RO MEMBRANE & ITS PURPOSE

RO water plant has various filters that eliminate different types of impurities found in tap water through multiple stages of filtration. The most important of these filters is the RO membrane. This membrane is a thin, semi-permeable layer that has minute pores on it to allow only pure water to pass through it. The impure water on the other hand is released out of the water as reject water.

The input water is pushed through the RO membrane with a very high pressure. This high pressure ensures that only purified water passes through the membrane. RO membrane plays an important role in the water purification. 

• SWEETENS THE TASTE OF WATER BY REMOVING EXCESS TDS

Total dissolved solids (TDS) include a concentrated level of particles such as inorganic salts and compounds in the water. The presence of TDS in water alters its taste and makes it saltier. ROwater brings down the TDS in water by 90%, improving the taste of water and making it sweeter.

• REMOVES HARMFUL CHEMICALS AND DISEASE-CAUSING IMPURITIES

Harmful contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals may be naturally present in the water and drastically affect one’s health. These impurities can lead to various water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, etc. Hence, to avoid such illnesses, one must make sure that the water consumed is 100% safe and purified.

• SUITABLE TO PURIFY WATER FROM ALL SOURCES

RO is one of the most sophisticated water purification technologies. Whether your source of water is Ground Water/Bore well, Tank, or Municipal, RO water guarantees 100% safe and pure drinking water.

TIME TO CHANGE YOUR RO MEMBRANE

An insight to changing RO membranes will be discussed in this section which is subcategorized to four sections:

FIRST: In order to protect the delicate RO membranes, water first flows through a pre-filter. This pre-filter cartridge is designed to filter out dirt, silt, sand and other sediments. This pre-filter should be changed every 6-9 months. If not properly maintained or changed on schedule, the pre-filter can foul or become clogged, thereby making it unable to protect the RO membranes.

SECOND: The next phase is generally a carbon filter which is designed to remove chlorine and other taste or odour contaminants. This is important because chlorine can ruin the RO membrane. This carbon filter should be replaced every 6-9 months, also.

THIRD: This is the actual reverse osmosis phase. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a separation process that uses pressure to force water through a membrane. The membrane retains the contaminant on one side and allows the pure solvent (water) to pass through to the other side.

This process is the reverse of the normal ‘osmosis process’, which is the natural movement of solvent from an area of low solute concentration, through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration when no external pressure is applied.

Water passes through the RO membrane at generally 35 pounds per square inch (psi). At this rate, roughly two drops per second. The contaminants rejected by the membrane are piped down the drain.  RO membranes should be replaced every 2-3 years.

FOURTH: Finally, a carbon filter stage is usually added to “polish” off the water at the end of the cycle. This stage removes any remaining taste or odours to create outstanding drinking water. The carbon filter should be changed every 6-9 months.