#commercialreverseosmosis

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Commercial Applications of Reverse Osmosis Systems

As more and more people become increasingly aware of the benefits of reverse osmosis (RO) systems for domestic applications, its demand has escalated in the commercial setting. Businesses that require water at high purity levels for their production processes have realized the huge potential offered by these RO systems in terms of cost and efficacy.

Reverse Osmosis systems for the commercial sector feature more than the RO unit alone. They also include pretreatment equipment, filter cartridges, along with a storage and distribution method. Usually, commercial RO systems operate at very fast flow rates, removing impurities and elements such as iron prior to the system feed. Otherwise, these impurities could cause a premature failure of the operations plant, which inevitably leads to higher costs.

These systems can go as far as purifying even brackish water, making them clean and safe enough for drinking. Considering the current shortage of natural potable water sources in some states, it’s no surprise that commercial RO systems are quite in high demand.

There are a variety of commercial users of these systems. From producers of packaged foods to suppliers of bottled drinking water, its applications would seem endless. It is also being adopted by power producers as a practical means of treating the water used in generating power.

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RO Filtration in Rainwater Collection Systems

Rainwater collection comes with a multitude of benefits; it reduces your water bills, provides an alternate water source in times of drought, and preserves the environment. Depending on the local climate and the size of your collection system, it’s possible for collected rainwater to replace main water use by as much as 100 percent.

Rainwater collected from a well-built and well-maintained system can be suitable for all uses, even drinking. However, if you intend to use rainwater for drinking, you need to install a highly efficient filtering system to minimize the health risks. One of these more efficient filtering systems is known as reverse osmosis (RO).

An RO filtration system involves pushing water through a layer of porous material. RO systems are compact, simple to operate, and reliable. As for their effectiveness in filtering out particles, RO systems can filter out objects as minute as .001 microns. This includes radium, pesticides, cysts, viruses, bacteria, and natural organics.

Waste water from the RO filtration process contains a high concentration of the removed contaminants, so disposal of this water needs to be planned properly prior to the installation of an RO system. Options for disposal include sending the water directly to a septic system or through a plumbing system for irrigation.

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Some Potent (But Preventable) Waterborne Diseases

Reverse osmosis and other filtration systems exist for one good reason: waterborne diseases can be pretty disastrous. The U.S. is no stranger to outbreaks of disease caused by dirty water. In fact, three specific waterborne ailments caused widespread panic and cost the American healthcare system about $539 million a year in expenses from 2004 to 2007, each of which is discussed in further detail below.

Legionnaire’s disease – This condition is a severe form of pneumonia or lung inflammation, mainly caused by infection from bacterium called Legionella. Since it’s a lung infection, Legionnaire’s disease isn’t transmitted by drinking, but rather by inhaling water droplets contaminated by Legionella bacteria.

Cryptosporidiosis – Caused by a parasite which inhabits soil, food, and water, cryptosporidiosis can be acquired by ingesting the parasite. Affected people generally get better with no treatment, but the disease can be disastrous for those with weak immune systems.

Giardiasis – Giardiasis is an infection caused by another parasite, this time attacking the intestines. The parasite is found all over the world and can wreak havoc through ingestion of untreated water, contaminated food, and personal contact. Abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and water diarrhea are common symptoms.

Fortunately, all of these diseases can be prevented by maintaining good personal hygiene, as well as keeping water and food sources clean at all times.

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Qualities of Reverse Osmosis Systems

Water is one of the primary requirements of life. This is why water issues are now an increasing concern on a global scale. Moreover, with the worldwide population continuing to swell, demand for water fit for human consumption continues to rise. While there are many sources of water, these need to be purified before they can be fit for drinking.

From way back in the past, people have tried to find ways to purify water. One of the processes used today is reverse osmosis. It was initially explored for removing salt from ocean water, but it is now also used for wastewater treatment, recycling, and even producing energy.

Reverse osmosis works by using high pressure to push the water to be treated through a membrane. The semi-permeable sheet allows the water to go through, but not the impurities. The process filters out particles that are measure larger than 0.0001 microns.

Most reverse osmosis systems share the same basic components. However, the quality of each differs. These variances determine how effectively the system can filter water. When choosing a commercial reverse osmosis system, it’s important to determine what methods have been used in manufacturing the components, the quality of the fill, the manufacturer’s specifications, and whether the materials used in the final product are approved by the concerned regulatory bodies.