How much of a benefit is there to flushing an RO membrane?

BrettDS

Registered Member

Join Date: Feb 2012

Location: Orlando

Posts: 1,109

How much of a benefit is there to flushing an RO membrane?

I recently replaced a cheap RODI unit with a much better BRS unit. The old unit didn’t have a flush valve installed, so I never flushed the membrane in the 2.5 or 3 years that I used it and it still seemed to be doing fine when it was replaced. The new unit has a manual flush valve, but the problem is that my RODI system is automated by my apex. When my ATO reservoir runs low the apex starts the RODI and fills it. When my NSW reservoir runs low the apex starts the RODI and fills it, then emails me to tell me to add salt to it. So I’m not always around or aware of when my RODI system is running to try to flush the membrane. If I notice it running when I walk by I’ll sometimes make a half hearted effort to flush it for 20 or 30 seconds, but that’s kind of few and far between.

I realized today that I have a spare solenoid valve, so with a bit of effort I could connect that to the apex and let the apex automatically flush the membrane. Is it worth the effort to do so? Does flushing the membrane really make a significant difference in the life or efficiency of the membrane? If it matters, my incoming water is softened city water with chloramines at about 300TDS.

If it does make sense to automate a membrane flush how frequently should it do it? Every hour or two that the RODI system runs or once when it finishes a run or just before it starts a run or what? And how long should I allow it to flush each time?

Thanks much