Commercial Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment
Reverse osmosis water purification is a process by which source water is forced through a very fine semipermeable membrane under high pressure. A commercial reverse osmosis water filtration system therefore results in a highly purified grade of water suitable for use in many of the most refined industrial processes.
HOW PURE IS WATER TREATED BY REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS?
A reverse osmosis filter system traps a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved salts, fine particulate, solvents, trihalomethanes (THMs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The reverse osmosis process also removes disease-causing microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and protozoa.
A reverse osmosis system will not remove some dissolved gases, such as dissolved oxygen or carbon dioxide, from water.
Why Install a Reverse Osmosis System?
Reverse osmosis is an ideal water pretreatment solution where water purity is of highest importance. Water that comes straight from most municipal sources may be safe enough for human consumption, but it may not be suitable for high-volume or high-demand processes.
This is because tap water often contains trace amounts of minerals and microorganisms. In certain applications — such as in breweries, food and beverage manufacturers, coffee shops and restaurants — the presence of these contaminants may impact the flavor and shelf life of foods and beverages made with water. For other types of businesses — such as plastics manufacturers, data centers, car washes and window-washing companies — the presence of minerals can cause buildup inside of equipment over time, leading to a loss of performance or even breakdowns.
Agricultural businesses such as hydroponic farms and cannabis growing operations depend on water that is free from contamination to ensure the highest possible yield and overall quality from their crops. Facilities that provide drinking water to large numbers of people can also benefit from reverse osmosis water treatment because it protects against outbreaks of disease that can be spread through contaminated water sources. Because these solutions are so versatile and comprehensive in the level of protection they provide, they offer the ideal answer to a wide range of potential problems that could arise in these environments.
In commercial and industrial applications, a reverse osmosis system can be used to:
- Reduce or eliminate scale build-up, and minimize damaging mineral deposits in commercial boilers and other expensive equipment
- Process wastewater for safe and efficient re-use
- Purify water for use in fountains, cooling towers and other facilities to protect against the spread of Legionnaires’ disease and other water-borne illness
- De-salinate brackish or salt water
- Recover salts from seawater or industrial effluent
- Reduce cooling tower blowdown
- Prolong the life of expensive filters and equipment
- Meet industrial and environmental water quality standards
WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE COMMERCIAL RO SYSTEM PERFORMANCE?
When designing a reverse osmosis filtration system for industrial use, a number of factors need to be considered. Some of these include production requirements, quality and chemical composition of the feed water, membrane type, presence (if any) of waterborne pathogens, water pressure, temperature, rate of flow, and flow control. Selecting the right system components for the particular application is a critical part of achieving optimum system performance. It is often desirable to pretreat feed water with additional filters (for instance, a chlorine filter) in order to enhance RO system performance and prolong RO membrane life.
Just as important as design is proper maintenance of the RO system. Feed water must be monitored, and the system serviced regularly to keep fouling to a minimum and reduce costly downtime.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL RO SERVICES
As a recognized leader in the field of industrial water treatment, Earthwise Environmental has the expertise to provide the highest standards of service available for commercial RO systems.
In addition to offering expert industrial reverse osmosis system design, we also provide convenient monthly, quarterly or annual maintenance plans for RO systems. This not only ensures that the equipment will last as long as possible, but that it remains continually optimized for best energy and water efficiency performance.
Get a RO Maintenance Plan Today
To learn more about how a reverse osmosis system can benefit your company, click here to contact us online, or call us at 630-475-3070 to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives.
