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GE Merlin Application Manual

Point of use drinking water system
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See also: Installation and Maintenance Manual
GE Infrastructure
Water and Process Technologies
Merlin™
Point of Use
Drinking Water System
Application Guide for Water Treatment Professionals
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Summary of Contents for GE Merlin

  • Page 1 GE Infrastructure Water and Process Technologies Merlin™ Point of Use Drinking Water System Application Guide for Water Treatment Professionals...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION MERLIN DESCRIPTION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE THE MERLIN FLOW SYSTEM MERLIN BOOSTER PUMP PREFILTER MEMBRANE LIFE MERLIN PERMEATE STORAGE SYSTEMS SALT DIFFUSION COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS TROUBLESHOOTING FLOW ESTIMATION WORKSHEETS TABLE OF CONTENTS Rev C...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION This application guide presents guidelines and technical information on the Merlin, a continuous flow reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration system designed for residential and light commercial applications Water treatment professionals should use this guide as an education tool to help determine the best applications for the Merlin RO system.

  • Page 4: Merlin Description

    MERLIN DESCRIPTION The Merlin is a point of use reverse osmosis system that provides continuous, on-demand water. It features a breakthrough high flow-rate technology developed by GE Infrastructure Water & Process Technologies. The Merlin RO system is designed for residential use and light commercial applications including: •...

  • Page 5: System Performance

    SYSTEM PERFORMANCE THE MERLIN SWEET SPOT The Merlin uses a new, patented membrane element technology that provides flow rates up to five times greater than standard home RO membranes. The membrane element is designed to work from 40-80 psi (2.7-5.5 bar) inlet water pressure and 40-100°F (4.4-37.8°C) water temperature.
  • Page 6 Inlet Pressure The first step in determining net driving pressure is finding the inlet pressure to the Merlin. This is the flowing pressure within 12 inches of the Merlin inlet. Often, this pressure is less than indicated by a home’s well pump pressure gage.
  • Page 7 To estimate pressure drop through tubing follow the steps below: 1. Estimate flow rate into the tubing using Table 1. Use inlet pressure into the Merlin as the Net Driving Pressure for the purposes of this estimation. By using inlet pressure as the Net Driving Pressure in Table 1, flow directly from the Merlin without any pressure drop is found.
  • Page 8 Larger tubing diameters produce less pressure drop and increase system performance. EXAMPLE: Q: A Merlin will be installed with inlet conditions that will produce 0.5 gpm, based on Table 1. The installation requires 20 ft of permeate tubing. Find the tubing pressure drop.
  • Page 9 EXAMPLE: Q: A Merlin will be installed with 1 tee, 2 valves, and 1 elbow. Find the obstruction pressure drop. weuro weuro iefos qwe iefos qwe ru qweri ru qweri uiro uiro weurio weurio wier wier A: The obstruction pressure drop is found as follows:...
  • Page 10 The Merlin post filter is custom designed to reduce the amount of pressure drop as much as possible. The Merlin post filter is designed to provide no more than a 3 psi (0.21 bar) drop when brand new. Using other post filter/ post treatment methods may cause significantly higher drops in pressure.
  • Page 11 3.41 3.78 1.10 Inlet Flow Rate (gpm) Figure 8 EXAMPLE: Q: A Merlin will be installed with the estimated flow into a faucet at 0.4 gpm (0.27 Lpm). Find the faucet pressure drop. weuro weuro iefos qwe iefos qwe ru qweri...
  • Page 12 Table 1 - Merlin System Flow Rates (gpm), Based on 750 ppm NaCl Inlet Water Net Driving Pressure , psi [bar] Temperature °F [°C] [5.2] [4.8] [4.5] [4.1] [3.8] [3.4] [3.1] [2.8] [2.4] 80 [27] 1.03 0.95 0.88 0.81 0.74 0.67...
  • Page 13 HOW TO DETERMINE RATE OF FLOW FROM THE MERLIN SYSTEM - NORTH AMERICAN Actual results may vary. Membrane performance may vary ± 15%. Example Assigned Values Inlet Water TDS (measured) 300 ppm Pressure Drop per Obstruction 0.5 psi Inlet Water Temperature 50°F...
  • Page 14 HOW TO DETERMINE RATE OF FLOW FROM THE MERLIN SYSTEM - WORLD Actual results may vary. Membrane performance may vary ± 15%. Example Assigned Values Inlet Water TDS (measured) 300 ppm Pressure Drop per Obstruction 0.03 bar Inlet Water Temperature 10°C...
  • Page 15 Flow Information for Standard Installations For typical single faucet under-the-sink Merlin installations using only the components shipped in the box, the following flow rates can be expected. This information assumes 4 feet of 3/8-inch permeate tubing, 2 feet elevation difference, use of the faucet as shipped, and no additional obstructions or pressure drop.

  • Page 16: The Merlin Flow System

    Figure 9 The Merlin Flow Pattern SHUT-OFF PRESSURE The Merlin stops the flow of inlet water when the system is not in use. An internal shut-off valve will close when pressure in the permeate line reaches approximately 1/3 of the system inlet pressure. This function saves water by turning the unit off when permeate water is not being used.

  • Page 17: Merlin Booster Pump

    We recommend using only the Merlin provided booster pump. Other pumps may result in reduced membrane element or system life. NOTE: The Merlin booster pump is a great way to increase flow for low pressure applications. The pump will also help increase TDS rejection and system efficiency.

