What is Reverse Osmosis?

In order to reverse the natural tendencies of water and salt movement and force clean water to flow from salty water, the osmonic pressure must be overcome, i.e. osmosis must be reversed. In order to reverse this flow of water, membrane systems, and Reverse Osmosis systems in particular, utilize a special constructed semi-permeable membrane element enclosed inside a pressure vessel. Pressure is applied to reverse the flow of water, the source of which is usually and existing, pressure is applied to the feed stream, water molecules are passed through the membrane while salts are retained in the feed. Thus, utilizing the principles of water and salts movement, and combining them with pressure and membrane technology, the natural osmotic flow of solution is reversed.

How Membrane Separates Substances?

Metals, Organic compounds, and other contaminants are either too large, or due to their chemistry unable, to pass through the reverse osmosis membrane

How long does it take to fill a tank?

It depends on; line pressure, storage capacity, membrane capacity, and temparature.

For a 3-Gallon Tank (at 50 psi, 25°C):

Membrane Capacity	Fill Time
25 Gallons	3.0 hours
35 Gallons	2.0 hours
50 Gallons	1.4hours
75 Gallons	.9 hours

NOTE: Individual performance of each membrane can be higher or lower, depending on the actual pressure used.

Amount of water produced in 1 hour (at 50 psi)

It depends on: line pressure, storage capacity, membrane capacity, and temparature.

Size Comparison

Comparatively, if a water molecule were the size of a tennis ball...

Most metals and inorganic compounds would be the size of a softball...

Most organic compounds would be the size of a basketball.

Size Comparison

Protozoa would be the size of Mount St. Helens...

Bacteria would be the size of a pyramid, and...

Viruses would be the size of a bus.

Typical Reverse Osmosis Contaminant Rejection
Contaminant Rejection		Contaminant Rejection		Contaminant Rejection
Sodium	85%-93%	Iron	85%-93%	Potassium	85%-93%
Aluminum	96%-99%	Magnesium	96%-98%	Fluoride	87%-93%
Lead	96%-99%	Zinc	98%-99%	Nickel	98%-99%
Copper	98%-99%	Chloride	87%-93%	Silver	93%-98%
Arsenic	94%-96%	Nitrate	60%-92%	Bicarbonate	90%-95%
Mercury	96%-98%	Silicate	85%-90%	Manganese	95%-98%
Sulfate	96%-98%	Cyanide	86%-92%	Ammonium	86%-92%
Calcium	96%-98%	Sulphite	98%-99%	Barium	96%-98%
Phosphate	96%-99%	Bacteria	99% +	Chromium	96%-98%

Actual results may vary depending on source water.