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The management and treatment of industrial wastewater is a serious concern within a number of industries; however, it’s a problem whose solution may vary from one situation to the next. This is because the quality and volume of such wastewater can vary so much depending on how it’s being produced. A primary issue is the increasing amount of synthetic compounds in such effluents, often discharged into the surrounding environments. While the presence of harmful compounds in wastewater is a problem, there are some excellent methods that can extract noxious substances and produce a much cleaner effluent. One of the most effective in these contexts is industrial reverse osmosis. What is Industrial Reverse Osmosis? Often shortened to simply RO, industrial reverse osmosis is a process of water purification that uses high pressure to push contaminated liquid through a semi-permeable membrane and filter out large particles and unwanted molecules. The result is purified water that is much less harmful to the environment. How Does it Work? It’s possible you might vaguely remember the process of osmosis from GCSE biology class, as it’s one of the most important processes that occur in nature. This is where water with a less saline solution (fewer particles) migrates across a membrane to a more saline solution. It’s how plants suck up liquid through their roots and how our kidneys absorb water from our blood. Industrial reverse osmosis uses the same process, but in reverse and on a much larger scale. This method requires two essential parts for it to work effectively: a high-pressure pump and a semi-permeable membrane. The pump is used to create a very high pressure that forces the water from the high-saline solution, in this case, it would be the industrial effluent, across the barrier into the clean water. The membrane must be semi-permeable for this process to work, as it will need to allow the water to pass through it but still act as a barrier for the larger, unwanted contaminants. The remaining solution can then be purified further if necessary. Industrial reverse osmosis is a great option for sectors that require water filtration at the end of their production process, as it can extract up to 99.9% of sediments, including particles as small as 0.001 microns. This is far more effective than alternative solutions such as carbon filtration. The treatment of industrial wastewater is an ever-growing concern for manufacturers, as the effects of such processes on our environment and public health have become more pressing than ever. This means that finding an effective and safe effluent purification is essential within all kinds of industries, and should be taken into careful consideration at all times. Industrial reverse osmosis is a popular solution to the problem of waste effluent due to its effectiveness and relative simplicity. Nevertheless, water treatment is an important process that should always be left to the experts. Author Plate Sean Clifford is an advisor at AllWater Technologies Ltd, a wholly independent company providing consultation and water treatment equipment using the latest effluent technologies, including industrial reverse osmosis water systems. Bringing together a host of experience and specialist knowledge, the company is committed to building and maintaining long-term relationships and creating maximum value and benefit for their customers.
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