Osmosis is defined as the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration through a semi permeable membrane to an area of low concentration. The Reverse Osmosis process uses semi permeable spiral-wound membranes to separate and remove dissolved solid, organics, pyrogens, sub micron colloidal matter and bacteria from water. Feed water is delivered under pressure of about 200 psi through the permeators, where water permeates the minute pores of the membrane and is delivered as purified product water. Impurities in the water are concentrated in the reject stream and flushed. Reverse Osmosis is capable of removing 90-98% of the total dissolved solids (TDS), 99% of the organics (including pyrogens), and 99% of all bacteria. The membrane has small microscopic holes that are so small that only molecules the size of a water molecule can pass through. This "pure" water that permeates through the membrane is plumbed to a storage tank for later use as spot free cleaning water. This water is known as the Permeate. The much larger dissolved solid molecules are left behind where they are left mixed with water and swept out of a separate port to be discharged down the drain or, in some cases, used for further processing. This "hard" water is known as the Concentrate.
The pressure supplied by the pump is adjustable in order to maximize the ratio of permeate vs. concentrate. Flow meters allow you to monitor permeate and concentrate flow in order to achieve the maximum ratio of permeate vs. concentrate.