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Reverse osmosis (RO) is a membrane-technology filtration method that removes many types of large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane. The result is that the solute is retained on the pressurized side of the membrane and the pure solvent is allowed to pass to the other side.
In the normal osmosis process, the solvent naturally moves from an area of low solute concentration (High Water Potential), through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration (Low Water Potential). The movement of a pure solvent to equalize solute concentrations on each side of a membrane generates osmotic pressure. Applying an external pressure to reverse the natural flow of pure solvent, thus, is reverse osmosis. The process is similar to other membrane technology applications. However, there are key differences between reverse osmosis and filtration. The predominant removal mechanism in membrane filtration is straining, or size exclusion, so the process can theoretically achieve perfect exclusion of particles regardless of operational parameters such as influent pressure and concentration.
Reverse osmosis, however, involves a diffusive mechanism so that separation efficiency is dependent on solute concentration, pressure, and water flux rate. Reverse osmosis is most commonly known for its use in drinking water purification from seawater, removing the salt and other substances from the water molecules.
The efficiency of a reverse osmosis water filter is affected by the water pressure coming into the system and the temperature of that water. Membranes are tested at 65 psi of pressure and temperature of 77 degrees. For each incremental change in either variable, membrane performance changes accordingly. Higher pressures increase production and vice versa. The optimal pressure is 65 PSI and temperature is 77°, as seen here on our reverse osmosis pressure/temperature chart.
Below is a simplified and exploded diagram of a typical 4-stage reverse osmosis system. The stages have been numbered and the arrows show the directional flow of the water as it moves through the system. A larger diagram of the membrane is featured at the bottom to show its many layers, the component of the system that makes it a 'reverse osmosis' system.
Melt Blown Polypropylene removes dirt, rust and sediment particles down to 5 microns. There are several different types of sediment cartridges.
Pleated filters feature increased surface area and longer life. These cartridges are washable and reusable.
Melt blown polypropylene filters are designed for the removal of dirt, rust and sediment from water. 5 and 20 micron are the most popular sizes for drinking water applications.
String wound filters are an inexpensive solution to your filtration needs. These cartridges come in a variety of media types and have a wide range of applications.
Coconut Shell Carbon Block Cartridge(s), 10 Micron removes chlorine, taste, odor and chemical contaminants.
Activated carbon block filters typically have a 0.5 to 10 micron filtration capability, making it also helpful for particulate filtration, removing taste and odor from chlorine, insoluble lead reduction, and demonstrating, in some cases, removal of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. A 5-stage reverse osmosis system has an third housing to hold an additional carbon block cartridge.
Thin Film Composite (TFC) rejects (removes) 95% of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) down to .0001 Microns.
Thin film composite membranes (TFC or TFM) are semi permeable membranes manufactured principally for use in water purification or water desalination systems. They also have use in chemical applications such as batteries and fuel cells.
Coconut Shell Activated Carbon is the final polishing filter after storage tank, just before you use the water.
Inline post filters typically clip onto the top of a reverse osmosis system's membrane housing. The post filter removes any chlorine or contaminants missed by the other cartridges or membrane.
These systems specialize in removing chlorine taste and odor, rust, sediment and also alleviate common worries about public water by reducing or completely removing arsenic, asbestos, chromium, fluoride, lead, mercury, VOCs, THMs, giardia and cryptosporidium. For a more expansive list, view our contaminants removed by reverse osmosis list or our thin-film membrane particle size removal chart above.
The following components make up your reverse osmosis system: