watermaker maintenance and service

[BartW]

production rate of our watermaker became slower and slower ,
it takes a long time before the machine switches in to production "mode" and frequently switches production off
contacted Idromar and they sugested that the membranes need to be replaced,

the machine has only about 150 Hrs,
but it is at least 6 or 7 year old

I have ordered new membranes at Idromar, and they charge 409 euro per piece (ex VAT)
they are the regular tube type, of approx 1m long, type nr SW2540

- is it normal that they need replacement after 150 hrs of production ?
- is it a fair price ?
- what do others do, to clean these filters, and keep them in good condition ?
I apply a descaler, and conservation product before the winter stop

 

[vas]

Bart,

no, not normal to only make 150h!
however, if they've been used on "bad" waters, they may be clogged, damaged, whatever.
SW2540 IIRC from my checks is standard DOW membrane and was quoted 170euro +VAT each back in 2012, cannot be that bad now ffs!!!

contact:
Lenntech BV
Rotterdamseweg 402 M
2629 HH Delft
The Netherlands
T: +31 15 261 0900
F: +31 15 261 6289

and see for your self, shouldn't be difficult to communicate with these guys, not that far from you, is it?

V.

 

[jfm]

I can believe the price but 150 hours is very low. The pre filters are meant to remove any harmful things in the raw water that would destroy the membranes

I'm not expert on watermakers and my strategy is to use the thing every week so I never need to pickle it, and after use I use the automatic freshwater flush so the membrane is not sitting in seawater. Other than that and filter changes I do no particular maintence

But before spending 1000euro to try to fix low production, I would want to check some other things. To begin with, is the high pressure raw water pump making the correct pressure on the seawater side of the membrane?