Best Practices for Start Up and Commissioning of New and Retrofitted Reverse Osmosis Facilities

Extensive instrumentation and controls logic are required for reverse osmosis (RO) facilities to function properly. Proper steps must be taken during start up and commissioning to assure that these systems protect the membrane process from disruption or potentially expensive damage. This manuscript discusses strategies to facilitate successful start up and commissioning while minimizing risk and protecting the membrane process. Two case studies are presented showing how such strategies were implemented, a new 1.5 mgd facility in Scottsdale, Arizona and 1 mgd facility expansion and retrofit in Goodyear, Arizona.