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GE Merlin Reverse Osmosis Applications
March 10, 2008 |
By far, the Merlin Reverse Osmosis System has been our most popular drinking water treatment system. It produces 1/2 gallon per minute (gpm) of purified water without the need for a storage tank. It is easy to install and very affordable when compared to other options such as distillation. It will produce water with a purity standard that is much higher than bottled water at a small fraction of the cost. The GE Merlin makes good sense.
But even with the specifications data published by GE, people still have numerous questions concerning the operational parameters of this device, so GE came out with an Applications Guide that addresses these questions. While this guide is written for the water treatment professional, it is also handy for the do-it-yourselfer who will be using the Merlin to perform under non-standard conditions. We have heard of these high performance RO systems being used for anything from boiler water pre-treatment, rain water purification and restaurants/coffee shops. The Merlin easily provides household drinking water, but it can also perform in light commercial applications. Before you do set up a Merlin for some of these higher demand functions, you should study this guide.
This guide contains some very interesting comparisons between conventional tank-style RO systems and the Merlin. The Merlin is actually much more efficient than the tank-style ROs. It sends less water to the drain because the Merlin membranes are always performing at the optimal recovery rate. There is no back pressure on the membranes from a pressurized storage tank. This is an important consideration where our environment is concerned. Not only is the GE Merlin user saving the planet from the glut of plastic water bottles (See related article), but less water is rejected making the Merlin one of the most efficient reverse osmosis systems available.
The application guide also goes on to cover feed water. While the Merlin is fully capable of turning problem water into nearly purified drinking water, the pretreatment of this feed water is important. No reverse osmosis system membrane is going to last very long if the feed water is not conditioned first. Water pressure, temperature, hardness and pH will all affect the performance of reverse osmosis membranes, and the Merlin is no exception. While the Merlin does have a combination sediment/carbon pre-filter, it will last much longer if you reduce the hardness and treat any chlorine before it gets to the Merlin system.
Often times we are asked how long a pre or post filter will last. The application guide covers that subject as well. As most of you can imagine, filter life will depend on the amount of contaminants in the feed water and also the volume of water. As a rule of thumb, GE recommends carbon/sediment pre-filter changes every 6 months, but page 18 of this guide provides a handy, more accurate assessment of this filter’s longevity.
So if you are considering the GE Merlin as a replacement for your old RO system, or as your first RO, a quick read of this application guide will answer all of your questions.
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