ASTM D3923-94(1998)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3923 – 94 (Reapproved 1998)
Standard Practices for
Detecting Leaks in Reverse Osmosis Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3923; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals
E 275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance
1.1 These practices cover detecting leaks in which there is a
of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near Infrared Spectrophotom-
direct communication between the feed or concentrate, or both,
eters
and the permeate. Several types of leaks are possible with the
various configurations of reverse-osmosis devices.
3. Terminology
1.2 Types of Leaks:
3.1 For definitions of terms used in these practices, refer to
1.2.1 With hollow-fiber devices, feed or concentrate leak-
Terminology D 1129.
age, or both, into the permeate stream by leaks through the tube
3.2 For descriptions of terms relating to reverse osmosis,
sheet and past the tube sheet O-ring are possible. “Leaks”
refer to Test Methods D 4194.
caused by broken fibers are not covered by these practices.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2.2 With spiral-wound devices, leaks may occur through
3.3.1 leak—bypassing of the intact membrane from the
damage of the membrane surface itself by punctures or
feed side to the permeate side.
scratches, by glue-line failure, and by O-ring leaks on product
tube interconnectors.
4. Summary of Practice
1.2.3 With tubular devices, leaks due to membrane damage,
4.1 The hollow-fiber device being tested is operated at low
tube end seal leaks, and leaks from broken tubes or product
pressure with the permeate tube sheet exposed (the fiber bundle
headers are possible.
is held in place by a “spider” device designed for the specific
1.3 Three leak test practices are given as follows:
model under test). Any significant leak in the tube sheet or
Sections
O-ring seal is detected visually by inspection.
Practice A—Tube Sheet and O-Ring Leak Test for Hollow 6to9
Fiber Devices
Practice B—Vacuum Test for Spiral Wound Devices 10 to 12
5. Significance and Use
Practice C—Dye Test for Spiral Wound and Tubular Devices 13 to 18
5.1 These practices may be used to determine whether a
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reverse-osmosis device is free of leaks if the mechanical
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
integrity of the device is to be confirmed. They may also be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
used to detect leaks in reverse-osmosis devices whose operat-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ing performance indicates a possible leak. These practices may
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
be used for either new or used devices.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 “Spider” Device, designed for the specific model of
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
hollow-fiber device being tested, is available from the supplier.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
The “spider” is designed to take the place of the permeate end
D 4194 Test Methods for Operating Characteristics of
plate and permeate collection grid/block while securing the
Reverse Osmosis Devices
fiber bundle from movement. This allows visual observation
E 60 Practice for Photometric and Spectrophotometric
during low-pressure operation with the fiber bundle retained in
its original position.
7. Purity of Reagents
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Water
7.1 Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests.
and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.08 on Membranes and Ion
Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents shall
Exchange Materials.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 1994. Published November 1994. Originally
published as D 3923 – 80. Last previous edition D 3923 – 80 (1989).
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.01.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 3923
conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical 9.6.1 Shut off the centrifugal pump and allow the pressure to
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such reach zero before disconnecting the reverse-osmosis device.
specifications are available. Other grades may be used, 9.6.2 Replace permeate end plate and all auxiliary equip-
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently ment in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of 9.6.3 Take care to ensure that the membranes are kept wet at
the determinations. all times and are properly sanitized or winterized, or both,
7.2 Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be (based on supplier’s recommendations) for long-term storage
understood to mean Type III reagent water conforming to (more than 5 days).
Specification D 1193.
PRACTICE B—VACUUM TEST FOR SPIRAL WOUND
DEVICES
PRACTICE A—TUBE SHEET AND O-RING LEAK
TEST FOR HOLLOW FIBER DEVICES
10. Scope
10.1 This practice is applicable to detecting leaks in water-
8. Scope
rust spiral-wound reverse-osmosis devices, new or used, when
8.1 This practice is applicable to detecting feed or concen-
such leaks are significant enough to prevent the device from
trate leakage, or both, through the tube sheet and past the tube
holding a vacuum. These leaks may be due to a damaged
sheet O-ring into the permeate in hollow-fiber devices.
membrane, glue-line failure, or leaks in O-ring seals. This test
is useful as a screening procedure and is not intended as a
9. Procedure
means of absolute verification of such leaks.
9.1 Connect a centrifugal pump with 1.4 MPa (200 psig)
capability and a throttling valve to the feed port of the
11. Summary of Practice
hollow-fiber device. Install a pressure gage and valve on the
11.1 The device is evaluated with one end of the permeate
concentrate port of the reverse-osmosis device.
collection tube sealed. A vacuum gage on the other end of the
9.2 Remove the permeate end plate and auxiliary equipment
tube is observed. A rapid decay in vacuum indicates a leak.
in accordance with the supplier’s instructions to expose the
face of the permeate tube sheet. 12. Procedure
9.3 Install a “spider” device (available from supplier) de-
12.1 Seal one end of the permeate collection tube with a
signed for the specific model under test and secure the “spider”
suitable leak-tight cap. Connect the other end of the permeate
with the snap or segmented ring that held the permeate end
tube to a vacuum gage and a valved vacuum source.
plate in place.
12.2 Evacuate the element to 84 to 101 kPa
...