Clean water is the key to he alth. To remove all unwanted impurities from it, various filtration systems are used. One of the most popular systems that can provide the highest quality water treatment is reverse osmosis. Do-it-yourself installation of such a system is not difficult. All the subtleties of this process will be discussed further.
System Description
Today, many different filters are used to purify water. But reverse osmosis is the most effective of them. This system allows you to remove almost all impurities from the water. At the same time, connecting a reverse osmosis filter with your own hands will not be difficult even for a person who is very far from plumbing work.
Reverse osmosis is a process during which the water flow is divided into two parts. Each of them has an unequal density. The first stream has a high degree of purity, and the second containsa large amount of pollution. To accomplish this, a special membrane is provided in the system. Very small holes are made in it, the size of which is only 0.0001 microns. Only water molecules can pass through it.
So that the membrane does not clog very quickly, the system has several more pre-filters. The flow, undergoing preliminary purification, is freed from chlorine, suspended particles, organic matter, etc. These are larger fractions.
The membrane is the final filter that provides the finest cleaning. The stream is divided into two parts. Contaminated water is discharged into the sewer. The clean stream enters the storage tank. It is needed to improve the comfort of using the system. The fact is that the flow of water passes through the membrane rather slowly. It is not able to provide a sufficient amount of fluid in flow mode.
It is worth noting that the membrane pores are 4000 times smaller than bacteria and 200 times smaller than viruses. Therefore, only water and oxygen molecules can pass through them. So that large particles of pollutants do not clog the pores of the membrane, 3 filters with different fillers are used in the system. It depends on the impurities that are contained in the water in the area. Most often, one of the pre-filters has a carbon filler. Other cleaners can be made from various artificial and natural materials. The orifices through which the liquid passes in such pre-treatment systems are 5 and 1 microns.
To install a reverse osmosis systemwith your own hands, you will need to consider the manufacturer's instructions. All actions are performed according to a certain methodology.
Package set
To install your own reverse osmosis for an aquarium or for domestic consumption, you will need to familiarize yourself with the package. It includes everything you need to install the system. Depending on the model, the list of accessories may vary, but most often it includes the following components:
- membrane;
- pre-cleaner flasks installed in block;
- postfilter;
- faucet for purified water;
- mineralizer;
- key for changing filters in flasks;
- membrane replacement wrench;
- mounting panel for crane installation;
- tees for connecting system elements;
- flexible water hoses.
You need to determine what performance the system should have. You may need to install additional modules. So, for example, the mineralizer is not supplied in every kit. The fact is that water after such a serious purification has a rather unusual taste. Useful minerals that a person needs for normal well-being are also removed from it. To replenish the natural composition of the liquid, a mineralizer is installed. It fills the water with essential minerals.
Do-it-yourself reverse osmosis connection does not cause any particular difficulties if all the necessary actions are performed sequentially. It should be noted that usually all elementssystems have standard dimensions, which allows, if necessary, to replace without difficulty. It is worth buying just such a reverse osmosis. For systems with non-standard component sizes, it is difficult to find suitable elements.
The principle of the system
To assemble a reverse osmosis filter with your own hands, you will need to consider the principle of operation of the system. First, a hose is connected to the water pipe, which will supply water to the pre-filters. Mechanical and chemical impurities of a certain size are retained here. The prepared flow is supplied to the membrane, through which it passes at a certain speed.
Two hoses extend from the membrane body. One is for dirty water (connects to the sewer system), and the second is for clean water (enters the storage tank). It is impossible to do without a special container into which the filtered stream will flow.
A conventional membrane is capable of passing through itself up to 7 liters of liquid per hour. This is not enough for domestic needs. The presence of a storage tank in the system completely solves this problem. After it, the flow of water is supplied to the tap, but most often a few more additional elements are installed in the system.
In most modern systems, a post-filter, a mineralizer, and other additional devices are installed after the storage tank. You can choose a set with two valves on the tap. Purified water will flow through one of them, and through the other -enriched with minerals. For cooking, it is enough to use water that does not contain additional minerals.
When installing reverse osmosis with your own hands, you should clearly understand the principle of operation of this system.
Mounting space
Wishing to mount a reverse osmosis system for an aquarium with your own hands or a system for domestic use, you will need to choose the right place for installation.
If you plan to use water for cooking, for drinking purposes, reverse osmosis is installed in the kitchen under the sink. Its size is usually quite compact. A tap for drinking water is installed on the sink, for which an additional hole will need to be drilled.
Convenient if all elements of the system are close to each other. The efficiency of the system largely depends on the length of the hoses to move the water.
Before you assemble reverse osmosis with your own hands, you will need to check all the elements of the kit for compliance with the incoming parameters. At the same time, the packaging of each component of the system is not disclosed, otherwise it will be difficult to make a return.
During this process, the membrane pressure, the inlet water temperature, and the flow pressure are checked. The manufacturer's instructions indicate what these indicators should be.
