Reverse osmosis, also known as hyper filtration, is the finest means of filtration available today. RO is the most convenient and effective method of water filtration. Reverse Osmosis refers to the process of forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure.
Non-RO water filters are much less effective, and the pore size on these filter media are much bigger. They can filter out coarse particles, sediments and elements only up to their micron rating. Anything finer and most dissolved substances cannot be filtered out. As a result, water is far less clean and less safe compared to Reverse Osmosis filtration.
Actual process of the Home R.O. System:-
The raw tap water first flows through a micro particle filter to remove dirt, rust and other sediment. The water then flows into a carbon briquette cartridge filter which takes out 98%of the chlorine and organic chemicals. The next stage of the process is filter — micro sediment filter or block carbon filter to filter multi-chemical compounds and suspension. The reverse osmosis membrane will separate 95-99%of the dissolved contaminants from the water molecules. The contaminants are then washed down the drain. The next stage of the process is the small carbon filter removes the remaining traces of chemicals, taste and odors.
Reverse Osmosis differs from a Water Filter:-
Ordinary water filters use a screen to separate only particles of dirt sediment from water. Reverse osmosis employs a semi permeable membrane that removes not only particles but also an extremely high percentage of dissolved contaminants-molecule by molecule-from raw tap water.
The techniques of membrane filtration are clarified below :-
Microfiltration: Microfiltration is a membrane separation technique in which very fine particles or other suspended matters, with a particle size are separated from a liquid. It is capable of removing suspended solids, bacteria or other impurities. Microfiltration membranes have a nominal pore size of 0.2 microns.
Ultra filtration: Ultra filtration is a membrane separation technique in which very fine particles or other suspended matters, with a particle size in the range of 0.005 to 0.1 microns, are separated from a liquid. It is capable of removing salts, proteins and other impurities within its range. Ultra filtration membranes have a nominal pore size of 0.0025 to 0.1 microns.
Nano filtration: Nano filtration is a membrane separation technique in which very fine particles or other suspended matters, with a particle size in the range of approximately
0.0001 to 0.005 microns, are separated from a liquid. It is capable of removing viruses, pesticides and herbicides.
Reversed Osmosis (RO): Reversed Osmosis, or RO, is the finest available membrane separation technique. RO separates very fine particles or other suspended matters, with a particle size up to 0.001 microns, from a liquid. It is capable of removing metal ions and fully removing aqueous salts.