Adding RO/DI Booster Pump

[Ou8me2]

I'm going to be adding a booster pump to my RO/DI system and I want to make sure I'm installing it correctly.

It's my understanding that I want to install the booster pump after my sediment and carbon filters but before the RO membrane. Is that the correct method?

 

[reefteaser]

I have mine set up to be portable. My faucet connection goes to a small in-line filter to protect the pump, then into the pump, then into the rest of the system. My pressure is up to around 80psi, my resin usage is down considerably, and water production is WAY better.
Simple hookup, I don't know why you wouldn't pressurize certain filters, but I'm sure we'll find out in this thread.

 

[Joche]

I'm going to be adding a booster pump to my RO/DI system and I want to make sure I'm installing it correctly.

It's my understanding that I want to install the booster pump after my sediment and carbon filters but before the RO membrane. Is that the correct method?

That is how most recommend installing. The logic is that both sediment and carbon filter don't require high pressure and would even perform better at lower pressures yet will reduce pressure to the membrane as they clog, while the RO membrane itself performs better at higher pressures.
However, many manufacturers of these pumps recommend installing them after the sediment filter but before carbon filters, not many read the instruction pamphlet, lol. The logic here, is to protect the pump from fines/dust from the carbon blocks released during their rinse and operation of the unit.

I have mine set up to be portable. My faucet connection goes to a small in-line filter to protect the pump, then into the pump, then into the rest of the system. My pressure is up to around 80psi, my resin usage is down considerably, and water production is WAY better.
Simple hookup, I don't know why you wouldn't pressurize certain filters, but I'm sure we'll find out in this thread.

Besides protecting the pump from fines/dust from the carbon blocks released during their rinse and operation of the unit like in the example above, many filters are rated/perform better at lower flow/pressures. The RO membrane itself is the only thing that benefits from increased pressures, most are rated at 50psi, 77F, 250ppm TDS with a different recovery ratio that would be used in our applications while the others filters are rated using different parameters. The farther you are from the manufacturers numbers, the less likely you are to get the product water you'd expect.
Also, some canisters for the sediment and carbon filters cannot handle higher pressures. Really cheap ones might even crack/explode after 60-70psi although that is an extreme example. Some do state the maximum amount on the canister, many do not.

 

[Ou8me2]

That is how most recommend installing. The logic is that both sediment and carbon filter don't require high pressure and would even perform better at lower pressures yet will reduce pressure to the membrane as they clog, while the RO membrane itself performs better at higher pressures.
However, many manufacturers of these pumps recommend installing them after the sediment filter but before carbon filters, not many read the instruction pamphlet, lol. The logic here, is to protect the pump from fines/dust from the carbon blocks released during their rinse and operation of the unit.


Besides protecting the pump from fines/dust from the carbon blocks released during their rinse and operation of the unit like in the example above, many filters are rated/perform better at lower flow/pressures. The RO membrane itself is the only thing that benefits from increased pressures, most are rated at 50psi, 77F, 250ppm TDS with a different recovery ratio that would be used in our applications while the others filters are rated using different parameters. The farther you are from the manufacturers numbers, the less likely you are to get the product water you'd expect.
Also, some canisters for the sediment and carbon filters cannot handle higher pressures. Really cheap ones might even crack/explode after 60-70psi although that is an extreme example. Some do state the maximum amount on the canister, many do not.

Thanks for the reply.

I saw some discussion on it but wanted to make sure. I had seen some people who have installed it before the sediment and carbon and once either of those clogged..they would crack the canisters. I'm guessing from the higher pressure but I'm no expert.

 

[Nick30G]

Yes I myself just got a booster pump for my BRS 75GPD unit and was wondering the same thing. BRS recommends you just install it before any of the filters but that seems kinda scary to me. What if something in my water gets into the pump? I was wondering if i should install it before the entire unit or just put it after the sediment filter (but not the carbon filter)

 

[Ou8me2]

Yes I myself just got a booster pump for my BRS 75GPD unit and was wondering the same thing. BRS recommends you just install it before any of the filters but that seems kinda scary to me. What if something in my water gets into the pump? I was wondering if i should install it before the entire unit or just put it after the sediment filter (but not the carbon filter)

This is the thread that had me concerned.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2356537

It's an old thread but I wanted current information without bump an old thread to make sure I do it right. My current pressure is between 40-45 but mostly closer to 40 a majority of the time and I'm only looking to go around 80psi myself and considering a water saver upgrade with a 2nd RO membrane. 40 psi is slow, slow production and now that it's colder even slower. I know some people live with 40psi but if I have to turn water on, flush the toilet or take a shower it goes even lower why another faucet is on...not very fun honestly. I know BRS recommends if you want to run the watersaver 2 RO membranes of 65PSI so this is why I wanted a booster pump also.

 

[fishsuse29]

I've been running my booster pump directly from the faucet for 5 years with no problems.

 

[gus6464]

I have mine after my sediment and carbon filter right before the RO. This is what Spectrapure recommends and the logic makes sense.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

This may be helpful:

Russ