What is Ultrafiltration

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What is Ultrafiltration

• Ultrafiltration (UF) is a variety of membrane
  filtration in which hydrostatic pressure forces a
  liquid against a semipermeable membrane.
• Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular
  weight are retained, while water and low
  molecular weight solutes pass through the
  membrane. This separation process is used in
  industry and research for purifying and
  concentrating macromolecular (103 - 106 Da)
  solutions, especially protein solutions.
• Ultrafiltration is not fundamentally different
  from reverse osmosis, microfiltration or
  nanofiltration, except in terms of the size of
  the molecules it retains.

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Filtration Spectrum
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Your in-home waterworks

• Ultrafiltration membranes have long been employed
  by laboratories, hospitals, and municipalities to
  deliver high-quality water. FreshPoint now offers
  ultrafiltration on a smaller scale for your home,
  filtering all water at the point it enters your
  house.
• Depending on the properties of your local water,
  additional systems may be required to address
  issues such as iron staining, odor, or hardness.
  Often the best solution to ensure clean water
  throughout your house is to use a combination of
  technologies.
• How will you know whats best for your house?
• Your local water expert can help analyze your
  water and determine which combination is best for
  your particular needs.

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How does FreshPoint work?

• Water enters the system from the bottom port,
  flowing into the straw-like hollow fibers inside
  the vessel. As water passes through the walls of
  the fiber, particles as small as 0.025 microns,
  including sediment, turbidity, and cysts, are
  trapped in the pores of the membrane, removing
  them from your water supply.
• After passing through the membrane, clean water
  flows up through the large perforated center
  channel. From there the clean water enters your
  existing plumbing system, reaching every point of
  use throughout your home.
• The system will periodically run through a self
  cleaning cycle to flush trapped particles from
  the porous fibers. This serves to maximize the
  systems filter capacity and extend the life of
  the membranes.

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Common Questions

• Q. I have a filter on my kitchen sink. Why do I
  need anything more?
• A. Faucet filters (one type of Point of Use, or
  POU, filter) remove certain contaminants from
  your water. However, they do not remove
  everything. You may need additional filtration to
  address the issues specific to your water supply.
  Also, keep in mind that a POU filter works only
  at the faucet where its installed. FreshPoint
  provides clean water at every faucet throughout
  your house.
• Q. My water tastes and smells fine. Why should I
  have it tested?
• A. Although appearance, taste, and odor are
  strong indicators that your water may not be
  clean, they are not the only indication of
  trouble. Not all contaminants cause your water to
  taste or smell bad. Many go undetected.
  Professional lab tests are the best way to learn
  whether your water is clean. Call your local
  water expert to find out which tests are most
  important in your area.

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Common Questions

• Q. What will happen to my water pressure?
• A. One of the unique advantages of hollow-fiber
  membranes is their ability to filter very small
  particles while providing high flow rates
  throughout your home. As local water conditions
  change, so do local plumbing codes. Be sure to
  consult your local water expert to determine what
  size system is right for your home and your
  family.
• Q. Will the FreshPoint system increase my water
  usage?
• A. Unlike traditional backwash filters, the
  FreshPoint system uses fewer than 4 gallons of
  water during the fl ush cycle. This means less
  waste and more clean, filtered water.
• Q. How often does the whole-house filter need to
  be changed?
• A. The life of the filter element depends on many
  factors including the local water quality, other
  water systems in the plumbing, and how much water
  is used. When applied correctly, the FreshPoint
  system should provide three to five years of
  clean, filtered water before the element needs to
  be replaced.

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FreshPoint Applications

• Known problem waters The FreshPoint is NSF
  certified for removal of cysts (NSF 53) ,
  turbidity (NSF 53), and particulate removal (NSF
  42, class I)
• Pre-Filter Installed prior to one-time-use
  specialized filters and other sensitive
  equipment.
• Barrier Filter Provides barrier on clean water
  supplies against compromises to the water system
• Note - This product is not certified as
  microbiological purifier and should not be
  applied as stand-alone disinfection solution for
  microbiologically unsafe water.

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FreshPoint Ultrafiltration System

• The system can be applied to solve known water
  problems including high turbidity, suspended
  solids, and certain microbiological contaminants.
  
