kkutac001
Mon, 3rd Jul 2006, 02:07 PM
I had some questions regarding their Barracuda unit (RO/DI five-stage). I spoke with “Pete” of AquaFX on 6/30/06. I think some other maastards have AquaFX gear, so I thought I'd share the info, for anyone else who might be interested. (I mean, since I had these questions, maybe others are wondering the same things.)
1. Should their RO/DI unit have hard water only as feed water?
a. No, the units prefer soft water (TDS’s will be less)
2. Does the chlorine in tap water harm the RO membrane?
a. Yes. However, the unit’s carbon block dechlorinates (there is a sediment pre-filter and a carbon pre-filter).
3. For RO, there is typically three to four gallons of water wasted for each gallon of product water. What if I don’t want to waste all this water? Can only the DI unit be used? (i.e. leave the RO membrane chamber empty)
a. You can, indeed, use the DI chamber to solely produce DI water (leaving the RO membrane out). BUT, you will ‘burn through’ DI cartridges (you can get zero TDS; DI resin will be used up much more quickly)
4. Can the DI cartidges/resins be ‘recharged’? (using, say, muriatic or hydrochloric acid)
a. Yes, but AquaFX strongly recommends against doing so – not because it would ruin the resin, but rather because the acids needed for the operation are inherently and extremely hazardous/toxic
Hope someone besides just me finds this info useful/helpful.
..Karl
1. Should their RO/DI unit have hard water only as feed water?
a. No, the units prefer soft water (TDS’s will be less)
2. Does the chlorine in tap water harm the RO membrane?
a. Yes. However, the unit’s carbon block dechlorinates (there is a sediment pre-filter and a carbon pre-filter).
3. For RO, there is typically three to four gallons of water wasted for each gallon of product water. What if I don’t want to waste all this water? Can only the DI unit be used? (i.e. leave the RO membrane chamber empty)
a. You can, indeed, use the DI chamber to solely produce DI water (leaving the RO membrane out). BUT, you will ‘burn through’ DI cartridges (you can get zero TDS; DI resin will be used up much more quickly)
4. Can the DI cartidges/resins be ‘recharged’? (using, say, muriatic or hydrochloric acid)
a. Yes, but AquaFX strongly recommends against doing so – not because it would ruin the resin, but rather because the acids needed for the operation are inherently and extremely hazardous/toxic
Hope someone besides just me finds this info useful/helpful.
..Karl