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Reverse Osmosis Demineralization

Reverse Osmosis, commonly referred as RO, is a process where water is demineralised by flowing under pressure thro
membrane.

To understand the purpose and process of Reverse Osmosis it is necessary to first understand the phenomenon of

Osmosis is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which a weaker saline solution will tend to migrate to a strong saline s

The figure 1 illustrates the phenomenon of the Osmosis. A semi-permeable membrane is placed between 2 compartme
that the membrane is permeable to some species and not permeable to others. In this case, the membrane is permeab
permeable to dissolved ions and other contaminants.

In order to reach the equilibrium (same concentration of salts in both sides of the membrane, fundamental rule of natur
pure water compartment to the salt-containing compartment, to dilute the salt solution.

In Figure 1 you can also see a difference in height of solution on compartment of salt water and pure water. This height
of the column of water (salt solution) is so high that the force of this water column stops the water flow. The equilibrium
height in terms of water pressure against the membrane is called osmotic pressure.

Figure 1 – Phenomenon of Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis

If we consider that we want to produce pure water from the salt water, it is necessary to apply a “force” (pressure) in th
water, to force the water to flow in the reverse direction, making the water molecules to flow through the semi-permeab
compartment. This is the basis of the process called Reverse Osmosis (Figure 2).

The pressure applied has to overcome the osmotic pressure.