how a typical RO filter system works

1. Pre-filtration: The water first passes through one or more pre-filters, such as sediment filters and carbon filters. These filters remove larger particles, sediment, chlorine, and other organic materials that can clog or damage the RO membrane.
2. Pressurization: The water is then pressurized using a pump to force it through the RO membrane. The pressure is necessary to overcome the natural osmotic pressure and push water through the membrane while leaving impurities behind.
3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane: The heart of the RO system is the semipermeable membrane. It consists of a thin, porous material that allows water molecules to pass through while blocking the passage of most contaminants, including salts, minerals, heavy metals, and microbes. This process is called “reverse osmosis” because it forces water to move from a region of higher solute concentration to a region of lower solute concentration.
4. Product Water and Reject Water: As the pressurized water passes through the RO membrane, it is divided into two streams: product water and reject water (also known as concentrate or brine). The product water is the purified water that is collected for consumption, while the reject water contains the concentrated impurities and is usually discarded or used for other purposes, such as flushing toilets.
5. Post-Filtration: After passing through the RO membrane, the product water may go through additional post-filtration stages, such as activated carbon filters, to further polish the water and improve its taste and odor.

The result of this process is high-quality, purified water that is free from a wide range of contaminants. RO systems are effective at removing dissolved solids, such as salts and minerals, which can affect the taste and safety of drinking water.

RO filters are commonly used to improve the quality of tap water, especially in areas with hard water or high levels of contaminants. They are also used in various industrial and commercial applications, such as desalination of seawater, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the production of ultrapure water for electronics and laboratory use.