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Questions on Pumps & Pressure for Reverse Osmosis Systems


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What is the minimum Pressure required for a 36 GPD membrane?

Will RO Membranes desalinate seawater at 30-40PSI?

Is it safe to run the system at 80 PSI?

What is the minimum pressure required for M-T1812A36 membrane to give output below which the water flow will stop?


This will depend on the total dissolved solids [TDS] in your water.  For a rough estimate take TDS content of water in ppm and divide by 100. This would be the minimum pressure in pounds per square inch. For example for a water TDS of 500 ppm, the minimum pressure would be 5 psi.


Is it possible to use a reverse osmosis membrane to perform desalination of seawater at a pump pressure of 30-40 psi?


No. The natural osmotic pressure of typical seawater is about 350 psi, therefore, to get any water to pass through the membrane the applied pressure would need to be more than the seawater psi.


What is the safe operating pressure for the AAA-1005 system? Can a booster pump be installed to maintain at 80 psi?


The Maximum pressure recommended is 80 psi and is ok to operate with a booster pump.


 How do I install a permeate pump onto my residential RO?

Click Below for permeate pump installation instructions:

ERP-1000 Installation Instructions (PDF)


Can Auto Shut Off Valve be used w/ boost pump & pressure switch?
 

Yes, if the PSW shuts off the pump BEFORE the ASV shuts off the water supply to the membrane. If the ASV is located upstream of the pump, and shuts off the supply of water to the pump while it is still running, the PSW will continue to allow electricity to flow to the pump. While dry running is not harmful to the pump, energy is consumed, and moving parts are wearing.

If the ASV is located between the pump and the membrane, the pump will continue to run under pressure, requiring the water in the pump to continually by-pass within the pump. This condition will develop heat, and may cause damage to the pump.
 


The Aquatec booster pump output pressure is only 60psi?

Assuming you have not adjusted the by pass setting, you may be using a membrane
with a permeate production higher than the pump can supply. Either switch to a higher
flow pump, or go to a lower rated membrane.


What effect does feed pressure have on the tank/faucet pressures in Residential RO Systems?

None. The flow of water to the membrane will increase, but 80 psi pump discharge
pressure will not change due to the preset by pass pressure.


The pump that delivers water to the refrigerator is noisy.

The pressure switch controlled demand delivery pump is probably delivering more
water than the icemaker can accept (usually about 1/4 gpm at 35 psi), and is momentarily
reaching its shutoff pressure. Use a lower flow pump, and add an accumulator between
the pump and refrigerator if necessary.


What is the useful life of a Procon Pump?
 

Procon pumps have an expected life of 10,000 hours of continuous use.


When running my RO system the upstream and downstream pressure gauges are pegged at 0. The particle filter prior to the feed pump is clean and the TDS on the conductivity meter is 2. What could be the problem?
 

This may mean that the incoming water flow is just enough for the pump to run the pump. And when the pump turns on the pump is sucking all the water to create a near zero pressure in the feed line. When the pump shuts down, the gauges should show the static in-line pressure (not zero).


 
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All Content on this site is  intended for informational purposes for experienced water treatment professionals only.  Applied Membranes, Inc. does not assume any liability for any damages caused by the misapplication or misinterpretation of any of the information contained on this website.
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