Why Consider A Reverse Osmosis Water Filter?
Reverse osmosis water filters are often used to purify bottled water, taking water right out of the tap and running it through a filtration system before selling it to you in those convenient and expensive bottles. You're not limited to purchasing water purified this way; instead, consider installing a filter to clean your water system. These filters run water through a membrane that allows only clean water to pass through; all other contaminants, from germs to chlorine, remain on the other side of the membrane and are flushed from the system. Almost every major contaminant is removed from your water with this method: chlorine and fluoride, arsenic, heavy metals, nitrates and pesticides, iron (you can get too much), sediments, bacteria and viruses, and even bad taste and smell.
The reverse osmosis water filter is also referred to as a hyperfiltration system. That's because it is so very effective at removing contaminants from your water supply. It works by moving your water through a series of reservoirs, in which the clean water moves to the clean side of the filter, leaving behind the contaminants. The filter does not work through pressure; instead, water must move passively. This means that the filtration process is slower than you might find in other water filtration systems. A reverse osmosis water filtration system will require a large tank to be installed under your counter which will provide a drinking water reservoir. In most systems, you can expect to produce around fifteen gallons a day of bottled-quality water. If you're a bottled water fan, this will save you much more than the reverse osmosis filter will cost you.
A reverse osmosis water filter may have a thin film composite (TFC) or a cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane, each of which has strengths and weaknesses. The TFC is best by far at contaminant removal, but it is easily damaged if you have a chlorinated water supply going directly into it. For TFC filters, it's a good idea to install an activated carbon filter upstream of the TFC filter. The CTA filter is not as good at removing contaminants, but it is also tougher and will not be so easily damaged. Because a damaged film can ruin your reverse osmosis water filter, choose carefully between these two options.
If you have a problem with biological contaminants, you should consider using not just a reverse osmosis water filter by itself, but also using an ultraviolet filter, as this filter is the most effective by far in removing biological contaminants without otherwise contaminating your water supply. So your perfect reverse osmosis water filter may need to have a total of three filters to be completely effective at cleaning your water: the activated carbon filter (which needs to be changed regularly), the osmosis filter, and the ultraviolet filter (which needs an electrical power outlet). With these three filters in your system, however, you can be assured of a tasty, reliable, and clean water supply for your home and family.
The only drawback to the reverse osmosis water filtration system: it takes an enormous amount of water to produce those fifteen gallons a day, up to ten gallons of water for each clean gallon of water provided. Waste water from your reverse osmosis system should be redirected into a gray water reservoir if you live in a drought-prone area, where it can be used later to water your lawn.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
About the Author
Trent Barrett is a consultant who writes for Best-Home-water-Purifiers.com. You can visit their homepage to learn more about Home water Purifiers.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License, which means you may freely reprint it, in its entirety, provided you include the author's resource box along with LIVE links (without "nofollow" tags).
by: TrentBarrett
Total views: 41
Word Count: 562
Rating: Not yet rated