• It can also serve as a flushable prefilter to
  extend the life of media filters downstream.
• gt 98 reduction of 0.025 micron particles
• gt 99.99 (gt 4 Log) reduction of 0.065 micron
  particles
• Forward-flush and back-flush cleaning cycles
  provide extended filter life in a wide range of
  applications.

Performance based on MS-2 (25 nm) and PRD-1 (65
nm) virus particle tests
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FreshPoint Ultrafiltration System

• Proprietary high-flow hollow fiber membrane
  module (32mm permeate tube)
• Professional-grade housing, controller and flush
  valve
• Metered self-cleaning cycle flushes only when
  needed
• Day override feature flushes module daily with
  fresh water when system is not in use
• Peak flow rates up to 10 gpm (2271 L/h)

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FreshPoint Membrane Technology

• Removes turbidity, cysts, and other particles
  down to 0.025 micron in size
• Requires only normal line pressure to operate
• Protects during power outages or intermittent
  power
• Retains natural mineral content of the water
• High surface area and tolerance to plugging
• Low pressure drop / High ?ow rates
• Protection not susceptible to common substances
  in the water, such as hydrogen sul?de (H2S),
  natural organic matter (NOM) and total dissolved
  solids (TDS)

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FreshPoint Membrane Technology

• Multi-bore membrane structure combines seven
  single capillaries into one resistant structure,
  maximizing membrane integrity and eliminating the
  potential for fiber breakages.
• Unlike traditional hollow fiber capillaries, the
  FreshPoint membranes are encased by a foam
  support structure located in between the
  capillaries. The foam structure provides a
  permeabilty that is approx. 1000 times higher
  than the filtration surface so that an equal
  distribution throughout the whole cross section
  of the fiber can be guaranteed.
• The inner layer of the seven capillaries
  represents the very thin active ultrafiltration
  surface.

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Professional Metered Controller

• Metered self-cleaning cycle flushes only when
  needed, using less than 10 gallons per flush
  cycle (1 min. flush)
• Day override feature flushes module daily with
  fresh water when system is not in use
• Environmental cover is suitable for indoor or
  outdoor applications.
• Bright 7 digit VFD display with user panel
  utilizing LED status/programming indicators.
• A regeneration lockout input is available.
• Diagnostic display for Totalized Flow,
  Instantaneous Flow Rate, Days Since Last Flush,
  Prior Service Volume, Previous Days Water Usage
• Programmable Auxilliary relay

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FreshPoint System Less Controller

• In order to offer a system that provides the
  maximum flexibility in design and application,
  the FreshPoint system is also offered in a
  less-controller version. This version is simply
  a housing, membrane element, brackets, and
  solenoid valve.
• This system can be triggered to flush from the
  auxilliary relay of any Fleck softener or filter
  control with XT or NT controls. The flush can
  also be triggered off a differential pressure
  switch or using manual ball valves.
• In this configuration, the FreshPoint systems can
  also be configured to operate in parallel
  plumbing to provide higher flow rates, with the
  flush triggered from a single meter and controller

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High Pressure Housing

• The high-performance industrial fiberglass
  housing is pressure rated to 300 psi. Inside the
  housing, the membrane is sealed with double
  radial o-rings, minimizing the potential for leak
  paths.
• Quick-connect end caps allow the membrane to
  easily be removed for cleaning or replacement.

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FreshPoint Operation
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Pretreatment Guidelines

• Pretreatment is a key factor in maximizing
  ultrafiltration membrane integrity and element
  life.
• In all municipal and well water applications, a
  50-10 um pre-filter is recommended to protect the
  membrane. When high iron or magnesium content are
  present additional oxidation and filtration are
  recommended.
• When feed water is surface water, a multimedia
  filter is strongly recommended. In some
  instances flocculation may also be used before
  sand or multimedia filtration. If a sand or
  multimedia filter are applied prior to the
  FreshPoint, a screen at 50-100 um is required to
  ensure that sand leaked from sand or multimedia
  filter cannot reach the surface of UF membrane.
  Chlorination or ultraviolet sytems may also be
  used for post-filter disinfection.

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Service Cycle

• During service operation the membrane will filter
  particles down to .025 microns (25 nanometer) at
  flow up to 10 gpm.
• To maximize membrane capacity and service life, a
  metered flushing cycle is controlled using an
  advanced controller and high-performance turbine
  meter.
• The self-cleaning forward and backflush cycle are
  initiated when the programmed capacity of the
  membrane is reached.

