Why It Matters
Foulants build on RO membranes and must be removed by clean-in-place: a low-pH stage for mineral scale/metal oxides and a high-pH stage with surfactant/chelant for organics and biofilm, all within polyamide pH limits
Solution Approach
Foulants build on RO membranes and must be removed by clean-in-place: a low-pH stage for mineral scale/metal oxides and a high-pH stage with surfactant/chelant for organics and biofilm, all within polyamide pH limits RawSource supplies the base chemicals that go into these programs. We can help with product selection, grade matching, and sourcing from multiple origins for supply security.
Typical Treatment Workflow
1
System Assessment
Characterize operating conditions—fluid composition, temperature, pressure, flow rates—and benchmark current treatment performance.
2
Chemistry Selection
Match base chemicals to your operating envelope. Factor in compatibility with existing programs, regulatory constraints, and downstream impacts.
3
Dosage & Delivery
Determine optimal treat rates through jar testing or field trials. Configure packaging (drums, totes, ISO tanks) to match consumption and storage logistics.
4
Monitoring & Adjustment
Track KPIs—coupon rates, residuals, separator performance, water quality. Adjust chemistry and dosage as conditions change.
Recommended Chemistries (6)
Citric Acid (Anhydrous, FCC Food Grade)
CAS 77-92-9
Acids & Salts
Biodegradable chelant
Weak acid + chelant low-pH CIP that dissolves CaCO3 and iron/metal-oxide fouling while staying within polyamide membrane pH limits
Melting Point: 153 °C (anhydrous) Boiling Point: Decomposes Density: 1.54 at 20 °C
Full Details
Hydrochloric Acid
CAS 7647-01-0
Acids & Salts
pH Adjustment
1789 (HYDROCHLORIC ACID, SOLUTION) · Class Mineral acid to drop CIP pH for stubborn carbonate/metal scale where a stronger acid stage is needed
Melting Point: -115 °C (Melting point is -25 °C for a 39.17% w… Boiling Point: 51 °C at 760 mmHg Density: 1.05 at 15 °C for 10.17% weight/weight solution
Full Details
Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) Beads
CAS 1310-73-2
Acids & Salts
Primary alkali for pH raise
1824 (SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION) · Class Raises high-pH cleaning stage to hydrolyze and lift organic foulants and biofilm off the membrane
Melting Point: 318 °C Boiling Point: > 130 °C at 760 mmHg Density: 1.5 at 20 °C
Full Details
Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate
CAS 10213-79-3
Acids & Salts
pH Adjustment
Alkaline builder that buffers the high-pH stage and disperses lifted soils, keeping them from redepositing on the element
Full Details
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
CAS 151-21-3
Surfactants
Cleaning / Degreasing
Anionic surfactant that wets the membrane and emulsifies organic/oil fouling during the alkaline CIP stage
Melting Point: 204–207 °C Density: > 1.1 at 20 °C Solubility: < 1 mg/mL at 19 °C
Full Details
Tetrasodium EDTA (EDTA Na4)
CAS 64-02-8
Amines & Amides
Chelation / Sequestration
Tetrasodium EDTA chelates Ca/Mg/Fe in the alkaline CIP to strip metal-oxide and biofilm-bound hardness; a standard alkaline-CIP chelant a buyer expects here.
Melting Point: 300 °C (decomposes) Density: 6.9 lb/gal /Apparent density/ Solubility: Slightly soluble in ethanol
Full Details
Related Product Families
● Available
Chelants & Sequestrants
EDTA, DTPA, and citric acid for hardness sequestration and iron control
ChelationSequestration
3 chemistries
View family
● Available
pH Adjustment Chemicals
Caustic soda, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and soda ash for pH control across all applications
pH Adjustment
4 chemistries
View family