Clean drinking water is essential for health and safety. Tap water often contains contaminants that can affect your health in the long run. This makes it crucial to use water purification methods to remove impurities.
While there are many ways to treat water like mechanical and carbon filtration, one of the most effective methods growing in popularity today is reverse osmosis (RO).
In this blog, we’ll explore reverse osmosis in detail, its science, components, and why it’s becoming a top choice for home water filtration.
The science behind reverse osmosis
Before diving into reverse osmosis, let’s understand osmosis itself. How does reverse osmosis work?
Osmosis is a natural process where water moves from an area with fewer dissolved substances (like salt or minerals) to an area with more dissolved substances through a semipermeable membrane.
Reverse osmosis does the opposite. By applying pressure, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane. The holes of the membrane are so small that the water passes through it very slowly and leaves even small particles behind.
This process allows clean water to pass through while leaving behind contaminants like dissolved salts, chemicals, and heavy metals.
The key component of reverse osmosis is the semipermeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger contaminants.
The pressure applied in the reverse osmosis system pushes water through the membrane, effectively filtering out harmful substances and producing purified water.
Components of a reverse osmosis system
So, what is reverse osmosis? A reverse osmosis system has several key components that work together to deliver clean drinking water.
Pre-filters
Before the water reaches the RO membrane, it passes through pre-filters. These filters include sediment and carbon filters that remove larger particles like sand, rust, dirt, and chlorine.
By doing this, pre-filters protect the reverse osmosis membrane from damage and extend its lifespan.
Reverse osmosis membrane
The reverse osmosis membrane is the core of the system. This membrane filters out dissolved solids, such as salts, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals, by allowing only water molecules to pass through.
It’s highly effective at removing contaminants that many other filtration systems cannot.
Post-filters
Once water has passed through the RO membrane, it often goes through post-filters, typically carbon filters or mineralizing cartridges. These filters refine the water’s taste and remove any remaining odors, ensuring the final product is not only clean but also enjoyable to drink.
Storage tank
Since the reverse osmosis process can take time, purified water is stored in a pressurized tank. This ensures that you have access to filtered water whenever you need it, without waiting for the filtration process to complete each time you turn on the faucet.
However, there is a new technology that features direct flow without a tank. Check it out:
A dedicated faucet is installed to deliver the purified reverse osmosis water, separate from your regular tap. This ensures that only filtered water is dispensed for drinking and cooking.
The reverse osmosis filtration process
So, what is a reverse osmosis filter? Let’s break down the steps in the reverse osmosis filtration process to help you understand it better.
Stage 1: pre-filtration
The first stage involves sediment and carbon pre-filters that remove large particles like sand, dirt, and chlorine. This step protects the delicate reverse osmosis membrane from being clogged or damaged.
Stage 2: reverse osmosis membrane
During this stage, the RO membrane filters out up to 99% of dissolved solids, such as salts, heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), and chemicals (nitrates, fluoride, and pesticides). This is the most critical step in the process, where the majority of contaminants are removed.
Stage 3: post-filtration
After the RO membrane, the water passes through post-filters that improve taste and remove any remaining odors. These final filters ensure that your water is not only safe to drink but also refreshing and pleasant.
Stage 4: Re-mineralizing
Some reverse osmosis systems have a re-mineralizing stage. Since RO water can remove beneficial minerals along with contaminants, this stage adds essential minerals like calcium and magnesium back into the water for better taste and health benefits.
Waste water
A small amount of wastewater is produced during the reverse osmosis process, as contaminants are flushed away. It’s important to have a drain nearby to properly dispose of this water.
While RO systems are efficient, it’s worth noting that more advanced models can reduce the amount of water waste. Our osmosis systems are designed to be environmentally friendly and waste less water during the process.
Common contaminants removed by reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis is highly effective compared to other filters because it can remove a wide range of contaminants, including:
Heavy metals: Lead, mercury, arsenic, and other harmful metals that can leach into water from old pipes.
Minerals and salts: Reverse osmosis reduces dissolved salts and minerals, preventing scale buildup and improving water taste.
Chemicals: RO systems filter out chemicals like fluoride, nitrates, and pesticides, which are harmful when ingested over long periods.
Microorganisms: RO can remove many bacteria and viruses, though UV filters are sometimes added for enhanced disinfection. It’s important to note that while RO is effective, it may not eliminate 100% of microorganisms without additional filtration depending on how dirty the water is
Differentiation Between Reverse Osmosis Systems
Not all reverse osmosis systems are the same. There are several variations:
With or without pump: Some RO systems come with a booster pump, which helps maintain water pressure for faster filtration. This is especially useful in homes with low water pressure. If you live on the 5th floor of a building or higher, you probably need one with a pump.
With or without tank: Tankless RO systems save space and offer continuous filtration, while systems with tanks store purified water for later use. Tankless options give more fresh water that is a bit colder, while with tanked filters, the water sits in the tank until used.
Faucet type: There are various faucet options, including single-way, double-sided, and even digital faucets for precise control.
Environmentally friendly: Some RO systems are designed to waste less water, making them more environmentally friendly and reducing the impact on water consumption.
Meet our arsenal of reverse osmosis filters
At Aqua Standard, we offer a range of high-quality Ecosoft reverse osmosis systems that cater to different needs and household sizes. Check out our RO filters to find the best one for your home.
Reverse osmosis is one of the most advanced and effective water filtration methods available today. By removing harmful contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms, Ecosoft RO systems ensure that your family has access to clean, safe water.
Investing in an RO system for your home is a long-term solution for better health and well-being.
Ready to make the switch to clean, purified water? Request a free consultation with Aqua Standard and let us help you find the perfect reverse osmosis system for your home.
