EDTA SOLUTION 40 percent
EDTA SOLUTION 40%, Tetrasodium EDTA 40 percent solution for RO Systems
RXSOL Tetrasodium EDTA 40% Liquid is a concentrated aqueous solution of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na₄EDTA), a powerful chelating and sequestrating agent.
It binds polyvalent metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and other metal ions, converting them into stable water-soluble complexes. This helps prevent precipitation and assists in removing mineral and metallic deposits during industrial cleaning.
The product is particularly useful in reverse osmosis (RO) membrane cleaning/CIP, where EDTA can assist in removing metal-containing deposits and certain inorganic/organic foulants. DuPont's FilmTec RO/NF technical manual specifically lists 1.0 wt% Na₄EDTA with 0.1 wt% NaOH as an alternative cleaning solution for biofouling, subject to membrane compatibility and the manufacturer's cleaning limits.
Manufacturing, EDTA is used to improve stability of some pharmaceutical products, detergents, liquid soaps, shampoos, agricultural chemical sprays, contact lens cleaners and cosmetics. It is also used in certain blood collection tubes used by medical laboratories.
Wide areas of application for EDTA 4 Na liquid
- Metal-containing deposits
- Calcium-associated fouling
- Magnesium deposits
- Iron fouling
- Manganese deposits
- Certain inorganic scale deposits
- Metal-organic complexes
- Difficult mixed fouling
- Heat exchangers
- Boilers and process equipment
- Cooling-water systems
- Industrial vessels
- Pipelines
- Process-water systems
- Metal-cleaning formulations
- Detergent formulations
- Water-treatment chemicals
- Pulp and paper processing
- Textile processing
- Industrial CIP systems
RXSOL Tetrasodium EDTA 40% should not be considered a universal RO membrane cleaner by itself.
The correct cleaning chemistry depends on the foulant. Acid cleaning is generally used for carbonate/mineral scale, while alkaline cleaning is commonly used for organic and biological fouling. EDTA is particularly useful where metal-ion fouling or metal-associated deposits are involved.
DuPont's FilmTec manual gives 1.0 wt% Na₄EDTA + 0.1 wt% NaOH as an alternative cleaning formulation under specified membrane cleaning conditions.
Suggested EDTA CIP Starting Formulation
For compatible RO membranes:
| Component | Concentration |
|---|---|
| RXSOL Tetrasodium EDTA 40% | 2.5% |
| Sodium Hydroxide | 0.10% |
| RO Permeate / DI Water | Balance |
This provides approximately:
1.0% active Na₄EDTA
| Property | Typical Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear to slightly hazy liquid |
| Colour | Colourless to pale yellow |
| Active EDTA-4Na | 40.0 ± 1.0% |
| Specific Gravity @ 20°C | 1.25–1.40 |
| pH | 10.5–12.0 |
| Water Solubility | Completely soluble |
| Odour | Slight / characteristic |
| Physical State | Liquid |
| Ionic Character | Anionic |
Benefits of using EDTA Tetrasodium liquid in Reverse Osmosis Membrane Cleaning
RXSOL Tetrasodium EDTA 40% can provide:
Metal Ion Sequestration
Captures calcium, magnesium, iron and other polyvalent ions.
Deposit Loosening
Helps destabilize metal-containing deposits and make them more soluble/dispersible.
Reduced Re-precipitation
Keeps captured metal ions in soluble complexed form during cleaning.
Improved Cleaning Chemistry
Can be combined with alkaline cleaning systems where appropriate.
Concentrated Liquid Format
Easy metering compared with handling solid EDTA powder.
Key Features of EDTA 4 Na solution
- 40% active tetrasodium EDTA
- Strong chelation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺ and other polyvalent ions
- Helps dissolve and disperse metal-containing deposits
- Excellent water solubility
- Particularly useful in alkaline cleaning systems
- Suitable for RO membrane CIP when membrane compatibility is confirmed
- Helps prevent re-deposition of metal ions
- Compatible with many alkaline cleaning formulations
- Useful for industrial descaling and deposit removal
- Concentrated liquid for easy dosing
