RO Systems

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a process used to remove contaminants from water by pushing the water under pressure through a semipermeable membrane. This membrane allows water molecules to pass through while blocking larger contaminant molecules and ions. The membrane acts like an extremely fine filter, trapping the contaminants and allowing only purified water through to the other side.

Reverse osmosis systems apply external pressure to overcome the natural osmotic pressure which would otherwise drive the pure solvent back through the membrane, leaving the solute particles behind. The amount of pressure required depends on the osmotic pressure of the feed water, which is determined by the concentration of dissolved salts and other contaminants. The higher the concentration, the more pressure is needed to force the water through the membrane.

RO effectively removes particles, bacteria, and other impurities from water. It is used for desalination, wastewater treatment, industrial water treatment, and the production of purified drinking water. While highly effective at removing contaminants, reverse osmosis also removes beneficial minerals from water, so these may need to be added back in after treatment. Overall, RO is a crucial technology for obtaining clean, safe water from contaminated sources.