MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY

Tips for Successful CIP

Procedures
Performing clean-in-place
to reverse fouling
By Andrea Lima & Ben Orton

he surface of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes is subject

T to the build up ( fouling) of foreign materials present

in feed water, such as suspended solids, colloids,
organics and biological matter. The deposits accumulate on the A clean-in-place is performed
membrane, resulting in decreased filtrate flow and/or increased to reduce buildup on the membrane.
transmembrane pressure (TMP), eventually reaching levels that
cannot be recovered by regular backwash and maintenance
cleaning. To reverse this situation, a clean-in-place (CIP) must be The permeability ( flow/TMP) of the UF membranes to be
performed. A deliberate approach to data collection and analysis cleaned should be measured with online instrumentation before
before, during and after such cleanings can lead to constant and after the CIP with each type of solution to establish a baseline,
improvements in cleaning efficiency and help ensure reliable for assessment of chemical cleaning efficiency and indication of
system capacity for longer periods. the type of fouling. It is recommended for the permeability (LMH/
Indications that UF modules should be cleaned to restore bar, or gfd/psi) to be measured on normalized terms.
membrane permeability include (specific values are determined by The steps for CIP are as follows:
the membrane provider):
• Drastic decrease in permeability; 1 Install CIP cartridge filter elements (5- or
• Significant increase of normalized TMP; and 10-μm rating).
• Operating TMP reaches the maximum limit value for the 2 Make up cleaning solution and preheat to desired
UF product. temperature. For seawater applications, reverse osmosis (RO)
permeate is preferred for the UF CIP make-up solution.
CIP is most effective when tailored to the specific cause of 3 Conduct a regular backwash with air scour on the UF
fouling. Therefore, analysis into the type of foulants on the UF skid if available. Air scour, a feature that requires vertically
membrane surface should be done prior to the CIP. There are oriented modules using outside in flow configurations, is a
different ways to accomplish this including: great tool to loosen particulates deposited on the membrane
• Analyze feed water quality looking for specific foulants (ex: surface, the removal of which is very important prior to a
metals, natural organic matter, colloids, etc.); CIP. Air is introduced from the bottom of the module, on the
• Review results of previous cleanings to check the most outside of the fibers and displaced feed flow/concentrate is
effective chemical solutions used; allowed to discharge through the top for disposal.
• Remove and inspect the feed end 4 Remove the UF skid from service by normal
of one UF module for indication of shutdown procedures and drain out water in the UF
contaminants; and skid. Residual water in the skid will dilute the
• Inspect, sample and/or analyze concentration of cleaning solutions.
the waste discharge after air scour 5 Recycle cleaning solution using low-flow pumping.
in the backwash step for indica- Measure the pH of the solution and adjust the pH, if needed.
tion of contaminants. If the pH increases by more than 1 pH unit during acid
cleaning, more acid needs to be added. If the pH decreases
by more than 1 pH unit during alkaline cleaning, more
Ultrafiltration membranes caustic needs to be added. Fresh cleaning solution needs to

18 ■ MAR/APR 2015 ■ INDUSTRIAL WATER & WASTES DIGEST

 be prepared when
the one in place
becomes very turbid
and/or discolored.
This step typically
lasts one hour if
only one cleaning
solution is needed.
6 Soak. The soak step
is typically two
hours. Depending
on extent of fouling,
an overnight soak of
10 to 15 hours can Fresh cleaning solution should be
be beneficial. If an prepared when the one in place becomes
extended soaking turbid or discolored.
period is used, apply
a slow recirculation
rate (about 10% of
the flow used on
recirculation step)
to maintain a high
temperature and to
improve cleaning
efficiency. Every 30
minutes during the UF modules should be cleaned to
soak period, restore membrane permeability and
injection of air for reduce fouling.
five minutes can be
applied to agitate fibers for enhanced cleaning benefits.
7 Flush out. After the soak period, drain the CIP tank, and fill
with RO permeate (preferred, for seawater applications),
potable water, or UF filtrate to prepare for the flush out
step. Perform the flush out of the CIP tank and piping by
repeating the recirculation step for a period of 10 minutes.
8 Conduct a regular backwash, post-CIP, of the UF skid to
prepare the system and then return to service.

During the cleaning procedure, chemical concentration,

cleaning time, temperature, intermittent air scour and hydraulic
conditions are important considerations that will affect cleaning
efficiency. Some modules, depending on the material of the fibers,
will be more or less resistant to elevated levels of pH, chlorine
oxidants and temperature and should be checked for compatibility. Innovation in Water Treatment
UF system performance should be monitored on a regular Local Focus and Worldwide Experience
and frequent basis. If cleaning is delayed too long, fouling may
become irreversible and result in potential physical damage We offer our Technologies and
to the UF module or appurtenance equipment. Data should expertise in Water Treatment for:
be looked at on a normalized basis, to remove or minimize t Agriculture/Irrigation Industry
the effects of temperature, pressure and flow so the user may t Food/Beverage Industry
differentiate between normal phenomena and real performance t Potable Drinking Water
upsets due to fouling. t Oil/Gas & Power Industry
t LEED Certified Construction
Andrea Lima is a technical service engineer for Dow Water &
Process Solutions. Lima can be reached at [email protected] www.genesiswatertech.com
GENESIS, GENESIS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, and respective logos are trademarks
or 281.531.1728. Ben Orton is marketing manager, Filtration, of Genesis Water Technologies and may not be used without permission.
© 2013 Genesis Water Technologies, All Rights Reserved
for Dow Water & Process Solutions. Orton can be reached at
[email protected] or 952.897.4313.

WWW.WWDMAG.COM/INDUSTRIAL ■ 19