| Reverse osmosis is the opposite of osmosis. It is | | | | membrane to the other compartment. Thus solute |
| used by many people and countries for improving the | | | | and solvent are separated from each other. |
| quality and safety of water for various domestic and | | | | When is reverse osmosis not effective? |
| industrial uses. This article explains the what, why and | | | | It is not very effective at filtrating liquid to be used |
| how of this fascinating procedure. | | | | as drinking water. This is because the molecules of |
| What is reverse osmosis? | | | | harmful chemicals such as chlorine, herbicides and |
| It is a type of straining procedure commonly used in | | | | pesticides are small enough to pass through the |
| removing the salt from seawater in desalination | | | | membrane. The additional use of a carbon filter is |
| facilities. It is used for the filtration of water and | | | | recommended. The reverse osmosis process also |
| other liquids. | | | | removes the natural minerals that are present in |
| What does reverse osmosis do? | | | | water since they are too big to pass through the |
| This filtration method gets rid of inorganic substances | | | | pores of the membrane. This can make the water |
| contained in water such as salt, nitrates and other | | | | tasteless and poor in minerals. So it may not be the |
| dissolved minerals. | | | | most effective method for the filtration of water for |
| Why is reverse osmosis important? | | | | drinking. |
| It is important because it is widely used in the | | | | Where is reverse osmosis used? |
| desalination of sea water. It can also render water | | | | * Desalination facilities to remove the salt from sea |
| free from certain pathogens. | | | | water. |
| How does reverse osmosis work? | | | | * Concentration of food liquids such as fruit juices. |
| External pressure is applied in order to push a solution | | | | * Car washes. |
| through a thin membrane. There is also the osmotic | | | | * Power stations where minerals are removed from |
| pressure induced by the deviation in solute | | | | boiler water. |
| concentration between the two compartments. The | | | | * Photo and printing shops. |
| force is used on the compartment with a high | | | | There are more to learn and understand about this |
| concentration. The solute is unable to pass through | | | | process than was discussed here, but you may now |
| the membrane and stays behind on one side. The | | | | know a little more about what is reverse osmosis |
| pure solvent is allowed to pass through the | | | | and what it is used for. |