RO/DI Fail

[blakers82]

So I woke up to a small mess in my kitchen where I left the ro/di unit on at the sink overnight. Apparently a roommate swung my kitchen faucet from COLD to HOT sometime during the night. Let's say my estimated water fill line in my reservoir was exceeded by a few inches :hmm3:

I've read that one shouldn't ever push hot water thru ro/di and thought I had explained that situation, but I guess I wasn't clear enough. Anyways, could someone fill me in on what I'll need, if anything, to "refresh" my Air Water Ice 75gpd ro/di unit. I've actually never needed new sediment or DI to my knowledge (TDS=low), but I'm guessing something bad happened to my RO membrane as it produced much more water than it usually would. It would be nice to know exactly what I need to get optimized again.

Any recommendations or links?

Thanks gang.

 

[Triple_B]

Do you have an in-line TDS meter? If so/not do you know what your TDS was normally coming off of your RO membrane as, before the DI?

Personally, mine is about 6 TDS after RO. Also, what is your TDS after your DI?

If your TDS is low after RO / before DI, and zero after DI you should still be good to go. Knowing your TDS levels before/after each stage will help you zero in on where the problem is.

Hope that helps.

 

[eddybabyhd]

I have no experience with hot water going through a membrane...I would call airwaterice and ask them, they wont steer you wrong.

But i agree, try to run it as norm and check the TDS in the tap water, waste water, product before DI and after DI.

If it looks like it is working properly then it would seem fine

Like I said, I would ask airwaterice. They may know more about it than me.

 

[cody6766]

I've pushed hot water through mine a time or two and it worked out fine. It happened two days ago actually. Just check the water coming off your RO membrane, then your final product and compare it against the TDS of your tap water. Mine read 10 from the RO, 0-2 from the RO/DI and 200 from the tap. You'll probably be okay, but check that RO membrane first.

 

[Colin]

You'll probably need a new membrane. They don't play well with hot water. Get another 75 gpd from AWI and you should be good.

--Colin

 

[youngreef180]

Ro membranes produce much more water at higher water temps that is the reason it produced more than usual and most stated values are at 78 degrees once you start falling below that temp production numbers of membranes fall off pretty dramatically. I've heard of people in the winter time coiling up a whole bunch of extra feed line coming from the tap into a 5 gallon bucket full of water and then putting a aquarium heater in the bucket to bring the water temp inside the line to around 78 degrees to increase water production. I think one of the reason you shouldn't use hot tap water is the water coming from a hot water heater is usually more contaminated from metals and other junk coming from the heaters metal tank. As far as damage to the unit I would think it probably shotened the life of the filters and membrane but did not ruin them but I agree with Ed call AWI they will know for sure.

 

[blakers82]

Thanks for the heads up. I've had a very busy day so I'll still have to check some TDS numbers. Atleast my reservoir is filled. :strange: