What is Reverse Osmosis

What is Reverse Osmosis

Due to demand, Complete Cafe Services has worked with High Performance Water filtration specialists to design and produce the HPF 1-302BN Reverse Osmosis System. Perfect for the Home, Office or Small Cafe.

We have designed a compact and elegant quick-change reverse osmosis system featuring a full 5 stage filter configuration. The quick-change system simplifies filter changes allowing almost anyone to do their own filter changes – no more expensive call out fees as you simply twist the filters to remove and install its that easy. Featuring an onboard smart IC controller that will monitor water quality and give you hassle free filter change reminders. It also features automatic leak detection and will shut off your water supply if an internal leak is detected in the system

 

Facts about Reverse Osmosis

*Reverse Osmosis membranes do not have a Litre Capacity for filter replacements due to the variables that can make the filter life vary significantly. This is mostly due to the water quality.

The most accurate way to test an RO membrane for effectiveness is to use a TDS Meter. TDS meters measure the total dissolved solids in ppm in the water. To test your membrane, get a baseline reading out of your tap (unfiltered water) and then compare that to a reading directly off the membrane (disconnect the tube before it goes into the post filter cartridge).

You can expect to get a difference of approx. 90-98% between the readings which indicate that the membrane is functioning correctly. If this % is beginning to drop below 90% it suggests that the RO membrane requires replacement.

Our 5 Stage “RO” system is fairly versatile and suitable for a range of different uses.

 

The Main Applications of Reverse Osmosis are:

Domestic Drinking Water, Cooking & Food Preparation, Filtration for Coffee Machines & Other Appliances. Domestic Drinking Water is the most common where the filter is installed under the sink and filtering the mains water (council water). This removes the chemicals such as chlorine and other mineral levels such as hardness (limescale) and even Fluoride & heavy metals. Cooking & Food Preparation benefits with filtered water as there are no impurities or chemicals soaking into the food you are cooking.

Filtration for Coffee Machines is highly important to help protect your investment in an expensive appliance. Not only does it improve the taste of brewed beverages, but it also protects the delicate components from damage due to scale, chemicals, chlorides or salts. The system also includes an alkalising stage to balance the alkalinity of the water and protect the components from corrosion from RO water.

Our HPF 5 stage Quick Change Alkaline Undersink Reverse Osmosis System H1-302BN gives you peace of mind, knowing that your water filter complies with Australian plumbing codes. Certified to WaterMark standards AS/NZS 3497 under certificate 022780. This compact quick change reverse osmosis system features 5 stage filter configuration. Simplifying filter changes to ensure you can manage this without calling in an expert, no more call out fees! This ROS

WaterMark Certified Undersink Reverse Osmosis Filter

High Quality, pH Neutral Drinking Water

Calcium Remineralisation for pH Neutral water

Components Compliant to NSF/ANSI 42

Quick Change Technology

 

5 stages of filtration

Quick Change Filter Technology

Compact and Elegant Design

Built in TDS monitor for water quality monitoring

Smart Filter Change Alarm System

Automatic Leak Detection System and Shut Off

NEW 50GPD Quick Change Membrane -Filmtec

DM Fit Entry Tee Valve – Self Locking

Modern Goose Neck Faucet

High & Low Pressure Switches for Automatic ON/OFF

Colour Coded Tubing for Easy Installation

The HPF 1-302BN is a compact and elegant quick-change reverse osmosis system featuring a full 5 stage filter configuration. The quick-change system simplifies filter changes allowing almost anyone to do their own filter changes – no more expensive call out fees as you simply twist the filters to remove and install its that easy. Featuring an onboard smart IC controller that will monitor water quality and give you hassle free filter change reminders. It also features automatic leak detection and will shut off your water supply if an internal leak is detected in the system

Specifications

pH: 7-7.5 when filter stabilises

Flow: 8-10L/Hour

Drain Flow: 12-16L/Hour

System Weight

Dry – 3Kg

System Dimensions (Approx):

Height: 41cm Width: 15cm Length: 39cm

Tank Dimensions/Capacity

Height : 42cm Width: 29cm / 12 Litre

 

Kit Contains

5 Stage Watermark Certified RO System

Filters Included

12L Storage Tank

2m White Tubing

2m Black Tubing

2m Blue Tubing

Inlet Water Valve

Pressure Limiting Valve

Goose Neck Faucet

50mm Adjustable Drain Saddle

Detailed System Instructions

 

Filter System Stage Breakdown

Stage 1: ST-01 1uM Sediment QC Cartridge – Replace Every 6 Months

Quick Change 1uM Sediment filter to help protect the more expensive carbon filter and reverse osmosis membrane filters, 100% melt blow Polypropylene fibre

Stage 2:ST-33 GAC QC Cartridge   – Replace every 6 months – NSF 61

This quick change pre carbon filter which is made of granular activated carbon removes chlorine to protect RO membranes and absorbs harmful organic chemicals in feed water, the most important filter should always be a Carbon Filter to protect the life of the membrane.  This should then prolong your membrane life (the membrane is your most expensive and crucial component) for a life of up to 5 years (depending on location/water).

