ASTM D3923-08(2014)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D3923 − 08 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Practices for
Detecting Leaks in Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration
Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3923; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D4194 Test Methods for Operating Characteristics of Re-
1.1 These practices cover detecting leaks in which there is a
verse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Devices
direct communication between the feed or concentrate, or both,
D6161 Terminology Used for Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration,
and the permeate. Several types of leaks are possible with the
Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis Membrane Processes
various configurations of reverse-osmosis (RO) and nanofiltra-
D6908 Practice for Integrity Testing of Water Filtration
tion (NF) devices.
Membrane Systems
1.2 Types of Leaks:
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
1.2.1 With hollow-fiber devices, feed or concentrate
Materials by Spectrophotometry
leakage, or both, into the permeate stream by leaks through the
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of
tube sheet and past the tube sheet O-ring are possible. “Leaks”
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
caused by broken fibers are not covered by these practices.
1.2.2 With spiral-wound devices, leaks may occur through
3. Terminology
damage of the membrane surface itself by punctures or
3.1 For definitions of terms used in these practices, refer to
scratches, by glue-line failure, and by O-ring leaks on product
Terminology D1129 and D6161.
tube interconnectors.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2.3 With tubular devices, leaks due to membrane damage,
3.2.1 leak—bypassing of the intact membrane from the feed
tube end seal leaks, and leaks from broken tubes or product
side to the permeate side.
headers are possible.
1.3 Three leak test practices are given as follows:
4. Summary of Practice
Sections
4.1 The hollow-fiber device being tested is operated at low
Practice A—Tube Sheet and O-Ring Leak Test for Hollow 8 to 9
pressure with the permeate tube sheet exposed (the fiber bundle
Fiber Devices
Practice B—Vacuum Test for Spiral Wound Devices 10 to 12
is held in place by a “spider” device designed for the specific
Practice C—Dye Test for Spiral Wound and Tubular Devices 13 to 18
model under test). Any significant leak in the tube sheet or
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
O-ring seal is detected visually by inspection.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 These practices may be used to determine whether a RO
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
or NF device is free of leaks if the mechanical integrity of the
device is to be confirmed. They may also be used to detect
2. Referenced Documents
leaks in RO or NF devices whose operating performance
2.1 ASTM Standards:
indicates a possible leak. These practices may be used for
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
either new or used devices.
6. Apparatus
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.08 on Membranes and Ion
6.1 “Spider” Device, designed for the specific model of
Exchange Materials.
hollow-fiber device being tested, is available from the supplier.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally
The “spider” is designed to take the place of the permeate end
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D3923 – 08. DOI:
10.1520/D3923-08R14.
plate and permeate collection grid/block while securing the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
fiber bundle from movement. This allows visual observation
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
during low-pressure operation with the fiber bundle retained in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. its original position.
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D3923 − 08 (2014)
7. Purity of Reagents appears to ooze out from the tube sheet face. However, if a
significant leak is present in the tube sheet or O-ring seal, a
7.1 Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests.
forceful spray or stream will be observed. During inspection,
Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents shall
rotate the device 180° to examine the lower portion of the tube
conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical
sheet for leaks. This is necessary since leaks in the lower
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such
3 portion of the tube sheet are not easily discernible because of
specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
the accumulation of product water.
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of 9.7 Shutdown Procedure:
the determinations. 9.7.1 Shut off the centrifugal pump and allow the pressure to
reach zero before disconnecting the RO or NF device.
7.2 Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be
9.7.2 Replace permeate end plate and all auxiliary equip-
understood to mean Type III reagent water conforming to
ment in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.
Specification D1193.
9.7.3 Take care to ensure that the membranes are kept wet at
PRACTICE A—TUBE SHEET AND O-RING LEAK all times and are properly sanitized or winterized, or both
(based on supplier’s recommendations), for long-term storage
TEST FOR HOLLOW FIBER DEVICES
(more than 5 days).
8. Scope
PRACTICE B—VACUUM TEST FOR SPIRAL WOUND
8.1 This practice is applicable to detecting feed or concen-
DEVICES
trate leakage, or both, through the tube sheet and past the tube
sheet O-ring into the permeate in hollow-fiber devices.
10. Scope
10.1 This practice is applicable to detecting leaks in spiral-
9. Procedure
wound RO or NF devices, new or used, when such leaks are
9.1 Drain the liquid from the feed side of the membrane.
significant enough to prevent the device from holding a
9.2 Connect a centrifugal pump with 1.4 MPa (200 psig)
vacuum. These leaks may be due to a damaged membrane,
capability and a throttling valve to the feed port of the
glue-line failure, or leaks in O-ring seals. This test is useful as
hollow-fiber device. Install a pressure gage and valve on the
a screening procedure and is not intended as a means of
concentrate port of the RO or NF device.
absolute verification of such leaks (see Practice D6908).
9.3 Remove the permeate end plate and auxiliary equipment
11. Summary of Practice
in accordance with the supplier’s instructions to expose the
11.1 The device is evaluated with one end of the permeate
face of the permeate tube sheet.
collection tube sealed. A vacuum gage on the other end of the
9.4 Install a “spider” device (available from supplier) de-
tube is observed. A rapid decay in vacuum indicates a leak.
signed for the specific model under test a
...