A Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane is the core component of an RO water treatment system. It is a semi-permeable membrane designed to remove dissolved salts, impurities, and contaminants from water by allowing only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules and ions.
In an RO water plant, the membrane typically:
• Operates under high pressure, forcing water through microscopic pores (about 0.0001 microns).
• Removes up to 95–99% of dissolved solids, heavy metals, bacteria, and other impurities.
• Produces two streams — permeate (pure water) and reject (concentrated waste water).
RO membranes are usually made from thin-film composite (TFC) materials, known for their durability, high rejection rate, and resistance to chemicals. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning and pre-filtration, ensures optimal performance and longer membrane life.