RO Water Treatment Series

Reverse osmosis can make bottled water-quality hydration available in your home. It removes many contaminants to provide a safer and healthier alternative to bottled drinks.

RO can be combined with deionization to produce water that meets USP standards for parenteral solutions. This process reduces treatment costs and extends membrane life.

Reverse Osmosis Membrane

Reverse Osmosis Membrane is an ultra-filtration technology that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants from water. When high pressure is applied to the water, the molecules move through the membrane and leave behind dissolved impurities in a reject stream that is collected at a drain. Reverse Osmosis systems are highly efficient and cost effective compared to other filtration technologies, especially when used in large scale applications.

Reverse osmosis produces the best quality of water for a wide variety of industrial and residential applications including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, metal finishing, and semiconductor manufacturing. The process does not require chemical treatment and is considered one of the greenest solutions for industrial wastewater treatment.

An RO System requires a prefiltration stage that includes a carbon filter and sediment filter to prevent any clogging in the RO membrane. After the prefiltration, water goes through the reverse osmosis membrane. The membrane is designed to allow only certain molecules through and will reject ions, salts, organics, and other contaminants from passing through.

The membrane is also capable of removing carbon dioxide gas from the permeate water. This can be accomplished by injecting caustic between the first and second pass of the membranes. The caustic increases the pH of the first pass and converts CO2 to bicarbonate and carbonate that will be rejected more efficiently in the second pass by the RO membranes.

Pre-Filter

A pre-filter, also known as a sediment filter or sand filter, helps prevent clogging of the primary filtration system. It works by catching large particles of suspended RO Water treatment series matter such as sand, silt and rust before they reach the filter membrane. Pre-filters can be made of mesh, nylon fiber or honeycomb material and are easy to clean. They are often combined with carbon or HEPA filters.

A primary benefit of a pre-filter is that it can extend the life of the main filter. This means that you will have to replace your filter less frequently, saving money on maintenance and replacement costs. It also improves air quality by reducing dust and pollutants.

In addition, it can also reduce unpleasant colors and odors in water by removing impurities such as silt, sand and rust. A pre-filter can help protect the filtration system from premature degradation by preventing the growth of bacteria, algae and fungi that may otherwise damage the membrane.

It is advisable to change your pre-filter at least once a month, or more frequently if it has a lot of sediment. This is especially important if you live in an area with muddy water. If you have a washable pre-filter, you can usually simply shake it off or vacuum it. However, you should not wash a pre-filter that is glued or combined with a carbon or HEPA filter, as this will harm the filtration process.

Post-Filter

The post-filter acts as a polishing stage to remove any other impurities that may have made it through the other filtration stages. This includes chlorine, odors and organic chemicals. It also helps to reduce any dissolved iron or nitrate. This is a great way to make sure your water is clean and pure.

This filter is a must for homes with tankless water heaters. It helps to prevent clogged showerheads and faucets by removing sand, dirt and other debris from the water before it comes out of your water heater. The filtration system also reduces the amount of sediment that is produced during heating.

This carbon post-filter is made with high-quality activated carbon to help reduce odors and chlorinated taste from tap water. It works as a polishing stage for your reverse osmosis filtration system to ensure you have healthy and great tasting drinking water. This filter is compatible with Watts Premier RO Pure, Zero Pure and RO Pure Plus Reverse Osmosis systems. It should be replaced every 6 months or every 25,000 gallons.

Storage Tank

The RO water produced is stored in a tank until it is needed. This allows the reverse osmosis system to run at reduced speed, saving energy. It also reduces waste water and chemical consumption. In addition, it provides instant access to clean, pressurized water without the need for a wait. The tank is typically made from stainless steel or butyl and is sized based on the needs of the application.

Many RO systems have tanks that are oversized for the system’s intended use. This can lead to a lack of production. It is important to find a system that includes a pressure gauge to keep track of the tank’s actual capacity and ensure it is not overflowing. It is also important to note that most manufacturers’ gallons per day (GPD) datasheets are based on testing performed under ideal conditions. This includes 77 degree Fahrenheit and 60 psi water pressure.

Reverse Osmosis is often used in the dairy industry to concentrate fruit juices, such as orange and tomato, without the need for heat-treatment that would destroy their taste and texture. It is RO Water treatment series also used to concentrate whey protein powders and milk concentrate.

A newer, low-pressure multistage RO technology called Low Pressure High Recovery RO or LPHR is also used to purify aqueous solutions such as landfill leachate and seawater. This technology increases membrane life by recirculating the same solution over it more than once.