RO Flushing, cleaning, storing?

[fatluke]

Hey folks. I have searched the forum and I am finding mixed replies.

I almost have my system built. I am running 5 of the membrane solutions 400gpd units.

I have the following questions.

What do I do for an initial flush?

After each RO session, how long or how much permeate do I flush through after?

Do I leave the membranes full of permeate after flushing?

End of season? What do I flush or clean with?

Any info would again be greatly appreciated.

[DRoseum]

I've got a bunch of videos on these topics:

Maple Sap Reverse Osmosis Basics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6CwcmcTEWYxhYPQCMAWETg9gHWL7_RXw

Basic steps:
Flush with permeate
Wash with NAOH (recirculating)
Flush with permeate to neutral pH
Mix up preservative (sodium metabisulfite)
- can either fill unit with that or pull membranes and store in it
- pre-season Flush next year.

[BAP]

I've got a bunch of videos on these topics:

Maple Sap Reverse Osmosis Basics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6CwcmcTEWYxhYPQCMAWETg9gHWL7_RXw

Basic steps:
Flush with permeate
Wash with NAOH (recirculating)
Flush with permeate to neutral pH
Mix up preservative (sodium metabisulfite)
- can either fill unit with that or pull membranes and store in it
- pre-season Flush next year.
Another source is The RO Bucket website. Carl has instructions posted there for his RO’s which are pretty much the same. Tells you how to run them and how to take care of them. He also has some videos too.

[Billy_the_Kid]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but what would happen if you reversed the flow, and pushed permeate back through the membranes? Would that remove any sugar that is fouling the membrane? or would you not get enough flow to help flush it out? I think about when I'm blowing out an air filter, I don't blow tons of air past the outside of the filter, I try and get the air wand inside and blow the dirt out of the pleats. Does that make sense?