Cleaner Chemicals for RO, UF and NF Membrane Fouling Removal
Mineral scale, biofouling, organic deposits, and colloidal particles reduce membrane efficiency, increase pressure, and shorten service life when untreated. Cleaner Chemicals are formulated to remove these foulants effectively without damaging membrane structure.
Cleaner Chemicals remove fouling in RO, UF, and NF membranes, improving water purification efficiency and extending membrane life with safe, biodegradable solutions. The range includes alkaline, acid, enzymatic, biocidal, and neutral cleaners for different fouling conditions.
At Dutco Tennant LLC, the Cleaner Chemicals system is sourced for projects across UAE and GCC, supporting contractors and system requirements with reliable cleaning solutions.
Restored Performance And Extended Membrane Life
- Foulant-specific formulations target the chemical bonds holding scale, biofilm, organics, and colloids to the membrane surface, removing deposits that physical flushing cannot dislodge
- Biodegradable surfactant and chelating agent bases minimise environmental impact of cleaning waste streams, supporting disposal through standard wastewater treatment processes
- Liquid concentrate formats dissolve readily in RO permeate or deionised water, introducing no additional dissolved solids that could precipitate onto the membrane during cleaning
- Compatible with polyamide thin-film composite, cellulose acetate, and polysulfone membranes across BWRO, SWRO, NF, and UF element configurations
- Proactive cleaning at early fouling indicators prevents irreversible foulant compaction that permanently impairs salt rejection and permeate flux
Core Technical Capabilities
- Foulant Coverage: Addresses inorganic scale, organic matter, biofouling, and colloidal deposits through targeted high pH, low pH, enzymatic, and biocidal formulations
- pH Range: Alkaline cleaners at high pH for organic and biological removal; acid cleaners at low pH for scale and iron oxide deposits, within membrane manufacturer pH tolerance limits
- Temperature Compatibility: Effective across standard CIP operating temperatures with optimum performance at moderate warm temperatures to improve foulant solubility and chemical penetration
- Dosing Method: Added to CIP tank prepared with permeate or deionised water, recirculated through the membrane at low pressure with soak cycles between recirculation passes
- Compliance: NSF/ANSI 60 certified for drinking water applications, compliant with regional environmental discharge requirements for cleaning waste stream disposal
Types
Alkaline Cleaner
Removes organic fouling, biofilm, and suspended solids from membrane surfaces.
- Improves permeate flow and reduces pressure drop
- Used as the first stage in cleaning protocols
- The industrial Cleaner Chemicals range includes light and heavy-duty variants
Acid Cleaner
Dissolves inorganic scale, mineral deposits, and metal oxides.
- Maintains stable pH during cleaning cycles
- Applied after alkaline cleaning for complete removal
- Suitable for high scaling conditions
Enzymatic Cleaner
Breaks down proteins, fats, and complex organic compounds.
- Works at mild pH for sensitive membranes
- Ideal for food and pharmaceutical applications
- The commercial Cleaner Chemicals solution supports high organic load systems
Biocidal Cleaner
Eliminates bacteria, algae, and biofilm formation.
- Controls microbial growth in membrane systems
- Non-oxidising formulation protects membranes
- Used alongside standard cleaning cycles
Neutral pH Cleaner
Removes mixed fouling where extreme pH is restricted.
- Safer handling with reduced corrosion risk
- Suitable for UF systems and regulated environments
- Supports easy discharge compliance
Standout Features & Benefits
Targeted Foulant Removal
- Restores pressure, flow, and rejection performance
- Prevents re-deposition during cleaning
- Effective for mixed fouling conditions
Membrane Compatibility and Safety
- Safe for all standard membrane materials
- Chlorine-free to prevent damage
- Includes proper handling guidelines
Reduced Operating Cost
- Minimises downtime and cleaning frequency
- Extends membrane lifespan
- Reduces replacement and chemical costs
Broad System Compatibility
- The industrial Cleaner Chemicals range supports all membrane configurations
- Compatible with standard CIP systems and materials
- Suitable for municipal and industrial applications
Application Area
Municipal and Industrial Water Treatment
- Restores performance in large-scale systems
- The Cleaner Chemicals system supports staged cleaning
- Controls biological fouling effectively
Food, Beverage, and Pharmaceutical Processing
- Removes complex organic fouling
- Suitable for regulated environments
- Supports hygiene compliance
Desalination and Water Reuse Plants
- Removes heavy scaling in seawater systems
- Controls biofouling during shutdown cycles
- The commercial Cleaner Chemicals solution supports full plant operations
Commercial Buildings and Cooling Systems
- Maintains RO system efficiency
- Controls scaling in cooling systems
- Suitable for compact installations
