RO System Setup Question

[ektalexteriorcleaning]

Hi guys,

I’ve run some tests today on my new small RO system. I wanted to post the results to see if they look about right or if there’s anything I could perhaps change or check to improve results.

Any help appreciated!! TIA

16.7.24 - RO Test

In: 470ppm
Out: 32ppm
Waste: 533ppm

Pure production rate:

636ml per minute
~ 38.1L per hour

500L tank = ~13 hours to fill

Waste production rate:

1368ml per minute
~ 82.1L per hour

Combined water usage to produce 500L of pure water:

1562L

Costs:

Water costs = £3.00 per 1000L
£0.003 per L

£0.003 x 1562L = £4.68 per tank (incl. fresh and waste)

 

[Iron Giant]

Hi guys,

I’ve run some tests today on my new small RO system. I wanted to post the results to see if they look about right or if there’s anything I could perhaps change or check to improve results.

Any help appreciated!! TIA

16.7.24 - RO Test

In: 470ppm
Out: 32ppm
Waste: 533ppm

Pure production rate:

636ml per minute
~ 38.1L per hour

500L tank = ~13 hours to fill

Waste production rate:

1368ml per minute
~ 82.1L per hour

Combined water usage to produce 500L of pure water:

1562L

Costs:

Water costs = £3.00 per 1000L
£0.003 per L

£0.003 x 1562L = £4.68 per tank (incl. fresh and waste)

You haven't mentioned water pressure going in if it's around 3-40psi then your timings and production seem about right.

 

[ektalexteriorcleaning]

You haven't mentioned water pressure going in if it's around 3-40psi then your timings and production seem about right.

My apologies! I’m at about 45PSI going in.

 

[ektalexteriorcleaning]

 

[spruce]

View attachment 30538

Another question: what r/o is it, what size is it and who was the supplier?

Your tap water is 470ppm.
Your pure is 32ppm.
That equates to a rejection rate of 93%.

It was always suggested at one time that a windie should consider replacing the membranes when it reached a rejection rate of 94%.

So if this r/o is new, then it could be that the membrane/s 'beds' in over time. It could also be that the r/o has been fitted with cheap Chinese membranes. You could also have a doggy tds meter that's giving you false readings.

My first r/o was upgraded to a 450gpd with 3 X 150GPD Filmtec membranes. Our tap water was 254ppm and water pressure was 40psi. Rejection rate was 98% - pure was 4ppm after r/o.

So I think you need to get back to the supplier if the r/o is new and get them to sort it.

 

[ektalexteriorcleaning]

It’s this one: https://vyair.com/product/ro-600-reverse-osmosis-system/

Specified rejection rate is 96% so not miles away. I think maybe it does just need to bed in somewhat?

 

[Iron Giant]

It’s this one: https://vyair.com/product/ro-600-reverse-osmosis-system/

Specified rejection rate is 96% so not miles away. I think maybe it does just need to bed in somewhat?

I'm baffled by how they can claim that the carbon filters last 3-4 months or up to 6-12 months to my knowledge no carbon filter can be used for up to 12 months they are only speced to process so many litres typically a 10 inch carbon filter can process 38,000 litres that's waste and pure combined.

I'd recommend taking the carbon filter out and checking what they've supplied you with and looking for the official specifications online.

 

[spruce]

I'm baffled by how they can claim that the carbon filters last 3-4 months or up to 6-12 months to my knowledge no carbon filter can be used for up to 12 months they are only speced to process so many litres typically a 10 inch carbon filter can process 38,000 litres that's waste and pure combined.

I'd recommend taking the carbon filter out and checking what they've supplied you with and looking for the official specifications online.

Vyair are selling a 'one size fits all' r/o. Yes, you are right, but with a high tds as the o/p has, means much more resin to polish that tds off. Resin isn't cheap any more.

I just can't understand why windies buy from these types of companies when there are specialised window cleaning suppliers out there. What a brewer and someone who deals with fish needs pure water wise is different from what we expect from an r/o used in window cleaning. Why do you need an r/o if you are going to distill the water?

Up to 2,300 litres per day of refined water, ideal for window, car and glass cleaning, aquatic organisms, hydroponics and large households. As well as Brewing, Distilling and aiding Manufacturing Processes.

The premium carbon block filter they are selling is a 1 micron filter. It would get blocked up long before its service life (whatever that is) is due, with the quality of our water. How do I know? Experience.

