star San seems like it could be a good no-rinse solution to sanitize and store the membrane in the stainless housing without the hassle of washes, rinses and pvc storage tubes required with the Sodium Metabisulfite.

[fred]

dont know specifics about it. but it says its an acid i would say no if left in the shine high class tube

[DrTimPerkins]

StarSan is a mixture of phosphoric acid (typically 75% or so) and Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (25%). DSA is added to the acid sanitizer in order to cut/dissolve oil and grease, which are not found in sap, so there is really no reason to use it compared to RO soap and acid (separately). I'd avoid it until/unless you pass it by the membrane manufacturer to see what they say.

[maple flats]

I think you should store the membranes in a preservative sold by or recommended by your membrane manufacturer.

[johnallin]

StarSan is a mixture of phosphoric acid (typically 75% or so) and Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (25%). DSA is added to the acid sanitizer in order to cut/dissolve oil and grease, which are not found in sap, so there is really no reason to use it compared to RO soap and acid (separately). I'd avoid it until/unless you pass it by the membrane manufacturer to see what they say.

Thank you Dr. Tim.
Was pretty certain there was a reason.
Although I won't pretend to understand the science; your explanation is what I was looking for. (made a lot more sense that Fred's ramblings about clear presses too...) <big a** grin>