Antiscalant
Keeps dissolved minerals from forming scale on the membrane.
Chemicals Used to Run Reverse Osmosis
A healthy RO depends on the right chemistry, set up for your water. Small mistakes here are a leading cause of membrane failure.
Review My RO ChemistryWhat an RO system relies on
Sodium metabisulfite
Removes chlorine that would otherwise destroy the membrane. Activated carbon is a common alternative.
pH control
Acid or caustic to manage scaling potential and permeate quality.
Coagulants and biocides
Protect the RO from particles, metals, and biological growth.
Cleaning acids and alkalis
Citric, malic, glycolic and other acids, plus alkaline cleaners, used to restore fouled membranes.
Storage solutions
Preservatives that protect idle membranes during shutdowns.
Where problems start
- Dosing that is too high, too low, or stopped by a failed pump.
- Chlorine getting through to the membrane.
- Chemicals that are incompatible with each other or with the membrane.
- Settings that no longer match changes in your incoming water.
- Unsafe storage or mixing of acids, caustics, oxidizers, and sulfites.
Dosing and selection depend on your feed water analysis and membrane specifications, so they should be set for your system rather than copied from a general guide.
How Eclipse helps
We review your pretreatment and dosing, spot risks before they damage membranes, and help you keep chemical handling safe and compliant. See also our RO cleaning and troubleshooting pages, or activated carbon service.
Frequently asked questions
What chemicals does a reverse osmosis system use?
Common ones include antiscalant to prevent scale, sodium metabisulfite or carbon to remove chlorine, acid or caustic for pH control, coagulants for pretreatment, biocides, and cleaning chemicals such as citric, malic, and glycolic acid. What your system needs depends on your water.
What is antiscalant?
Antiscalant is a chemical fed continuously in very small amounts to keep dissolved minerals from forming scale on RO membranes.
Why is sodium metabisulfite used with RO?
It removes chlorine from the feed water. Chlorine damages RO membranes, so removing it is essential. Too little or too much can both cause problems, which is why dosing should be set up and monitored properly.
Can the wrong RO chemical damage my system?
Yes. Incompatible chemicals, overdosing, underdosing, or a failed dosing pump can foul or damage membranes and shorten their life. Some chemicals are also dangerous if mixed or stored together.
Not sure your RO chemistry is right?
Call 647-355-0944 or send us your system details. We will review it with you.
Contact Eclipse