UF Membrane Routine Maintenance Measures & Troubleshooting

Maintenance

Routine Maintenance

Pressure gauges. Calibrate regularly and replace promptly if necessary;
Centrifugal pumps. Check the pump temperature regularly as well as pump gaskets and other structures used to prevent pump leakage;
Flow meters. Calibrate the meter every three months;
Automatic valves. Check the valve every month and check if there is any leakage in the valve body;
Ultrafiltration systems. Check the feed water quality according to general requirements.

Troubleshooting

Problems, Reasons and Solutions
Troubles	Reasons	Solutions
High trans-membrane pressure drop	Fouled UF membrane elements	Find out the cause of contamination, take proper cleaning measures and adjust the flushing parameters.
	High permeate flow	Adjust the flow according to the requirements stated in the operation guide.
	Low feed water temperature	Improve the feed water temperature.
Small permeate flow	Fouled UF membrane elements	Find out the cause of contamination, take proper cleaning measures and adjust the flushing parameters.
	Incorrect valve opening setting	Check and ensure all valve that should be open are open and adjust the valve opening.
	Flow meter is out of work.	Check the flow meter and ensure it can work smoothly.
	Low feed pressure	Verify and solve this problem.
	Low feed water temperature	Improve the feed water temperature and pressure.
Poor permeate quality	Unqualified feed water quality	Check the feed water quality, especially turbidity and COD.
Poor permeate quality	Damaged membrane elements	Find out the cause of damage and replace the membrane element.
The system fails to run automatically.	The feed pump fails to start.	Exclude the possibility of incorrect wiring. Convert the pump into manual mode and restart it and then change it to automatic control after normal operation.
	High feed water pressure	Check the feed pump; Adjust the pressure switch.
	High permeate back pressure	The permeate outlet valve is closed; The subsequent system fails to start promptly; Adjust the pressure switch.
	PLC program error	Check the program.