Chlorine-resistant RO membranes

[MEP001]

Polyamide membrane - does anyone use one? Is there a major downside? I need to either replace a charcoal filter for a customer whose broke during the freeze or try running without it. It's a small and not busy wash if it matters.

 

[cantbreak80]

Let’s say…

4x40 membrane costs $250
a carbon filter with auto backwash costs $1000
1-1/2 cuft of replacement AGC costs $150

Then, let’s say a chlorine fed membrane lives 2 years whereas a AGC filtered membrane will live 5 years. And, 1-1/2 cuft of AGC lasts about 5 years.

In 10 years…

Without the carbon filter:
5 membrane replacements: $250 x 5 = $1,250
Vs.
With the carbon filter:
1 AGC filter + 2 membrane replacements, + 1 AGC replacement: $1000 + $500 + $150 = $1,650

IMHO…there’s too much hand-wringing, hair pulling, and MATH to worry about it.
For a small, low volume wash I'd just replace the membrane with an inexpensive TFC and forget about the AGC.

 

[Randy]

Low volume car wash means little or no profit. How hard is the water without the water softener? I don't of anyone who runs a water softener up here. If the water isn't all that hard I'd run it without a water softener.

 

[MEP001]

Let’s say…

No input on using a polyamide membrane? There's nothing helpful I can find online. I have no experience with them.

 

[cantbreak80]

I have no experience with them.

Yeah...me, too!

Here's an article from 2011. (Hear that whooshing sound? It's over my head! )
cover 2-3.pmd (barc.gov.in)

 

[MEP001]

Considering I can get a new 1 cu. ft. auto backflush charcoal filter for $300 I'll probably stick with TFC. Thanks.