| Continuing the article series on water purification I will | | | | permeable membrane. Once the pressure is applied |
| be writing on a new technique in this article. There | | | | this forces the solvent (Or pure water) to leave |
| has been a lot of media coverage on this technique | | | | behind all solute molecules and pass through the |
| and a lot of companies have e come up with various | | | | membrane to the other side. |
| products which utilize this technique of water | | | | Uses of reverse osmosis: |
| purification. I am talking about the reverse osmosis. | | | | This technology is basically used for production |
| Reverse osmosis is basically filtration technique which | | | | of large scale of portable water especially in food |
| typically removes large molecules and ions from | | | | industries, wine manufacturing distilleries and in |
| water. It works by applying a constant pressure on | | | | breweries. |
| water to separate the solid particles. Now reverse | | | | This technology is also used in aquariums to |
| osmosis is a complex mechanism, in order to explain | | | | provide clean water for the fishes. |
| it in simple terms on needs to understand few basic | | | | The biggest use of reverse osmosis is use of it |
| concept of physics. | | | | to produce drinking water from sea water. This has |
| First and foremost would be what osmosis is? | | | | been very useful in coastal areas. |
| Osmosis is a process by which the solvent or the | | | | Reverse osmosis has the potential to even |
| liquid moves form one area to the other through a | | | | separate harmful chemicals which are dissolved in |
| selectively permeable membrane. The moment of | | | | water. |
| liquid is based on the concentration of solute or solid | | | | The major disadvantage of this technique is it cannot |
| particles. If the solute is in higher concentration on | | | | prevent smaller microorganism from passing through |
| one side of the membrane then the liquid form the | | | | the semi permeable membrane. The bacteria and |
| lower concentration side moves towards the higher | | | | viruses which are smaller than the pores of the |
| concentration side. | | | | membrane easy pass through it and can contaminate |
| Now then, reverse osmosis is reverse of the natural | | | | the water. That is the reason why reverse osmosis |
| phenomenon that occurs. In order to achieve this we | | | | is combined with other techniques like UV filtration |
| need to give a constant pressure. Basically the | | | | when it si used for producing drinking water for |
| solution which contains both solvent and solute, (in | | | | house hold purposes. |
| this case water) is put on one side of the semi | | | | |