ASTM D3923-94(2003)e1

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e1
Designation:D 3923–94 (Reapproved 2003)
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.
e NOTE—An editorial change was made in 10.1 in June 2003.
1. Scope E60 Practice for MolecularAbsorption Spectrophotometric
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
1.1 These practices cover detecting leaks in which there is a
Related Materials
directcommunicationbetweenthefeedorconcentrate,orboth,
E 275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance
and the permeate. Several types of leaks are possible with the
of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near Infrared Spectrophotom-
various configurations of reverse-osmosis devices.
eters
1.2 Types of Leaks:
1.2.1 With hollow-fiber devices, feed or concentrate leak-
3. Terminology
age,orboth,intothepermeatestreambyleaksthroughthetube
3.1 For definitions of terms used in these practices, refer to
sheet and past the tube sheet O-ring are possible. “Leaks”
Terminology D 1129.
caused by broken fibers are not covered by these practices.
3.2 For descriptions of terms relating to reverse osmosis,
1.2.2 With spiral-wound devices, leaks may occur through
refer to Test Methods D 4194.
damage of the membrane surface itself by punctures or
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
scratches, by glue-line failure, and by O-ring leaks on product
3.3.1 leak—bypassing of the intact membrane from the
tube interconnectors.
feed side to the permeate side.
1.2.3 With tubular devices, leaks due to membrane damage,
tube end seal leaks, and leaks from broken tubes or product
4. Summary of Practice
headers are possible.
4.1 The hollow-fiber device being tested is operated at low
1.3 Three leak test practices are given as follows:
pressurewiththepermeatetubesheetexposed(thefiberbundle
Sections
is held in place by a “spider” device designed for the specific
PracticeA—Tube Sheet and O-Ring Leak Test for Hollow 6to9
Fiber Devices model under test). Any significant leak in the tube sheet or
Practice B—Vacuum Test for Spiral Wound Devices 10 to 12
O-ring seal is detected visually by inspection.
Practice C—Dye Test for Spiral Wound and Tubular Devices 13 to 18
5. Significance and Use
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 These practices may be used to determine whether a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
reverse-osmosis device is free of leaks if the mechanical
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
integrity of the device is to be confirmed. They may also be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
used to detect leaks in reverse-osmosis devices whose operat-
ing performance indicates a possible leak. These practices may
2. Referenced Documents
be used for either new or used devices.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6. Apparatus
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
6.1 “Spider” Device, designed for the specific model of
D 4194 Test Methods for Operating Characteristics of Re-
hollow-fiber device being tested, is available from the supplier.
verse Osmosis Devices
The “spider” is designed to take the place of the permeate end
plate and permeate collection grid/block while securing the
fiber bundle from movement. This allows visual observation
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
during low-pressure operation with the fiber bundle retained in
and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.08 on Membranes and Ion
its original position.
Exchange Materials.
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 3923 – 94 (1998).
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 03.06.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
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D 3923–94 (2003)
7. Purity of Reagents portion of the tube sheet are not easily discernible because of
the accumulation of product water.
7.1 Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests.
9.6 Shutdown Procedure:
Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents shall
9.6.1 Shutoffthecentrifugalpumpandallowthepressureto
conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical
reach zero before disconnecting the reverse-osmosis device.
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such
9.6.2 Replace permeate end plate and all auxiliary equip-
specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
ment in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
9.6.3 Takecaretoensurethatthemembranesarekeptwetat
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
all times and are properly sanitized or winterized, or both,
the determinations.
(based on supplier’s recommendations) for long-term storage
7.2 Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be
(more than 5 days).
understood to mean Type III reagent water conforming to
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 spiral-
8. Scope
wound reverse-osmosis devices, new or used, when such leaks
8.1 This practice is applicable to detecting feed or concen-
are significant enough to prevent the device from holding a
trate leakage, or both, through the tube sheet and past the tube
vacuum. These leaks may be due to a damaged membrane,
sheet O-ring into the permeate in hollow-fiber devices.
glue-line failure, or leaks in O-ring seals. This test is useful as
a screening procedure and is not intended as a means of
9. Procedure
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. Connec
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