Spectra Watermakers AQUIFER 150 User manual

1
AQUIFER 150/200/360
OWNER’S MANUAL
Spectra Watermakers, Inc.
20 Mariposa Road, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.spectrawatermakers.com
Rev. July 2014

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Table of Contents
Installaon
Operaon
Geng Started.................................................................................................................... 5
Introducon ........................................................................................................................ 6
Feed Side Piping Schemac ................................................................................................ 7
Product Piping Schemac ................................................................................................... 8
Seng Up the Aquifer 150 ................................................................................................. 9
Electrical............................................................................................................................ 10
Page Number
New Systems Start Up and Tesng................................................................................... 11
Normal Operaon ............................................................................................................ 12
Maintenance ..................................................................................................................... 18
Service & Maintenance
Short Term Storage Procedures........................................................................................ 15
Introducon to Spectra Chemicals……………………………………… ........................…………...…..16
Long Term Storage............................................................................................................ 17
Winterizing........................................................................................................................ 18
Maintenance…………………………………………………………………………...................................……19
Membrane Cleaning.......................................................................................................... 20
Suggested Spares .............................................................................................................. 22
Troubleshoong…………………………………………………………………………................................. ..23
Poor Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 24
Flow Test ........................................................................................................................... 25
Service Bullens ................................................................................................................ 27
Plasc Tube Fing Instrucons……………………………………………………… ...........................….32
High Pressure Tube Fing Assembly Instrucons………………………… ...................……………33
Parts breakdown for Aquifer systems .............................................................................. 34

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5
Unpack the system and inspect it to make sure that it has not been damaged in shipment.
Refer to the shipping list for your system to make sure you have received all of the compo-
nents listed. Do not discard any packaging unl you have found and idened all of the
parts. The small installaon parts are listed on the kit list.
Warning! Spectra Watermakers will not be held responsible for shortages and or freight
damage that are not reported within thirty days of the ship date.
Study the system layout diagram, component photos and descripons before beginning
your installaon. This will assist you in understanding the funcon of each component.
Geng Started
Aquifer Shipping List
 Aquifer Portable Watermaker in Pelican Case
 Sucon hose (25’) with strainer and Banjo connector (1)
 Brine discharge hose (25’) with Banjo connector (2)
 Hand held Salinity monitor
 1/4 product tubing (25’) (3)
1
2
3
Solar panel cable extender
(Power Pack Solar models
only)

6
Introducon to the Aquifer 150/200/360
Originally developed for ocean voyaging yachts, the Spectra Aquifer 150/200/360 Portable
Watermaker is both a desalinator and a water purier. It is capable of producing high quali-
ty, good tasng drinking water from a variety of water sources including sea water, river wa-
ter, lake water, or water from a brackish or contaminated well. It will eecvely separate out
salts, organic chemicals, inseccides and pescides, parasites and their cysts, bacteria, and
viruses. It does not remove non-ionized heavy metals.
The watermaker pumps approximately 1.5 gallons (6 liters) of feed water per minute to the
reverse osmosis membrane. Seven (Aquifer 150) or ten (Aquifer 200/360) percent of this wa-
ter passes through the membrane(s) as puried product water and the remaining water is re-
turned to the feed water source as concentrated brine. The brine contains whatever was sepa-
rated from the product water by the membrane and nothing is retained inside the machine.
Feed water is ltered using a three-stage process. A strainer rst keeps out large debris, and
keeps the sucon hose several inches o the boom, then the water passes through an 80
mesh screen, then a 5 micron pre-lter protects the Clark pump from silt, algae and abrasive
parcles.
The basic Aquifer is congured to run directly from a DC power source (12 or 24 Volt). Aquifer
Power Pack versions are equipped with a baery and baery charger, which can be connected
to any AC source. Aquifer Power Pack Solar versions also come with a collapsible solar panel.
If the baery is fresh and fully charged the watermaker can be operated directly from the
baery for two or more hours without an external power source.
In order to prevent damage to the watermaker, the feed water should never contain chlorine,
bleach, or any other strong oxidizer, which will damage the membrane. The watermaker
should never be used with feed water saler than sea water, such as is found in the Great Salt
Lake, as operang pressures will be too high. Oil in the feed water will also damage the mem-
brane.
Fold-out prelter
Baery Charger
Feed Pump with
baery underneath
Solar regulator
Membrane and pressure vessel
Clark Pump
Accumulator
**Model shown is Aquifer Power Pack Solar, with all possible opons.

