Specifications

Recovery
Recovery plays an important role in determining membrane and system performance. Recovery refers to the amount of water
produced in relation to the amount of water sent to drain. The standard calculation is:
% Recovery = Product Water ÷ (Product Water + Waste Water) x 100
The AC-30 uses a capillary tube to restrict the flow of waste water to the drain. This restriction helps maintain pressure against
the membrane. The sizing of the capillary tube determines the recovery rating of the system. The AC-30 is manufactured with a
recovery rating designed to be around 50%. Depending on temperature, pressure and tolerances the actual recovery value may be
slightly different for each system.
Where water characteristics are such that fouling is inevitable, the recovery value should be adjusted to reduce the fouling
potential. The adjustment is made to increase the flow of waste to drain, thereby reducing the recovery value. This procedure
is beneficial for waters with hardness values above 10 gpg, for waters where the temperature may be higher, for higher turbidity
values and waters that may contain higher amounts of silt. The increase in waste water reduces the concentration of contaminants
which may prevent cementation of particles to the membrane surface.
Adjusting the recovery rating requires shortening the capillary tube. For applications where higher waste flow is applicable we
recommend reducing the capillary length to half the factory set length. Refer to the page 10 for a detailed description of steps
involved in this modification.
NOTE: Changing the capillary length voids the WQA listing. Remove the WQA data label from the system if you adjust the
capillary length.
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
(Figure 12) (P/N 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 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:
• Rinse the cell cup twice with water to be tested, then fill to the top.
• Press the button on the front of the meter and read the dial for the
dissolved solids content of the product water in parts per million (ppm).
Figure 12
20 Aqua-Cleer
®
/ Good Water Machine
®