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Home Technical Information Reverse Osmosis Filtration Ion exchange Dealkalisation Demineralisation Membranes Water Softening Contact Existing Contact New

Reverse Osmosis	Reverse Osmosis is a water purification process which can be used in many different markets. It was developed from the naturally occurring process, Osmosis. Osmosis, in basic terms, is about maintaining equilibrium: water molecules pass through a semi-permeable membrane from the side with the lowest concentration to the side with the highest concentration Reverse Osmosis is exactly the opposite - it is the process of forcing a solvent through a semi-permeable membrane from the side with the highest concentration to the side with the lowest concentration. The water is 'cleaned' by being forced at high pressure through an ultra-fine semi-permeable membrane so that only the water can be pushed through and the contaminants remain. This an extremely useful process, both on its own and combined with Filtration, particularly in Market Sectors that need water that does not contain any impurities, for example Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Catering.
Filtration	Filtration occurs in nature when rain water passes between many layers of sand and gravel. The gravel and sand act as a filter to collect solid particles and therefore leave the water pure. This process has been adapted to achieve the same effect in industry; water passes through layers of porous material such as sand or carbon, which acts as a filter and 'catches' any solid impurities, thus leaving the water clean. Filtration is a very important procedure as if left, these solid impurities can block pipes and other equipment, plugging essential parts in processes. This is a particularly useful process in Healthcare, Manufacturing and Domestic circumstances. Back to top
Ion exchange	Ion exchange is a process for water softening. It involves exchanging hardness causing ions for sodium or potassium ions. Water is passed through resin which attracts calcium and magnesium and replaces them with sodium or potassium, making the water softer and less likely to cause scale build ups. Back to top
Dealkalisation	Dealkalisation - Small piece about this technology Back to top
Demineralisation	Demineralisation - Small piece about this technology Back to top
Membranes	Membranes - Small piece about membranes Back to top
Water Softening	The Problem of Hard Water Hardness of water is measured as the concentration of the dissolved mineral salts of calcium and magnesium and can be further categorised as temporary (carbonate hardness) and permanent (non-carbonate hardness). When water containing these hardness salts is heated, the salts become less soluble, and precipitate (unlike many other dissolved minerals which actually become more soluble as water is heated). The precipitated hardness results in troublesome deposits, which may cause many problems. The inconvenience and problems caused by calcium are well known, and are evident in all aspects of daily life (industry, commerce, hotels, home etc.). For example, in steam and hot water boilers in cooling towers and humidification systems water heaters, dishwashers and glass washers coffee and espresso machines in mixer taps, faucets, pumps thermostatic valves etc. showerheads, bathroom surfaces, basins, toilets The presence of hardness interferes with the efficiency of most washing processes, such as for textiles and glassware, where the final rinsed quality is critical. Also, hard water can lead to scale formation, which can be undesirable and costly in many manufacturing processes. The results of softening water The most effective method of water softening (removing the hardness salts calcium and magnesium) is by the process of ion exchange - ions are electrically charged species of the minerals dissolved in water. The water is passed through a synthetic resin, which absorbs the calcium and magnesium ions by exchanging them for sodium ions. When the resin is exhausted, it needs to be regenerated. The resin is recharged with sodium ions by rinsing with a brine solution (sodium chloride). The hardness ions previously removed are flushed to drain during the regeneration process. Back to top

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