Reverse Osmosis System

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a method to filter large molecules and ions by means of application of pressure to the material, usually a solution, placed on one side of a selective membrane. The result of this process is that a solute remains on the pressurized side of the selective membrane while the solvent passes the selective membrane. The term selective membrane means that the material used should filter or not permit such large molecules or ions through it, but only the smaller ones to flow freely to the other side of it. Such membrane is porous but its pores are tiny to allow only the desired molecules.

The most common application of reverse osmosis is for purification of drinking water. As for example, seawater is filtered by removing the salt and other substances and the remaining product is water itself. This is actually the reverse process of osmosis. Osmosis is the process wherein solvent flows by diffusion through some semipermeable membrane from a lesser concentration to greater concentration until the concentration is balanced. The contrary process is referred to as reverse osmosis or the flowing of solvent from more concentration to lesser one. This reverse process cannot be done without the application of external pressure.

Reverse osmosis can be likened to membrane filtration with only few distinctions. In membrane filtration, the most common mechanism for filtration is straining or excluding particles of unwanted size regardless of other parameters like flowing pressure and concentration of the solution. On the other hand, reverse osmosis employs a diffusive process that ensures that the separation of unwanted molecules is effectively filtered and dependent on the solute concentration, the rate of water flux, and pressure.

Reverse Osmosis Filter and Filtration

In reverse osmosis, the filter employed is commonly composed of a material which is polyamide-based and has a relatively small pore size and biologically and chemically immune to tearing apart. The major advantage of reverse osmosis process is that the small pores act to restrict almost all organic matter like bacteria from flowing to the filtered and finished product. Reverse osmosis is likewise efficient in filtering inorganic salts and minerals leaving the finished product to be free of pathogens that causes waterborne diseases.

With the known advantages and benefits of reverse osmosis, this process, however, admits of some disadvantages. One is that small molecules may be able to pass through the relatively small pores with water. These small molecules may be of harmful component like chlorine, pesticides or herbicides. In order to remedy this, a second filter is necessary. This second filter may be carbon filter as said filter is effective in removing chlorine, pesticides, or herbicide residues. Reverse osmosis at the first stage and carbon filtering at the second stage provide a clean and safe drinking water.

Home Reverse Osmosis Background Info

Reverse osmosis systems are available whether for residential or commercial use. Residential systems vary in quality and cost as compared to the industrial systems. Provided herein are the tips before one should consider buying one. Reverse osmosis process produces large amount of waste water and may add stress to sewerage systems. Such waste water must also be addressed properly as they contain the contaminants filtered by the system and may provide environmental issues. There are attempts to reclaim the waste water but futile. Such waste water should not also be used to water gardens as the contaminants may be absorbed by the vegetables and end up into our bodies once ingested.

Reverse osmosis systems for industrial applications, however, produce less wastewater. The downside of this is that the efficiency of the system is compromised and contaminants may be passed on to the drinking water. Also, the filters cannot remove chemical compounds like chlorine or THMs. Various samples from food and drinks globally show some contaminants that are not removed by the filter. This is now the growing concern of most homeowners.

Due to the same disadvantages of residential and industrial filtering methods, bottled water may not be as clean as that with the by-product of a well-designed home water purification system.

With carbon filtering along with reverse osmosis filtering, harmful chemicals can be removed. These harmful chemicals attaches to the granules or solid blocks of carbon. Also, elements like lead and copper residues are also filtered by the carbon blocks. Using sub-micron filters, parasitic cysts can be filtered. Such filter systems are available and affordable now for household consumers. In contrast with industrial reverse osmosis, household water purification system are noiseless and takes less space.

Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment/Advantages & Disadvantages

In ancient times, people don’t need to filter their drinking water. This is due to less pollution and less population. Now that industries are common, pollutants are present in the air, land, and water. These pollutants and waste materials contaminate the source of drinking water. With such problem, it is imperative that water undergoes purification and filtering before making it available for drinking purposes. A filtering technique which is quite common in household is that which is attached directly to the nozzle of faucets to filter sand and other large particles. Another is the reverse osmosis filter. This kind of filter removes minerals from water. In addition to minerals, harmful elements like arsenic and lead are also removed.

However, there is a need to replace constantly the filter in order not to affect the water quality. There are, however, some disadvantages. Filtered water has a flat taste because the minerals in it are removed. Also, the process wastes a large amount of water. As for example, in order to achieve a gallon of clean water as by-product, there are about three to nine gallons of water that must end up wasted in the process. This poses an environmental concern as most water is wasted and such waste water is already contaminated to be recycled or reusing such would be a high risk to health. Another downside is that the filtering process consumes a lot of time. With very little output or product, and a large volume of wasted water, many are thinking of other alternative or process to have clean drinking water.

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