RO Membrane: High-tech guardian of water purification

RO Membrane, or reverse osmosis membrane, is a shining pearl in modern water treatment technology. As the abbreviation of Reverse Osmosis Membrane, RO membrane has become an indispensable component in the field of water purification with its unique reverse osmosis principle.

The working principle of RO membrane is based on the reverse osmosis principle, that is, water molecules flow from high-concentration solution to low-concentration solution under pressure. In nature, the flow direction of water is usually from low concentration to high concentration, but in the RO membrane system, by applying external pressure, water molecules are forced to flow in the reverse direction, thereby achieving solution separation. The pore size of the RO membrane is extremely small, only 0.0001 microns, equivalent to one-millionth of a hair, which allows only water molecules and some beneficial minerals to pass through, while bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and other impurities are effectively intercepted and discharged.

RO membranes are usually made of polymer materials and have extremely high separation efficiency and stability. They have a compact structure, are easy to install, have low operating and maintenance costs, and can operate efficiently at room temperature. The composite membrane technology invented in the 1980s greatly improves the water permeability and salt removal rate of the membrane through the superposition of ultra-thin reverse osmosis membrane, porous support layer and fabric reinforcement layer, making RO membrane an ideal water purification material.

RO membranes have a wide range of applications, covering scientific research, medicine, food, beverages, seawater desalination and other industries. In the field of seawater desalination, RO membrane technology is the key to achieving the conversion of seawater into fresh water. Malta in the central Mediterranean has built the world's largest reverse osmosis desalination plant. Through RO membrane technology, bitter seawater is converted into clean drinking water, providing a reliable water source for local residents and tourists.

In the pharmaceutical and food industries, RO membranes are used to prepare ultrapure water and sterile water to ensure that the production process of medicines and foods is not contaminated. In the electronics industry, RO membranes are used to prepare ultrapure water in the semiconductor industry to ensure the purity of water quality in the chip manufacturing process. In addition, RO membranes are also widely used in wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Through efficient separation and concentration, wastewater reuse and maximum resource utilization are achieved.

After long-term operation, RO membranes may be affected by pollutants such as suspended matter and insoluble matter, resulting in performance degradation. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the RO membrane is essential. Through water flushing and chemical cleaning, the performance of the membrane element can be effectively restored and the service life can be extended. During short-term system shutdown, the system should be flushed every 5 days to prevent bacterial growth. For systems that are shut down for a long time, 1% sodium bisulfite solution should be added to protect the RO membrane from microbial invasion.