TEP fouling is normal in ...

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TEP fouling is normal in Plants fitted with MF / UF

If in addition you have an intermediate tank between UF and cartridge filters the situation is still worse.

Sometimes Plants with UF are designed without cartridge filters (Big error) and naturally RO membranes are fouled more heavily.

UF is not the correct pretreatment for RO, unless water temperature is very low. (Sand filters should be used instead.)

Cartridge filters last 6 months with sand filters and 1-2 months with UF

CIPs are performed once a year with sand filters and  4 to 12 times with UF

What to do?

Very little, you cannot retrofit to sand filters. (Too late)

1) Keep intermediate tank as clean as possible with frequent manual cleanings and biocides.

2) Install cartridge filters if they are not fitted

3) Perform good CIPs ( pH : 12,5 - 13  and 12 hours time minimum (Full time, no stand byes) 

4) Install membranes with 34 mills spacers in position 1 and 2

5) Retrofit to hybrid membrane staging.  (Install membranes with a lower production in positions 1, 2 and 3.) 

6) Next time, design with sand filters

Regards

Talavera