Specifications

Performance and Technical Information
16 / AQUA-CLEER
®
/GOOD WATER MACHINE
™
DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
sure. As the total dissolved solids level of the feed water
increases, the amount of osmotic pressure increases and acts
as back pressure against the reverse osmosis process. Os-
motic pressure becomes significant at TDS levels above
500 mg/L (ppm).
Recovery
Recovery is the ratio of the amount of product water “recov-
ered” by the system to the total amount of water which passes
through the system.
Performance Measurements
When collecting water samples from the manifold, insert a
short 2"-3" length of tubing into the fitting on the manifold to
catch the water sample. It may be necessary to plug the
second product water fitting on the manifold while the sample
is being taken.
Measuring TDS Levels
This procedure requires the use of a Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS) meter (Fig. 12). PN D0-4705-04 On a triple-range meter,
always set the instrument on its highest scale and work down
until the proper scale is reached. The meter can be
damaged if the needle is allowed to run off the scale.
To accurately check RO membrane filter performance,
water samples should be taken directly from the product
water outlet on the manifold assembly. Avoid taking samples
from the faucet.
Measure and record the TDS level of the feed water and
product water as follows:
The performance of the Aqua-Cleer
®
/Good Water Machine
™
system can be characterized and judged by the quality and
quantity of the water produced by the system. By measuring
the contaminant removal performance and flow rates of the
system, its operating status can be easily evaluated.
Factors Which Affect Performance
Performance of the reverse osmosis membrane filter is
affected by several factors which must be considered when
judging the condition of the system. The main factors which
affect system performance are pressure, temperature, total
dissolved solids level, recovery and pH.
Pressure
Water pressure affects both the quantity and quality of the
water produced by the RO membrane filter. Generally, the
more water pressure, the better the performance of the
system. Be careful not to exceed 120 psi, the maximum
operating pressure of the Aqua-Cleer system.
Temperature
The reverse osmosis process slows with decreasing tempera-
ture. To compensate, a temperature correction factor is used
to adjust the actual performance of the RO membrane filter to
the standard temperature of 77°F (25°C). This allows the
performance of the unit to be accurately gauged against
Culligan’s published standards. Temperature does not affect
the concentrate flow rate.
Total Dissolved Solids
The minimum driving force which is necessary to stop or
reverse the natural osmosis process is termed osmotic pres-