are booster pumps necessary?

Oakie · 02/15/2008, 07:38 AM

been running an RO/DI system with an aquatec pump for about 4 years. The booster bump stopped working about 2 years ago and was able to find a replacement pump in a matter of hours.

The pump has gone again. This time it's taking me a bit longer to get a replacement. Thing is all tanks are being topped up, including a 40g resevoir holding tank that filled over night.

what's the purpose of the booster pump?

Slphappy · 02/15/2008, 08:18 AM

I'm not an expert on RO/DI systems... But as I understand it, the RO membrane requires something like 50psi to push water through it so that it works efficiently. If you have less than 50psi of water pressure in you home you need a booster pump...

Hope this helps...

Todd

AZDesertRat · 02/15/2008, 08:32 AM

It all depends on your incoming water pressure and water temperature. Dow Filmtec RO membranes are designed to deliver their rated flow (75 GPD, 50 GPD etc.) at 50 psi and 77 degrees F temp. If either is less the GPD flows go down.

Other manufactures like GE Water and Applied Membranes rate their membranes at 65 psi and 77 degrees.

I will say that higher pressures will produce lower TDS water making you membrane perform better and DI last significantly longer.

Take a look at the calculator at the top of the page here for a really accurate estimate if you know your pressure and temperature numbers.
www.buckeyefieldsupply.com

Oakie · 02/17/2008, 05:14 PM

well maybe I don't need it. I'm reading between 45 and 50 psi without the booster pump. Temp is a steady 75, so that seems to put me in the 90 psi range according to the calculator.

Am I doing this right? The gauge I used for the psi read is the one built into the unit. The water comes from sourse, passes through a float switch and then the pump before it gets to the unit, and it's still reading about the 45 to 50 psi range.

is there a benefit to the pump?

I run 2 20" pre filters, 3 DIs and 2 membranes.

rbursek · 02/17/2008, 07:02 PM

how do you get 70* water in Toronto?

Oakie · 02/18/2008, 09:14 AM

lol........unless it's the middle of August, no 70* water temp here. I thought the reference to the temp was room temp

. Not sure what I was thinking....lol.

That's certainly going to change the mix. I'll have to go take the water temp and see what that looks like now.

AZDesertRat · 02/18/2008, 09:43 AM

I don't know where you came up with the 90 psi thing either?

If you have a Dow Filmtec RO membrane they get their 50 psi and 77 degree water temperature, GE and others are 65 psi and 77 degree water temperature.

You say you have 45-50 psi so you are already on the low end even without cold water.

02/15/2008, 07:38 AM	#1
Oakie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 657	are booster pumps necessary? been running an RO/DI system with an aquatec pump for about 4 years. The booster bump stopped working about 2 years ago and was able to find a replacement pump in a matter of hours. The pump has gone again. This time it's taking me a bit longer to get a replacement. Thing is all tanks are being topped up, including a 40g resevoir holding tank that filled over night. what's the purpose of the booster pump?

02/15/2008, 08:18 AM	#2
Slphappy Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Posts: 144	I'm not an expert on RO/DI systems... But as I understand it, the RO membrane requires something like 50psi to push water through it so that it works efficiently. If you have less than 50psi of water pressure in you home you need a booster pump... Hope this helps... Todd __________________ How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world. ~William Shakespeare

02/15/2008, 08:32 AM	#3
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	It all depends on your incoming water pressure and water temperature. Dow Filmtec RO membranes are designed to deliver their rated flow (75 GPD, 50 GPD etc.) at 50 psi and 77 degrees F temp. If either is less the GPD flows go down. Other manufactures like GE Water and Applied Membranes rate their membranes at 65 psi and 77 degrees. I will say that higher pressures will produce lower TDS water making you membrane perform better and DI last significantly longer. Take a look at the calculator at the top of the page here for a really accurate estimate if you know your pressure and temperature numbers. www.buckeyefieldsupply.com

02/17/2008, 05:14 PM	#4
Oakie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 657	well maybe I don't need it. I'm reading between 45 and 50 psi without the booster pump. Temp is a steady 75, so that seems to put me in the 90 psi range according to the calculator. Am I doing this right? The gauge I used for the psi read is the one built into the unit. The water comes from sourse, passes through a float switch and then the pump before it gets to the unit, and it's still reading about the 45 to 50 psi range. is there a benefit to the pump? I run 2 20" pre filters, 3 DIs and 2 membranes.

02/17/2008, 07:02 PM	#5
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	how do you get 70* water in Toronto?

02/18/2008, 09:14 AM	#6
Oakie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 657	lol........unless it's the middle of August, no 70* water temp here. I thought the reference to the temp was room temp . Not sure what I was thinking....lol. That's certainly going to change the mix. I'll have to go take the water temp and see what that looks like now.

02/18/2008, 09:43 AM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I don't know where you came up with the 90 psi thing either? If you have a Dow Filmtec RO membrane they get their 50 psi and 77 degree water temperature, GE and others are 65 psi and 77 degree water temperature. You say you have 45-50 psi so you are already on the low end even without cold water.