The water that millions of people drink every day contains a huge amount of various harmful impurities, substances and bacteria. Many people believe that all these substances can be neutralized by boiling. This opinion is wrong. Experts rightly argue that boiling water does not purify everything from water. The stakes are high - anything in the water can cause serious illness and permanent damage to he alth.
In order to save their body, many people install membrane water filters, which, according to manufacturers, are able to purify water of any quality as much as possible.
So, these systems can remove from it a variety of bacteria, harmful suspensions, impurities and even heavy metals, while maintaining the structure and its s alt balance unchanged.
What ismembrane?
One of the main properties of almost all water treatment systems is the retention of various harmful substances, impurities and their compounds.
Membrane filters accomplish these tasks by using a thin film of synthetic materials. It has special pores through which only oxygen and water pass. Everything else, and this is a mass of various organic and inorganic substances, remains on the surface. For the production of such membranes, polyurethane, cellulose, acetate and lavsan are used, but there are other materials that have similar properties.
Varieties of cleaning systems
Membrane type filters are far from a new technology. Their history begins in the 19th century. Then the first filters were made on the basis of cellulose, however, for some reason, this system could not then get the proper distribution. And only in the 60s of the last century, engineers developed a new membrane. This is the prototype of what is used today.
The differences between similar membranes lie in the size of the pores, as well as in the design.
For example, with small openings, there will be a higher pressure inside the filter. Several stages, each of which will purify water from various pollutants, will significantly improve the quality of drinking water. However, the price is rising.
Microfiltration membrane
In systems of this type, the sizes of microscopic holes can vary from 0.1 to 1.0 microns. These products are used in devicesfirst level cleaning. They purify the water from those compounds that make the water cloudy. This type of filter membranes is nothing more than a preparatory level. Only then can you move on to finer cleaning. Often this solution is used when wastewater needs to be treated.
Ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration membrane may have pores ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 µm.
At this stage, all colloidal particles and various macromolecular substances are removed from the water. In addition, this filter copes well with bacterial contamination. The only caveat is that this product is not able to remove s alts. These solutions are often used in industrial-scale wastewater treatment plants. They can also be found in household filters, where the content of s alts in water is allowed.
Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration membranes have pores from 0.001 to 0.02 microns. These elements are responsible for softening very hard water. This membrane can retain organochlorine and heavy metal particles in its pores. If we talk about the level of purification from heavy metals in percentage terms, then the system is able to retain them only 30%. But at the same time, this nanofiltration part almost completely passes dissolved s alts.
Reverse osmosis membrane
It has the smallest pore sizes - they can range from 0.0001 to 0.001 microns.
The product has high selective properties andcreated in such a way as to remove almost all contaminants, impurities, harmful substances that people consume with water.
This membrane is capable of passing gases and a small amount of s alts. If it is necessary to filter the sea, then the water filtration system with these elements allows you to desalinate it by 97%. The cleaning process with the help of these membranes leads to the fact that s alts, viruses, various bacteria, oil products and much more are almost completely neutralized.
Filters turn running water into real high-quality and harmless water, which is then bottled, used to prepare a wide variety of drinks, used in pharmaceutical and other industries. It is also widely used in electronics, microbiology. This water purification technology is very effective. However, the prices for such items are quite high.
Operation principle
So, these filters are a very thin membrane with a huge number of pores of various sizes. These elements are able to provide the maximum level of cleaning. In addition, after the water has passed through the membrane filters, it does not change its composition. S alts and trace elements important for humans remain in it.
During the filtration process with membranes, the water has a high level of purification, and is also complete, saturated with all the necessary minerals.
In these and similar systems using membranes, the tangential principle of fluid movement around the membrane works. Water enters the filter through one channel, and leaves through two. It follows from this that water accumulates ontwo sides of the membrane.
The efficiency of these filters as a whole depends on what area and thickness this or that membrane has. Water pressure and temperature also significantly affect performance.
Travel filters: how they work
For hikers, there are popular Nerox elements, the principle of which differs significantly from stationary installations. So, in a container that contains dirty water, membrane filters are placed. Clean water will be discharged to another container through a special channel.
These filters are quite effective and allow you to clean the liquid as much as possible. But they have one serious drawback. It is necessary to periodically clean the membrane from sediment. Manufacturers claim to clean the system manually.