I've never heard of Prowater. 96% rejection rate is at a water temperature of 25 degrees C and a pressure of 70psi. I doubt the o/p will get a much better performance than he is getting now with cooler water and lower tap water pressure.

Prowater sounds like a rebadged membrane. The quality membrane manufacturers, Axeon, Filmtec and Dow, will never let another supplier sell their product under a different name. Can you guess where Prowater membranes are made? Maybe the price is a good indicator.

I paid just on £100 for 3 X 150gpd Filmtec membranes 17 years ago from RoMan.

 

[Iron Giant]

The premium carbon block filter they are selling is a 1 micron filter. It would get blocked up long before its service life (whatever that is) is due, with the quality of our water. How do I know? Experience.

Potentially it could be blocked up within a week with 1 micron. How do I know I get all my knowledge from you

Not to mention the op might not be checking his sediment filter which could all already be shot and his carbon filter is getting clogged up. He might have to change the whole lot within the first week depending on the volume produced,

Now with respect to @ektalexteriorcleaning he doesn't have the experience and knowledge we have, but with a tad more research he could have found this forum before parting with his hard earned cash and bought a better suited R/O but we live and learn and I can't talk as I chewed on with smaller R/O's for years before taking the plunge and buying 40/21 earlier this year

 

[ektalexteriorcleaning]

I’ll get checking the pre filters immediately. I appreciate the advice and perhaps should have asked questions prior to the purchase, but I suppose sometimes you’ve got to learn the hard way.

 

[spruce]

I’ll get checking the pre filters immediately. I appreciate the advice and perhaps should have asked questions prior to the purchase, but I suppose sometimes you’ve got to learn the hard way.

I speak for myself here.

20 years ago, wfp for us mere mortals was a totally new concept with only a handful of suppliers selling adapted equipment designed for other industries.

We purchased lots of equipment that wasn't right for our individual needs over time. Unger aluminium poles, salmon hygiene brushes, vikan car wash brushes are a few examples. Most of that was money wasted. I'm talking about thousands of pounds if I include the wpf trailer I bought that rusted away in 3 years.

These days that has totally changed with equipment being made to our window cleaning requirements, all of which has stood the test of time.

For me, Gardiners for poles, brushes and accessories, Daqua for r/o, resin, pump and hoses requirements, Exceed Innovations for hose fittings and the Univalve are my main suppliers.

All of us old wfp timers know what newbies need equipment wise to start in their new window cleaning venture. We've been there and made the mistakes. We may have different opinions regarding tank size and what van to buy, but we know all about payloads and how much water you can use a day cleaning windows.

I've been thinking about your r/o. Your tap water tds is horrible. It's nearly as bad as Hartlepool's water, which last tested was 550ppm.
In time you may consider to upgrade your r/o membrane for a better quality one and add a booster pump to improve the r/o's efficiency.
You might even consider adding rain water harvesting to supplement your water requirements if you can.

For window cleaning, we only need 2 prefilters, a sediment and a carbon block. Some suppliers turned the third filter housing into a di vessel which is far too small for window cleaners. In the drinks industry they added another filter to improve the water's taste, which again, we don't need.

 

[PC]

I speak for myself here.

20 years ago, wfp for us mere mortals was a totally new concept with only a handful of suppliers selling adapted equipment designed for other industries.

We purchased lots of equipment that wasn't right for our individual needs over time. Unger aluminium poles, salmon hygiene brushes, vikan car wash brushes are a few examples. Most of that was money wasted. I'm talking about thousands of pounds if I include the wpf trailer I bought that rusted away in 3 years.

These days that has totally changed with equipment being made to our window cleaning requirements, all of which has stood the test of time.

For me, Gardiners for poles, brushes and accessories, Daqua for r/o, resin, pump and hoses requirements, Exceed Innovations for hose fittings and the Univalve are my main suppliers.

All of us old wfp timers know what newbies need equipment wise to start in their new window cleaning venture. We've been there and made the mistakes. We may have different opinions regarding tank size and what van to buy, but we know all about payloads and how much water you can use a day cleaning windows.

I've been thinking about your r/o. Your tap water tds is horrible. It's nearly as bad as Hartlepool's water, which last tested was 550ppm.
In time you may consider to upgrade your r/o membrane for a better quality one and add a booster pump to improve the r/o's efficiency.
You might even consider adding rain water harvesting to supplement your water requirements if you can.

