What is Reverse Osmosis? How does it work?

Today, water quality is one of the most important factors for healthy living. Minerals or harmful microorganisms in the water coming from the taps can directly affect human health.

At this point, different treatment methods come into play. One of the most prominent systems among the methods is reverse osmosis technology. Reverse osmosis technology is one of the safest and preferred technologies in modernwater treatment devices.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

In the natural cycle of water, molecules always move from the region of low density to the region of high density. This is called osmosis. If pressure is applied to reverse this process, this process is called reverse osmosis. In reverse osmosis, water molecules are passed through a semi-permeable membrane with the help of high pressure and unwanted substances remain behind that membrane.

The semipermeable membrane in theosmosis filtersystems used today has very small pores. Only water molecules can pass through these pores. Larger sized bacteria, heavy metals or chemical residues are filtered out. For this reason, reverse osmosis stands out as one of the most efficient methods especially in drinking water treatment.

The advantage of reverse osmosis systems is not only limited to separating harmful substances. It also contributes to obtaining cleaner and clearer water by eliminating turbidity, bad taste or odour in the water. Therefore, when one wonders “What is reverse osmosis?“, it is seen that this system is a critical system in terms of both health and comfort.

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?

The main purpose of the reverse osmosis system is to pass water molecules through filters with the help of high pressure. There are several stages during this process. Firstly, pre-filters are activated. The task of the pre-filters is to reduce large particles, chlorine and harmful chemicals in the water. Then the water passes through the semi-permeable membrane and is purified on a micro scale.

The filters used distinguish different substances. Carbon filters remove chlorine and organic compounds, while sediment filters retain large particles such as sediment and rust.

In the last stage, water molecules pass through the membrane membrane and become purified on a micro scale. During this process, a large amount of contaminated water accumulates on the other side of the membrane and is directed to the waste line.

The water obtained by reverse osmosis is of high quality. However, in order to maintain this quality, the system should be regularly maintained andosmosis filtermembranes should be replaced on time. Otherwise, both performance decreases and water quality may deteriorate. Therefore, the maintenance process is of great importance for the correct operation of the system.

How is Reverse Osmosis Working Principle?

From a scientific point of view, the working principle of reverse osmosis is simple but effective. In the normal process of osmosis, solvent molecules pass from a low-density solution to a high-density solution. However, in reverse osmosis, this natural process is reversed by applying external pressure. At this point, the pressure used must be higher than the osmotic pressure of the solution.

The pores on the membrane are only 0.0001 microns in size. This size is too small for bacteria, viruses and many harmful substances to pass through. Only water is allowed to pass at the molecular level. Therefore,reverse osmosissystems stand out as one of the reliable treatment methods.

Water purified using reverse osmosis is as pure as possible. Therefore, it can be used both for drinking and for industrial purposes. However, in order for the system to work in the most efficient way, regular tests must be carried out and it must be ensured that the membranes are not clogged.

What are Reverse Osmosis Systems?

There are many reverse osmosis systems designed for different usage areas. Domestic, industrial and commercial systems are the most well-known among these groups. While domestic systems are used in kitchens or small-scale areas, industrial systems are designed for larger areas.

Water purification devicesused in homes usually have several stages of filtration structure. Sediment, carbon and membrane filters are intended to make tap water drinkable. Commercial systems are designed to meet the need for large capacity in restaurants, hotels or offices.

In industrial systems, water is treated at much larger flow rates. Especially the quality of water used in food, textile or pharmaceutical industry is very important. For this reason, reverse osmosis technology is widely preferred on an industrial scale.

Where is Reverse Osmosis Used?

Reverse osmosis technology is preferred not only in homes but also in many different sectors. The most well-known area of use is the treatment of drinking water. However, it also plays a critical role in industry. High purity water is needed in food production, chemical industry or energy sector.

In addition, reverse osmosis systems are also used in hospitals and laboratories. The water used in these environments must be completely microbiologically clean. Likewise, these systems are used in agriculture to obtain quality water for irrigation purposes.

There are also portable systems used on ships, submarines or campsites. Thanks to these portable devices, it is possible to make even sea water drinkable. For this reason, reverse osmosis technology finds a wide range of uses.

What is the Difference Distinguishing Reverse Osmosis System from Others?

There are some fundamental differences that distinguish reverse osmosis technology from other methods. These differences are striking both technically and in terms of use:

• Thanks to membranes with very small pores, the vast majority of bacteria and viruses are removed.

• Heavy metals, chemicals and dissolved salts in the water are effectively removed.

• Aesthetically negative elements such as odour, taste and turbidity are eliminated.

• Reverse osmosis is highly efficient and with this system, pure water is obtained that can be used in different areas.

Thanks to these features, reverse osmosis has become a reliable solution for both individual and institutional use.

Which harmful substances does reverse osmosis remove from water?

One of the major advantages of a reverse osmosis system is that it can effectively remove harmful substances from the water. These harmful substances can be not only microbiological elements but also chemical and metallic compounds.

Among the substances separated from water are elements that are extremely dangerous for human health, such as lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride and mercury. In addition, chemicals such as pesticide residues and chlorine are also retained by these systems. In other words, reverse osmosis eliminates not only visible pollution but also threats at the molecular level.

For this reason,osmosis filtersystems are a great assurance especially for families with children or people with sensitive immune systems. Thanks to the membrane technology used, the quality of the water is guaranteed at every stage.

Is Water Treatment with Reverse Osmosis Safe?

Many people wonder about the reliability of reverse osmosis systems. Scientific studies show that the water obtained by this method is safe for drinking. The high protection promised by semi-permeable membranes prevents the passage of harmful microorganisms and toxic chemicals.

In order for the system to operate safely, it must be maintained regularly.When the filters become clogged over time, both the performance decreases and the treatment quality deteriorates. For this reason, it is of great importance to change the filters at the intervals specified by the manufacturer.

In terms of safety, reverse osmosis is one of the safest methods for water treatment. Reverse osmosis systems developed by Rainwater are among the solutions that guarantee high quality in this field.

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