Requirements for the characteristics of drinking water over the past decades have increased significantly. This does not mean that people began to consume a better liquid, but the filtering and water purification technologies have indeed become more efficient. Moreover, such devices do not always work on fundamentally new technologies - developers often base cleaning systems on the principles that surround us in nature. Osmosis also belongs to such phenomena. What is it and what benefits can it bring to an ordinary person? This is a technological process that allows for the filtration of water in natural conditions. There are different approaches to the technical implementation of osmosis, but its goals remain the same - to obtain clean and safe water for use.
Osmosis principle
This process can take place in systems where the mobility of the dissolved elements is less than the level of activity of the solvent. Usually, specialists more clearly demonstrate this phenomenon using a semipermeable membrane. It is important to consider that such membranes can be called semi-impermeable only for some particles. Now you can more accurately answer the following question: osmosis - what is it? In essence, this is the process of separation of certain substances from the environment in which they were before separation by means of a membrane. For example, if a similar membrane is used to separate a pure solvent and a solution, the concentration of the former in the medium will be less high, since a certain fraction of its molecules is replaced by particles of dissolved substances.
What is the feature of reverse osmosis?
The reverse osmosis process is an advanced technology for filtering various media. Again, it is worth returning to the principle on the basis of which osmosis acts - what is it in its final form? This, for example, is seawater that has been purified from salt. In the same way, you can filter out other contaminants. For this, reverse osmosis is used, in which pressure acts on the medium and causes the substance to pass through the cleaning membrane.
Despite the high efficiency of such cleaning, manufacturers have been able to achieve significant successes in the technological development of this concept only in recent decades. Modern reverse osmosis purification involves the use of the thinnest membranes that even particles in the form of low molecular weight impurities do not pass through - by the way, their size can be up to 0.001 microns.
Technical embodiment
Despite the apparent complexity, reverse osmosis is implemented in fairly compact devices. The basis of such systems is formed by filters, of which there may be several. In a traditional design, pre-filter cleaning begins. Then follows a combined post-filter, which can also perform additional functions of an air conditioner or mineralizer. The most advanced models include the inclusion of highly selective membranes - this is the most effective and expensive system. Osmosis in this design provides not only multi-stage cleaning, but also softens the water. Filters are also equipped with cartridges, special ceramic taps, storage tanks with the possibility of replacing the tank and the lid.
In the process of passing through such a filter, water is purified from dissolved and mechanical impurities, chlorine and its compounds, herbicides, aluminum, oil products, pesticides, fertilizer elements, phenols, heavy metals, as well as viruses and bacteria. The effect of such cleaning can be noticed without special analysis. Ordinary tap water, for example, gets rid of odor and unpleasant taste. Moreover, the aforementioned mineralization function provides the composition with enrichment with natural minerals, among which are useful ions.
Manufacturers and filter prices
Perhaps, in Russia there are no more well-known water filters than Aquaphor products. The company produces ultra-compact automatic systems that implement high-quality cleaning with enrichment with useful elements. A feature of the Aquaphor offer is the efficiency and practicality of systems that provide fast osmosis. The price of such devices is 8-9 thousand rubles. Geyser brand products, in particular, the Prestige series, are also enjoying success. Such filters combine high-quality cleaning and ease of use. By the way, the resource of the reverse osmosis membrane of such a system is 10 times the life of standard cartridges. A full set of such a filtration complex costs about 10 thousand rubles. Foreign systems with reverse osmosis are also in demand on the domestic market, among which Japanese Toray products are noted. Developers offer direct-flow devices that do not require a tank and are equipped with a separate crane.
Osmosis filter reviews
In general, reviews of such systems are positive, since even a specialist can evaluate their advantages. For the most part, these are compact filters that do not require special maintenance and at the same time differ in cleaning speed. Actually, the mass consumer loves such devices for practicality and ease of use. As for the quality of treatment, in this case, many trust technologists who highly value reverse osmosis. Responses of the owners themselves note that the liquid externally does not have foreign impurities and is similar in taste to spring water. The only thing that makes you skeptical about filters of this type is the cost. Nevertheless, these are expensive systems that require regular replacement of expensive filters as well.
Reverse Osmosis Criticism
Experts negatively inclined towards reverse osmosis, as a rule, argue their position with thorough cleaning. The fact is that the filtering process eliminates not only harmful impurities and elements, but also useful substances, including magnesium and calcium. Doctors also note the negative effect on the body of demineralized water, which produces osmosis. The reviews of supporters of filters of this type emphasize that the composition of water is in no way capable of exerting any significant influence on the presence of salts in the body.
Conclusion
After familiarizing yourself with the proposals for reverse osmosis on the modern market, many may think of using bottled water as an alternative to expensive purification systems. But here it is important to recall all the advantages that osmosis possesses - what is it in practice of using in an ordinary house? This is a compact device that provides high-quality water purification. But the most important thing is that for the most part bottled water is subject to the same principles of filtration. That is, in the long run, the use of compact filters for osmosis is more profitable financially.