REVERSE OSMOSIS

Reverse Osmosis is the process of forcing a solvent from a region of high solute concentration through a membrane to a region of low solute concentration by applying a pressure in excess of the osmotic pressure. In simpler terms, reverse osmosis is pushing a solution through a filter that traps the solute from one side and allows the obtainment of the pure solvent from the other side.

J H van’t Hoff showed in 1886 that osmotic pressure is related to concentration and temperature of the solution by a law that is similar to the gas law. An understanding of this phenomenon paved the way not only in explaining the biological functions which depend on osmosis, but also in creating conditions for reversing it known as `reverse osmosis’

 With normal osmosis, fluids pass through a semipermeable membrane (like a filter) from an area of high concentration until the fluid concentration on both sides of the membrane becomes equal. The movement of the water from soil to plant roots is an example of osmosis in nature. With reverse osmosis, just the opposite happens. By applying artificial pressure to the water solution of higher solids concentration (the incoming water), the flow of liquid is reversed. Under these conditions, the membrane allows only water with reduced contaminants to pass through leaving a high percentage of the contaminants behind

This process is best known for its use in desalination (removing the salt from sea water to get fresh water), but it has also been used to purify fresh water for medical, industrial and domestic applications since the early 1970s.

 Reverse Osmosis water is free of dissolved minerals and, because of this, has the special property of being able to actively absorb toxic substances from the body and eliminate them. It’s no wonder every prescription for health includes drinking six to eight glasses of quality water per day.

~ by alnatural on December 9, 2007.