What is a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Filter?
A Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter is a water purification system that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, contaminants, and dissolved solids from water.
The process of reverse osmosis involves applying pressure to the water, pushing it through the membrane, which allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules, ions, and contaminants.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Installation in Bedford
A Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter system works as follows:
1. Pre-filtration:
Before the water reaches the RO membrane, it usually passes through one or more pre-filters to remove larger particles and sediments.
These filters can include:
Sediment Filter – Captures dirt, rust, and particulate matter.
Carbon Filter – Removes chlorine, chloramines, and other chemicals that could damage the RO membrane.
2. Reverse Osmosis Process:
After pre-filtration, the water is subjected to the reverse osmosis process:
Semipermeable Membrane – The heart of an Reverse Osmosis system, this membrane has tiny pores (typically 0.0001 microns) that only allow water molecules to pass through while rejecting larger molecules such as salts, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Pressure – The process requires applying pressure to overcome osmotic pressure. The pressure pushes the water through the membrane, typically using a small pump or the household water pressure.
3. Post-filtration:
Once the water has passed through the Reverse Osmosis membrane, it may go through additional filters, which help to further improve the taste and smell of the purified water by removing any residual chlorine or organic compounds that might have leached from the storage tank.
4. Storage:
The purified water is then stored in a separate storage tank. This allows a ready supply of filtered water for household use.
5. Dispensing Water:
When someone turns on the tap connected to the RO system, the purified water flows from the storage tank to the tap. This setup typically includes a dedicated tap for dispensing RO water.