What Is a Reverse Osmosis System and How Does It Work?
Need to know what is a reverse osmosis system and how does it work? This post is exactly written for you. Below you will find what reverse osmosis systems are, how they are beneficial, and what they are used for. You will also find where to buy the best reverse osmosis systems on the market.
What is a Reverse Osmosis System?
A reverse osmosis system is a water purifier that that uses the reverse osmosis principle to purify contaminated water. It uses a prefilter to remove sediment and chlorine from water before forcing it through a semipermeable membrane to remove dissolved solids. Water exits the RO membrane and flows through a postfilter to polish the drinking water before entering a designated tap. Reverse osmosis systems have different stages based on the quantity of prefilters and postfilters. We shall discuss more about all these below.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Process Work?
In a natural process called osmosis, water moves through a membrane to balance the concentration of solutes on both sides. Reverse osmosis, however, works by applying pressure to the feed water, forcing it through the semipermeable membrane while blocking contaminants.
For instance, when pressure is applied to saltwater, the RO system allows only clean water to pass through, leaving the salt and other impurities behind. This process ensures that the water on the less concentrated side of the membrane is free from unwanted substances, making it safe for consumption and other uses.
How Does a Reverse Osmosis System Work?
A reverse osmosis system operates by utilizing semipermeable membranes with extremely small pores that trap contaminants while allowing water molecules to pass through. The process begins with a prefilter that removes larger particles like sediment and chlorine from the water. The water is then forced through the RO membrane, which removes dissolved solids and other impurities.
After passing through the membrane, the water goes through a postfilter to further polish it, ensuring high-quality drinking water. The purified water is then delivered to a dedicated faucet. Depending on the system, there can be multiple prefilters and postfilters to enhance the purification process, providing clean and safe water for various applications.
Stages of RO Systems
The reverse osmosis (RO) membrane is the heart of any RO system, but it’s not the only component working to purify your water. An RO system typically includes multiple stages of filtration, which can range from three to five stages. Each stage plays a crucial role in ensuring the water you drink is clean and safe.
Sediment Filter: The first line of defense in an RO system is usually the sediment filter. This filter is designed to capture and reduce larger particles such as dirt, dust, and rust. These particles, if not removed, can clog the more delicate filters that follow and reduce the overall efficiency of the system. By trapping these contaminants early, the sediment filter helps to protect the entire RO system and prolong its lifespan.
Carbon Filter: Following the sediment filter, the water typically passes through one or more carbon filters. These filters are essential for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorine, and other chemicals that can affect the taste and odor of your water. Chlorine, in particular, is commonly found in municipal water supplies and can be harmful to the RO membrane if not removed. The carbon filter ensures that these contaminants are effectively reduced, resulting in water that not only tastes better but is also safer to drink.
Semipermeable Membrane: The core component of the RO system is the semipermeable membrane. This membrane is incredibly effective at removing up to 98% of total dissolved solids (TDS) from the water. TDS includes a wide range of contaminants such as salts, minerals, and heavy metals. The membrane works by allowing only water molecules to pass through while blocking these larger contaminants. This stage is what gives RO systems their reputation for producing highly purified water.
Prefilters and Postfilters: Depending on the specific RO system, you may encounter additional prefilters and postfilters. Prefilters are used to treat the water before it reaches the RO membrane, ensuring that the membrane is not exposed to high levels of contaminants that could reduce its effectiveness. Postfilters, on the other hand, treat the water after it has passed through the RO membrane. These filters can further polish the water, removing any remaining tastes or odors and ensuring the highest quality of water output.
In summary, each stage of an RO system plays a vital role in the purification process. From the initial sediment filter that captures large particles to the carbon filters that remove chemicals and improve taste, and finally to the semipermeable membrane that eliminates the majority of dissolved solids, each component works together to provide you with clean, safe, and great-tasting water. Understanding these stages can help you appreciate the complexity and effectiveness of your RO system, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
What Does Reverse Osmosis Remove?
Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants from your water. The RO membrane filters out chlorine, salt, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and dissolved solids such as arsenic and fluoride. Additionally, RO systems include sediment and carbon filters that provide further purification.
The carbon filters remove chlorine, improve taste, and eliminate foul odors, while the sediment filter captures dirt and debris. Together, these components ensure that the water you drink is clean, safe, and great-tasting.
Reverse Osmosis Removes the Following Dissolved Substances from Water
- Fluoride
- Salt
- Sediment
- Chlorine
- Arsenic
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
- Microplastics
- Herbicides and Pesticides
- Heavy Metals
- Many Other Contaminants
These contaminants are among the most commonly treated by reverse osmosis (RO) systems. However, RO systems are capable of removing a wide array of other impurities as well, ensuring your water is as clean and safe as possible.