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Feed Water Strainer and
Screen
5 micron lter and
housing
Spectra Clark Pump and
Membrane assembly.
Pressure Relief Valve
Brine Outlet
Aquifer 150/200/360 Feed Plumbing Schemac
Quick Disconnect
Pressure Gauge
Accumulator
Feed Pump
Product Water Outlet

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Product Flow meter
Product Water Schemac
Product Outlet.
DO NOT! feed the product into a vent line, manifold or
the boom of a tank. Make sure that there is no re-
stricon in this piping. Pressure in the product tubing
must never exceed 5psi (0.3bar) at any me, (running or
stopped) or the membrane will be permanently damaged.
There are four
product water
ports (2 in
each end cap)
Clear product water tubing with quick-connect

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SETTING UP THE AQUIFER 150/200/360
CHOOSING A SITE
Your water source should be as free of suspended sand, silt, algae etc., as possible for longer
prelter life. If making water from a bay, lake, or stream choose a locaon as deep as possi-
ble. Avoid areas with surf or chop. The Aquifer Feed Pump is capable of liing the feed water
not more than 10 vercal feet. When seng up the watermaker choose a spot as near the wa-
ter as possible, but do not place the case in the water. It is beer to run a long extension cord
from your power source than to run long hoses to the feed water source. When making water
on a sand beach a small pit can oen be dug in the sand which will ll with clean water. The
water owing into the pit can be used as feed water and the water will be quite clean aer the
system has been running for a short me.
SETTING UP
Note: When connecng the sucon hose ngs be sure they are clean and free of sand or
debris so the seals on the ngs are not damaged!
Using the quick connect ngs aach the three hoses: Sucon hose with strainer and lter
basket, brine discharge, and product hose.
You can run the system as shown below into a bucket to check operaon. In this case the stub
hoses will be long enough to reach the bucket without aaching the hose extensions.
Aquifer with hoses and access port:
Brine Outlet
Feed (sucon)
Inlet Hose
Product Hose
Note: Aquifer Power Pack models are
shipped with the baery disconnected. Con-
nect the large red plug to connecte the

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Electrical
 On Power Pack models there is a 15-Amp fuse, in a water-
ght holder, along the posive baery wire.
 The baery charger
included with Power
Pack models accepts
input voltages from
100-260 Volts AC,
50/60Hz. Connector
supplied is for US-style
110V AC. Other con-
nectors may be
aached to the input
 On Power Pack models with solar panel in-
cluded, the panel ts into the lid of the case,
and must be removed, unfolded, and connect-
ed to the solar regulator
 Solar regulator:
 Solar panel connects to regulator with
supplied 8-foot stub cables, and may be
extended an addional 15-feet with the
extension cables pictured on page 5:

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Warning! Your watermaker shipped from the factory with a non-toxic potable water system
preservave. Damage may occur if this preservave is not ushed out and the membrane is
pressurized with preservave in it.
DO NOT OPERATE the Aquifer system if the feed water could contain oil.
1. First:
 You will need at least 50 gallons (200 liters) of salt, brackish, or fresh water. If the water
has been chlorinated or chemically treated, replace the 5 micron lter with a Spectra
Watermakers Charcoal Filter element during the ush.
 Install the feed , brine, and product Hoses. Place the strainer end of the Feed Water Hose
into the feed water source far enough below the surface to prevent air from being pulled
in. Place the end of the brine hose so that the brine does not mix directly back in with the
feed water.
 Install the product hose and place the end of it so that any product will be discarded
 Ensure that the pressure relief valve is open 1/2 turn.
 Plug in the AC power cord, connect solar panel, or ensure that the baery is fully charged.
2. Turn on the feed water pump. Check that it is primed by inspecng the brine discharge.
About 1.5 gpm (6 lpm) of water should be being discharged with a pulsaon every few sec-
onds.
3. Run the system without pressure for 20 minutes to purge the storage chemicals. The sys-
tem should have an open ow pressure on the gauge of about 20 PSI (1.2 bar). Water may
drip from the product tube.
4. Close the pressure relief valve. The pressure should rise to 60-80 PSI (4.2-5.7 bar) if the
feed water is sea water. If the feed water is brackish or fresh the pressure will be lower.
Aer several minutes, water should begin to ow out of the product water tube.
5. Allow the system to run for 5-10 minutes to purge the product water of preservave, and
then test the product with your handheld salinity tester. When the product is below 750
PPM it is considered potable and may be diverted to the water container for human con-
sumpon.
Aquifer New System Start-Up and Tesng
Open 1/2 Turn to Purge Preservave!Remove Tag and Washer!

