Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from water. It is a pressure-driven separation process where water is forced through the semi-permeable membrane, leaving behind contaminants on one side while allowing purified water to pass through to the other side.
In reverse osmosis, the semi-permeable membrane allows the passage of water molecules while blocking the passage of dissolved solutes and particles that are larger than the water molecules. The membrane used in RO is designed to have very small pores that selectively allow water molecules to pass through, while effectively rejecting dissolved salts, minerals, organic compounds, bacteria, and other contaminants present in the feed water.
Reverse osmosis is widely used for various water purification applications, including desalination of seawater, production of drinking water from brackish water sources, treatment of industrial wastewater, and purification of water for pharmaceutical and semiconductor manufacturing processes. It is an effective and energy-efficient method for producing high-quality, clean water suitable for various uses.
