What
Is Reverse Osmosis? |
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In order to reverse
the natural tendencies of water and
salt movement and force clean water
to flow from salty water, the osmonic
pressure must be overcome, i.e. osmosis
must be reversed. In order to reverse
this flow of water, membrane systems,
and Reverse Osmosis systems in particular,
utilize a special constructed semi-permeable
membrane element enclosed inside a
pressure vessel. Pressure is applied
to reverse the flow of water, the
source of which is usually and existing,
pressure is applied to the feed stream,
water molecules are passed through
the membrane while salts are retained
in the feed. Thus, utilizing the principles
of water and salts movement, and combining
them with pressure and membrane technology,
the natural osmotic flow of solution
is reversed. |
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| How
a membrane separates substances |
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Metals, Organic
compounds, and other contaminants
are either too large, or due to their
chemistry unable, to pass through
the reverse osmosis membrane |
| Private
Water Supplies |
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Over 19 million
American households and cottages rely
on private wells. Tens of thousands
more rely on lakes, streams, and other
surface water sources. Unfortunately,
not all of them have a UV water disinfection
system protecting them from harmful
microorganisms.
While nation-wide studies do not exist,
smaller scale studies have commonly
found that between 20 and 40% of wells
in any given region suffer from E.coli
and/or coliform bacteria at any given
time ? not to mention the countless
other microorganisms that may be in
a water supply.
The fact is that the quality of well
water can vary from day to day and
from year to year. In the short term,
things like heavy rainfalls or snow
melt can affect water quality. In
the longer term, quality may be affected
by distant contamination sources,
earthquakes, and other factors. Water
that has been safe for years will
not necessarily be safe tomorrow. |
| Typical
Reverse Osmosis Contaminant Rejection
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| Contaminant Rejection |
Contaminant Rejection |
Contaminant Rejection |
| Sodium |
85%-93% |
Iron |
85%-93% |
Potassium |
85%-93% |
| Aluminum |
96%-99% |
Magnesium |
96%-98% |
Fluoride |
87%-93% |
| Lead |
96%-99% |
Zinc |
98%-99% |
Nickel |
98%-99% |
| Copper |
98%-99% |
Chloride |
87%-93% |
Silver |
93%-98% |
| Arsenic |
94%-96% |
Nitrate |
60%-92% |
Bicarbonate |
90%-95% |
| Mercury |
96%-98% |
Silicate |
85%-90% |
Manganese |
95%-98% |
| Sulfate |
96%-98% |
Cyanide |
86%-92% |
Ammonium |
86%-92% |
| Calcium |
96%-98% |
Sulphite |
98%-99% |
Barium |
96%-98% |
| Phosphate |
96%-99% |
Bacteria |
99%
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Chromium |
96%-98% |
Actual
results may vary depending on source
water.
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