Our FILMTEC™ extra low-energy reverse osmosis membranes (14,000 GPD) are designed to deliver high quality water at low operating costs for municipal and industrial water applications. Its high active area design coupled with the highly productive XLE membrane allows it to operate at half the feed pressure of standard RO elements and up to 30% lower pressure compared to other low energy membranes. The lifetime energy cost savings from this membrane will be greater than 100% of the initial membrane investment. Their performance remains stable over many years even under harsh operating conditions.
Operating Limits
Membrane Type
Polyamide Thin-Film Composite
Maximum Operating Temperature
113°F (45°C)
Maximum Operating Pressure
600 psig (41 bar)
Maximum Pressure Drop
13 psig (0.9 bar)
pH Range, Continuous Operation
2-11
pH Range, Short-Term Cleaning
1-13
Maximum Feed Silt Density Index
SDI 5
Free Chlorine Tolerance
< 0.1 ppm
Important Information
Proper start-up of reverse osmosis water treatment systems is essential to prepare the membranes for operating service and to prevent membrane damage due to overfeeding or hydraulic shock. Following the proper start-up sequence also helps ensure that system operating parameters conform to design specifications so that system water quality and productivity goals can be achieved.
Before initiating system start-up procedures, membrane pretreatment, loading of the membrane elements, instrument calibration and other system checks should be completed.
Please refer to the application information literature entitled “Start-Up Sequence” (Form No. 609-02077) for more information.
Operation Guidelines
Avoid any abrupt pressure or cross-flow variations on the spiral elements during start-up, shutdown, cleaning or other sequences to prevent possible membrane damage. During start-up, a gradual change from a standstill to operating state is recommended as follows:
Feed pressure should be increased gradually over a 30-60 second time frame.
Cross-flow velocity at set operating point should be achieved gradually over 15-20 seconds.
Permeate obtained from first hour of operation should be discarded.
General Information
Keep elements moist at all times after initial wetting.
If operating limits and guidelines given in this bulletin are not strictly followed, the limited warranty will be null and void.
To prevent biological growth during prolonged system shutdowns, it is recommended that membrane elements be immersed in a preservative solution.
The customer is fully responsible for the effects of incompatible chemicals and lubricants on elements.
Maximum pressure drop across an entire pressure vessel (housing) is 50 psi (3.4 bar).
Avoid static permeate-side backpressure at all times.
Notice: The use of this product in and of itself does not necessarily guarantee the removal of cysts and pathogens from water. Effective cyst and pathogen reduction is dependent on the complete system design and on the operation and maintenance of the system.
About Filmtec
FILMTEC Corporation is the leading manufacture of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane elements for industrial, municipal, commercial, and home drinking water treatment and purification, as well as for other specialty applications. The company was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. FILMTEC Corporation is a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and part of Dow's Water & Process Solutions business group.
