With our springtech machine we don't need to send the membranes away for factory cleaning, would this be the case with the MES membranes?
With our springtech machine we don't need to send the membranes away for factory cleaning, would this be the case with the MES membranes?
Great question. When membranes are properly cleaned in the sugarhouse they do not need to be sent off for factory cleaning. Often times producers send their membranes off to be factory or professionally cleaned as a convenience. This gives the producer the reassurance that the membrane has been cleaned, which brings the membrane back to respectable flow rates, and the membrane is not passing sugars. This reassurance costs about $150 which adds up over the life of a membrane. When a membrane comes back from being cleaned there will be a printout that accompanies the membrane specifying flow rates and retention. This can easily be done in the sugarhouse by using a refractometer and a flow meter. Some RO skids are not designed to measure individual flows, but those that are are a much easier to measure flow rates. In a professional cleaning environment the membranes are cycled from a caustic to a acidic wash, rinsed properly, measure permeate flow rates, and with a conductivity meter can measure retention. Some cleaning facilities use a special dye that will instantly show retention instead of a conductivity meter.
So that was the long winded answer. The short is no, you would not need to send the membranes for factory cleaning as it already sounds like you have a good handle on your cleaning practices. Additionally, except for slight pH differences, which will depend on what model you currently use, the MES membranes can be treated exactly like any other true RO membrane on the market.
Letting all of you folks know that our website is up and running. http://www.mapleexperts.com. We are now in a position to take pre-ordering and deposits on the MES membrane. You will shortly see our advertisement in the Maple News along with a story on our RO.
Regarding Pricing: We have decided to offer the MES membrane at an introductory low price of $800 from now until July 1st. After this the membrane will be $875.
Best Regards,
Last edited by claytski; 05-27-2013 at 01:25 PM. Reason: Updating Prices