Industry Insights

When to Replace Your RO Membrane

As featured in Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine.

On the surface, it might seem that knowing when to replace the membrane elements in a reverse osmosis (RO) system would be simple. In attempting to keep it simple, many companies will use one or more of the following guidelines for replacing their membrane: time, often after 3 years (the membrane manufacturer’s warranty period) an increase in the RO permeate conductivity, as related to their water [...]

Your Performance Index: Should You Be Cleaning Your Filter Media?

Should you be chemically cleaning your filter media? This may sound like something that could be beneficial, but it may not be right for your filter. This is especially true if you have Greensand™ or Ironman Sand™ filter media. Greensand and Ironman media are coated with manganese dioxide which, when charged, oxidizes manganese as water flows through the filter. Unfortunately, chemicals that are [...]

Make Your Backwash More Effective With 4 Simple Steps

By optimizing your backwash system, you can improve your overall filter performance and reduce backwash frequency, while cutting down on media costs and preventing excessive water usage. 1. We recommend increasing your backwash frequency if you are experiencing: Excessive headloss (debris buildup in media) Diminished effluent water quality 2. We encourage you to sample your backwash water on a [...]

When Do You Need to Replace Your Filter Media?

Deciding when to replace your filter media can be difficult, especially when your filter continues to remove contaminants to acceptable levels. However, periodic media replacement is an essential part of your filter’s asset management plan in order to ensure optimal equipment performance and life cycle. We consider filter media to have an average life of 15 years with a range of 10 to 20 years depending [...]

Your Performance Index: A Step by Step Maintenance Guide for Your Dualator System

Dualator® VI treatment systems require inspection and maintenance on a semi-annual basis. Filters with elevated iron or manganese in the raw water need more frequent maintenance. We’ve included a step-by-step maintenance guide below to ensure you are optimizing your system performance. Fill finished water storage tanks and/or tower. Backwash filters to a clean effluent. Shut off and lock out the [...]

Fall Back into Boiler Start-Up

As you send your children back to school and Halloween decorations begin to appear in stores, your facility operators may have already begun the process of preparing off-line boilers for the winter season. Regardless of if they were stored dry or wet, steps need to be taken to ensure a safe start-up of off-line boilers. Each boiler is different and prior to startup, and we recommend all engineers consult the boiler [...]

Your Performance Index: The Secret to Avoiding Mudballs

The presence of mudballs is an indication of problems in your filter bed. A mudball is the result of solids accumulating in a filter, then combine with filter media to form into a ball of solids. These mudballs block the passage of water, creating higher velocity filtration and uneven distribution. Mudballs impact filter performance and effluent quality while also shortening filter run [...]

Buyers Guide: Reverse Osmosis System

Are you interested in implementing Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment into your industrial water treatment system? Prior to working with a professional to design your new system, there is some additional information that should be considered by your plant, as well as some information your RO manufacturer will need from you. We recommend working closely with your water treatment professional to assess your system [...]

Your Performance Index: 7 Maintenance Tips for Your Air Supply System

Air Supply Systems consisting of compressors regulators, and receivers are a vital component to the successful operation of your water treatment equipment. To optimize air supply system performance, we’ve provided you with some maintenance tips to keep your system working efficiently.  Oil should be checked daily and maintained at the proper level. Oil should be changed per [...]

How to Avoid an Iron Related Bacteria Failure

Iron Related Bacteria (IRB) is a non-disease producing bacteria that can occur in a water supply when water carries bacteria from the well into treatment systems. While IRB contamination isn’t harmful, it can be nuisance. Iron bacteria are small living organisms that naturally occur in soil, groundwater, and surface waters. Iron bacteria is often found in close proximity to the well screen. The [...]

Your Performance Index: How's Your Paint?

Do you ever lay awake at night and wonder how your paint is looking in the interior of your vessels? Doubtful. Should you be inspecting your interior paint in your vessels? Absolutely. What should you be looking for? Corrosion and bubbling paint, paying special attention to check near the welds. So, why is this important? Paint issues can lead to leaks, eliminating the ability for the tanks to hold water, leading [...]

Your Performance Index: A Troubleshooting Guide for Your Bubbler Panel

A bubbler panel controls the liquid level within a filter vessel. A problem that can occur with bubbler panels is “valve hunting,” when there are large swings in water levels of six inches or more. When this happens there are two areas that need to be checked, the bubbler dip tube located within the filter cell and the reversing relay located inside the panel.  When [...]