Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most widely used techniques worldwide for de-salting and purifying water. The method is commonly used in greenhouse horticulture for the production of clean water and in industry for process water. By removing dissolved minerals and undesirable substances, clean and stable water is produced that is suitable for applications where quality is essential.
How does reverse osmosis work?
Reverse osmosis uses semi-permeable membranes. Water is forced through these membranes under high pressure. Molecules such as minerals, metals, and microcontaminants are thereby blocked. The water that passes through the membrane is called permeate; the water that remains behind is called concentrate.
An RO system thus splits the incoming water into two streams. The ratio between these streams is expressed as recovery: the percentage of raw water converted into clean water. Traditional RO systems typically operate with recovery rates between 50 and 75%.
Why is RO used in horticulture and industry?
An RO system thus splits the incoming water into two streams. The ratio between these streams is expressed as recovery: the percentage of raw water converted into clean water. Traditional RO systems typically operate with recovery rates between 50 and 75%.
Key benefits:
RO in times of water shortages
Due to stricter legislation, longer dry spells, and pressure on groundwater availability, the need for efficient RO systems is growing. Higher efficiency means lower raw water consumption and less wastewater, key factors for both growers and industrial users.
Wat is het verschil tussen een normale RO en een high-performance RO?
The high-performance RO (HPRO), developed within the Van der Ende Group, is designed for maximum efficiency. Thanks to its higher efficiency, significantly less feed water is required to achieve the same output. This results in a reduction in concentrate discharge of approximately 50 percent.
In addition, the HPRO consumes up to 30 percent less energy than a conventional RO system, which directly contributes to lower operating costs and a more sustainable water treatment process.
High-performance RO systems offer, among other things:
These systems are designed for situations where water is scarce or where efficiency is a key factor.
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