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Reverse osmosis is a separation or filtration method, through which many types of large molecules and ions are removed or separated from solution through porous membrane-technology filtration. Pressure is applied to solution, which is on the one side of the membrane. As a result, the solute particle remains on the pressurized part of the porous membrane while solvent is permitted to pass to the other side. Porous membranes forbid the large molecules and ions while permit the small molecules and ions to pass through its pores. Reverse Osmosis vs Normal Osmosis In normal osmosis, solvent is permitted to pass through the membrane, generally from a low solute concentration area to high solute concentration area. As a result of the movement of solvent, chemical potential equilibrium (osmotic pressure) is attained. But in reverse osmosis, the solvent is move from high to low solute concentration area by applying high external pressure. In simple words, reverse osmosis is just reverse of normal osmosis. History of Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis was observed by scientists in the year 1748, but the techniques was not applied to any field at that time. In 1950, it was first used to desalinate seawater and continued for the same purpose for years. Afterwards, it was used in the printing industries. Later on, the principle of reverse osmosis was applied in various industries to purify water. Some of them are treatment of waste water and desalination, minerals reclamation and purification of water. Today, this technology is widely used in filtering water for dialysis in hospitals, cosmetics drugs and injections. Applications of Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis have diverse uses in industries as well as in houses. The most acknowledged use of these plants are drinking water purification both in commercial and residential scale. Portable RO is widely used by households units for personal water purification both in rural and urban areas. Waste water and rain water is also purified with RO systems and used for landscape irrigation and industrial cooling purposes. In industries, ROs' are used to remove minerals from boiler water at power plants and other sector including pharmaceutical, semiconductor, metal finishing etc. This process is also used for the production of deionized water. In food industry, reverse osmosis systems are used for processing whey protein powder and concentration of liquids mainly fruit juices and milk. This is done for various benefits such as lower operating cost, low shipping cost and to avoid heat treatment so that to retain protein and enzymes of various food products. Since, water processed through Reverse osmosis plants have low mineral content, this water is often used to wash vehicles so as to prevent water spotting on vehicles. Beside these, reverse osmosis is also used in production of maple syrup and small scale production of hydrogen. They are now also used by marine aquarium enthusiasts. Most of the reef aquarium keepers use RO water for their artificial mixture of seawater. As, most of the times tap water have higher level of chlorine, nitrogen, phosphates, copper, chloramines etc.
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