How does Reverse Osmosis work?

How is the Reverse Osmosis process?

  1. The first stage of the system includes a Sediment Filter, which is able to remove dirt, rust and small pebbles.
  2. The second stage is a Carbon Filter, which Activated Carbon and is able to remove Chlorine. The removal of Chlorine is essential in the system, as it wears down the RO Membrane.
  3. The next stage is the RO Membrane, this is a very thin and permeable membrane. It catches salts, heavy metals, bacteria and viruses. The importart part of the system is that contaminated and dirty water is washed down the drain, and the clean pure water continues along the filtration process.
  4. When water gets through the Membrane, at least 95% of its salt content is removed.
  5. Then, the filtered water is stored in a Tank until you access it using your faucet.
  6. It may be common to find another extra stage, which includes a second carbon filter, that ensures that your water is chemical free before it reaches you.

The entire process is controlled with a pump system. Feed water moves through the pump, which in turns operates the system and allows the water to flow through the various filters and chambers of the system.

What can Reverse Osmosis remove?

  1. Reverse Omosis filters more contaminants than any other type of filtration method. This means that RO will help you deal with any type of contaminant currently in your water supply even if you are not aware of what types of contaminants or chemicals are present in your water.
  2. Reverse Osmosis removes many kinds of bacteria and viruses that might be present in your water supply. Although it removes bacteria and viruses, you should not rely as the only filtration system for your water supply as it removes 99% of the pathogens. Therefore, a second filtration method would be required for viruses and bacteria correspondingly.
  3. Reverse Osmosis is very effective to remove dirt and sediments.
  4. Reverse Osmosis is highly efficient to remove salinity from your water. Today, salt content in your water supply is commonly high worldwide. So, if you want to get rid of dissolved salts, RO can remove up tp 99% of the salt content.
  5. Reverse Osmosis is particularly popular for its ability to remove heavy metals, such as iron, lead, arsenic and mercury. Also, one of its features is the removal of hard water, which includes chemicals such as Calcium and Magnesium.
  6. Reverse Osmosis, does not filter CO2 gases that might be present in your water.

 

 

 

 

Advantages

  1. Reverse osmosis water filtration can remove more contaminants than carbon filters or distilled water filters.
  2. RO filters can remove not only bacteria and viruses, but also dirt and other solid sediments, microbes, heavy metals, poisonous substances, chlorine, other chemicals, VOC’s and salt.
  3. Reverse osmosis may cost more to set up, but less to run over time. You’ll only have to worry about changing the filters once or twice a year in most situations.
  4. Other types of water filters may be cheaper initially, but will end up being more expensive in the long run. For example, using a carbon inline filter that for your refrigerator may only cost a small amount to get started with, but you’ll need to replace those carbon filters every month or so to keep your water fresh.
  5. Reverse osmosis water has a different taste compared to a  common carbon filtered water. Some people like the taste a lot better, while others prefer the taste of carbon filtered water. This is because carbon filtration only gets rid of chlorine, it doesn’t remove all the other contaminants that may be present, including salt and minerals.
  6. RO filtration, however, removes it all, and may create water that doesn’t taste very much like its original source.
  7. If you are concerned about the taste, you can purchase an Akaline or Mineralising filter that adds calcium and magnesium back into the water to give it a better flavor and make it healthier for drinking, too.
  8. Reverse osmosis filter systems do not require electricity.

Disadvantages

  1.  Removes important minerals from the water
  2. Most reverse Osmosis filters are very expensive.
  3. RO water has a different taste as it removes salts and mineral from your water.
  4. Some people dislike the taste of RO filtered water.
  5. Reverse osmosis may waste more water than other types of filtration. An RO filter operates by flushing itself with water and keeping water running throughout the process of filling the tank.
  6. Also, contaminated water is usually washed away at the end of the filtration process, unless you have an RO filter that recycles it in some way.
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