New RO Membranes

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

Hi All,
I am upgrading my single post RO to a double post and just purchased a new SS housing for the 2nd and 2 new membranes, Dow XLE 4040. My question is, do I need to clean these out before my 1st use? should I get some Distilled water and run it through them for a while to flush out any of the manufacturer coatings or chemicals in them etc....

Thanks in advance!
-Scott

[3% Solution]

Well first off … "THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE"

I would definitely wash and rinse the membranes before using …. if nothing more for piece of mind …

Dave

[n8hutch]

I think that I ran about 100 gallons of sap through mine when they were new, sent it all to the drain, and then I started saving the sap/concentrate after that. You want to soak the membranes for 24hrs before using them. A bucket of water that isn't heavy on minerals is ideal.

[JoeJ]

Your idea to use distilled water is correct. Or soft water that has very little iron and manganese in it will work(and no chlorine). An expert on membranes told me several years ago not to use sap to rinse a new membranes or to rinse storage solutions from a membrane. The stuff is sap will just start to plug the membrane before you even use it.

Joe

[Russell Lampron]

I flush them with about 100 gallons of well water. City water has chlorine in it so don't use that! Last year I made 200 gallons of permeate out of well water with my old membrane and then flushed my new ones with that. I use MES membranes now and like them better than any of the Dow membranes that I've used in the past.

[Bucket Head]

Russ,

What DOW membranes did you have and what MES ones are you using now? Does your machine have two 4 x40's?
I am looking at replacing mine and need to figure out where to go for them.

Thanks.

Steve