The beating heart of a membrane reverse osmosis system, the quality of which has a direct role in the operation of the industrial water treatment system . Unfortunately, these days the Iranian market is full of counterfeit or fake membranes that do not have the efficiency of the original membranes and cause many problems to the user. In this paper, we aim to present methods for detecting the original membrane filter . By checking and getting to know the characteristics and signs of original membranes, you will be able to recognize fake membranes and avoid buying and using them.
Counterfeit membranes do not have the efficiency of an original membrane filter. For example, fake membranes have a very short life and if an original membrane can work for at least 5 years under normal operating conditions, a fake membrane is unlikely to last more than 6 months!
Diagnosis methods of reverse osmosis main membrane filter
Type of filter packaging
When you buy a new membrane, the first thing you come across is the membrane’s packaging or box. So, the most important point in diagnosis is to pay close attention to the signs on the box.
The first step of diagnosing the main membrane filter:
If you have purchased a large number of membranes, you will receive them in pallets of 20. So any change in this state should cause you doubts.
The second step of diagnosing the main membrane filter:
All types of original filmtech industrial water purification membranes are offered under the DuPont brand. While some fake membranes are supplied with the DOW brand! So, if you see that the brand is on the Dow membrane box, be sure that the membrane is fake. But if it was the DuPont brand, it could be the original membrane, which, of course, counterfeit membranes with this brand have also been sold in the market! So we have to look for other signs to be sure.
The third step of diagnosing the main membrane filter:
The way the membrane box is opened can help you identify whether the membrane is genuine or fake. The original membranes are opened through diagonal perforations that are placed from both sides of the box towards the center. So, if the membrane box was stuck in the middle, don’t doubt that the membrane in front of you is fake.
Of course, note that having a perforage is not a proof of originality and it can also be a fake membrane, so it is necessary to pay attention to other signs as well.
The number of membrane filter layers
One of the ways to identify the original membrane filter is the number of layers inside the element, which is 56, while fake membranes usually have a smaller number of this layer inside them, and they compensate for it by increasing the thickness of the fiberglass cover around the diameter! This low number of layers shows that you have a smaller surface area of the membrane, so it is not far from the expectation that the hydration rate of fake membranes and its production capacity are lower than original membranes.
The number of membrane filter layers
Identifying the main membrane through the filter label
What we mean by membrane filter label is the specification label that is attached to the side of the box. This label contains different elements, which we will explain each one below:
Serial Number: A unique number assigned to each membrane.
GMID: stands for “Global Model Identification Number” and is a unique number for that membrane model. For example, GMID for BW30-400 membrane is set with number 98650.
3-digit number: The meaning of this number is not clear to us!
Membrane model: for example, BW30-400 Dry
According to the information on the label, it is possible to distinguish the original membrane filter from the fake in two ways!
The first method is through a 3-digit number, which is in the range of 100 or 200 in the main membranes. But fake membranes are marked with numbers in the range of 700-800-900 or even 045!
The second method is through the font used to write the membrane model. The model of fake membranes is written in a very clean font, apparently printed with a laser printer. Whereas, the original membrane model is written in a font similar to dot matrix printers, which has a pixel-like appearance.
Label on the box of single film membranes
Note: This is currently the only reliable feature to identify the original membrane filter that has not been copied by counterfeit membrane companies. So, if the font of the Membran model was like this, you can trust its originality.
Connector with membrane
The connector that comes with the original Filmtek membranes (model BW30-400) has only one o-ring on each side, which is presented in a matte gray color and almost rough and brittle material. FilmTec O-Ring Size is written on these connectors.
But in fake membranes, usually the connector has 2 o-rings on each side, white or black, which of course have almost soft and smooth material.
The connector of the original film filter membrane
Fake membrane connector
The amount of water in the filter
The performance of the original membranes under standard test conditions is available and can be checked in the datasheet. One of the parameters that have been investigated and mentioned is membrane hydration. So it is expected that if it is the original membrane, after installing it on the system and testing in the same conditions, the obtained number will be comparable to the data sheet.
But the point is that the water volume is not a good criterion to determine whether the membrane is original or fake. Unfortunately, counterfeit membranes also have an acceptable and comparable performance with the original membrane at the beginning of the work. If the main problem is that after a period of time has passed, due to their low quality, they will experience a severe drop in performance that cannot be restored even by performing CIP, and eventually you will have to replace the membranes early.
Identification of the main membrane filter by weight
The difference in the weight of the membranes to distinguish the original membrane filter from the fake one in terms of weight. If you weigh a large number of original membranes without the box, the numbers will be close. For example, one is 11,300 grams, the other is 11,200 grams, and the third is 11,400 grams. This means that you see a very small weight difference between different membranes. While in fake membranes, this weight difference will be wider. For example, one is 10,800 grams and the other is 11,900 grams. So if you see a big weight difference between different membranes, don’t doubt that the membranes are fake.
Certificate of seller (importer) of membranes
Some of the member selling companies claim that they have directly purchased from the agency and have a valid certificate from the manufacturer. But unfortunately, most of these claims are false and their certificates are fake!
Is it recognizable? This is not a precise method, but it can be recognized in some cases. If you see that the Iranian identity of the membrane importing company is clear in the certificate, do not doubt that it is fake. The reason is clear!
The price of the original membrane filter
Currently, the price of the main membrane for industrial water purification is between 550 and 650 dollars, which is equivalent to 28 to 32 million tomans. Therefore, any price below this range should make you suspect that you have purchased a fake membrane! Although we must note that some specific membrane models may have prices higher than this range.
Conclusion
If the manufacturer’s brand was Dow, the membrane is fake, but if it was DuPont, it could be original.
If the box was glued in the middle, it is fake, if it was opened through the perforation around the box, it can be original.
If the number of layers is 56, it can be original, but if it is less, it is definitely fake.
If you weigh a few of the membranes and there are many differences, it is fake, but if the weights are close to each other, it can be original.
If the connector is black or white or shiny gray, the membrane is fake, but if the connector is matte gray, it is original.
If the number of o-rings on each side of the membrane connector is 2, the membrane is fake, but if it has 1 o-ring, it can be original.
Through the performance in the initial test, unfortunately, it is not possible to distinguish whether the membrane is original or fake, because fake membranes also have an acceptable function in the beginning.
Currently, the determining factor is the type of font written on the membrane model on the box.