A reverse osmosis (RO) system is an advanced water purification method that removes contaminants and salts by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This process occurs under pressure greater than the natural osmotic pressure, which pushes water through the membrane while retaining and flushing away impurities.

Here’s a breakdown of how an RO system works:

1. Semi-permeable membrane
   The core of the RO system is a membrane with extremely small pores—around 0.0001 microns. These pores are small enough to allow only water molecules to pass through, while blocking larger contaminants such as salts, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and various chemical compounds.
2. Pressure
   To drive the reverse osmosis process, pressure greater than the solution’s osmotic pressure is required. This pressure forces water through the membrane, separating clean water from impurities.
3. Pre-filters and post-filters
   RO systems often include additional filters before and after the membrane.
   – Pre-filters (e.g., sediment and activated carbon filters) remove larger particles and chlorine that could damage the membrane.
   – Post-filters (e.g., carbon filters) improve the taste and overall quality of the water after it has been purified.
4. Storage tank
   Since the reverse osmosis process can be relatively slow, these systems typically include a storage tank for purified water, ensuring it’s readily available when needed.
5. Wastewater (reject water)
   A portion of the water is used to flush away the trapped contaminants and is discharged as waste. This reject water usually amounts to several times the volume of the purified water produced.

Applications of Reverse Osmosis Systems:

• Drinking water purification: RO systems are widely used in both households and industrial settings to produce clean, safe drinking water.
• Pharmaceutical and food industries: In these sectors, reverse osmosis is used to produce water of extremely high purity for use in production processes.
• Desalination of seawater: RO is one of the primary methods for desalinating seawater, making it possible to produce potable water from saltwater sources.

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