Changing Out Membrane Elements - GE OSMONICS E4 Series Installation, Operation And Maintenance Manual

NOTE:
7. After suction cleaning cycle is complete, reopen inlet water and flush machine
to drain for twenty minutes.
8. After permeate quality is verified as good, return machine to normal opera-
tion mode.
2.21

Changing Out Membrane Elements

CAUTION:
STEPS
1. Remove the top end caps and clamps from the membrane element housings.
Lubricate all O-rings and brine seals, and the PVC membrane element stems
(stingers) with a non-petroleum based lubricate (i.e., glycerin or poly water).
2. Load the down flow membrane elements first, by inserting the membrane
element into the membrane element housing with the brine seal end of the
membrane element up. Slowly turn the membrane element as you lower it
into the membrane element housing. As you reach the bottom of the hous-
ing slowly guide the PVC stem or stinger on the end of the membrane element
into the head of the end cap. As the membrane element slides into the hous-
ing the brine seal will be on the top.
3. Next, load the up flow membrane elements, by lubricating all brine seals, O-
rings, and the membrane element stingers. With the up flow membrane ele-
ment and the brine seal will be on the bottom of the membrane element. Turn
the membrane element slowly as you lower it down into the housing. As with
the down flow membrane element, one must slowly guide the PVC stinger on
the end of the membrane element into the end cap.
4. Reinstall the end caps by using non-petroleum based lubricant to lubricate
the O-ring inside the end cap. Reinstall the end cap on the membrane ele-
ment by first, aligning the stinger into the hole in the end cap and then turn
the end cap slowly clockwise, as you push it down into the membrane ele-
ment housing.
As previously mentioned, the manufacturer recommends use
of a CIP or booster pump to circulate the cleaning solution
during membrane element cleaning.
Replacement membrane elements are shipped from the factory in a
plastic bag with a small amount of bactericide solution to prevent bio-
logical growth. When installing the membrane elements, always pro-
vide adequate ventilation and wear gloves while handling the mem-
brane elements as recommended. The membrane elements must be
kept moist at all times in to prevent possible damage to the mem-
brane element material.
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