Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis is a process of separation that uses pressure to force a highly concentrated
solute through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of lower solute concentration, which
leaves the solute on one side and only the solvent on the other.
Reverse Osmosis Principle
With the normal osmosis process, a liquid with two different concentrations will naturally move
from an area of low solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane to an area of
high solute concentration to reach equilibrium. When two solutions are mixed together that
contain different concentrations of a solute, the total amount of solutes in the solution will
distribute equally. The semi-permeable membrane allows the solvent to move from one
compartment to the other, but prevents the solute from doing the same. Osmosis is achieved
when the solvent has moved from the areas of low solute concentration to the area of high
solute concentration.
The method in which reverse osmosis works is that it uses the opposite process by which the
normal osmosis process flows. With reverse osmosis, the same concept is applied with that of
normal osmosis, but in this case, pressure is applied to the side of high solute concentration so
that force influences the movement of the water as well as the normal osmotic pressure in
osmosis. In order for reverse osmosis to occur, the pressure of the feed water must exceed that
of the osmotic pressure.
At the heart of the reverse osmosis process is the membrane used to filter the concentrated
solution. There are various types of membranes used in reverse osmosis, two of which are
cellulose triacetate membranes for use with heavily chlorinated water, and thin film composite
membranes for use with waters with high TDS (total dissolved solids). Thin film composite
membranes are typically constructed using numerous layers of materials bonded together and
wound around a spiral core tube. One of the layers of film used is polyamide, which is
permeable to water and impermeable to other impurities like salt ions. These types of
membranes are typically used in water purification or water desalination systems.
The rate of liquid passage through the membrane during reverse osmosis depends on various
factors such as pressure, concentration and the temperature of the molecules.
How reverse osmosis works within the membrane is by a process called cross flow filtration.
The feed water is passed along the filter membrane at a positive pressure in relation to the
permeate side. Water which is smaller than the membrane pore size passes through the
membrane as processed permeate water; all other material is retained on the feed side. The
permeate flows through the spiral tube of the membrane, while the concentrate does not and is
retained. This allows the filter to operate continuously with the concentrate or waste water going
to the drain.
Reverse osmosis works with a variety of applications and can be utilized in various ways.
Reverse osmosis systems are typically found in households to improve the quality of water for
drinking water. However, reverse osmosis is also widely used for commercial and industrial
applications when the initial purchase and operating costs outweigh the negatives of water
problems that one is experiencing. As of today, reverse osmosis is the most economical
technology to purify water to high quality standards.