How and how to process the membrane
If the precipitate is inorganic, then it is easier to remove it with means that contain acid. Organic substances, their compounds, biomass are easily washed out with alkali-based solutions. Do not use nitric or sulfuric acid for cleaning.
With their help, you can easily disable an expensive membrane element.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages that this water filtration system has are the simplicity, ease of operation and maintenance of the membrane. In addition, the liquid after all stages of purification is very clean, but at the same time, the s alt composition is preserved in it. The membrane is able to remove even the smallest impurities. Most systems are fairly compact. Some models can be successfully used in the field and also as wastewater treatment systems. Disadvantages - high price. In addition, they note that for all the efficiency of work, the speed of this process is incredibly low. Installation of storage tanks will be required.
Types of systems by design
So, if we talk about the design, there are several types of membrane filters. These are models based on a single substance, without substrates. There are also fabric-based membranes or from various porous materials. These are elements of the reinforced type. They also produce products from raw materials with large pores.
Reverse osmosis filters
Disk-type reverse osmosis membrane in most cases is a thin element based on composite materials. Each layer of such a filter is made of a variety of compounds.
Tubular
Systems of this type are made of porous materials. It can be plastic, ceramic, metal or cermet. As for the size, the diameter of such a membrane in different models can be up to several centimeters.
In addition, we can distinguish between asymmetric and symmetrical tubular membrane. In the former, the density of pores is the same throughout the entire volume. In the second case, one of the surfaces can be made of a denser material. This is the working layer that reports the degree of cleaning. Coarsely porous membranes only let the purifiedwater.
Roll filters
This is a system where the membrane is installed on the drain hose. When the water supply begins, the liquid moves in a spiral. After that, its entire volume accumulates in a special hose and is discharged from its second end.
The design features a comfortable shape, and the working part is ultra-thin. This is a guarantee of high performance. The risk of contamination is also greatly reduced in this case. These solutions can be used for a variety of purposes, including wastewater filtration.
Hollow fiber
Hollow fiber membrane filters can also be distinguished. They are tubular in shape. A certain amount fits in the filter device. The result is a solution where the working surface is significantly increased, which is the best way to improve performance.
Disadvantage - almost no flow control along the fibers of the filter.
These models are often clogged. Because of this feature, they should not be used for wastewater treatment.
Prices
Manufacturers set different prices for equipment. In most cases, the cost depends on the performance and degree of purification. Consider the most popular models from different manufacturers and their price.
Nerox – 1350 rubles
These products are suitable for wastewater filtration. The osmosis filter allows you to maintain the s alt balance. The product is lightweight and compact. This model can be used both stationary and outdoors. Forfor the system to work properly, it is necessary to periodically clean the membrane.
"Aqua-expert" - 1450 rubles
This model is designed to work with water of any quality. It is also possible to apply the filter to waste water. According to the manufacturer, the membrane allows you to restore the structure of the liquid. The system is very easy to use and clean when needed.
Solutions from Aquaphor
Reverse osmosis "Aquaphor" is a productive, compact home systems for drinking water purification. A series of these filters differed from the usual reverse osmosis systems in that it has a nice design.
The system has a special design. So, the model consists of a collector and a replaceable cartridge. Unlike traditional reverse osmosis systems, this filter is much easier to maintain and operate.
The manufacturer claims a high resource of replacement cartridges. Also, these models are easy to replace filters. To do this, just press the button, remove the cartridge and insert a new one. Reverse osmosis "Aquaphor" does not require constant disinfection: when replacing the cartridge, almost all surfaces on which bacteria could settle will be perfectly clean. Purified water after these filters will contain only oxygen. All other impurities will be eliminated. Filtration quality is very high.
Filters from Ecosoft
Ukrainian manufacturer "Ecosoft" produces household systems under the brand name "Our Water". Among the product lines are jug, flow,reverse osmosis systems. Today, this company is quite successful, and the products are in demand and receive positive reviews.
Unique technologies developed by scientists from Ukraine make it possible to effectively purify water from almost all impurities known today. The osmosis filter is able to cope with iron, manganese, organic compounds, heavy metals. Ready-made solutions of the company are in great demand. These systems really make the water quality and clean.
The cost of Nasha Voda solutions is quite high. However, it is not just a filter. This is a whole range of equipment that is designed to make the lives of most people better. All necessary equipment included. The company also produces replacement filters for the entire product line. All those who care about he alth should definitely purchase such systems. Water is life, and clean water is a he althy and happy life.
