Published 2026-07-04T12:59:24+08:00
If both RO permeate and concentrate flow decrease, the cause is often related to feed pressure, pump performance, fouling, scaling, or operating changes in the system.
The first check should usually be pretreatment performance and recent operating changes. The issue may not be membrane damage, but it should still be investigated quickly.
Clear Answer First
When both permeate and concentrate flow drop, the root cause is often pressure loss, pump performance, fouling, scaling, or an operating change rather than one single failed part. The fastest check is to compare the recent operating data, pretreatment condition, and instrument readings against the normal baseline.
Why It Matters
Membrane and concentration routes are sensitive to feedwater swings, so the upstream stability matters as much as the final product quality.
A process that looks acceptable on paper can become hard to run if pretreatment, recovery, or concentrate handling were not set from the real data.
Typical Design Inputs
- feedwater report and seasonal variation
- target permeate quality or recovery target
- scaling risk, temperature, and operating pressure
- pretreatment route and cleaning strategy
- concentrate handling or residue handling plan
Common Mistakes
- Using average water data instead of the worst operating period
- Picking the membrane route before pretreatment is confirmed
- Ignoring concentrate handling or cleaning frequency
FAQ
Q: What is the first thing to confirm?
The process basis, water quality, and project target should be confirmed first.
Q: Can the route be customized?
Yes. The route should be adjusted to the actual project basis rather than copied from a catalog.
Q: What information is needed before quotation?
Flow rate, water quality report, target standard, and project location are recommended.
CTA
Send your operating data and project background. YAOTONG engineers will help identify the most likely cause.