Flow, level & control


FAST AND PRECISE CHLORINE  RO MEMBRANES A YEAR ON FROM COMMISSIONING


A


Rapid and accurate detection of chlorine is vital to protect a reverse osmosis (RO) system. While reagent-based approaches can be costly and impractical to manage, traditional amperometric chlorine electrodes don’t respond fast enough when the most precise detection is required. Now, in a breakthrough study with Bürkert, Veolia Water Technologies Ireland can protect its RO system from trace levels of chlorine, as well as achieving and maintaining zero-chlorine conditions downstream, thanks to its new Online Water Analysis System. Greg Wainhouse, Bürkert’s regional business development manager for Industrial Water, North Europe, explains.


n RO system


removes dissolved impurities and contaminants from water by forcing it through a semi-


permeable membrane. As such, an RO system can be crucial to the production of purified and ultra- purified water where the design is used across diverse applications such as pharmaceuticals, drinks production, as well as for healthcare procedures in hospital settings. An RO membrane’s microscopic pores only allow water molecules to pass while rejecting dissolved salts, organic compounds, and various chemical contaminants, dependent on their size, charge, and chemical properties. However, a challenge to the membrane is chlorine exposure, which is typically present when feed water includes a mains water supply or disinfected borehole. RO membranes have a limited chlorine tolerance, usually rated at 1,000 parts per million of chlorine exposure over time, known as ppm-hours, and exceeding this will degrade the membrane and its filtration performance. As a result, precise and continuous chlorine monitoring upstream of the RO membrane is vital.


PROTECTING THE RO MEMBRANE


Veolia Water Technologies Ireland produces purified water for the pharmaceutical and food


22 April 2026 Instrumentation Monthly


Bürkert’s Online Water Analysis offers precision monitoring of several


parameters including chlorine, ORP, pH and temperature.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72