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Normal Operaon From a Large Body of Water
If the system has been pickled or stored or contains cleaning compounds, use the “New Sys-
tem Startup” procedure.
1. Any source of oil-free feed water not saler than sea water may be used. Do not use wa-
ter containing large amounts of heavy metals, such as mine tailing runo.
2. Set up the product tubing so that the product can be sampled.
3. Start the feed pump and check for ow by inspecng the brine discharge or checking for
pressure on your pressure gauge. If there is no ow, open the pressure relief valve one
turn to bleed the air out of the feed pump, when there is good ow close valve
4. Check the product water with your handheld salinity tester. When it is below 750 ppm,
you may divert it into your container, the water quality will improve as the system runs.
5. Run the system unl you have lled your container or have made enough to meet your
requirements for several days.
6. Monitor the feed water pressure. Make a note of the feed pressure with a clean lter ele-
ment and change the lter if the pressure rises more than 5 psi (0.3 bar).
Shung Down
1. You will need 3 gallons of water in a container, which will be used to ush the salt water
out of the watermaker. Use only unchlorinated water for ushing
2. Install the intake service hose and place it in the bucket. Start the feed pump.
3. Flush for 2 1/2 minutes or unl the pressure drops on the gauge indicang that the mem-
brane is ooded with fresh water. Stop the feed pump.
4. Disconnect and stow the hoses. Put the plugs in the hose connecons.
You may now leave the system unaended for up to ve days without further aenon.
We recommend operang the system for longer periods as you need to run the system almost
a half an hour to make enough water to ush the system, and the system should be ushed
aer every use. You may noce that the system output is higher while charging your baer-
ies, as the machine is voltage sensive.
Always ensure that the baery is fully charged aer the watermaker is shut down to extend
baery life.
Aquifer 150/200/360 Operaon
On/O Switch
Flow Meter
Inlet Pressure Gauge
Brine Outlet
Feed Water Inlet
Product (Fresh) Water
Outlet

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Aquifer Operaon connued...
Purifying Fresh or Brackish Water From a Tank or Well
If the system has been pickled or stored or contains cleaning compounds, use the “New
System Startup” procedure.
1. Fill the tank if necessary. Extremely hard water may cause scale buildup, requiring more
frequent cleaning. Do not use water containing large amounts of heavy metals, such as
mine tailing runo.
2. Set up the product tubing so that the product is being discarded and can be sampled.
3. Place the feed and brine hoses into the tank or well with the feed strainer near the
boom and the brine discharging near the top.
4. Start the feed pump and check for ow by inspecng the brine discharge or checking for
pressure on your pressure gauge. If there is no ow open the pressure relief valve on the
Clark Pump and bleed the air out of the feed pump.
5. Check the product water with your hand held salinity tester. When it is below 750 PPM,
you may divert it into your fresh water container.
6. Watch the feed water level and the pressure gauge carefully. If the water level drops too
far, add more water. If the pressure gauge reading rises above 80 PSI the dissolved solids
concentraon in the remaining feed water has risen too high. Discard this concentrated
brine and rell the tank or well. The remaining concentrated feed can be pumped out by
removing the brine hose from the water source and allowing the brine to be discharged
into a drain.
Shung Down
1. Make about 3 gallons of water into a bucket. This water will be used to ush the salt wa-
ter out of the watermaker. Use only unchlorinated water for ushing
2. Install the intake service hose and place it in the bucket. Start the feed pump.
3. Flush for 2 1/2 minutes or unl the pressure drops on the gauge indicang that the mem-
brane is ooded with fresh water. Stop the feed pump.
4. Disconnect and stow the hoses. Replace the plugs in the hose connecons.
You may now leave the system unaended for up to ve days without further aenon.
We recommend operang the system for longer periods and eecng a fresh water ush
rather than running the machine every day and not ushing the system. Remember that you
need to run the system almost a half an hour to make the ushing water. You may noce
that the system output is higher while charging your baeries as the machine is voltage sen-
sive.
Always ensure that the baery is fully charged aer the watermaker is shut down to extend
baery life.

