Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment
Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment is a comprehensive filtration method that uses pressure to push tap water through a semipermeable membrane, filtering out contaminants. It’s one of the most extensive methods for reducing total dissolved solids (TDS) and other chemical and organic pollutants in drinking water.
A reverse osmosis system includes three to five stages of filtration. It starts with a sediment prefilter that protects the membrane from damage by larger particles and reduces chlorine, then moves to carbon filters and a semipermeable membrane.
Prefilters
Reverse osmosis water filtration begins with a prefilter to reduce the amount of sediment in your water, which can clog the semipermeable membranes that make up the rest of the system. A standard prefilter will remove particulates up to 0.5 microns in size, and it can also remove some organic molecules.
After the prefilter, your drinking water moves on to a series of three to five filters that target specific contaminants like heavy metals and bacteria. These filters are often made of ceramic, cellulose or polypropylene, and they’re designed to capture unwanted molecules while letting water pass through. The resulting water is pure at a molecular level, and it’s much safer than tap water.
The water that’s left behind goes into a pressurized storage tank where it waits until you need it. Some systems may include an additional carbon filter to Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment remove any stray particles from the finished product.
Most people use reverse osmosis mainly to improve the taste and safety of their drinking water. You might also choose this kind of filtration to ensure your aquarium fish have only the cleanest, freshest water for optimum health and growth.
On a larger scale, reverse osmosis is used in municipal and commercial systems to desalinate sea water. It’s also used to create maple syrup by separating the sugar from the water in the sap, and in the dairy industry to concentrate whey and milk. You might even see it in some restaurants, which rely on this technology to serve only the most delicious and healthy beverages.
Membrane
A reverse osmosis system uses pressure to force tap water through a semipermeable membrane. This removes dissolved inorganic solids from the water and leaves you with healthier drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis works because water molecules are much smaller than the contaminants and sediment that are pushed through the membrane. The process essentially desalinates seawater, removing salt and other dissolved inorganic materials. Designed originally for military and industrial applications, it has since become a popular household filtration method for those who want to reduce high levels of chemical contaminants, organics and bacteria, as well as heavy metals like lead, copper, arsenic and more.
Before water ever reaches the membrane, it is forced through a pre-filter to protect the membrane from any larger particles that could clog the system. This stage usually includes a carbon filter to remove chlorine and other harmful chemicals, as well as a sediment filter to prevent any sand or silt from entering the membrane itself.
After the pre-filter(s) has been removed, water is forced through a series of RO membranes in an array. This may include anywhere from 2 to 6 pressure vessels each with an RO membrane. The concentrate from each stage is then fed into the next one to continue the process. The end result is drinking water that has been cleaned to the molecular level, leaving behind only pure H2O.
Storage Tank
When the RO membrane is saturated with waste water, a pump reroutes it away from the delicate membrane into a storage tank. From here, the water is pressurized and stored until needed. This is a critical feature to look for when selecting a reverse osmosis system because it eliminates the need to continuously run your water through the membrane until it is empty.
Most RO systems come with a pre-pressurized tank that holds from 2 – 4 gallons of water. A bladder inside the tank keeps the water pressurized when full. It is typically installed under the sink in the kitchen. Many tanks also come with a faucet that is mounted under the sink to meet plumbing regulations and match your kitchen décor. The faucet can be air gap or non-air gap, depending on your needs and local plumbing codes.
The water that is stored in the tank gets rerouted to your drinking water faucet when you turn on the RO system. This water then passes through the post-filters to polish and remove any remaining tastes or odors before flowing into your glass.
It is important to have a minimum of 50 psi of water pressure running through the system to ensure optimal performance and keep the water pressure in your RO tank high. If your tank loses its pressure, it will refill much slower and shut off earlier than it should. Adding a booster pump to your system can help to increase the feed pressure and keep your RO tank pressurized longer.
Faucet Dispenser
A reverse osmosis system is capable of removing hard-to-remove contaminants that can affect the taste and healthiness of drinking water. These include nitrates, pesticides, sulfates, fluoride, bacteria, pharmaceuticals and arsenic. It also reduces excess chemicals used by municipal centers to treat your water.
An RO system works using pressure to overcome the natural osmotic process, Filling Machine Supplier forcing feedwater with dissolved salts and other impurities through a semipermeable membrane. This creates a stream of treated drinking water, called permeate, and a separate stream of reject water, known as brine. The contaminated water is flushed down the drain while the clean water flows into your storage tank.
After filtration, the storage tank is filled up and water is automatically turned off. If your system is plumbed for it, you can add a permeate pump to boost performance and efficiency. It can decrease the amount of waste water produced by an RO system by up to 75 to 80% and help you use that rejected water for gardening or artificial lakes.
To make the most of your RO system, look for a model with an inline carbon filter to remove chlorine and chloramines. This can extend the life of your system’s membrane and improve the taste and smell of your water. A postfilter is optional as well, but it can further polish your drinking water and eliminate any lingering odors and tastes.