Water almost never comes in H2O form. In reality, it contains many other compounds like minerals, contaminants, and more. Since none of us would survive more than 3-4 days without water, it’s important to care about the quality of the water we drink.
Thinking of installing a water filter in your home in Yerevan? As the leading water filtration brand in Armenia, let us tell you about prices, benefits, & more.
Water almost never comes in H2O format, this means that it comes with many different minerals, levels of chlorine, bacteria and so on. Each type of contaminant requires a different type of filtration. Aqua Standard is committed to providing high-quality water filtration solutions to ensure you have access to safe and clean water. Domestic water …
Water is the essence of life. It sustains us, refreshes us, and keeps our bodies in balance. There’s something almost magical about water—how it nourishes our every cell and supports life in every corner of the world. Yet, the quality of the water we drink plays a crucial role in whether it truly supports our …
What is reverse osmosis and how does it work?
Clean drinking water is essential for health and safety. Tap water often contains contaminants that can affect your health in the long run. This makes it crucial to use water purification methods to remove impurities.
While there are many ways to treat water like mechanical and carbon filtration, one of the most effective methods growing in popularity today is reverse osmosis (RO).
In this blog, we’ll explore reverse osmosis in detail, its science, components, and why it’s becoming a top choice for home water filtration.
The science behind reverse osmosis
Before diving into reverse osmosis, let’s understand osmosis itself. How does reverse osmosis work?
Osmosis is a natural process where water moves from an area with fewer dissolved substances (like salt or minerals) to an area with more dissolved substances through a semipermeable membrane.
Reverse osmosis does the opposite. By applying pressure, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane. The holes of the membrane are so small that the water passes through it very slowly and leaves even small particles behind.
This process allows clean water to pass through while leaving behind contaminants like dissolved salts, chemicals, and heavy metals.
The key component of reverse osmosis is the semipermeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger contaminants.
The pressure applied in the reverse osmosis system pushes water through the membrane, effectively filtering out harmful substances and producing purified water.
Components of a reverse osmosis system
So, what is reverse osmosis? A reverse osmosis system has several key components that work together to deliver clean drinking water.
Pre-filters
Before the water reaches the RO membrane, it passes through pre-filters. These filters include sediment and carbon filters that remove larger particles like sand, rust, dirt, and chlorine.
By doing this, pre-filters protect the reverse osmosis membrane from damage and extend its lifespan.
Reverse osmosis membrane
The reverse osmosis membrane is the core of the system. This membrane filters out dissolved solids, such as salts, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals, by allowing only water molecules to pass through.
It’s highly effective at removing contaminants that many other filtration systems cannot.
Post-filters
Once water has passed through the RO membrane, it often goes through post-filters, typically carbon filters or mineralizing cartridges. These filters refine the water’s taste and remove any remaining odors, ensuring the final product is not only clean but also enjoyable to drink.
Storage tank
Since the reverse osmosis process can take time, purified water is stored in a pressurized tank. This ensures that you have access to filtered water whenever you need it, without waiting for the filtration process to complete each time you turn on the faucet.
However, there is a new technology that features direct flow without a tank. Check it out:
Reverse Osmosis Robust 1000 mini (direct flow)
Faucet
A dedicated faucet is installed to deliver the purified reverse osmosis water, separate from your regular tap. This ensures that only filtered water is dispensed for drinking and cooking.
The reverse osmosis filtration process
So, what is a reverse osmosis filter? Let’s break down the steps in the reverse osmosis filtration process to help you understand it better.
Stage 1: pre-filtration
The first stage involves sediment and carbon pre-filters that remove large particles like sand, dirt, and chlorine. This step protects the delicate reverse osmosis membrane from being clogged or damaged.
Stage 2: reverse osmosis membrane
During this stage, the RO membrane filters out up to 99% of dissolved solids, such as salts, heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), and chemicals (nitrates, fluoride, and pesticides). This is the most critical step in the process, where the majority of contaminants are removed.
Stage 3: post-filtration
After the RO membrane, the water passes through post-filters that improve taste and remove any remaining odors. These final filters ensure that your water is not only safe to drink but also refreshing and pleasant.
Stage 4: Re-mineralizing
Some reverse osmosis systems have a re-mineralizing stage. Since RO water can remove beneficial minerals along with contaminants, this stage adds essential minerals like calcium and magnesium back into the water for better taste and health benefits.
Waste water
A small amount of wastewater is produced during the reverse osmosis process, as contaminants are flushed away. It’s important to have a drain nearby to properly dispose of this water.
While RO systems are efficient, it’s worth noting that more advanced models can reduce the amount of water waste. Our osmosis systems are designed to be environmentally friendly and waste less water during the process.
Common contaminants removed by reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis is highly effective compared to other filters because it can remove a wide range of contaminants, including:
Differentiation Between Reverse Osmosis Systems
Not all reverse osmosis systems are the same. There are several variations:
Meet our arsenal of reverse osmosis filters
At Aqua Standard, we offer a range of high-quality Ecosoft reverse osmosis systems that cater to different needs and household sizes. Check out our RO filters to find the best one for your home.
Industrial Reverse Osmosis
R.O. Ecosoft Standard
P’URE BALANCE Alkafuse Reverse Osmosis Filter
P’URE BALANCE Reverse Osmosis Filter
Robust 3000
Robust Pro
Robust 1000
Reverse Osmosis Robust 1000 mini (direct flow)
Conclusion
Reverse osmosis is one of the most advanced and effective water filtration methods available today. By removing harmful contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms, Ecosoft RO systems ensure that your family has access to clean, safe water.
Investing in an RO system for your home is a long-term solution for better health and well-being.
Ready to make the switch to clean, purified water? Request a free consultation with Aqua Standard and let us help you find the perfect reverse osmosis system for your home.
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