Standard operating procedure of UF Plant.

Start-Up

The following procedures should be followed for the start-up of DOWTM Ultra filtration

Modules. Manually start the equipment during initial operation. Flush the UF parts to remove

the preservative used in shipping or the storage solution before starting the equipment.

Target a filtrate flow of 60% of design during initial operations. After 24 hours the filtrate flow

Can be adjusted to design conditions.

Pre-start Checks

1. The UF pre-treatment system should operate properly and the UF feed water should meet

The design requirements. Ensure that chemical addition points are properly located and that

Proper mixing of chemicals in the feed streams can occur. Check the addition of pretreatment

Chemicals.

2. Verify that the drain/waste collection system is functional

3. Verify that the PLC program is loaded and functioning

4. Complete and electrical system check. Verify that the instrumentation is working and

calibration is completed. Calibrate gauges and meters based on manufacturers’

recommendations.

5. Clean and connect interconnecting piping. Flush system without modules to remove

fabrication debris. During the flushing operation, check all pipe connections and valves for

leaks. Tighten connections where necessary.

6. Residual air should be removed from the system during start-up.

Check that all valves are closed and pumps are off before starting the system. Start the

equipment by following the steps below:

1. Pumps should be aligned, lubricated, and properly rotated.

3. Fill equipment and start a flush

4. Start the backwash pump

5. Set and adjust the backwash pressure

6. Set and adjust the inlet air pressure

7. Set backwash time interval

8. Set air scour time interval

9. Set backwash sequence

Module Flushing

The DOW Ultra filtration modules should be rinsed prior to startup to remove preservative fluid

shipped in the modules. Flushing should be performed until no foam is observed in the wash

water. Depending on the treatment application, additional rinsing or disposal of the filtrate

may be required.

NSF / ANSI Standard 61 certified modules require the following conditioning rinse prior to

producing potable water:

1. Rinse the modules at a feed rate of 40 LMH minimum for a period of 4 Hours.

2. Achieve a minimum total rinse volume of 160 LMH-Hours using the feed water available.

3. The concentrate bleed rate should be set from between 0% to 20% with the balance being

filtrate.

4. During the rinse cycle, perform standard cleaning protocols as defined per the

manufacturer’s recommendations which are specifically designed to consider the feed water

quality available.

5. The filtrate should be sent to the appropriate disposal system based on the regulations that

apply to the location where the conditioning rinse is carried out and not used as potable

water.
6. Local regulations may require additional conditioning of the system prior to producing

potable water

3.2 INTEGRITY TESTING PROCEDURES

Two methods are commonly used for integrity testing.

BUBBLE TEST

Leaking modules can be found using a skid pressure hold test and a transparent bubble tube.

1. Take the module out of the filtration mode.

2. Drain the module from the feed side.

3. Close feed and concentrate valve and align filtrate valve to allow flow to drain through the

transparent tube. Also isolate the bank of modules being tested from other operating banks of

modules.

4. Pressurize the drained side of the module with oil-free compressed air from the air inlet

valve, and slowly raise the air pressure to a maximum of 2 bars (29 psi). Some displaced

water will flow out the filtrate side.

If large continuous air bubbles appear in the transparent tube then the module has broken

fibers. Smaller and infrequent bubbles are the result of air diffusion through the pores of the

ultra filtration membrane.

PRESSURE HOLD/DECAY

1. Take the UF unit or module out of the filtration mode. Drain the water from the feed side of

the module. Close the feed and concentrate valves and keep the filtrate valve open.

2. Pressurize the membrane module with oil free compressed air from the air inlet valve, and

slowly raise the air pressure to a maximum of 2 bars (29 psi). Some displaced water will flow

out through the filtrate side for up to two minutes.

3. Close the air inlet valve.

. Hold the pressure for 10 minutes. The membrane is integral (no leaks) if the pressure drop
is lower than 0.2 bar (2.9 psi). If the pressure drop is greater than 0.2 bar in 10 minutes (2.9

psi in 10 minutes) then membrane fibers are compromised and require repair.

5. Repair the membrane following the “fiber test and repair procedure”.

SHUT DOWN

MANUAL SHUT DOWN

To conduct a manual shut down open the concentrate rinse valve and flush for 15 seconds.

Then slowly close the inlet valve

EQUIPMENT SHUT DOWN DURING AUTOMATIC OPERATION

The equipment will automatically stop or will not allow automatic operation if the feed pump

did not start when operation was initiated or the inlet or filtrate pressure is too high to operate.

LONG TERM EQUIPMENT SHUT DOWN

If the equipment is down for more than two days, operation for 30 to 60 minutes per day can

protect the equipment from bacterial fouling. If the equipment is down for more than seven

days apply a manual air scrub before turning off the equipment, add a storage solution (1%

NaHSO3), and close all valves. During long term storage, pH should be checked monthly.

Replace the storage solution if the pH is less than3. During shut down, the UF membrane

should always keep moist. The membrane components will be irreversibly damaged after

drying.

OPERATING AND CLEANING LOGS

Recording data is useful for tracking operating conditions and to optimize operations. The

frequency of data collection will depend on the use of the filtrate water. Attached are two logs

for use during operations. One is the Data Log Sheet for use during normal filtration and

operations. The second is the CIP Record Sheet, which is used to collect information from

the clean in place step.