The Aquatec patented Permeate Pump (ERP 1000) is a non-electrical device which uses only the hydraulic energy of the brine water (normally lost to the drain) to push additional purified water (i.e. "permeate") into your pressure tank.
This increased pressure allows the RO membrane to perform as if within an atmospheric tank system.
Use of a Permeate Pump improves membrane life, system performance, and provides other important benefits as detailed below. With an easy to use "retrofit kit" (snap-on mounting bracket & 10-ft. of tubing), the Permeate Pump can be incorporated into almost any existing RO system. Proper installation requires horizontal mounting (i.e. with both outlet ports in the highest position) to allow any trapped air to be purged automatically.
Features
- No electricity required, powered only by hydraulic energy normally lost to drain.
- Improves water quality by insuring membrane efficiency.
- Improves membrane life, prevents "TDS creep".
- Decreases product tank "fill time" by up to 65%.
- Reduces drain wastewater by up to 80%.
- Increases product tank pressure (up to 95% of feed pressure).
- For all membranes rated 50 - 100 GPD. *Best for membranes over 50GPD
- Effective for inlet water pressures as low as 30 PSI.
- Compact size for easy installation.
From Aquatec's website:
Aquatec's original Permeate Pump (ERP1000) is a simple, yet revolutionary, device. Powered only by the hydraulic energy of brine water usually lost to the drain (i.e. no electricity required), the Permeate Pump forces product water into the storage tank, reducing membrane back pressure and maximizing available feed pressure. These pumps dramatically improve the efficiency of R.O. water production, reducing wastewater by up to 80%. In other words, if your current system requires 10 gallons of tap water to produce a gallon of pure water (10:1), adding a Permeate Pump should reduce this ratio below 3:1. Permeate Pumps can also bring storage tanks up to line pressure and then shut the system down when these tanks reach capacity, eliminating the need for a hydraulic shut-off valve. Other benefits include higher delivery pressures, faster R.O. water production, superior water quality, and extended filter / membrane life. Our newest Permeate Pump (ERP 500) is specifically designed for residential applications (less than 50 GPD) where overall system noise is a key concern. The ERP 500 includes a specially designed insert which helps the system operate in near silence, eliminating the occasional clicking or gurgling sounds that can otherwise occur. Both the ERP1000 and the ERP500 can easily be retrofitted to upgrade existing R.O. systems.
Flow Diagram
Permeate Pump Installation Instructions
Permeate Flow Diagram