Nanjing Biocell Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.
Nanjing Biocell Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

RO Water System in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Maintenance and Cleaning

In the pharmaceutical industry, the maintenance and cleaning of RO water system is crucial steps to ensure that water quality meets stringent standards. As the usage time of equipment increases, regular maintenance and cleaning become particularly important to ensure the long-term efficient operation of the system. This article will introduce themaintenance and cleaning methods of RO water system in the pharmaceutical industry, helping users extend the service life of the equipment and maintain water quality stability.


Maintenance Cycle and Operation of RO Water System in the Pharmaceutical Industry


In the pharmaceutical industry, the maintenance cycle of RO water system depends on the usage of the equipment and water quality. Generally speaking, the filter element of the safety filter should be replaced every 30 days. The cleaning cycle of the sand filter and carbon filter is 15-20 days, and backwashing requires 5-10 minutes, with the same duration for forward washing. The lifespan of the sand filter is about 2 years, while the lifespan of the carbon filter is 1 year. To maintain the stability of the RO water system, ensuring that the water quality of the RO membrane meets requirements, and performing maintenance according to the operating method, the membrane's service life can reach 2~3 years.


Cleaning and Maintenance Methods of RO Water System in the Pharmaceutical Industry


Due to the formation of pollutants such as scale and bacteria, the water output and quality of RO water system may gradually decline. When factors like temperature and pressure cause a 15% reduction in output, RO water system in the pharmaceutical industryusually requires chemical cleaning. The temperature at the equipment installation site should be controlled between 4~45℃. If the equipment is shut down for a long time, protective fluid must be added to the system. Initial addition should ideally be carried out by or under the guidance of professionals.


For the daily maintenance of RO water system, system that is temporarily unused (for less than 15 days) can be maintained through low-pressure flushing. When the temperature exceeds 20 ℃, flush once every 1~2 days; when the temperature is below 20 ℃, flush once every 3 days. After each flush, it is necessary to close all inlet and outlet valves of the reverse osmosis equipment. For systems that are unused for long periods (over 15 days), maintenance fluids (such as isothiazolinone or deionized water equipment bactericide) must be used for maintenance.


Cleaning Frequency and System Improvements


Generally, RO water system requires chemical cleaning every 2~10 months. If there are issues with the equipment's pretreatment system, cleaning may be required monthly. This will enhance the operational level of the equipment and help improve the pretreatment system. Common pollutants include inorganic scales, colloids, microorganisms, and metal oxides, which can deposit on the membrane surface, leading to a decline in water quality and equipment performance. Regular chemical cleaning and maintenance help remove these pollutants and maintain the functionality of the membrane.


During the usage of RO water system, if the feed water SDI (Silt Density Index) value increases beyond 5.5, low-pressure flushing is required. Once the SDI value returns to normal, the system can be restarted. Regular high-flow, low-pressure, low pH flushing helps remove dust from the membrane surface and maintains the good operational status of the RO water system.


In conclusion, the maintenance and cleaning of RO water system in the pharmaceutical industry is key to ensuring water quality and the normal operation of equipment. Through reasonable maintenance cycles, effective cleaning methods, and regular system improvements, the service life and water quality stability of the equipment can be significantly enhanced.

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