ROSA software troubleshooting is a practical skill for every RO design engineer — the FILMTEC reverse osmosis system analysis program is powerful, but it comes with its own set of errors, file-management traps, and output-format limits. This guide collects the most common ROSA software troubleshooting questions: fixing error 3706 at startup, protecting .html results from being overwritten, managing the wtdata.mdb database, and exporting outputs to Word or Excel — plus the energy calculation and shutdown-time questions that surround every design.
ROSA Software Troubleshooting: Common Errors and Fixes
ROSA software troubleshooting starts with the most famous startup error. When you encounter error message 3706 while starting the ROSA5 software, follow these steps to resolve it:
- Open the ROSA.INI file located in the ROSA directory.
- Modify the following lines:
- Change
ROSA Provider = Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0toROSA Provider = Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.3.51. - Change
CFG Provider = Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0toCFG Provider = Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.3.51.
- Change
- Alternatively, reinstall mdac 2.5.exe on your computer to update the necessary database drivers.
The error is a database-driver incompatibility — the OLEDB provider version in the configuration does not match the MDAC components installed on the system.
Protecting ROSA Results: .html Files and Project Names
ROSA outputs calculation results in .html format, and the file is overwritten every time the design runs again. To avoid overwriting .html results in ROSA, you have two options:
- Rename the first .html result before running the design software again.
- Change the project name when you run the design calculations again.
To retain both the original and recalculated .html results, apply the same discipline: rename the first .html file before performing a new calculation, or change the project name before redesigning the calculation. This is the simplest ROSA software troubleshooting habit for keeping an audit trail of design iterations.
ROSA Database Management: wtdata.mdb and Project Deletion
ROSA software troubleshooting for data management starts with the wtdata.mdb database, which stores all design projects and grows with use:
- File too large to email — when the wtdata.mdb database file is too large to send via email, compress the file using WinZip; this compression can typically reduce the file size by 80% to 90%, making it easier to manage and transfer.
- Deleting a design calculation — open the project you want to delete, press CTRL-R or navigate to the ROSA System Selection and Data Entry interface, then select Remove Project from the file menu.
Regularly pruning obsolete projects keeps the database fast and the file size email-friendly.
Exporting and Sharing ROSA Output
Currently, ROSA outputs calculation results in .html format only, which makes export the last common ROSA software troubleshooting topic. While direct saving in .txt format is not available, you can:
- Open the .html file with Microsoft Word using the Open with Word option.
- This allows you to create a Word table and adjust the format as needed.
- Save the document as a .doc file for easy editing and integration into Word or Excel.
This export path — .html to Word to .doc — preserves the calculation tables for reports, bid documents, and client deliverables.
Calculating RO System Energy Consumption
To estimate the energy consumption of an RO system, use the following equations based on available parameters:
| Output | Formula | Units |
| Pump horsepower | HP = inlet pressure (psi) × inlet flow (gpm) × 1714 × pump/motor efficiency | HP |
| Energy | kWh = inlet pressure (bar) × inlet flow (m3/h) × 35.9 × pump/motor efficiency | kWh |
| Power conversion | 1 kW = 1 HP / 1.34 | kW |
| Daily cost | Cost ($) = required kW × 24 h/day × electricity fee ($/kWh) | $/day |
These formulas complement the element-level savings covered in our low energy RO membrane elements guide — element choice sets the baseline, and the calculation tells you the operating budget.
System Operation Limits: Shutdown, Concentrate Flow, and Data Records
Three operating limits complete the design picture:
- Maximum shutdown time without flushing — the allowable time depends on the use of an after-blocking agent and water temperature:
- With after-blocking agent, at 20–38 °C: up to 4 hours.
- With after-blocking agent, below 20 °C: up to 8 hours.
- Without scale inhibitor: up to 1 day, regardless of temperature.
- Minimum concentrated water discharge — for each FILMTEC element it depends on the element size, model, and inlet water type (as determined by the SDI15 value); refer to the specific provisions in the design guidelines for accurate details.
- Standard data recording format — yes, there is a standardized format for recording data in membrane systems; refer to the System Operation Management chapter in your system manual for accurate logging and management.
Shutdown limits belong to the RO membrane maintenance routine — flushing before the deadline protects the elements from stagnant-water fouling.
Conclusion
ROSA software troubleshooting is mostly discipline: fix the provider version when error 3706 appears, rename .html files to keep design history, compress wtdata.mdb for transfer, and export through Word when clients need .doc output. Pair the software skills with the energy formulas and shutdown limits, and the whole design-to-operation workflow runs smoothly.
CHIWATEC supplies Daltonen, Dupont, Toray, CSM, Nitto, LG, and Vontron RO membranes with more than ten years of export experience. Contact us at [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] for design support and membrane selection.
FAQ:
How do I fix ROSA error 3706 at startup?
Open the ROSA.INI file in the ROSA directory and change both ROSA Provider and CFG Provider from Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0 to Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.3.51. Alternatively, reinstall mdac 2.5.exe to update the database drivers.
How can I keep ROSA results from being overwritten?
Rename the first .html result before running the design software again, or change the project name before recalculating. Both methods preserve the original and recalculated outputs for an audit trail.
How do I calculate RO system energy consumption?
Use HP = inlet pressure (psi) × inlet flow (gpm) × 1714 × efficiency, or kWh = inlet pressure (bar) × inlet flow (m3/h) × 35.9 × efficiency. Convert with 1 kW = 1 HP / 1.34, then daily cost = kW × 24 h × electricity fee.
How long can an RO system be shut down without flushing?
With an after-blocking agent: up to 4 hours at 20–38 °C, or up to 8 hours below 20 °C. Without scale inhibitor: up to 1 day regardless of temperature. Flush before these limits to prevent stagnant-water fouling.
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