A signed startup sheet is useful only when its readings can be traced to a defined operating condition. Record the design case, instrument identity, stream conditions, sample time and operator action together. This creates a baseline for later troubleshooting without turning a nominal catalog capacity into a site guarantee.
1. Freeze the reference package before water enters the RO
Identify the project, train, pass and stage; equipment model and serial numbers; membrane model, quantity and vessel loading map; pump, motor and pressure-vessel records; latest process diagram; control narrative; approved design projection; feed analysis date; chemical list; and current instrument calibration certificates. Note document revisions so later users know exactly which design case was accepted.
Complete mechanical and electrical checks for piping, valves, drains, flushing routes, rotating equipment, guards, earthing, phase direction, interlocks, emergency stops, relief protection and permeate diversion. Record each alarm setpoint and simulated response. An unchecked box should carry an owner and due date rather than being silently treated as passed.
2. Capture one synchronized operating snapshot
At a stable timestamp record feed, interstage, concentrate and permeate pressures; feed, concentrate and permeate flows; feed temperature; feed and permeate conductivity or TDS; pH; calculated recovery; pressure drop by stage; pump frequency and current; tank levels; chemical dosing rates; cartridge-filter differential pressure; and permeate backpressure. Include units, instrument tags and whether a value is measured or calculated.
Take feed, concentrate and permeate samples at the same operating condition and document sample points, time, preservation, laboratory and requested constituents. A single permeate conductivity value cannot explain pretreatment, scaling risk or vessel-to-vessel leakage. Where available, record individual vessel permeate conductivity and compare all results with the approved design case, not an unrelated catalog test.
3. Establish acceptance and handover evidence
Retain the first complete reading and review a second stable set after 24–48 hours. DuPont guidance treats these initial data as the reference for future evaluation and recommends frequent readings during the first week. Normalize trends when temperature, feed salinity, recovery or permeate pressure changes; otherwise normal environmental variation may be mistaken for membrane deterioration.
The handover file should state acceptance limits, deviations, corrective actions, responsible parties and open items. Attach raw logs, laboratory reports, calibration evidence, alarm tests, operator training attendance, spare-parts inventory, preservation instructions and approved shutdown procedures. BOKAWATER BK-3000RO and BK-38 identify product families with nominal outputs, but commissioning acceptance must remain tied to the contracted feed, temperature, recovery, product quality and scope.
Data to collect before comparing proposals
| Parameter / interface | Unit / format | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Record group | Minimum fields | Decision enabled |
| Design reference | Projection revision, feed analysis, recovery and product target | Defines the accepted duty |
| Asset identity | Train, pass, stage, model, serial and membrane map | Makes readings traceable |
| Instrumentation | Tag, range, unit, calibration date and status | Establishes measurement confidence |
| Hydraulics | Feed, concentrate and permeate flows and pressures | Checks balance and recovery |
| Water condition | Temperature, pH, conductivity or TDS and sample time | Supports comparison and normalization |
| Pretreatment | Filter differential pressure and dosing rates | Links upstream condition to RO data |
| Performance | Permeate quality, stage pressure drop and vessel checks | Locates deviations |
| Protection | Interlocks, alarms, stops, relief and diversion tests | Confirms protective functions |
| Handover | Raw logs, lab results, deviations, training and open items | Creates an auditable baseline |
Technical references
- DuPont FilmTec — Start-Up Sequence Technical Manual Excerpt ↗Source checked:
Evidence scope — original English record
Official sequence for adjusting recovery, checking pretreatment chemicals, recording first operating data, reviewing 24–48 hour data, sampling streams, checking safety devices and establishing a future-performance reference.
- DuPont — RO Operations Advisor User Manual ↗Source checked:
Evidence scope — original English record
Defines the operating variables needed for trend analysis and normalization: date, flows, pressures, feed quality, temperature, permeate quality and concentrate pressure or pressure drop.
- Hydranautics — Foulants and Cleaning Procedures for Composite Polyamide RO/NF Membrane Elements ↗Source checked:
Evidence scope — original English record
Explains why changing temperature, feed TDS, recovery and permeate backpressure require normalized data, and why startup values form a useful performance baseline.
- BOKAWATER — BK-3000RO industrial RO system ↗Source checked:
Evidence scope — original English record
Current BOKAWATER catalog source confirming the BK-3000RO model and its nominal 3000 LPH product-family reference; it does not establish site commissioning results.
- BOKAWATER — BK-38 container RO system ↗Source checked:
Evidence scope — original English record
Current BOKAWATER catalog source confirming the BK-38 model and its nominal 6000 LPH product-family reference; actual acceptance depends on agreed feed and operating conditions.