Does anything pass through RO

[h22lude]

Are there things that could possibly pass through my RO system that would lead to off flavors?

Trying to figure out where this specific off flavor is coming from. I got it with and without my RO system. Before I do anything with water I figured I'd ask to see if it was possible. My TDS reads 2 so I know I'm getting a few solids through but wouldn't those just be ions? Could chloramine or chlorine pass through?

 

[TheHopfather]

Does your system include a carbon block? Without one, or if your water is passing through too quickly, you may be leaving chlorine in the water. I don't think that carbon filters remove chloramine, at least not very well.
Why not try treating the RO water with campden and seeing if that fixes your issue?

 

[h22lude]

Does your system include a carbon block? Without one, or if your water is passing through too quickly, you may be leaving chlorine in the water. I don't think that carbon filters remove chloramine, at least not very well.
Why not try treating the RO water with campden and seeing if that fixes your issue?

It does have a carbon filter. What pressure sound it be under to remove chlorine?

That's what I'll probably do next batch. Was just curious if campden would even help with RO but if it doesn't remove all of chloramine then I'd think it would help

 

[TheHopfather]

It does have a carbon filter. What pressure sound it be under to remove chlorine?

That's what I'll probably do next batch. Was just curious if campden would even help with RO but if it doesn't remove all of chloramine then I'd think it would help

I'm not sure on the pressure. I've seen 0.75 gal/hr tossed around as a good rate to remove chlorine. It looks like a GAC filter will remove chloramine, I think I'd just toss in a campden tablet and call it a day.

Lots of info for you - https://www.morebeer.com/articles/removing_chloramines_from_water

 

[jurgenph]

how old is your RO system?
how old and what micron size is the sediment filter
how old and what micron size is the carbon block
how old is your RO membrance? what is it's rejection rate?
do you have a flush valve on it?
how many gallons of RO water have you made since you last changed the filters?

have you tested your unfiltered tap water? TDS? cholires? chloramines?

all that said, the main thing to look out for in RO water is chlorines and cloramines. contact your local water supply to find out which ones are in your water.

you may need a special carbon block for cloramines.

if the carbon block isn't removing the clirine or cloramines, they can damage your RO membrane.

2 TDS is pretty good for RO water though. but not all things will register on a TDS meter.


J.

 

[h22lude]

I'm not sure on the pressure. I've seen 0.75 gal/hr tossed around as a good rate to remove chlorine. It looks like a GAC filter will remove chloramine, I think I'd just toss in a campden tablet and call it a day.

Lots of info for you - https://www.morebeer.com/articles/removing_chloramines_from_water

Next batch I'll definitely use half a tablet

how old is your RO system?
how old and what micron size is the sediment filter
how old and what micron size is the carbon block
how old is your RO membrance? what is it's rejection rate?
do you have a flush valve on it?
how many gallons of RO water have you made since you last changed the filters?

have you tested your unfiltered tap water? TDS? cholires? chloramines?

all that said, the main thing to look out for in RO water is chlorines and cloramines. contact your local water supply to find out which ones are in your water.

you may need a special carbon block for cloramines.

if the carbon block isn't removing the clirine or cloramines, they can damage your RO membrane.

2 TDS is pretty good for RO water though. but not all things will register on a TDS meter.


J.

Entire system and all filters are about 2 years old.
1 micron sediment
.5 micron carbon block
I think I get 1 gallon of RO per 4 gallons of waste. 75 gallons per day RO
It does have a flush but I haven't used it
Probably less than 200 gallons of RO water

I haven't tested it for chlorine or chloramine. Buddy at work is bringing me test strips he uses for his pool for total and free chlorine. TDS before RO is about 80.

 

[jurgenph]

Entire system and all filters are about 2 years old.
1 micron sediment
.5 micron carbon block
I think I get 1 gallon of RO per 4 gallons of waste. 75 gallons per day RO
It does have a flush but I haven't used it
Probably less than 200 gallons of RO water

I haven't tested it for chlorine or chloramine. Buddy at work is bringing me test strips he uses for his pool for total and free chlorine. TDS before RO is about 80.

80 TDS in is great
i got 300<->400 coming in depending on what day it is

200 gallons of RO with a TDS of 80 going in should be just fine, your filters are most likey still in good shape... unless you have high clorine/cloramine levels. they could have exhausted the carbon block and damaged the membrane. but unlikely as your RO water is at 2 TDS.

hope all comes back OK when you use the test kit!

i try to flush the membrane every time i use it. it's probably overkill, but that way i don't forget.

you should probably flush that membrane, just open up the flush valve and let it run for 10 minutes or so.


J.

 

[h22lude]

80 TDS in is great
i got 300<->400 coming in depending on what day it is

200 gallons of RO with a TDS of 80 going in should be just fine, your filters are most likey still in good shape... unless you have high clorine/cloramine levels. they could have exhausted the carbon block and damaged the membrane. but unlikely as your RO water is at 2 TDS.

hope all comes back OK when you use the test kit!

i try to flush the membrane every time i use it. it's probably overkill, but that way i don't forget.

you should probably flush that membrane, just open up the flush valve and let it run for 10 minutes or so.


J.

I had my water tested at Ward twice and both times it came back pretty good. All levels were pretty low and consistent. I don't have any one thing higher than others which makes it easy to get water profiles but I wanted to start fresh which is why I went RO.

I forgot how to flush it but I have the instructions. I'll try that tonight. I'm secretly hoping it is chloramine and campden tablets work.

 

[ajdelange]

Yes, carbon block filters do remove chloramine and theoretically are never consumed by it! Chlorine, OTOH, will eventually consume the carbon and this is the real world. The GAC filter in your system is largely there to protect the membranes against chlorine and chloramine and will do so if the filter is operated at its design flow rate.

 

[h22lude]

Yes, carbon block filters do remove chloramine and theoretically are never consumed by it! Chlorine, OTOH, will eventually consume the carbon and this is the real world. The GAC filter in your system is largely there to protect the membranes against chlorine and chloramine and will do so if the filter is operated at its design flow rate.

So in terms of source water, there really isn't anything getting through my RO system which would eliminate my water as the source of any off flavors (assuming the system is working properly)?

 

[ajdelange]

There shouldn't be but some RO systems do contain 'polish' filters of KDC or GAF intended to remove any organics and heavy metals that sneak through. You might want to put a KDF filter in your permeate line but taste and smell it first with a little warming. If it tastes flat and doesn't smell at all funky you should be OK.

 

[h22lude]

There shouldn't be but some RO systems do contain 'polish' filters of KDC or GAF intended to remove any organics and heavy metals that sneak through. You might want to put a KDF filter in your permeate line but taste and smell it first with a little warming. If it tastes flat and doesn't smell at all funky you should be OK.

This is the system I bought http://www.buckeyehydro.com/premium-ro-systems/ I believe I have the 75 gallons per day. I can't remember if I went with 75 or 100 but I think it is 75.

I'll try campden tablets next brew to see if that helps. If not, I'm back to the drawing board.