It’s important to note that while RO systems are highly effective, they do not remove all types of bacteria and viruses. If your water is sourced from a municipal treatment plant, it should already be microbiologically safe. Although RO systems may eliminate some bacteria, there is a risk that bacteria could grow on the membrane and potentially enter your water supply. To ensure the removal of living organisms and viruses, we recommend using UV disinfection in conjunction with your RO system.
What Pretreatment Does a Reverse Osmosis System Need?
Pretreatment is crucial for extending the life of a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, especially when dealing with poor water quality. When water contains certain minerals, bacteria, chemicals, or other substances, these contaminants can either absorb into or form deposits on the RO membrane.
This buildup is known as membrane fouling, while the formation of inorganic deposits is referred to as membrane scaling. To prevent these issues, it’s essential to remove contaminants before they reach the RO membrane.
Different contaminants require different pretreatment solutions, so it’s important to understand the composition of your water before selecting an appropriate pretreatment system. For instance, well water typically requires more thorough prefiltration compared to city-treated water.
How to Prevent Biofouling in a Reverse Osmosis System
Biofouling occurs when biological contaminants accumulate on an RO membrane. While city-treated water is generally free of microbiological contaminants unless a boil water advisory is issued, homeowners using well water should be particularly vigilant about biofouling. To combat biofouling, you need to eliminate the microorganisms that reach the membrane. The most effective method for preventing biofouling in an RO system is ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.
UV water disinfection systems use UV light to deactivate microorganisms, preventing bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other pathogens from reproducing. When installing a UV disinfection system, it’s important to include a sediment filter before the UV unit. Without a sediment filter, dirt, debris, and sediment particles can reduce the effectiveness of the UV system. For homes using well water, incorporating a UV system is essential to protect your family from waterborne illnesses.
How to Prevent Membrane Scaling in a Reverse Osmosis System
Membrane scaling in a reverse osmosis (RO) system can be effectively managed with a few pretreatment solutions. Two common residential pretreatment methods for addressing membrane scaling are water softeners and scale inhibitors.
Water Softeners
Water softeners work by exchanging sodium or potassium ions from a brine solution with calcium and magnesium ions found in hard water. This process is known as ion exchange. While hard water can be treated by an RO membrane, it significantly shortens the membrane’s lifespan. Therefore, using a water softener is the most efficient way to ensure you receive high-quality soft water from your RO system while extending the membrane’s life. Additionally, water softeners are a practical solution for preventing scale buildup in residential RO systems.
Scale Inhibitors
Scale inhibitors are chemicals added to the feed water entering an RO system. These chemicals increase the solubility of inorganic compounds in the water, allowing the system to operate at a higher production rate.
Scale inhibitors are particularly effective against the two most common inorganic salts found in water: calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate. They work across a wide pH range and are safe to handle and use. When using a scale inhibitor, it’s important to ensure that the feed water contains low levels of iron, a common contaminant in well water, as iron can reduce the effectiveness of the inhibitor.
Buy High Quality Reverse Osmosis Systems From Gditech
Are you in the market of a high quality, efficient, durable and cost friendly reverse osmosis water purifier? Gditech is the leading manufacturer and supplier of reverse osmosis water purifiers in Kenya. You can check our catalogue of reverse osmosis water purifiers to see which best suits your needs and budget.
To order one get in touch with us today via any of the means below:
- Phone Call: +254 715 01 45 10
- WhatsApp: +254 715 01 45 10
- Email: gditech2019@gmail.com, info@gditech.co.ke
- Fill out our Contact Us Form.
Visit Our Branches
For those who prefer a face-to-face interaction, we welcome you to visit our branches located strategically in Kenya:
- Ruiru Branch: Find us behind the Shell petrol station in Kihunguro, where our dedicated team is ready to assist you.
- Eldoret Branch: Visit our Eldoret branch us at Rehema Complex, opposite Japara Ltd., along Oloo Street in Eldoret. Our branch staff will provide you with personalized guidance and support.
| Notice:Gditech is a market leader in the automation and fabrication industry in Kenya. We expert in the manufacturing of reverse osmosis water purifiers also known as RO systems, cooking oil ATMs also known as salad ATMs, milk dispensers also known as milk ATMs, water refilling stations, cabinet water vending machines, commercial water purifiers, mama pima cooking oil dispensers, school reverse osmosis water purifiers, pasteurizers and milk chillers.
You can also visit our shop page to see all products and their prices. |
