Kääntöosmoosijärjestelmän

Kääntöosmoosijärjestelmä, commonly known as reverse osmosis (RO) system, is a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, unwanted molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. The process works by applying pressure to the water on one side of the membrane, forcing it through the pores of the membrane while leaving larger contaminants behind. This is the reverse of the natural osmosis process, where a solvent moves from an area of lower solute concentration through a membrane to an area of higher solute concentration.

RO systems typically consist of several stages. The first stage is usually a sediment filter to remove larger particles like sand and rust. This is followed by a carbon filter, which removes chlorine and other chemicals that can affect the taste and odor of the water, and can also protect the RO membrane. The core of the system is the RO membrane itself, a thin film composite membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks dissolved salts, minerals, bacteria, and viruses. After the RO membrane, a post-filter, often another carbon filter, polishes the water, removing any remaining tastes or odors.

The purified water is typically stored in a pressurized tank. When a faucet is opened, the pressure in the tank forces the purified water out. RO systems are effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals like lead and arsenic, nitrates, and dissolved solids. However, they also remove beneficial minerals, which is why some systems include a remineralization stage. RO systems require a certain water pressure to operate effectively and produce a significant amount of wastewater, as some water is flushed through the membrane to remove accumulated contaminants.