What Is A Reverse Osmosis System?
A Reverse Osmosis system, also known as an (RO) system, is a water purification system, which uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove any unwanted contaminants and molecules. You probably remember hearing about osmosis in your science lessons, where water migrates from the weak solution to the strong solution, until both sides of the membrane are equal.
But, reverse osmosis takes a slightly different approach. By adding pressure to the stronger solution, water will migrate through the semipermeable membrane, away from any dissolved solids. This process of reverse osmosis is then used for separating salts and other molecules in water systems. The results of osmosis are more effective than using water cartridges and other filters, rejecting up to 98% of dissolved contaminants in water.
How Does It Work?
As we’ve just mentioned, regular osmosis means that water becomes more concentrated until there is an equilibrium of concentration on either side. Reverse osmosis, however, blocks these contaminants from entering the less concentrated side of the membrane. When pressure is applied to the volume of concentrated water, only the clean water flows through the membrane, free of most contaminants.
When it comes to water purification systems, reverse osmosis removes sediment and chlorine from water with a pre-filter, before the water is then pushed through a semipermeable membrane. After the water has passed through the semipermeable membrane, it then goes through a post-filter, before the drinking water can enter the faucet. Reverse osmosis systems can have various stages, depending on the number of pre and post filters in the filtration system.
Stages Of Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Systems
The reverse osmosis membrane is the main point of the water purification system, but the entire system also contains other areas of filtration. They can include from 3-5 stages of filtration. Each system will contain one or more of the following:
- Sediment filters – Removes particles such as dirt, dust or rust from water systems
- Carbon filters – Reduces VOCs (volatile organic compounds), chlorine and other contaminants that impact the taste of your drinking water
- Semipermeable membrane – Removes up to 98% of total dissolved solids
Let’s look at the stages of reverse osmosis system in more depth:
Water first entering the system will go through pre-filtration, which uses a carbon filter and sediment filter to remove any contaminants that might block the membrane.
Then, water will flow through the membrane, where small, dissolved particles are removed from the water.
After this filtration, water flows to the storage tank, where it is stored until it’s needed. A reverse osmosis filter continues to keep the water filtered until the tank is full, before shutting off.
