| Reverse Osmosis |
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Reverse osmosis is exactly reverse to the osmosis. Osmosis is a process in which there is a net flow of water molecules from high concentration of water molecules to low concentration of water molecules separated by a semi permeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane allows the passage of water, but not ions (e.g., Na+, Ca2+, Cl-) or larger molecules (e.g., glucose, urea, bacteria). Osmosis will continue until equilibrium is reached. Semi permeable membrane is a membrane, which consists of submicroscopic pores that allows the passage of solvent molecules. Osmosis can be slowed, stopped, or even reversed if sufficient pressure is applied to the membrane from the 'concentrated' side of the membrane.
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Osmosis |
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Suppose salt water and fresh water compartments separated by a semi permeable membrane, there is a net flow of water molecules from fresh water to salt water. As a result the volume of salt water increases while the volume of fresh water decreases. This change in volume causes a pressure known as osmotic pressure. Osmosis is a natural process, which means that there is no need of applying external pressure. The osmotic pressure developed during the process allows the passage of some water molecules from salt water to fresh water. When the rate of transfer of water molecules from fresh water to salt water is same as that of the rate of transfer of water molecules from salt water to fresh water, the system is said to be in osmotic equilibrium. There is no net flow of solvent molecules at this stage.
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