Reverse Osmosis Questions
Anti-Scaling Questions?
Reverse Osmosis Answers.
Osmosis refers to the passage of water thru a thin
membrane from the side with low salt concentration to
the side with higher salt concentration. This
can happen even when the water level is higher on the
high salt side and the water must move against a
pressure difference. The bottom line is that
osmosis refers to a concentration difference
manifesting itself as a pressure difference.
The other side of the coin is reverse
osmosis. A difference in pressure is used to
cause a difference in salt concentration. It is
as though the pressure is being used to force the
water molecules through the membrane while retaining
the larger salt molecules (sort of like a
screen). Salt means any inorganic compound
dissolved in water. When water is processed by
reverse osmosis a large fraction of dissolved material
is removed. The cleaner the input water the
cleaner the output water will be. Conversely, if
your input water is clean enough, you may not need an
RO unit.
Yes! According to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, "The American Public can no longer take
the purity of our drinking water for granted."
Over 700 organic and inorganic chemicals have been
identified in drinking water and some of them are
linked to cancer, birth defects, neurological
disorders and a host of other afflictions.
The average person will consume approximately
15,000 gallons of water in a life time. In many water
supplies, there are contaminates that even in small
quantities, can cause physical disorders as stated
above. Most cities have up to 72 hours before they
have to notify you that there is a problem with your
water supply. Milwaukee and other cities have recently
found fecal bacteria in their water supply resulting
in some deaths and thousands of people ill. In Phoenix
alone, between 1991 and 1992, there were reported to
be 17,364 violations of E.P.A. Water Quality
Standards, according to the "Natural Resources
Defense Council" in Washington. It is not an
issue of whether your water is harmful physically or
not, the issue is for such a small price, why even
allow it to be a concern. Besides, for such a small
price, you can have safe water that tastes great too!
After preliminary filtering for suspected particles
and carbon filtering for organic substances that are
readily absorbed on carbon particles, RO equipment
uses the pressure of the water line (usually 50-100
psi) to force water through its membrane, producing
relatively pure water and producing waste product
water with a higher concentration of salt than the raw
input water has. Some systems let you adjust how
pure the product is (less pure product produces less
waste water product).
The quality of the water is much better, your ice
cubes will be clear and fresh, and the water will
taste better. This is accomplished by using a
combination of the three most effective water
treatment technologies known. An expert from the
office of Water Research and Technology said in the
U.S. Dept. of the Interior Publication, 24-000-00855-0:
"For general treatment (of water) to reduce both
organic and inorganic loading to tolerable levels at
lower energy costs, Reverse Osmosis (RO) offers
significant advantages. It can accomplish the removal
of many classes of contaminates to the desired degree
of purity simultaneously. The significance of Reverse
Osmosis (RO) is that it provides an additional
processing tool with a broader capability, combined
with lower energy costs, that has been available in
the past."
The pre-filters are changed every six months and the
post-filters are changed once a year. The Reverse
Osmosis membrane is changed between two to five
years, depending on your incoming water quality. Aqua
Texas will notify you when it is
time to change your filters and which ones need
changing so you don't have to worry about keeping
track.
There are two basic types of membranes: TFC
and CTA. CTA membranes must have chlorinated
water (such as from a water company system). If
they are fed well water, microbes will build up and
clog the membrane. TFC membranes are use with
well water as they resist the clogging. But they
cost more to use.
RO water is cheap (if a unit lasts four years and
requires 8 membranes during that time, and costs $180
to buy and $500 for supplies and produces 50 gallons
per day, that is only about a penny a gallon).
RO water is simple to understand. It is just
tap water most of whose salts have been removed.
RO water is simple to manage. By testing for
hardness and pH you can become aware of membrane and
filter exhaustion easily.
Anti-Scaling Answers
Hard water entering the anti-scaling
device inlet flows across the catalyst element. The surface of the catalyst
element consists of millions of bi- and tri-metallic junctions similar in
geometry to calcium carbonate (CA Co2), the dissolved mineral that makes hard
water. Through a phenomenon called lattice matching, minerals attach to each
other and form crystals. Minerals in solution can also be made to attach to
other surfaces with similar lattice patterns. Calcium carbonate collects onto
these catalyst element junctions. These deposits from microscopic crystals that
are less stable, but still attractive to the calcium carbonate still in
solution.
