Osmosis is What is reverse osmosis?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Osmotic processes are based on the natural ability of a solvent to move from a concentrated environment, leaving foreign mineral particles. The delay of the latter is facilitated by semi-permeable membranes and pressure, under the force of which diffusion (flow) occurs. In the usual sense, osmosis is a filtration that provides water purification. For a visual representation of this process, you can refer to the technologies of desalination and water sterilization.

Obtaining a clean liquid occurs as a result of its natural passage through special barriers, behind which unwanted trace elements remain. On marine vessels, a reverse osmosis system removes s alt from the water. In industry and medicine, as a rule, careful processing of aqueous media is required to obtain certain formulations.

Reverse osmosis

From the point of view of the cleaning function, it is advisable to use reverse osmosis. Scientists have long discovered the ability of multicellular organisms to pass or retain water. Each cell has membranes that act as filters that allow the passage of water, but leave solid and semi-dissolved elements. During these processesmetabolism is carried out - useful ones remain in the body, and toxins with slags, on the contrary, are excreted. It is worth noting that osmosis is a natural procedure, but pressure is often applied to achieve better cleaning results.

So, in the case of water, a semi-permeable membrane will ensure the passage of H2O and the retention of elements dissolved in it only until equilibrium with a concentrated medium is reached. It is important to note here that osmosis is also direct diffusion, which can be spoken of when the force of natural pressure begins to exceed hydraulic pressure.

Reverse osmosis membranes

Synthetic polymers are used in the manufacture of osmosis membranes. The main task of such elements is to create a barrier for high-molecular pollutants, while ensuring the passage of low-molecular substances, including oxygen, carbon dioxide and chlorine.

Reverse osmosis systems built on polymer membranes help to separate clean liquid from impurities. Unlike other modern filtration methods, osmosis involves the presence of water on both sides of the filtration component. However, on the one hand, there is permeate (pure water), and on the other, a liquid with impurities, which may include s alts, colloids, microorganisms, and various organics.

Osmosis membrane productivity

Artificial reverse osmosis process, in terms of its efficiency, is capable of processing an average of 20% of the totalwater. However, some high-tech installations bring this figure up to 80%. Another thing is that these are mostly highly specialized osmotic filters that are inaccessible to the mass consumer. Nevertheless, the reverse osmosis system is currently considered one of the most high-quality and promising technologies that allow you to purify water of any quality.

Prefilters

As a rule, reverse osmosis systems include several stages of filtration. The pre-filter becomes the initial barrier to contaminants and impurities in the water. Its task is not so much to prepare water for domestic needs, but to primarily purify it from elements that can damage the membranes of the main filter. In particular, at this stage, the reverse osmosis system retains chlorine and other impurities that are undesirable for contact with the post-filter.

As a rule, carbon filters are used for initial cleaning - they are usually used in cartridge models. Carbon "drainage" rids the liquid of chlorine, which is harmful to the polymer membrane. That is, it is important to understand the importance of preparing the liquid, which will be further processed by osmosis. Water treatment - what is it from the point of view of the safety of filtration equipment? First of all, protection from chemical processes that destroy the structure of cleaning elements. Eliminating the same chlorine at the preliminary stage will significantly increase the durability of the system.

Post-filtration membranes

There are two types of membranes for basic filtration -flat and tubular. Flat models are film products with reinforcement or a base in the form of a substrate. For reverse osmosis, multilayer versions are usually used, where each film is designed for certain loads. The base layer of the membrane usually performs a strengthening or load-bearing task, the second is directly involved in filtration, and the final one provides external protection.

Tubular models - filters for water, the osmosis of which is provided by special fibers, have a diameter of up to 0.5 mm. The hollow structure of the fibers is considered the most effective in cleaning. Due to the small size of the membrane fibers, a significant working surface is provided. But the principle of thorough filtration naturally leads to a significant drawback - tubular membranes quickly become contaminated, requiring high-quality water treatment.

Installation and principle of operation of filters

To ensure durable and effective cleaning, appropriate installation of equipment is required, including the drawing up of a filter and pump connection diagram. As a rule, a reverse osmosis installation also involves the introduction of booster pumps, due to which artificial pressure is created. There are high and low pressure sensors.

Water enters the reverse osmosis plant directly from the water supply, after which it bypasses the treatment in pre-filters with coal. The pump is installed immediately after the pre-treatment filter, but before the membrane. Passing through the initial purification, water enters the inletpump unit. The output of this device is connected to a shut-off valve. On the other side of the valve, you need to connect a tube that goes to the clean water faucet and the membrane.

Producers and prices

To implement osmosis at home, having received the opportunity to use high-quality and clean water, both Russian filter manufacturers and foreign companies offer. In particular, the AquaFor and Geyser companies will make it possible to install reverse osmosis, the price of which varies from 8 to 14 thousand rubles. The difference of several thousand is due to the performance and functionality of the filters. For example, the Prestige MP model is the top of the Geyser line and allows water mineralization. Atoll is betting on improving the basic parameters of its models, offering the Patriot modification with 5-stage cleaning and a 12-liter tank for 8.5 thousand

Japanese developers also offer worthy options on the domestic market of membrane filters. For example, the Expert Osmos company in the budget line provides a functional reverse osmosis, the price of which is 9 thousand. By paying another 6 thousand, you can provide the house with the Praktic Osmos filtration system, which is also equipped with a pump, electronic control and automatic membrane flushing.

Pros and cons of reverse osmosis treatment

Reverse osmosis filters have no equal in terms of the quality of their main task. For example, alternative jug installations, even in the best modifications, are incomparable in terms of cleaning depth. Butit is this factor that raises doubts about the usefulness of membrane devices, since osmosis is a process by which water becomes completely distilled. True, many modern models allow you to control cleaning, while maintaining the mineralization of the liquid.

Among the disadvantages of reverse osmosis is the need to use complex equipment. Several filters, the presence of a tank and a branching system exclude the possibility of a compact installation of such systems. One way or another, reverse osmosis filtration, subject to development towards increased ergonomics, may well become the undisputed leader in the category of means of providing clean and he althy water.