Stage 3: ST-CTO 5uM Coconut Carbon QC Cartridge – Replace every 12 months

This quick change pre carbon filter which is made of coconut carbon block and removes chlorine to protect RO membranes and absorbs harmful organic chemicals in feed water, the most important filter should always be a Carbon Filter to protect the life of the membrane.  This should then prolong your membrane life (the membrane is your most expensive and crucial component) for a life of up to 5 years (depending on location/water).

Stage 4: ST-RO50 50GPD QC RO Membrane Cartridge (Filmtec) – Replace every 2 years – NSF 58

The RO membrane is the “engine room” of your R/O. All the crucial work is done here, so all the filters before the membrane are primarily there to protect the membrane.  This membrane is a 0.00001-micron rating. It is classed by the manufacturer to be a U.S 50 gallon per day membrane (190 Litres).

Stage 5: ST-34ALK GAC Coconut Carbon/Alkalising Post Filter – Replace every 12 Months -NSF 42 /61

Extremely high-grade coconut carbon cartridge for maximum extraction of taste or odour issues. Final calcite (CaCO³) stage to raise the pH of the acidic RO water to a balanced state. The trace amount of calcium used is enough to neutralise the water, but not so much as to create calcium hardness issues in the water.

 

Reverse Osmosis Performance:

Inorganic Organic Rejection Aluminum 98% Adrazin Over 98% Arsenic 98% Aldrin Over 98% Benzene Over 98% Barium 95% Chlorine Over 98% Cadmium 95% Chloroform Over 98% Calcium 98% DOT Over 98% Chloride 95% Dichlormethane Over 98% Chromium VI 98% Endrin Over 98% Copper 98% Fluoranthene Over 98% Fluoride 99.9% Herbicides Over 98% Iron 98% Lindane Over 98% Lead 98% Methoxychlor Over 98% Magnesium 98% PCB Over 98% Manganese 98% Pesticides Over 98% Mercury II 85% Perchlorethylene Over 98% Nitrate 90% Phenole Over 98% Potassium 95% Tannic Acids Over 98% Selenium IV 95% Toxaphene Over 98% Silver 98% Trichlorethlene Over 98% Sodium 95% Trihalomethanes Over 98% Strontium 98% V.O.C.’s Over 98% Sulphate 98% Total Dissolved Solids 95% Zinc 98%

 

INCLUDED: Faucet Tap:

The Faucet tap supplied standard with this kit is Compliant to NSF/ANSI 61, certified lead-free tap.

 

What is reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis removes nasty contaminants from unfiltered water, or council water, when pressure forces it through a semipermeable membrane. Water flows from the more concentrated side (more contaminants) of the RO membrane to the less concentrated side (fewer contaminants) to provide clean drinking water.

The fresh water produced is called the permeate. The concentrated water left over is called the waste or brine.

semipermeable membrane has small pores that block contaminants but allow water molecules to flow through. In osmosis, water becomes more concentrated as it passes through the membrane to obtain equilibrium on both sides. Reverse osmosis, however, blocks contaminants from entering the less concentrated side of the membrane. For example, when pressure is applied to a volume of saltwater during reverse osmosis, the salt is left behind and only clean water flows through.

reverse-osmosis

How does a reverse osmosis system work?

 reverse osmosis system removes sediment and chlorine from water with a prefilter before it forces water through a semipermeable membrane to remove dissolved solids. After water exits the RO membrane, it passes through a postfilter to polish the drinking water before it enters a dedicated faucet. Reverse osmosis systems have various stages depending on their number of prefilters and postfilters.

Stages of RO systems

The RO membrane is the focal point of a reverse osmosis system, but an RO system also includes other types of filtration. RO systems are made up of 3, 4, or 5 stages of filtration.

Every reverse osmosis water system contains a sediment filter and a carbon filter in addition to the RO membrane. The filters are called either prefilters or postfilters depending on whether water passes through them before or after it passes through the membrane.

Each type of system contains one or more of the following filters:

  • Sediment filter: Reduces particles like dirt, dust, and rust
  • Carbon filter: Reduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorine, and other contaminants that give water a bad taste or odor
  • Semi-permeable membrane: Removes up to 98% of total dissolved solids (TDS)

reverse-osmosis

  1. When water first enters an RO system, it goes through prefiltration. Prefiltration typically includes a carbon filter and a sediment filter to remove sediment and chlorine that could clog or damage the RO membrane.
  2. Next, water goes through the reverse osmosis membrane where dissolved particles, even too small to be seen with an electron microscope, are removed.
  3. After filtration, water flows to the storage tank, where it is held until needed. A reverse osmosis system continues to filter water until the storage tank is full and then shuts off.
  4. Once you turn on your drinking water faucet, water comes out of the storage tank through another postfilter to polish drinking water before it gets to your faucet.