This process is called nucleation and is familiar to those
scientists who work in the areas of semiconductors, physical chemistry and
metallurgy. These crystals grow to size believed to be between .0000004"
and .000004", which is too small to be seen with an optical microscope,
before they are flushed off the catalyst surface due to combination of crystal
instability and the shearing force of the flowing water. Billions of these
calcium carbonate crystals, or calcite "seeds" are now in the treated
water exiting the Anti-Scaling Device.
These billions of calcite "seeds" appear to be more
attractive to dissolved calcium carbonate than those surfaces that do not
closely match their geometry, so the surfaces of pipes and those devices using
the water lose the tendency to build scale. In addition, since these
"seeds" also seem to be slightly more attractive to calcium carbonate
than the rectangular structure of normal hard scale, over a period of time,
calcium carbonate that has already been deposited as hard scale should slowly be
drawn to the "seeds" and then removed with water.
Since the Calcium carbonate in the treated water is not
actually removed; only "converted", the treated water that dries on a
surface might leave a small amount of calcium carbonate residue. However, this
powder does not strongly attach to the surfaces and, if visible, can be easily
wiped off. Beneficial mineral content is not lost.
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Prevents Calcium Deposits
The Anti-Scaling Device works to suspend the calcium in the water as it
passes through, causing the scale not to stick to pipes or appliances. Extending
the life of water heaters, reverse osmosis units, ice makers, dishwashers,
shower heads and all other water using appliances in the home or office.
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Removes Existing Scale
The existing scale deposits in you plumbing system, water heater and fixtures
is softened and eventually completely removed from the system. Causing all
systems to perform more efficiently. Better heat transfer in water heaters while
lowering gas and electricity bills.
O
Days
60
Days
120 Days
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Requires No Chemicals
Anti-Scaling Devices requires not treatment of chemicals or salt. When
compared to softeners the Anti-Scaling Device will save you on equipment, salt
and maintenance costs. Also it never wears out!
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Will not Change the Water's Feel or Taste
Anti-Scaling Device does not cause the water to feel "Slick" like
other water softener systems; soap rinses off clean and easy without any
persistent residue. It does not add a salty or metallic taste to the water.
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Reduces Cleaning Chemicals
Anti-scaling Device will reduce the requirements for soaps, detergents and
household cleaners. Cleaning calcium and lime deposits from fixtures, shower
doors and tubs becomes much easier. Dishes come out looking cleaner and
brighter. Residues wipe away quickly without the need for solvents or harsh
cleaning products.
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Promotes Better Plant Growth
Plants need good water too! In agricultural applications, catalytic
conditioners are actually used to promote faster, healthier, and greener plant
growth because they are able to absorb more nutrients. Water penetrates deeper
into the soil. Greatly reducing the need for watering and use of fertilizers.
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Helps Fight Pollution
With the Anti-Scaling Device you will be taking part in the fight against
water and soil pollution by decreasing the amount of sodium and other chemicals
we introduce into the environment.
Hard water, scale and the resulting corrosion are working
right now to destroy your pipes, plumbing fixtures and appliances. Scale
shortens the life of water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines. Hard water
scale that forms on your tile and showerhead, in addition to looking unsightly,
can support bacteria growth and corrosion. Even you lawn and plants can be
affected. Scale buildup on surface soil can block water reaching plant roots.
Old-fashioned water softeners are not the best solution.
Not only are they costly and inconvenient to maintain, but standard softeners
introduce sodium into you water supply. Many people don't like the
"slick" feeling from the water and the residue on their skin when
attempting to rinse off after washing. Concerns have also been voiced about
using this softened water for drinking and for watering plants. These softeners
also dump sodium chloride in to the ecosystem: that's why they've been banned in
some communities.
For over 40 years, catalytic water conditioners have been
used by restaurants, industrial companies, power generating utilities, and
agriculture. They are used to minimize the effects of hard water scale in
diverse applications such as boilers and steam generators, commercial
dishwashing machines, ice making machines, car washes and irrigation systems.
They are used by park districts and golf course operators to protect expensive
sprinkler heads and promote better irrigation by breaking down surface soil
scale buildup.
Efforts have been made in the past to adapt catalytic
water conditioner technology to residential use. Most were unable to accommodate
the wide range of household water flow rates, and were much too complicated and
expensive. The Anti-Scaling Devise is an affordable whole-house water
conditioner that is simply installed in the incoming water line. Water is
conditioned at all normal flow rates
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