What Are the Different Components of a Reverse Osmosis System?

If you’re looking for the cleanest drinking water imaginable in Glen Ellyn, a reverse osmosis system would serve you well. Reverse osmosis systems are known for their ability to filtrate water to an almost entirely pure form.

They do this by making use of a number of different components. Wondering what these components are? Interested in how they work? Let’s discuss the components of a reverse osmosis system.

Line Valve

The line valve is the part of the reverse osmosis system which intakes the water supply. Located just adjacent to the pre-filter, it receives unpurified water and delivers it into the system.

Pre-filter

Located right next to the line valve is the pre-filter. The job of this filter is to remove large solid contaminants such as rocks, sand, and other residue. This prepares the water to move into the system’s membrane filter.

Membrane

The centerpiece of the reverse osmosis system is the membrane. This membrane filters out microscopic contaminants such as arsenic, sodium, calcium, and cadmium. It is responsible for the majority of the filtering which occurs in a reverse osmosis system.

Post-filter

While the membrane of the reverse osmosis system will catch most of the contaminants in a water supply, it won’t catch all of them. To account for contaminants which have been missed by the membrane, reverse osmosis systems possess post-filters. Typically carbon filters, these filters will remove any additives which exist in the water.

Auto Shut-off Valve

After the water supply has been fully filtered, it will enter into a storage tank. To prevent the storage tank from overflowing, reverse osmosis systems are equipped with auto shut-off valves. These valves gauge the volume of the water in the storage tank, preventing any further water from entering when the volume is too high.

Retention Valve

In order to separate filtered water from unfiltered water, the reverse osmosis system possesses a retention valve. This valve prevents filtered water from sliding back into the system’s filtering components, essentially acting as a regulator.

Flow Regulator

Another vital component in the reverse osmosis system is the flow regulator. This component ensures that the water supply doesn’t flow through the membrane at too rapid or too slow of a speed. In essence, it ensures that water is being filtered as precisely as technologically possible.

Storage Tank

After a reverse osmosis system has filtered water, it will store said water to be used in the future. Most osmosis systems are equipped with a storage tank of between 3 and 5 gallons. However, the size of the tank varies based on how much water the user wishes to filter.

Faucet

Many reverse osmosis systems will come with their own faucets, drawing water directly from their water supplies. Most users have these faucets installed right next to their kitchen sinks, however, you can have them installed wherever you please.

Drain

During the purification process, the reverse osmosis system will filter out not only contaminants, but some of the water which contains these contaminants as well. What happens to this water? It’s released through a drain which is attached to the system.

Looking to Invest in a Reverse Osmosis System in Glen Ellyn?

Intrigued by the sophisticated technology of the reverse osmosis system? Looking to invest in one of your own? If so, and if you live in the Glen Ellyn area, we here at Johnson Water Conditioning are the people to call.

Not only do we manufacture reverse osmosis systems, we install them as well. We would be more than happy to custom-build you a system which perfectly accommodates your home.