What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration System is one of the most effective water filtration methods available and it is simply the process of osmosis in reverse. While osmosis does not require energy to occur, Reverse Osmosis would require energy to complete the process. In reverse osmosis, there is a semi-permeable membrane that forces water through while leaving out contaminants like dissolved salts, organics, bacteria, pyrogens, and more.

Reverse Osmosis System makes desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater, possible. It also helps to remove up to 92% of contaminants from the water supply. With this, you can save money from buying bottled water, when you can simply have a reverse osmosis filter system in your home that works. This would help improve health and the quality of life and also prevent damage to some appliances in the home.

Stages of How RO Systems Work

Reverse Osmosis systems simply work by increasing pressure as you push the water through, which locks contaminants out. The amount of pressure required is proportional to the number of contaminants in the water. The contaminants that could not pass through the reverse osmosis semi-permeable membrane is called the Reject Stream.

Below is a breakdown of the stages involved in a reverse osmosis system:

Stage 1: Pre-filtration

The first stage is the pre-filtration which could either be the sediment pre-filter or the carbon filter. While the sediment pre-filter helps screen out dirt, sand, dust, and other contaminants. An activated carbon pre-filter helps reduce elements, like chlorine, that gives the water offensive taste and smell. This stage helps conserve the membrane, to prevent it from getting clogged by too many contaminants.

Stage 2: The Reverse Osmosis Membrane

The Reverse Osmosis semi-permeable membrane works with pressure to force out clean water while leaving the particles as a reject stream. This membrane filters out dissolved substances including radium, lead, arsenic, copper, nitrate and more.

Stages 3 & 4: Post Filtration and Final Polish

This stage involves the second carbon filter that polishes the water by removing any remaining contaminants to ensure the water is ready for drinking. After this stage, the water moves to a storage tank until you are ready to drink. There is also an in-line activated carbon that does the final polishing as the water comes out for you to drink. This removes any unpleasant odour or taste still lingering and ensures the water is crystal clear.

Conclusion

While the Reverse Osmosis filter system is guaranteed to keep the water in your home crystal clear, it also depends on how hard the water is. This explains why it’s best to use good water for Reverse Osmosis, as hard water might be difficult to cleanse thoroughly. Hard water could go through other water solutions before Reverse Osmosis filter system is introduced, in order to get the best effect.