System Optimization Services (SOS)

We offer testing, evaluation, and troubleshooting of membrane elements and modules in reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), and ultrafiltration (UF) systems. Our battery of tests includes both nondestructive and destructive testing modalities.

Nondestructive testing is generally noninvasive and can include:

• Physical inspections of an element or module to observe the physical integrity of the element and identify potential foulants.
• Performance testing to determine how the element or module performs compared to new product specifications.
• Cleaning-cycle testing and visual inspection to indicate what type of cleaning would be most effective to improve performance.
• Probing profiles (RO element) or integrity test (UF module) to see the rate of vacuum decay, indicating either mechanical integrity or a leak of the membrane element.
• Module- and fiber-integrity tests to identify potential leaks by holding pressurized air in the feed side of the module.

Destructive testing is more invasive and can include:

•  NEW  Fortilife™ DIRECTOR™ Biofilm Visualization Tool to: 
  • Accurately determine membrane biofouling condition.
  • Optimize cleaning efficiency.
  • Define optimal replacement strategy.
  Dye testing to determine the cause(s) and the location of salt passage.
•  Element or module autopsy and membrane analysis.
•  Determination of fouling, scaling or chemical damage through:
  
  • Verification of scaling.
  • Biofouling analysis.
  • Organic fouling analysis.
  • Membrane chemical degradation.
  • Elemental analysis of the membranes (identification of metals, silica, etc.).
  • Identification of halogens.

We offer testing and evaluation of ion exchange resins and adsorbents to determine the performance and condition of your current system operation and, if needed, help troubleshoot and identify the root cause for challenges. We can also retest resins that have been warehoused beyond their recommended storage period. 

IX resins testing includes the following tests:

• Microscopic bead examination (MBE): determines the physical integrity of the beads and if there are contaminants or fouling on the resin surface.

• Particle-size distribution: uses a light-blocking device to show bead harmonic-mean size, uniformity coefficient, and percent through or retained on standard screen sizes.

• Total exchange capacity (TEC): measures the total number of ion exchange sites per volume of resin after regeneration in the lab and compares the performance of a sample to a new resin to show the sample’s operating capacity.

• Total exchange capacity as received (TEC as received): measures the number of ion exchange sites in the regenerated (H+ or OH- ) form to help determine the efficiency of regeneration (if the sample is regenerated) or the extent of exhaustion (if the sample is not regenerated/exhausted).

• Water retention capacity (WRC): measures the inherent moisture content of the resin. Elevated water content indicates degradation of the polymer chain, while depressed water content typically results from accumulation of foulants on the beads.

• Organic and/or inorganic fouling: measures the degree of fouling (organic or inorganic) accumulation on the anion resin, with different analytical methods.

• Salt-splitting capacity (SSC): measures the strong base (quaternary amine) sites on an anion resin. Salt-splitting sites are necessary to remove weak acid species such as bicarbonate and silica. A reduction in SSC typically indicates an increase in weak base capacity.

• Mass transfer coefficient (MTC): measures resin kinetics (a resin’s ability to quickly remove ions from solution). As resins age, the rate of exchange may not be fast enough to remove all ions before flow reaches the bottom of the bed, thus exhibiting poor operating performance while maintaining a high total exchange capacity. 

• Resin cleaning tests: determines if the resin would benefit from cleaning to remove organics, iron, silica, or other substances. After cleaning, retesting of the resin evaluates the degree of performance recovery.

• Osmotic shock and attrition (OSA): evaluates the resin for osmotic stability by repeated cycles through exhaustion and regeneration using concentrated reagents. The parameter measured to detect the attrition resistance is designated as percent fragmented beads, which is an indication of the resistance of the beads to fragmentation and cracking.

We can conduct a complete water analysis and provide you with a specific breakdown and balance of:

• Cations and anions.
• pH.
• Silica.
• Metals.
• Total organic carbon (TOC).