If the boat is stationary, it is recommended that the watermaker be rinsed with fresh water at least once a week. For long periods, it is necessary to “ winterize ” the watermaker and use a membrane preservative to prepare the system for the following season. In this way, we prevent the growth of marine microbiology and protect the membranes in the long term. The system will remain ready for about 6 months in temperate climates and 4 months in the tropics; after this time, it should be rinsed and the preservation process repeated if the watermaker is to continue to be stationary. To preserve and also protect against freezing in winter climates, it is necessary to use antifreeze based on a propylene glycol solution.
If we have not done a correct “winterization” in the end and the membranes are dirty and we want to try to recover them, we can use other products to clean the system. First, we will use an acid cleaner (which eliminates mineral scale deposits) and then an alkaline cleaner (which eliminates biological matter and dirt from the surface of the membranes). However, it is worth remembering that chemical cleaning is NOT usually effective if the membrane production has been reduced below 80% of the original condition.
The basic procedure for all preservation and cleaning treatments is the same: the chemical solution is circulated through the system for 20 minutes and then rinsed. It is important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions and not exceed the recommended doses.
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