In real-world applications, RO membranes keep 95–99% of dissolved solutes (both organic and inorganic) in the concentrate, while producing high-quality water as the permeate. RO is therefore regarded as a best technique for water purification.
Water pressure is used in the reverse osmosis process to push water, through a semi-permeable membrane. Water molecules diffuse across the membrane molecule by molecule, as water is pressed against the reverse osmosis membrane surface, resulting in purer water on the other side while dissolved materials are rejected.
Let’s look at the contaminants removed by commercial RO Plants.
Benefits of RO Plants
1: RO has a number of benefits over other concentration methods. RO saves energy because the removal of the solvent does not require a phase shift.
2: When it comes to concentrating diluted solutions and medium concentrations, RO is more economical than other competing technologies.
3: Additionally, RO-concentrated fluids are not susceptible to heat degradation, or aroma component losses, unlike other methods of concentration.
Which contaminants do commercial RO Plants remove?
The membranes prevent contaminants in water with an effective diameter, larger than 0.1 nm from passing through. They typically remove nearly all particles, the great majority of organic chemicals, and more than 90% of ionic contaminants.
Reverse osmosis plants may have trouble removing non-ionic pollutants, with MWs under 100 Dalton. It grows with MW, and molecules with MWs more than 300 Dalton, such as particles, colloids, microbes, and huge physiologically active compounds, are utterly theoretically rejected.
In tabular form, pollutants eliminated by a typical RO system are shown:
Lead |
85-92% |
Arsenic |
92-96% |
Fluoride |
85-92% |
Pesticides |
97-99% |
Chlorine |
96-98% |
Barium |
95-98% |
Cyanide |
84-92% |
Sodium |
84-94% |
Aluminium, Ammonium, Bicarbonate, Calcium, Chlorine, Chromate, Cyanide, Ferro cyanide, Iron, Magnesium, Mercury, Phosphate, Silicate, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Sulfate, Sulfate, Thiosulfate, and Zinc, are other contaminants that can be decreased by up to 98%.
Other contaminants removed by RO Plants
RO can also eliminate dirt, algae, and mold, but these should be filtered out to prevent early membrane failure. Even, if one or two membrane fibers rupture, the overall rejection percentage won't be impacted.
Since, bacteria and viruses are live-reproducing organisms, even a little decrease in quantitative rejection might produce an infectious growth outbreak. Also, keep in mind that your results may differ based on the quality of your unit's operation, how well you maintain it, and how much water is available when you start.
Conclusion
The RO Plants cannot promise complete elimination of all contaminants. A pollutant found in the feed water during on-site water analysis, might not be detectable in the RO water.
The results of any further analyses, however, might alter this judgment. Depending on the contaminants and environmental factors, RO rejects a specific percentage of pollutants.
Are you still not sure if Commercial RO Plants are the best water treatment solution for you?
The first step is to determine your water quality! To assist you with this process, Netsol Water provide water treatment products of high-quality.
For any further information or to make a purchase, please contact us at +91-9650608473 or enquiry@netsolwater.com