Flow Rate _at_ 15 psi drop
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Service Cycle
Pressure Tank
Outlet
Drain
Closed / Back Pressure
Open
Inlet
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Backflush Cycle

• In order to avoid clogging of the membranes, a
  backflush sequence is necessary at periodic
  intervals.
• The backflush sequence forces the filtrate in
  "reverse direction through the membrane to
  loosen particles from the surface and rinse off
  sediment build-up.

Filtrate
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Back Flush Cycle
Pressure Tank
Outlet
Drain
Closed / Back Pressure
Open
Inlet
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Forward Flush Cycle

• A Forward Flush, in which raw water passes
  through the capillaries at a high speed, scours
  particles from the membrane surface and rinses
  them from the system.
• Conducted directly after a Backflush, this
  process thoroughly removes particles from the
  membrane surface and removes the loose particles
  from the fibers.

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Forward Flush Cycle
Pressure Tank
Outlet
Drain
Closed / Back Pressure
Open
Inlet
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Flush Settings

• The FreshPoint should to be flushed on a schedule
  dependent on the quality of water being treated.
• Default Factory Settings
• Flush Frequency 100 gallons
• Flush Duration 0.5 minutes
• Day Override 1 day
• These settings may need to be adjusted based on
  the analysis for the water treated and practical
  experience with fouling. In all installations,
  the FreshPoint is should be set to flush after 24
  hours without a flush, regardless of the volume
  flowed.
• A post-ultrafilter pressure tank is recommended
  to ensure sufficient flow and pressure to the
  home during a flush cycle. The backflush surge
  tank will perform the same function.

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Plumbing Guidelines

• Assess the household water use, especially peak
  water draw. The standard single-element
  FreshPoint is sized for 10 gpm peak capacity
  flow. Water draw in the house that exceeds peak
  capacity will have the effect of reduced pressure
  and volume delivery at the open taps.
• All three FreshPoint housing ports on the system
  (inlet, filtrate or outlet, and drain) are 3/4
  NPT connections, and the plastic meter is a 1
  NPT connection.
• A 10 gpm flow control is included to be installed
  on the inlet of the FreshPoint to ensure the
  membrane operates in an efficient manner.
• A 7 gpm flow control is included to be installed
  on the drain line to maximize water efficiency
  and assure proper flushing rates are achieved.
  Ensure the drain selected has the capacity for
  this flow rate.

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Plumbing Guidelines

• If fouling potential is high, it is recommended
  that a backflush tank is installed. The
  installation of a pressure tank aids in the
  flushing process of the membranes, thereby
  extending the membrane life.
• The pressure tank should be sized based on
  flushing volume requirements (5-10 gallons is
  typically recommended).
• For all installations without a backwash tank, a
  post-ultrafilter pressure tank is recommended to
  maintain household pressure during a flush cycle.
• The system must be protected from possible back
  contamination by the installation of an air gap
  between the FreshPoint drain connection and the
  drain line.

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Additional Water Treatment Devices

• It is preferable to treat the water ahead of
  softeners, iron filters, and other water
  treatment devices, as the removal of particulates
  generally improves their performance.
  Installation ahead of them is not a necessity in
  most cases.
• Installation downstream of a chlorinator runs the
  risk of oxidative attack of the membrane,
  shortening the membrane life depending on
  chlorine level, time of contact and temperature.
  The FreshPoint can withstand a continuous dose of
  1.0 mg/L (or ppm) of free chlorine, but
  continuous exposure to higher level of free
  chlorine or other oxidizing chemicals can shorten
  the life of the membrane.

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Membrane Maintenance

• The FreshPoint must be kept in a wetted
  condition. Once installed or during service and
  maintenance activities, do not allow the
  FreshPoint to sit completely drained for extended
  periods (greater than 12 hours). Failure to do so
  may damage the system.
• If the FreshPoint is drained or out of service
  for an extended period of time, the
  installer/dealer should put a preservative into
  the system to keep the membrane wetted and
  prevent microbial growth. A 0.1 sodium bisulfite
  solution is recommended.
• A 0.1 sodium bisulfite solution would be 1 gram
  of sodium bisulfite added to one liter of water
  (approximately ten liters are required).
• Prior to putting the FreshPoint back into
  service, the system should be flushed and
  sanitized per the instructions in the
  Installation section of this service manual.

