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STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES (SOP)

HOW DOES REVERSE OSMOSIS WORK

A SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD WATER FILTRATION PROCESS

Reverse Osmosis is a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (such as salts) are removed from a solution
(such as water). This is accomplished by household water pressure pushing the tap water through a
semipermeable membrane.

A few impurities found in tap water that can be removed with Reverse Osmosis filtration technology

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CONTAMINANTS THAT DON’T PASS THROUGH THE

MEMBRANE?

When household water pressure pushes water through the RO membrane and additional filters, such as
sediment or carbon filters, the impurities are filtered out and subsequently flushed down the drain. What is
left, is delicious, clean-tasting drinking water. Note that many RO units incorporate a 4-5 stage process for
optimal water quality.

You may be interested to know that Reverse Osmosis technology is not new. In fact, RO processes began
being utilized by municipalities back in 1977. Since then, Reverse Osmosis has become increasingly popular
because it is safe, cost-effective, and easy to maintain.

RO FILTER SYSTEMS:

WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF AN RO SYSTEM?

Regarding the common components of a four to five-stage RO system, note that:

 Most RO systems look similar and have the same basic components.
 Although most RO systems look and work basically the same way –they differ in the QUALITY of their components.

BASIC COMPONENTS OF A REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM

 Cold Water Line Valve: Valve that fits onto the cold water supply line. The valve has a tube that attaches
to the inlet side of the RO pre filter. This is the water source for the RO system.
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 Pre-Filter(s): Water from the cold water supply line enters the Reverse Osmosis Pre Filter first. There may
be more than one pre-filter used in a Reverse Osmosis system, the most common being sediment and carbon
filters. These pre-filters are used to PROTECT the RO membranes by removing sand silt, dirt, and other
sediment that could clog the system. Additionally, carbon filters may be used to remove chlorine, which can
damage the RO membranes.
 Reverse Osmosis Membrane: The Reverse Osmosis Membrane is the heart of the system. The
semipermeable RO membrane is designed to remove a wide variety of both aesthetic and health-related
contaminants. After passing through the membrane, the water goes into a pressurized storage tank where
treated water is stored.
 Storage Tank: The standard RO storage tank holds from 2 – 4 gallons of water. A bladder inside the tank
keeps water pressurized in the tank when it is full. The typical under counter Reverse Osmosis tank is 12
inches in diameter and 15 inches tall.
 Post filter(s): After the water leaves the RO storage tank, but before going to the RO faucet, the treated
water goes through a final “post filter”. The post filter is usually a carbon filter. Any remaining tastes or
odors are removed from the product water by post filtration “polishing” filter.
 Automatic Shut Off Valve (SOV): To conserve water, the RO system has an automatic shut off valve.
When the storage tank is full, the automatic shut off valve closes to stop any more water from entering the
membrane and blocks flow to the drain. Once water is drawn from the RO faucet, the pressure in the tank
drops; the shut off valve then opens to send the drinking water through the membrane while the
contaminated wastewater is diverted down the drain.
 Check Valve: A check valve is located in the outlet end of the RO membrane housing. The check valve
prevents the backward flow of treated water from the RO storage tank. A backward flow could rupture the
RO membrane.
 Flow Restrictor: Water flowing through the RO membrane is regulated by a flow restrictor. There are
many different styles of flow controls, but their common purpose is to maintain the flow rate required to
obtain the highest quality drinking water (based on the gallon capacity of the membrane). The flow restrictor
also helps maintain pressure on the inlet side of the membrane. Without the additional pressure from the
flow control, very little drinking water would be produced because all the incoming water would take the
path of least resistance and simply flow down the drain line. The flow control is most often located in the
RO drain line tubing.
 Faucet: The RO unit uses its own faucet, which is usually installed on the kitchen sink. Some areas have
plumbing regulations requiring an air gap faucet, but non-air gap models are more common
 Drain line: This line runs from the outlet end of the Reverse Osmosis membrane housing to the drain. The
drain line is used to dispose of the wastewater containing the impurities and contaminants that have been
filtered out by the reverse osmosis membrane.

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FIG 1 SOP RO FLOW PROCESS

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FIG 2 EXISTING RO PROCEDURE

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RO MEMBRANE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

PROCEDURES

1. Daily Operation and Inspection

Prepare each RO train as follows:

Flush the RO section with feed water, while simultaneously venting any gas from the system.
1) When the pressure tubes are filled, close the valves.
2) Repeat 1) and 2) above at every 12 hours.
2. Long-Term Shut-down
Definition:
Long-term shut-down is for periods where an RO plant must remain out of operation for more than four days
with the RO elements in place.
Prepare each RO train as follows:
1) The system is cleaned to remove contamination and fouling deposits on the membrane.
2) Flush the RO section by circulation of the 500 – 1000 mg/l SBS solution as preservation solution (approx 1
hour).
3) When the RO section is filled with this solution (make sure that it is completely filled), close all necessary
valves to retain the solution in the RO section.
4) Repeat Steps 2) and 3) with fresh solution.
- Every thirty (30) days if the temperature is below 80°F (27°C)
- Every fifteen (15) days if the temperature is above 80°F (27°C)
5) PH in the preserved RO system needs to be controlled periodically to be sure that it does not drop below
PH 3.
6) During shut-down period, maximum temperature should not exceed 40°C and minimum temperature should
be more than 0°C.

Notes: Any contact of the SBS solution with outside air (oxygen) will oxidize SBS to sulfate and pH will drop
continuously. After all SBS is consumed, remaining oxygen is not reacted and biological status becomes
unstable.

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FIG 3 OPERATINAL DIAGRAM

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