  • Page 18: Prefilter

    3 NTU of sediment—incoming water 0.3 ppm of iron—incoming water 5 micron - nominal sediment removal capability Prefilter Life Calculation The Merlin filter is rated for 5000 gallons (18,900 liters) of inlet water. Use the following formula to estimate prefilter life: Prefilter life 5000...
  • Page 19 An alternate 10-micron nominal high capacity sediment prefilter is available for Merlin. This filter can be used for commercial or well water applications where no chlorine is present in the Merlin inlet water. This sediment filter is interchangeable with the standard Merlin carbon prefilter for applications without chlorine.

  • Page 20: Membrane Life

    MEMBRANE LIFE The Merlin uses a new, patented, RO membrane technology, not an ultra or nanofiltration membrane. It is a standard thin film membrane (TFM) style that is not tolerant of chlorine. Maximizing Membrane Element Life Pretreatment is the key to maximizing the Merlin membrane element life, like all reverse osmosis membranes.
  • Page 21 The Merlin Advantage Since the Merlin requires no storage tank, its membrane element performs at the optimal recovery rate at all times. This makes the Merlin’s efficiency the same as the Merlin’s recovery. Because of this, the Merlin sends significantly less waste water to the drain than tradional home RO systems with a tank.

  • Page 22: Merlin Permeate Storage Systems

    MERLIN PERMEATE STORAGE SYSTEMS The Merlin is designed to provide an average 1/2 gpm (1.89 Lpm) continuous flow rate at NSF/ANSI 58 conditions. Some applications may require an intermittent flow rate higher than the 1/2 gpm rate. This can be accomplished by using a permeate storage tank.

  • Page 23: Salt Diffusion

    — it minimizes, but does not eliminate, salt diffusion effects. Salt Diffusion in the Merlin After extended periods of inactivity in the Merlin system, any salt-diffused water will be exhausted through the faucet when the system is operated.
  • Page 24 Merlin Flush System For highly demanding applications that require an alternate method to lessen the effects of salt diffusion, a Merlin flush kit is available. This kit includes a small tank that connects to the 1/4-inch light blue elbow on the Merlin.
  • Page 25 Salt Diffusion Flush Step #2 - Accumulator begins to fill. Faucet Off Post Filter Flush Tank-Filling with Water compresses Inlet Prefilter Element 1 Element 2 Drain Merlin System is Producing Permeate Water for Flush Figure 17 SALT DIFFUSION Rev C...
  • Page 26 Salt Diffusion Flush Step #3 - Accumulator is filled. Faucet Off Post Filter Water Flush Tank-Full Pressure Equalizes Inlet Prefilter Element 1 Element 2 Drain Merlin System Stops Producing Permeate Water Figure 18 SALT DIFFUSION Rev C...
  • Page 27 Faucet Off Post Filter Permeate water is directed back to unit. Water Permeate water begins flushing high TDS water out of system to drain. Inlet Prefilter Element 1 Element 2 Drain Merlin System Begins Flush Figure 19 SALT DIFFUSION Rev C...
  • Page 28 Flush Tank-All water is purged from Tank Inlet Prefilter Element 1 Element 2 Drain Low TDS water has flushed out the inlet side of the elements. Complete process may take 3 to 8 minutes. Merlin System Is Off Figure 20 SALT DIFFUSION Rev C...

  • Page 29: Commercial And Industrial Applications

    Pretreatment The Merlin works best when the inlet water has been pretreated. The membrane element and system life will be maximized when the inlet water quality is maximized. An inlet water quality of:...
  • Page 30 Inlet Water Shutoff Valve- use when permeate systems are in regeneration Merlin RO Assembly High capacity post filter Carbon Backwash Filter - Water Softener - size according to water size according to use needs - reduce to water use needs -...

  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    TROUBLESHOOTING Issue Possible Cause Corrective Action Low permeate flow 1. Net driving pressure and/or 1. Measure and record actual flow rate inlet temperature too low. from faucet. 2. Plugged prefilter. 2. Determine net driving pressure. Refer to page 6. 3. Scaled or fouled RO 3.
  • Page 32 1. Use larger tubing diameter. Never use 1/ from refrigerator or to refrigerator or ice maker 4-inch tubing. Reduce elevation to automatic ice restricting flow. difference between Merlin and maker with dispensing location. acceptable flow 2. Pressure drop across 2. Remove built-in filter according to...
  • Page 33 WORKSHEET - HOW TO DETERMINE RATE OF FLOW FROM THE MERLIN SYSTEM - NORTH AMERICAN Actual results may vary. Membrane performance may vary ± 15%. Enter Your Values Assigned Values Inlet Water TDS (measured) Pressure Drop per Obstruction 0.5 psi Inlet Water Temperature °F...
  • Page 34 WORKSHEET - HOW TO DETERMINE RATE OF FLOW FROM THE MERLIN SYSTEM - WORLD Actual results may vary. Membrane performance may vary ± 15%. Enter Your Values Assigned Values Inlet Water TDS (measured) Pressure Drop per Obstruction 0.03 bar Inlet Water Temperature °C...
  • Page 35 COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS Rev C...
  • Page 36 ©Copyright 2007 General Electric Company P/N 1266624 Rev C...

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