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Many water treatment methods are available for domestic, industrial, and commercial businesses; among them is reverse osmosis (RO) technology. This highly effective method is recommended because it can remove up to 99% of impurities, contaminants, and other undesirable components. An RO system for industrial use works like the domestic system; the only distinction is water purification at a large scale. During the purification process, RO technology pumps contaminated water under high pressure against a semi-permeable membrane. The excessive force leads to water filtration while leaving behind various undesirable contaminants. Filtered water adheres to quality standards, and due to its cleanliness, it protects equipment against fouling, scaling, and preserves the integrity of the end products. The effectiveness of reverse osmosis lies in the membrane; read on to find out more. Benefits of an RO System This method is popular because of its many benefits, such as meeting various quality benchmarks across a wide range of industries and environmental standards, removing contaminants of different kinds, and having a low carbon footprint. Unlike some other technology that requires the halting of the system for certain periods, RO works around the clock. It also works well with other treatment methods, lowers operation costs, doesn’t require highly specialised skills to operate and maintain, and can treat any type of water. Understanding Purifying Membranes A reverse osmosis system has many moving parts that make it an effective treatment technology, but the semi-permeable membrane is where the purification magic occurs. The choice of membranes depends on various factors, which include the water source, the desired quality, and specific industry. Only an experienced company can make an appropriate recommendation based on each business’s unique needs. An RO system for industrial use has layers of semi-permeable membranes, which allow water molecules to pass through while leaving behind the majority of impurities and contaminants. For the purification process to take place, water must be pushed through the membrane at a pressure greater than naturally occurring osmotic pressure. The filtered solution is called ‘permeate’, and can be used or reused to supply different processes. The solution left, which is rich in undesired contaminants, is called brine, and must be treated further or disposed of safely. Flushing and Replacing the Membrane The impurities clog the pores of the membrane, making it less effective, so this must be addressed by flushing or cleaning regularly. Doing this doesn’t just improve filtration effectiveness, it also prolongs the life of the membrane. To clean the membrane, it is removed from the system, and clean water free from chlorine, calcium, and magnesium is passed through the layers at low pressure to remove loose debris. For hard-to-remove dirt, increasing pressure effectively unclogs the pores. Acidic or alkaline cleaning solutions can also be used to get rid of minerals and biological contaminants. Flushing is important, but sometimes replacing the membrane completely is necessary to ensure that quality is adhered to at all times. This should be done as frequently as necessary, or in the following cases: when there is a significant reduction in the amount of permeate; if there are high salinity levels in the permeate; if excessive pressure is required for the same amount of permeate flow rate; and when the filtered water has poor quality. Reverse osmosis technology profits companies in more ways than one; it is suitable for a wide range of industries and removes the majority of contaminants. This is thanks to the semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through, while inhibiting impurities. However, to get the desired outcomes, only a highly skilled professional can recommend the right membranes, frequency of flushing, and optimal replacement times. That’s why it’s vital to consult a reputable company for the installation and maintenance of an RO system for industrial use. Author Plate Sean Clifford is an advisor at AllWater Technologies Ltd, a wholly independent company providing consultation and water treatment equipment, including effluent treatment plant and an RO system for industrial use. 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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