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Aquifer Operaon connued...
Purifying Salt Water From a Container
If the system has been pickled or stored or contains cleaning compounds, use the “New
System Startup” procedure.
1. Set up a system to supply feed water to the container.
2. Set up the product tubing so that the product is being discarded and can be sampled.
3. Place the feed and brine hoses into the container with the feed strainer near the boom
and the brine discharging near the top.
4. Start the feed pump and check for ow by inspecng the brine discharge or checking for
pressure on your pressure gauge. If there is no ow open the pressure relief valve on the
Clark Pump and bleed the air out of the feed pump.
5. Check the product water with your hand held salinity tester. When it is below 750 ppm,
you may divert it into your container.
6. Watch the feed water level and the pressure gauge carefully.
7. When the pressure gauge reading rises above 80 psi the dissolved solids concentraon in
the container’s water has risen to high. Discard some of this concentrated water by re-
moving the brine hose from the container and allowing the brine to be discharged into a
drain. Rell the container.
Shung Down
1. Make about 3 gallons of water into a bucket. This water will be used to ush the salt wa-
ter out of the watermaker. Use only unchlorinated water for ushing
2. Install the intake service hose and place it in the bucket. Start the feed pump.
3. Flush for 2 1/2 minutes or unl the pressure drops on the gauge indicang that the mem-
brane is ooded with fresh water. Stop the feed pump.
4. Disconnect and stow the hoses. Replace the Plugs in the hose connecons.
You may now leave the system unaended for up to ve days without further aenon
We recommend operang the system for longer periods and eecng a fresh water ush
rather than running the machine every day and not ushing the system. Remember that you
need to run the system almost a half an hour to make the ushing water. You may noce
that the system output is higher while charging your baeries as the machine is voltage sen-
sive.
Always ensure that the baery is fully charged aer the watermaker is shut down to extend
baery life.

15
Short Term Storage
Fresh Water Flush
The purpose of the fresh water ush is to replace the sea water in the watermaker with fresh
water whenever the system is not operang. The watermaker will last longer and operate
beer if it is always lled with fresh water between uses. If the watermaker is not used for
more than ve days it should be ushed again to ensure that the water inside stays fresh and
oxygenated. In this way, the water maker can be kept ready for immediate use indenitely.
To make the watermaker ready for periodic fresh water ushing, put a Spectra Watermakers
Charcoal Filter in the lter housing. The Charcoal lter will remove any damaging chlorine that
might be present in the ush water.
Aer ve days, if the watermaker has not been used, put three gallons of fresh water in a
bucket.
Put the feed service hose in the bucket and the brine and product hoses to drain.
Turn on the feed pump and run the watermaker unl all the water has been pumped out of
the bucket.
Charge the baery.
Remove the hoses, drain them, and stow them away in the case. Insert the hose connecon
plugs in the hose ngs.
Leave the charcoal lter in the housing for next me. Charcoal lter elements are only good
for six months aer they are installed. Aer six months the charcoal lter element will lose
its ability to remove chlorine.

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INTRODUCTION TO SPECTRA CHEMICALS
We use four types of chemicals: SC-1, SC-2, SC-3, and propylene glycol anfreeze. SC-1 and
propylene glycol are for system storage, while SC-2 and SC-3 are for membrane cleaning.
Note: Never use any chemicals with the system pressurized! Always open the pressure relief
valve 1/2 turn. Always follow the instrucons for purging the chemicals as shown in the New
System Startup secon of your owner’s manual.
Storage: SC-1 prevents biological growth when your system is idle. It should not be used as a
cleaning chemical, nor will it protect your system from freezing. A jar of SC-1 is mixed with 1 to
2 gallons of product or dechlorinated fresh water in a bucket and circulated through the sys-
tem for 10 minutes. This treatment will protect the system for six months, aer which the SC-1
treatment must be repeated. To use SC-1, follow the instrucons for Ventura MPC Storage
Procedure on the following page.
Spectra systems should be stored with propylene glycol if freezing is likely to occur. This is a
food grade anfreeze used to winterize RV’s, boats, and cabins. Propylene glycol also works
very well for prevenng biological growth in warm climates and is good for one year. See Win-
terizing with Anfreeze (OP-1 document on the Spectra website).
Note: Do not use metasodium-bisulfate, Citric Acid, or any other storage chemical not sup-
plied by Spectra. These chemicals, used to store other watermaker brands, are very acidic
and will damage the Clark Pump and void the warranty.
Cleaners: Cleaning can be detrimental to the membrane and shorten its life. Avoid unneces-
sary cleaning, and avoid cleaning as a diagnosc tool.
SC-2 is an alkaline cleaner used to remove light oil, grime and biological growth. It is most
eecve if heated to 120 deg. F, which is dicult on a boat. In most cases the water quality
will increase in PPM (salinity) aer an SC-2 cleaning. Aer a few hours it should recover to
near the level it produced before the cleaning.
SC-3 is an acid cleaner used to remove mineral and scale deposits. In most cases this is used
rst and if there is no improvement, go on to the SC-2. SC-3 will in most cases lower the prod-
uct PPM and overall pressures. Scaling is a slow process that may take several months or
years. SC-3 is less harmful to the membrane and will almost always improve the performance
of an older membrane.
For cleaning with either SC-2 or SC-3, see the Cleaning Procedure.

