Caustic Soda for Cleaning RO Membrane: Get the Best Tips for a Sparkling Clean Filter

Alright, let me tell you about the time I had to roll up my sleeves and clean the RO membrane using caustic soda. You see, I’ve got this reverse osmosis system at home, and after a while, the water flow started to slow down. That’s when you know it’s time for a good cleaning.

Prepping for the Deep Clean

First things first, I gathered all my supplies. The star of the show was going to be caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide. This stuff is pretty strong, so I made sure to have my gloves and safety glasses on. Safety first, always!

I started by removing all the pre-filters and post-filters in my system. Sediment filters, carbon filters, you name it, they all came out. I also removed all the housings. It’s important to get these out of the way so you can focus on the RO membrane itself.

Mixing the Cleaning Solution

Now, for the cleaning solution. I grabbed a big bucket and filled it with about 100 gallons of water. Then, carefully, I added about 18 pounds of caustic soda to the water. I stirred it gently until it was completely dissolved, making sure not to splash any of that solution around. The goal was to get the pH of the water to somewhere between 11 and 12. That’s the sweet spot for breaking down all the gunk that builds up on the membrane.

Getting Down to Business

With my cleaning solution ready, I connected it to my CIP (Clean In Place) pump and recirculation line. This setup allows you to pump the cleaning solution through the membrane without having to remove it from the system. It’s a real time-saver. I let the solution circulate for a couple of hours, giving it plenty of time to work its magic. During this process, the pump was running, pushing the solution through the membrane to loosen up all that buildup.

The Final Rinse

After a few hours, I could see the water in the bucket was getting cloudy. That’s a good sign! It meant the cleaning solution was doing its job. I then switched to pumping clean, chlorine-free water through the system to flush out all the caustic soda and the loosened-up gunk. I did this for a good while, making sure no trace of the cleaning solution remained. You don’t want any of that stuff in your drinking water.

Putting It All Back Together

Once I was satisfied with the rinse, I started putting everything back together. I installed new pre-filters and post-filters, making sure everything was snug and secure. It’s always a good idea to replace these after a deep clean. It’s like a fresh start for your system.

The Results

Finally, I turned the water back on and let it run for a bit. After a few minutes, I checked the flow rate, and I got good results. The water pressure was back to normal, and the water tasted great. It felt good to know that I had successfully cleaned the RO membrane and restored my system to its former glory.

So, that’s my little adventure with caustic soda and RO membrane cleaning. It’s a bit of work, but it’s definitely worth it to keep your water clean and your system running smoothly. Just remember to be careful with the chemicals and take your time with each step. And if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, there’s no shame in calling a professional. Cheers to clean water!