Hi
I was wondering if any of you has twin softener tanks that regenerates through the day (metered).
I remember on the NANT conference I asked the question to one of the speakers and he told me that they were not allowed.
Is there any reference about that on AAMI standrards? I've been loking for something on paper but I can not find it.
Thanks

Alex,

From AAMI standards RD 52

6.2.4 Softeners:
Timers should be checked at the beginning of each day and should be interlocked with the RO system so that RO is stopped when a softener regeneration cycle is initiated.

My understanding is that CMS is adopting these standards under the new conditions of coverage.

I have not heard about any grandfathering in of systems that met standards before these new standards were passed.

I haven't seen this particular situation addressed, but any regeneration activity while patients are present is dangerous and should be avoided. I'm guessing that you have a head I've never seen that can isolate the tank from the rest of the system. Even in that case it's more of a risk than I'd take.

Just to add my 2 cents here...I have seen several clinics that have twin softener tanks and have not had a problem. Nonameuno states what is in AAMI. There is a chance of salt getting into the effluent during regeneration. But, keep in mind that the softener that is being regenerated is under very little pressure with an open port to the drain during all steps. It would be hard for brine to leak into the effluent of the online softener. Instead, the online softener should leak into the regenerating softener. There is a greater chance of brine not being completely rinsed out of a softener, and, therefore, be flushed to the RO when the regeneration is completed. This can happen with a twin tank system or a single tank system.

I, personnally, do not like the wording on this issue in AAMI. As long as the RO shuts down or rejects to a drain on high product conductivity, you should be protected from brine being flushed to the RO.

If you want to get rid of the twin head, you can install separate heads on the softeners and have them regenerate at separate times or days. Or, leave the dual head on and do a PM on the seals in the softener.

We have had the twin softeners on one of our facilities for about 14 years w/o any problems, but I just want to make sure that we are in compiance with the new adopted regulations.
On one side AAMI does not mention anything about the use of twin softeners but, states that the RO must shut down when a softener goes into regeneration, now, since our softeners regenerate during the day, I guess we have to replace them for a single tank unit.
I was wondering if anybody out there was in a similar situation.
I agree with FLorian, I think that having the RO to reject to drain on high conductivity/tds product should be enough.
Thanks fo your help.

Regenerating softeners during the day my not cause a problem when properly operating since the head normally closes the outlet. Keep in mind, if the tank is full of brine, it is going to show up on the next go around. Regenerating tanks should be precarbon or have their backwash/fast rinse rate figured into the EBCT.
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