To control bacterial growth and preserve Ultrafiltration and Reverse Osmosis membrane 1 wt.% sodium metabisulphite solution is used. is it possible to use this solution for the Nanofiltration membrane or not?
if it's not possible to use, is there any other solution to use for NF membrane?
Dear Mohammad Askari ,
I read multiple articles and patents about this matter.
Using 0.1% formalin solution is a common method to prevent microbial growth on the polymeric membranes.
If this solution would not help you, please feel free to contact me.
Good luck
Yes, you can even use it for NF membranes. In our lab, we are using it to preserve the NF modules.
Veerababu Polisetti Does it have any effect on the NF performance? I mean, do you test the membrane before and after using sodium metabisulphite solution to see the effect?
and if it has a minor effect, may I know the effect?
Mohammad Askari The performance remains the same as before. Here keep it mind the pH value of preservative should be neutral otherwise the performance will increase due to the cleavage of polyamide bonds of different pH.
Thank you
As a rule of a thumb: there are the same ways to preserve RO and NF elements until they based on the same types of barrier layers (polyamide either piperazine), composite structure (PS +PES), auxiliary components (polymers and glues). When use SMBS solution for preservation check pH value once per 3 month at least. If pH drops below 3 - solution should be replaced with a new one. The detailed instruction (a cite from Filmtec Manual) how to handle Filmtec elements are attached. Similar guidelines are available from all membranes manufacturers.
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