Water that is purified through the process of reverse osmosis can be identified from the very first sip you take. It is so because this water tastes better and feels fresher compared to regular water. This process of purification is gaining popularity because not only does it eat better but also provides much healthy and clean water for you and your family to consume.
Reverse osmosis water purification brings us the water that nature intended for us to drink. This is not a very complicated process. Here we will discuss its functioning and why you should get a water purifier with reverse osmosis technology.
What Does Reverse Osmosis Mean?
Reverse osmosis is a process in which molecules passes through a semipermeable layer from a region of lower concentration to an area of higher level in a solution.
In nature, plants draw water from the soil through its roots. Reverse osmosis is the opposite of this process.
The Process Of Reverse Osmosis
Here, the molecules are forcibly made to go through a semipermeable layer to form a solution of low concentration. The sheet has tiny pores and acts as the filter here helps in clearing microscopic contaminants present in the water by straining. Purifiers that use reverse osmosis only lets the water molecules through the filtration layer and blocks all other contaminants which are then collected and flushed.
The Working Of This Filtration Process
There is a lot more to the process of reverse osmosis then what has been explained briefly above. When you look at an R.O. filter, you will find three canisters present of cylindrical shape. One is the filtration layer, and the other two are carbon filters. Let’s understand the stepwise working of these things.
Step 1
The function of the membrane or the filtration layer is to purify the water and get rid of the more abundant sediments along with some dissolved solids, and it helps in reducing the chlorine content. The cartridge at the initiation is called the sediment filter and is mainly used to save the membrane from getting clogged due to too much chlorine which is usually found in municipal water.
Reverse osmosis functions best when the filtration is initiated with clean water. If the water isn’t that clean, if it is more than 10 grains to a gallon then start with other water treatment solutions.
Having a water softener installed is recommended before you install an R.O. system. Hard water tends to ruin appliances, and that is why a water softener is recommended.
Step 2
Once you are done with the initial filtration, then comes the magic of an R.O. system. The water is forced through the membrane or the filtration layer under pressure. This filtration layer is made of synthetic material, mainly plastic, and it allows the water molecules to pass blocking all other bigger atoms of chlorine, calcium, sodium, urea, viruses, and bacteria.
Reverse osmosis water purifiers have proved to reduce the following elements in the filtered water.
● Arsenic
● Nitrites and nitrates
● Lead
● Chromium
● Fluoride
● Barium
● Cryptosporidium
● Selenium
● Cadmium
● Total dissolved solids
Some of the purifiers use Thin-film composite layers for filtration. Such coatings are resistant to breakdown that occurs due to bacteria build-up and have a 95%+ rejection rate. These layers are not chlorine resistant; hence, carbon pre-filters are required.
Step 3
The water goes through another carbon filter before it is ready to drink, here any other contaminants that are left behind are filtered if they somehow manage to slip past the filtration layer. The water is then stored in the storage area from where you pour it out for use.
And in the end, is the active carbon filter(inline) that give the water a final polish before it comes out of the faucet. This step removes any odor or flavor coming from the pipes or the storage tank. This last step ensures incredibly fresh water.
Is It What You Need?
Soft water is preferred for a lot of work, like laundry, cleaning, or showering. But some people don’t prefer to drink it. Hard water has a high number of total dissolved solids that affect the taste negatively. Here the hard minerals are restored with sodium, and there may be contaminants present in this water which a softener won’t remove.
This is where the reverse osmosis system comes into action. It removes sodium along with all other contaminants. Thus, making the R.O. system an ideal choice for your home. Other benefits of having an R.O. system at your home is better tasting beverages, clearer ice cubes, and better-tasting cooked food as well.
These systems are generally installed in basements or under kitchen sinks, and such clear water can be used for a lot of purposes.
