Shoalwaters
Guru
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2008
- Messages
- 681
- Location
- St. Lucia, West Indies
- Vessel Name
- "Dragon Lady"
- Vessel Make
- DeFever 41
I run my watermaker for 10 minutes every week or so using the watermaker's own fresh water flush system. In theory this keeps the membrane healthy and the pumps and valves exercised. Each time I do this there is a distinct smell of hydrogen sulphide (rotten eggs) from the water produced, so there is some bacterial growth going on in there.
The alternative approach is to "pickle" the system which involves dissolving 3 oz of sodium metabisulphite in 3 gallons of chlorine-free water, circulating it through the watermaker's system, draining it all out and plugging the membrane.
My system does not lend itself to being disconnected and reconnected like this, and it is asking for leaks in the high pressure connections. I also like to run the pumps and move the valves because "machinery left to lie down gets set in its ways".
I am wondering if there is a compromise: run the watermaker (say) every month using fresh sodium metabisulphite solution and leave it in there. This would prevent micro organisms from growing and give the metal bits a workout. The question is: would this do any harm to the membrane, pumps, valves and hoses?
Sodium metabisulphite is readily available and costs about 25¢/lb
The alternative approach is to "pickle" the system which involves dissolving 3 oz of sodium metabisulphite in 3 gallons of chlorine-free water, circulating it through the watermaker's system, draining it all out and plugging the membrane.
My system does not lend itself to being disconnected and reconnected like this, and it is asking for leaks in the high pressure connections. I also like to run the pumps and move the valves because "machinery left to lie down gets set in its ways".
I am wondering if there is a compromise: run the watermaker (say) every month using fresh sodium metabisulphite solution and leave it in there. This would prevent micro organisms from growing and give the metal bits a workout. The question is: would this do any harm to the membrane, pumps, valves and hoses?
Sodium metabisulphite is readily available and costs about 25¢/lb