17
Long Term Storage Procedures
Watermakers are best run connuously. When not in use, biological growth in the membrane is
the leading cause of membrane fouling. A warm environment will cause more growth than a
cold environment. If the system is to be le unused for more than ve days, perform the follow-
ing storage procedure. The procedure introduces a chemical compound into the system that
prevents biological growth. This procedure requires de-chlorinated water.
Spectra SC-1 a special storage compound used by the US Navy. It is for-
mulated to be compable with the modern engineering plascs and
composites in the Spectra pumps. Do not use any substute except
propylene glycol. If you wish to use glycol for storage, follow the win-
terizing instrucons. SC-1 Storage Compound must be mixed at a rao
of 1 container to 3 gallons (12L) of fresh water to have the proper solu-
on for up to six months storage.
Cauon! Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or lungs with the storage chem-
Aquifer 150/200/360 Storage Procedure
The watermaker can be stored for periods up to six months using this procedure.
1. Make or buy 4 gallons of chlorine-free water and put it in a bucket.
2. Place the end of the feed hose in the bucket and the brine hose to drain.
3. Start and run the feed pump unl you have one gallon of fresh water le in the bucket.
4. Mix 1 container of SC-1 storage compound with the water in the bucket and place the end
of the brine service hose in the bucket.
5. Make sure the pressure relief valve on the
Clark Pump is OPEN (unpressurized)
by turning 1/2 turn counterclockwise
6. Turn on the feed pump. Circulate the storage
chemical in the system for approximately 10
minutes. Turn o the feed pump when n-
ished.
Clean Up
 Remove the 5 micron lter element from its housing and put in a dry one.
 Rinse and dry the inside of the case, being careful not to get water inside the pump motor.
 Charge the baery.
 Remove the hoses, drain them, and stow them away in the case. Insert the hose connec-
on plugs in the hose ngs.

18
Storage and Winterizing with Anfreeze
The watermaker can be stored for up to one year in any climate using this procedure.
1. Put 3 gallons of chlorine-free fresh water into a bucket. Perform a fresh water ush as
described in the normal operaon secon. Run the feed pump unl the bucket is empty.
2. Pour 2 gallons of low temperature propyl-
ene glycol potable water system an-
freeze into the bucket.
3. Make sure the pressure relief valve on
the Clark Pump is OPEN (unpressurized)
by turning it 1/2 turn counterclockwise.
4. Start and run the feed pump unl an-
freeze begins to come out of the brine
discharge hose.
5. Stop the feed pump. Direct the brine output into the bucket.
6. Start the Feed pump and circulate the remaining anfreeze for a few minutes unl well
mixed.
7. Stop the feed pump and discard any anfreeze remaining in the bucket.
8. Blow out or drain the product tubing, as it will not contain anfreeze.
9. Leave the pressure relief valve open.
Clean Up
 Remove the prelter from its housing and replace with a clean dry lter element.
 Rinse and dry the inside of the Aquifer case to prevent corrosion. Do not get the Feed
pump motor wet.
 Remove and drain the service hoses and stow them away in the case. Insert the hose
connecon plugs in the hose ngs.
 Charge or remove the baery for storage.

