Off-site cleaning

Off-site cleaning offers expert service. Personnel specifically trained for that purpose clean membranes. Experience goes a long way when it comes to membrane cleaning, because cleaning can be as much an art as it is a science. 

Off-site cleaning is generally more efficient. Off-site cleaning operations have a variety of cleaners at their disposal to use for most types of foulants and scale. If one cleaning is not successful, another cleaner(s) can be employed to improve upon results. 

Membrane manufacturers at times give special variances to off-site cleaning operations to use conditions outside the normal cleaning recommendations for membranes, as listed in the membrane specifications. 

Off-site cleaning costs more than on-site cleaning. Quotes should be obtained form specific vendors, but pricing can be as high as 150 or greater per membrane 8-inch diameter module. 

Cleaning is faster with CIP than with off-site cleaning. 

A two-stage, 500-gpm RO skid can be cleaned is about 2 days. Off-site cleaning can take a couple of weeks to turn around the membranes. 

CIP is less expensive that off-site cleaning. Depending on the chemical(s) used, an 8-inch diameter membrane module can be cleaned for anywhere from 5 to 25 each. 

Off-site membrane cleaning involves removing membrane modules from the pressure vessels and shipping them off site for cleaning by a 3 party. If the RO must remain in operation, a second set of membranes is used to replace those sent out for cleaning (one of the shortcomings of off-site cleaning). 

Cleaning is less efficient than with off-site cleaning. Typically, cleaning operations are limited to one cleaner per pH (e.g.. 

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