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Integrity Testing

• Introduction
• This is a simple pressure-hold or vacuum-decay
  test designed to identify gross defects in the
  membrane, or element/device seals.
• General
• The test requires that the membrane be both fully
  wet-out (all pores full of water) and is more
  sensitive if the device is drained.
• The more parts of the entire device that is
  tested, the better in order to include seals as
  potential source of leaks.
• This test does not require the visual detection
  of a bubble, instead it measures the loss of
  pressure or vacuum over time via a gauge.
• A certain amount of pressure loss will occur in
  an intact system from simple diffusion of air
  through the water trapped in the membrane pores
  (baseline decay). But much more will occur from
  membrane flaws or broken seals. A rapid loss
  compared to an integral device is the indication
  of a leak. Standard values for leaks and baseline
  decay should be set with experience.
• The procedure below covers only positive pressure
  use, but is easily modified to allow vacuum use.
  Vacuum instead of positive pressure allows
  testing of devices with only one side drained.
  Vacuum use also reduces chance of contamination
  by materials or microbes in the pressurized air.
• To prevent contamination, use either a clean air
  source or a 0.2 micron filter on the air source.

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Integrity Testing

• Equipment
• Pressurized air source (15-20 psig, with 3 scf
  of volume) with pressure regulator.
• Gauge (0-15 psig or more, with sensitivity to 0.5
  psi) mounted in line between the valve and either
  the feed or drain port connection.
• Positive shut off valves (a quality ball valve
  works well), one mounted between air source and
  gauge and others on the plumbing connected to
  both side ports.
• Stopwatch, or watch with second hand.
• Procedure
• 1. Orient the device vertically.
• 2. Assure the membrane is fully wet by having
  recently operated it to at least 15 psid trans-
  membrane pressure.
• 3. Drain the device on both the filtrate and feed
  side (10-15 minutes)
• 4. Carefully pressurize the feed side (fiber
  lumens) to a 15 psig.
• 5. Close the valve between air source and gauge,
  simultaneously begin measuring time.
• 6. Note the pressure at 60, 120 and 180 seconds.
  Record.
• 7. Relieve air pressure before disconnecting
• Pass/Fail
• The system should hold pressure to 14.5 to 15.0
  psi after two minutes of decay.

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Membrane Cleaning Procedure

• Perform complete backflush.
• Set up cleaning system as shown in Schematic 1
• Pump and plumbing should be chemically compatible
• Determine pressure vs flow curve of fouled
  membrane
• Determine if cause of fouling is Inorganic or
  Organic
• Inorganic - use acid (HCl, H2SO4, or citric
  acid)(minimum pH of 1)
• Organic - use NaOH (maximum pH of 13)
• May consider using Hydrogen Peroxide or Chlorine
  if an acid and/or base is not sufficient.

Schematic 1
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Membrane Cleaning Procedure

• Make up cleaning solution per table 1
• (approximately 20L)
• (5 gallons 18.9 liters)
• Start pump to circulate cleaning solution through
  the membrane
• (Start at about 2 gpm)
• Circulate cleaning solution through membrane for
  1 hour
• (may want to stop the pump and let the cleaning
  solution soak periodically)
• Rinse
• Disinfect system with chlorine using
  approximately 200mg/L
• Rinse
• Determine pressure vs flow curve of restored
  membrane
• Repeat as needed

• Assume pure solid NaOH
• Assume 30 H2O2 solution
• Assume Concentrated HCI solution (conc. HCl
  12N)
• Assume concentrated H2SO4 (conc. H2SO4 36 N)
• Assume pure solid citric acid
• Assume household bleach NaOCL (as active
  chlorine)
• Make 0.1N of all basic and acidic solutions

Table 1
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FreshPoint Ultrafiltration System

• The PENTEK FreshPoint Ultrafiltration System
  provides complete point-of-entry filtration
  proven to reduce turbidity, particulates and
  cysts for safer, cleaner water at every tap.
• The system employs flushable hollow fiber
  ultra-filtration membrane technology to filter
  impurities as small as 0.025 microns.