For window cleaning, we only need 2 prefilters, a sediment and a carbon block. Some suppliers turned the third filter housing into a di vessel which is far too small for window cleaners. In the drinks industry they added another filter to improve the water's taste, which again, we don't need.

I speak for myself here.

20 years ago, wfp for us mere mortals was a totally new concept with only a handful of suppliers selling adapted equipment designed for other industries.

We purchased lots of equipment that wasn't right for our individual needs over time. Unger aluminium poles, salmon hygiene brushes, vikan car wash brushes are a few examples. Most of that was money wasted. I'm talking about thousands of pounds if I include the wpf trailer I bought that rusted away in 3 years.

These days that has totally changed with equipment being made to our window cleaning requirements, all of which has stood the test of time.

For me, Gardiners for poles, brushes and accessories, Daqua for r/o, resin, pump and hoses requirements, Exceed Innovations for hose fittings and the Univalve are my main suppliers.

All of us old wfp timers know what newbies need equipment wise to start in their new window cleaning venture. We've been there and made the mistakes. We may have different opinions regarding tank size and what van to buy, but we know all about payloads and how much water you can use a day cleaning windows.

I've been thinking about your r/o. Your tap water tds is horrible. It's nearly as bad as Hartlepool's water, which last tested was 550ppm.
In time you may consider to upgrade your r/o membrane for a better quality one and add a booster pump to improve the r/o's efficiency.
You might even consider adding rain water harvesting to supplement your water requirements if you can.

For window cleaning, we only need 2 prefilters, a sediment and a carbon block. Some suppliers turned the third filter housing into a di vessel which is far too small for window cleaners. In the drinks industry they added another filter to improve the water's taste, which again, we don't need.

Spot on post
I’m DIY everything. Have been since I had my first system installed in 2008 at huge expense. Had a look at it over time and realised that I could do it myself and save loads of money. Been that way ever since.
HOWEVER, I have made more mistakes than I can remember and it has cost me a lot of money over the years until I finally worked everything out and things have been running perfectly for a few years now.Living and learning and all that!
Having said that I do still fine tune from time to time. Habit I can’t get out of!
As has been said many times reading the forums and looking online and gathering as much information as possible certainly makes it easier to get started these days for anyone starting up.
Learn from the oldies mistakes! And onwards and upwards!

 

[Pjj]

I speak for myself here.

20 years ago, wfp for us mere mortals was a totally new concept with only a handful of suppliers selling adapted equipment designed for other industries.

We purchased lots of equipment that wasn't right for our individual needs over time. Unger aluminium poles, salmon hygiene brushes, vikan car wash brushes are a few examples. Most of that was money wasted. I'm talking about thousands of pounds if I include the wpf trailer I bought that rusted away in 3 years.

These days that has totally changed with equipment being made to our window cleaning requirements, all of which has stood the test of time.

For me, Gardiners for poles, brushes and accessories, Daqua for r/o, resin, pump and hoses requirements, Exceed Innovations for hose fittings and the Univalve are my main suppliers.

All of us old wfp timers know what newbies need equipment wise to start in their new window cleaning venture. We've been there and made the mistakes. We may have different opinions regarding tank size and what van to buy, but we know all about payloads and how much water you can use a day cleaning windows.

I've been thinking about your r/o. Your tap water tds is horrible. It's nearly as bad as Hartlepool's water, which last tested was 550ppm.
In time you may consider to upgrade your r/o membrane for a better quality one and add a booster pump to improve the r/o's efficiency.
You might even consider adding rain water harvesting to supplement your water requirements if you can.

For window cleaning, we only need 2 prefilters, a sediment and a carbon block. Some suppliers turned the third filter housing into a di vessel which is far too small for window cleaners. In the drinks industry they added another filter to improve the water's taste, which again, we don't need.

Yes I was exactly the same waisted thousands on stuff that wasn’t fit for purpose , and was virtually unusable as an example bought a 60 foot fibreglass pole it was around 4 inches thick and so bendy you struggled to extend it and getting it from one window to the next was very difficult , then the massive 18 inch brushes from Ionic’s that weighed a ton and were very unusable apart from on huge sheets of glass . Then the stainless steel jets that were huge and hit the frames , along with Viking sill brushes that were like having a shark on a fishing rod . And don’t get me started on using 1/2 hose before microbore came out , things have improved a lot it’s now a very easy job .