Why Does My Industrial RO System Need to be Cleaned?

Why Does My Industrial RO System Need to be Cleaned?

November 1, 2024 · By Grace Hauser

A Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is your company’s lifeline for having clean, filtered water for the purpose of supplying manufacturing efforts, being used as an ingredient, and human consumption. Industrial water treatment is essential for your business and properly maintaining your water treatment system is crucial for ensuring longevity, efficiency, and high-quality water production.

If you don’t clean your RO system regularly it will not be able to function properly leaving it essentially unuseful for your business. When you understand the importance of cleaning you can develop an effective maintenance plan that will safeguard your investment and ensure that it is always operating at peak performance.

Risks and Benefits

There are many potential risks to not cleaning your RO system regularly including scaling, fouling, and biofilm formation. Scaling is the buildup of minerals on the RO membrane, this will shorten the life of your RO membrane, and its ability to filter properly, and fouling is caused by the buildup of bacteria over time. The system is at risk for all of these issues when it hasn’t been properly or regularly cleaned. An unclean system will lead to poor water quality, reduced flow rates, and eventually increased operating costs.

So what are the benefits of regular RO system cleaning? Regular cleaning of the system will decrease the likelihood of rapid wear and tear and will prevent regular component replacements because the membrane and the entire system will be operating smoothly. This regular practice will also reduce operational costs by minimizing energy and maintenance costs.

It’s always better to prevent yourself from unnecessary costs for your business in the future. With this, the system will be performing its best and producing the best water – which is its main purpose. The water purity and filtration will remain consistent through a longer period if the RO system continues to be taken care of. 

What should you look for?

Every business and every industrial RO system is different and therefore will require cleaning at different frequencies. It’s important to take into account the water source, system usage, and local water conditions when coming up with an RO cleaning schedule. If you aren’t sure you can always reach out to a professional or the company that installed the system. There are a few indicators that your machine needs to be cleaned including water pressure abnormalities, energy consumption changes, and changes in the water quality. Be sure to check on your system regularly because it does impact your business if water is not being filtered properly. 

Cleaning Options

There are two common types of cleaners for RO systems, high pH and low pH, and both are helpful in improving your system’s condition. The cleaner will aid in controlling microbes by stripping the membrane free of deposits that bacteria can adhere to, but you may also need to disinfect to kill off those bacteria and further improve the system’s functions.

There are multiple different options for cleaning and it’s always important to be sure that what you are doing is right for your system and that you consult with a professional if you aren’t sure. 

Cleaning RO Membrane

Let the Experts at Complete Water Help

As previously stated, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for the optimal performance of your industrial RO system. This regular practice will help improve water quality, minimize energy and operational costs, and ensure the system’s longevity..