What are Checklist for Commissioning RO systems at the start up stage?
1: Checks before commissioning of RO Plants
Before installing membrane elements and a directing water RO system,
-double-check that all fittings are tight (especially joints and pressure vessel end closures),
-that all instruments and components are in working order, and
-that the feed water meets the requirements for the RO elements to be installed.
Check the following elements in particular:
1: Cleanliness of the system;
2: Index of Fouling (SDI);
3: Turbidity (NTU);
4: Chlorine and other oxidants and their presence;
5: Bisulphite excess sufficient (if used for chlorine removal);
6: Absence of flocculants coming from raw water pre-treatment, particularly cationic and non-ionic chemicals;
7: Filter Surfactants, lubricants, and textile aides must not be included in the cartridges. Order them accordingly or, if you're unsure, flush them correctly according to the cartridge manufacturer's instructions.
8: Purge air from piping system, including headers and RO vessels, for at least one hour with pre-treated feed water at low feed pressure and brine valve fully open, after components installation. Keep an eye out for low and differential pressure ranges that are not to be exceeded! Because of the "air & water" flow situation, the initial water velocity at the air venting is quite high. To avoid any air venting shock, it's best to start with a low flow rate. It is advised that when the water from the brine pipe has been flushed, the flushing flow rate be increased to efficiently eliminate air.
9: Following the removal of air from the system, the initial trial run can begin according to the design operating conditions. Check and change the following parameters to get the desired design value:
-Flow rate of permeate
-Ratio of recovery
-Pressure on the operation
10: Operate for at least two hours at design operating conditions prior to final evaluation of trial run. Dump permeate and brine during the testing run. Use internal concentrate recirculation on smaller systems with poorer system recovery without employing the recirculation.
11: Check the permeate quality and system performance as follows:
-Check each vessel's permeate conductivity. If the conductivity of the permeate is discovered to be higher than expected, inspect the vessel's O-rings, brine seals, and other seals, and charge portions as needed.
-Keep track of all data and remedial actions. The statistics from the first 1, 24, and 48 hours after start-up should be double-checked. These data should be utilized to create standard data for normalisation.
2. Regular start-up checks in daily operation
1) Check the quality of the feed water to see if it meets the requirements for the membrane components you've installed.
2) Before starting the high-pressure pump, flush the RO system with pre-treated feed water at a low feed pressure.
3) To minimize water hammer, the regulator valve between the high-pressure pump discharge and the membranes should be practically closed when the HPP is turned on.
4) Gradually raise feed pressure (< 0.5 kg/cm2 increase per second) and feed flow rate to RO components while restricting brine flow rate. During start-up, avoid high flow rates and differential pressures between RO banks!
5) Change the operating settings of the RO to get the desired permeate and brine flow rates. During any stage of operation, do not exceed the specified recovery ratio (permeate flow rate/feed water flow).
6) Dump permeate till the water quality meets the requirements.
3. High pressure pump (HPP) start-up procedures
Pumping system using a plunger (displacement) and a constant-speed motor
1. Turn on the brine control valve (VB) to around 50%.
2. Open the VR (relief loop valve).
3. If a feed pressure control valve (VF) is present, close it.
4. Turn on the high-pressure pump (HPP).
5. Slowly open the VF and shut the VR until the brine flow reaches the desired level.
6. Keep VB closed until the brine flow starts to decrease. The strain on the feed begins to rise now.
7. Make sure that the feed pressure, pressure drop, and permeate flow are all within acceptable limits.
8. Carry on with the process. Steps 5-7 are repeated until the permeate and brine flow match the design.
Technical assistance and guidance!
Netsol’s RO Plants offer both safe and environmentally friendly performance at a low cost. These machines may generate pure water outputs, depending on feed water quality and flow rates. Our technical team can design and build the precise equipment that meets or exceeds client quality standards.
Call us if you want the best water or wastewater treatment system for your home or business. Our services include Commercial RO Plants, Industrial RO Plants, STPs, ETPs, as well as a variety of useful after-sales services. Our professionals will check the customer's location first, then explain the available options and thus, allow you to select what is best for your property. You can always find useful information by liking and following us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
For further inquiries or product-purchase-related questions, give us a call on +91-9650608473 or email at enquiry@netsolwater.com
