Membrane — Process Challenge

RO Membrane Cleaning Chemicals (CIP)

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
Updated Jun 2026
Solution Approach

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
Water & System Assessment
Characterize the water and the system — hardness, alkalinity, pH, TDS/conductivity, microbial load, and the metallurgy and temperatures of the equipment being protected.
2
Program & Chemistry Selection
Match coagulants, flocculants, scale and corrosion inhibitors, biocides, or pH adjusters to the water profile and discharge limits, factoring compatibility with any existing program.
3
Jar Testing & Dosing
Confirm coagulant and flocculant dose and feed point by jar test, set inhibitor and biocide treat rates, and size packaging (drums, totes, bulk) to consumption.
4
Monitoring & Control
Track residuals, turbidity, ORP, corrosion coupons, and effluent compliance, adjusting chemistry and dose as feedwater and load 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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