Membrane in reverse osmosis systems can be fouled by suspended solids, microorganisms, and mineral scale. These deposits build up during operation and cause loss in water output or salt rejection, or both. Regular cleaning of the membrane elements minimizes the loss of performance and extends membrane life.

The interior of a spiral membrane element is dark, moist and therefore an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms. Up to 40% flux loss can occur from biological fouling in elements and modules. To prevent biological growth, it is recommended that systems and membranes are disinfected and preserved during storage, shipping, or system shutdowns. Chemie Water has proprietary membrane care chemicals for preserving and disinfecting of membranes without flux or performance loss.

RO systems creates salt concentrated water streams that could produce scale or fouling. Chemie Water’s membrane antiscalants are a pretreatment program designed to eliminate scale and reduce fouling in membrane systems, regardless of the feedwater source. Our antiscalant effectively controls scales, including calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium fluoride, iron, colloidal material, silica, and other organic and inorganic contaminants.