Why do you need an RO storage tank?

An RO storage tank holds reverse osmosis water so you have plenty to use when you need it. A reverse osmosis system makes water slowly. It takes one minute to produce two to three ounces of RO water. If you were to turn on your faucet for a glass of water at the actual membrane production rate, then you would have to wait at least 5 minutes for it to fill. With a storage tank, your glass fills instantly.

Read more about how a water storage tank works.

What does a reverse osmosis system remove?

A reverse osmosis system removes dissolved solids like arsenic and fluoride through the RO membrane. An RO system also includes sediment and carbon filtration for a broad spectrum of reduction. The carbon filters in an RO system remove chlorine and bad taste and odors, and the sediment filter removes dirt and debris

Does a reverse osmosis system remove…
  • Fluoride? Yes.
  • Salt? Yes.
  • Sediment? Yes.
  • Chlorine? Yes.
  • Arsenic? Yes.
  • VOCs? Yes.
  • Herbicides and pesticides? Yes.
  • Many other contaminants? Yes. The contaminants listed are some of the most popular ones treated with an RO system, but the system also removes a slew of other contaminants.
  • Bacteria and Viruses? No. If your water comes from a city treatment plant, then it should already be microbiologically safe. Reverse osmosis may remove some bacteria, but bacteria could grow on the membrane and potentially enter your water supply.
Reverse osmosis system benefits

A reverse osmosis system is one of the most extensive methods of filtration. It removes 98% of dissolved solids, which makes it healthier to drink. A water distiller is the only other drinking water system that also reduces TDS, but it’s less efficient than an RO system.

  • Harmful dissolved contaminants reduced
  • Sodium reduced
  • Bad tastes and odors reduced
  • More environmentally friendly than bottled water
  • Easy to install and maintain
  • Fits under the kitchen sink

Reverse osmosis vs. bottled water

Most bottled water is purified through reverse osmosis, but producing bottled water wastes more water than a reverse osmosis system. Think about all the water required to make one bottle of water. When bottled water is purified, wastewater is sent to the drain, and producing the bottle uses water and petroleum. Petroleum is used again to deliver the bottled water to the store. Afterward, the truck may get washed, using even more water. A reverse osmosis system provides water just as pure as bottled water that tastes just as refreshing without as great of a cost to the environment.

Reverse osmosis also has the added benefit of perpetually producing highly purified water in your home. There is no need to run out to the grocery store to stock up on expensive and wasteful cases of bottled water. A reverse osmosis system produces bottled water quality hydration in the comfort of your kitchen. You can even fill stainless steel water bottles with RO water and store them in your fridge, so you can enjoy all the conveniences of bottled water without the disposable single-use plastic bottles and weekly grocery runs.

Is reverse osmosis water good for you?

A reverse osmosis water system removes dissolved contaminants that you can’t see but that could make you sick. Reverse osmosis does work for your kidneys by filtering water before it enters your body. It also removes beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium from water, but that does not make reverse osmosis water bad for you.

Our bodies are 70-80% water that hydrates, lubricates joints, and aids organ function. You don’t need minerals to do those things. You would have to drink excessive amounts of water for your body to absorb enough mineral content to make a significant difference. Food is the primary source of essential nutrients, not water. If you want more minerals, eat your fruits and veggies.

Some mineral content is fine to drink, but the EPA recommends that the amount of TDS in water not exceed 500 parts per million. A large portion of the U.S. has TDS levels that exceed this level and could benefit from an RO system.

 

Reverse osmosis system vs. a water softener

Unlike a reverse osmosis system, a water softener does not filter harmful contaminants from water. It removes calcium and magnesium to soften hard water and make washing clothes and showering easier.

Water is softened during reverse osmosis. However, using a reverse osmosis system to treat hard water (above 7 grains) shortens the life of the RO membrane. This will lead to more frequent membrane replacements. If you have hard water, use a water softener to treat it instead.

Reverse osmosis systems and water softeners benefit each other. A water softener installed before the RO system removes iron from the water that can stain your shower, clothes, and toilet orange and clog the RO membrane. An RO system removes sodium added by the water softener.

How long do reverse osmosis systems last?

Reverse osmosis systems usually last between 10 and 15 years. While the systems themselves have a long lifespan, the RO membrane and filters need replacing periodically. The pre-filters and post filters should be changed every 6 months to 1 year. Depending on your water conditions, the RO membrane should be replaced every 2-4 years.

Adapted from the RO Experts @freshwatersystems.com

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