19
Maintenance
The Seawater Strainer
The sea water strainer’s stainless steel element should be inspected, opened, and cleaned as
needed. Check frequently during operaon.
The Prelter
Service the prelter on a regular basis. The pressure will rise on the pressure gauge when the
lter becomes dirty. Extremely dirty lters will harm system performance and may cause the
feed pump to cycle on the high pressure cut-out switch. Do not leave dirty lters in the ma-
chine during long idle periods, as biological contaminaon will result.
To service the lter, swing it out of the case, open the housing, and discard the old lter. Clean
out the housing bowl, reassemble the housing with a new 5 micron lter element. Leave dry
unl next startup.
Use only Spectra approved lters or you may void your warranty. The lter may be cleaned
several mes by soaking it in water in a bucket. Occasionally, lightly lube the lter housing O-
ring with silicone grease.
General
Periodically inspect the enre system for leakage and chafe on the tubing and hoses. Re-
pair any leaks you nd as soon as praccal. Some crystal formaon around the Clark Pump
blocks is normal. Wipe down any salt encrusted areas with a damp cloth. If any rust ap-
pears at the stainless steel ngs, clean them up promptly. Keep the inside of the case dry
and salt free to protect the electrical components inside.
The Feed Pump and Clark Pump
The feed water pump and the Clark Pump require no roune maintenance except inspecon
for leaks. Tighten any hose clamps or ngs that show signs of leakage. The high pressure
ngs threaded into the Clark Pump have O-ring seals with a straight thread. These should
never leak and should never be over ghtened. If one of the tube nuts starts to leak, it can be
un-threaded, sealed with a bit of silicone grease or silicone seal, and ghtened with two
wrenches very ghtly.

20
Membrane Cleaning
For normal cleaning, the SC-3 Acid Cleaning Compound is used rst, then the SC-2 Alkaline
Cleaning Compound. If known bio-fouling is present, the SC-2 may be used rst. Using hot wa-
ter if possible, up to 120° (45C) is recommended, as it greatly enhances the ability of the clean-
ers to do their jobs.
If the history of the system is unknown or it has been le “unpickled” for an extended length
of me and biological growth is present, it is recommended that the system is cleaned with SC
-2, using an alternate source of unchlorinated fresh water before the system is run under pres-
sure. A simple test can be performed to see if biological growth has occurred. Before running
the system, remove the prelter and examine its condion. If the housing is full of smelly dis-
colored water, the system was not properly stored. Install a clean prelter if it was bad. Next
check the membrane. Aach the feed and brine service hoses and lead them to a bucket of
clean de-chlorinated water. Open the pressure relief valve one turn, and manually run the sys-
tem for 30 seconds. Examine the brine water: if it’s discolored and smells bad, perform an SC-
2 cleaning with an alternate source of unchlorinated water before running the system pressur-
ized. If the brine is fairly clean, the system can be purged, run normally, and checked for per-
formance. Clean the membranes only if performance is reduced.
Heang the water is preferable. One way to do this is to nd a camp stove and use a large
stainless steel pot to heat the soluon in. The cleaning soluon throughout the system will
heat as it circulates in and out of the pot. An alternave is to heat the one or two gallons of
inial water to 120° on a stove before mixing in the cleaner and circulang it into the system.
Periodically stop and reheat the soluon.
There are two types of cleaners: acid and alkaline. The acid cleaner (SC-3) will remove mineral
scaling. The alkaline cleaner (SC-2) is used to remove biological by-products, oil, and dirt par-
cles that get past the prelters. If membrane performance is reduced and it has not been
“pickled” recently, cleaning with both chemicals is recommended. The acid cleaner should be
used rst. Colloidal Metals and Metal Oxides are very dicult to remove. If the membrane
fails to respond to both cleanings, this is an indicaon of another problem with the system, or
that it is me to replace the membrane. Contact Spectra Watermakers before removing a
membrane.
The membranes need to be cleaned only when feed pressure begins to rise due to fouling or
the product quality degrades. The primary causes of fouling are biological growth and scaling.
Biological growth occurs when the system is le unused without ushing or pickling. Fouling
from mineral scaling will form when the feed water is “hard” or high in carbonates. Very small
“colloidal metal” and metal oxide parcles can also plug the pores in the membrane. Monitor
the product salinity and feed pressure for higher than normal readings for the exisng condi-
ons. Other condions can cause high pressure such as cold feed water or clogged lters. Low
product ow is usually due to low voltage, damaged feed pump or Clark Pump. Look for all
other causes before cleaning the membrane. Membrane life can be shortened by excessive
cleaning.
The Membranes