It is also worth considering that the system will need to be installed away from heating objects. Reverse osmosis should not be exposed to direct sunlight. First you need to turn off the water (cold andhot). Next, the valve is opened, which allows you to relieve pressure in the system. Then it is closed again. Next, the cartridges and the membrane, like your own hands, will need to be disinfected.
Installing a drinking water faucet
How to make reverse osmosis with your own hands? After completing the preliminary manipulations, you will need to install a tap for drinking water on the sink. On some models of sinks, an additional hole is already provided. If not, you will need to make a seat for the crane yourself.
Be especially careful if the surface of the sink is enameled. Otherwise, chips may appear on the surface. The crane is mounted on a flat horizontal surface. The diameter of the hole should be approximately 4 cm. You need to make sure that there is enough space under the sink to allow the faucet to be fixed correctly. This is important so that the tubes can be brought to the system without kinks.
After drilling a hole, you need to remove the chips, thoroughly clean all surfaces. Metal particles remaining on the surface can rust, leaving unsightly marks on the sink.
On the lower part of the crane before installation put on a special decorative overlay, rubber washer. This will make the joint airtight. Next, the base of the tap is inserted into the hole. Then a rubber washer is put on it on the other side, and then a plastic washer. A metal ring is fixed on them. The whole structure is tightened with a nut. On the bottom base you will needscrew on the fitting. It has a rubber gasket inside.
Connection to the water supply, tie-in to the sewer
Do-it-yourself reverse osmosis will need to be connected to the water supply. To do this, the water supply must be shut off. A special adapter in the form of an adapter is used for connection. It is most convenient to mount it at the junction of a water pipe and a flexible connection for a conventional faucet.
Before that, you need to substitute a basin here. The rest of the water will drain into it. Next, the flexible hose will need to be disconnected from the pipe. The adapter must have a rubber seal. The adapter is screwed onto the eyeliner from both sides. Fixation is carried out with a wrench.
From the adapter, you will need to unscrew the ball valve nut. This is necessary in order to put it on a plastic tube. The latter is pulled onto a ball valve. The nut must be tightened by hand so as not to overtighten the fitting. Tow or Teflon tape is wound on the external thread to increase tightness.
Next, you need to crash into the sewer system to drain dirty water. For this, a drainage clamp is used. You need to crash into the sewer at the level of the siphon. Above it, on a horizontal or vertical section, you will need to drill a hole with a diameter of 7 mm. Do not install a drain clamp on an uneven, rounded area.
It is worth noting that it is almost impossible to achieve tight joints. You will need to stick rubber on the bracket or purchase special fasteners. On it alreadythe presence of this softening element is provided. After that, fix the clamp by tightening the screws. A black tube is inserted into this fitting. It is pre-lubricated with silicone and equipped with a tightly but not tightly screwed nut.
Valve for storage tank, filtration unit
When installing reverse osmosis with your own hands, you will need to properly mount the storage tank. It will need to be mounted on a special stand or on brackets. If there is not enough space under the sink, the tank will need to be placed nearby, for example, on a cabinet in the kitchen.
Further, a plastic tap is attached to the threaded connection of the tank. You will need to wind the fum tape on the thread. The crane is screwed onto it until it stops by hand. You don't need to use a tool for this. You will need to insert a plastic tube into the faucet fitting. The second end is connected to the post-filter.
Next, you need to check the pressure in the tank with a pressure gauge. Then, if necessary, you need to increase it a little.
Installing reverse osmosis with your own hands, you will need to proceed to the installation of the filtration unit. It is worth considering that the tubes supplied by the manufacturer are 1.5 m long. Moreover, they should not be stretched or have kinks. You can hang the block on the inner wall of the cabinet.
The ball valve must be freely accessible. Filters that carry out preliminary cleaning are fixed on the bar. It can be hung on the wall of the cabinet under the sink. This place should be easy to get to. In this case, replacing reverse osmosis filters with your own hands will not causeproblems. The location of each filter in the block cannot be changed. Otherwise, the system will not work properly.
Filling, washing block
Before operating the system, you will need to fill it with water. To do this, you will need to close the valve on the tank, as well as the corresponding fittings on the pipeline. Then you will need to open the tap that was previously installed to supply purified water. A ball valve also opens, through which water is supplied to the filter.
In the first 10 minutes, air is released from the system. When water appears, its pressure will be very small. This is due to the blocked tap on the tank. It should remain closed for now. You will need to wait until the water flushes the entire system. When a certain amount of water has been drained, the faucet can be turned off.
Then wait another 10 minutes. At this time, you need to check the system for leaks. If they are, you will need to tighten such connections. If the system is working properly, you can open the valve on the tank. So do-it-yourself washing of the reverse osmosis membrane, as well as its other elements, is carried out. The tank fills up within a few hours. The system is then flushed again. It is impossible to drink water collected for the first time in the tank. Water can only be used when it has been filled a second time.
Pump
In order for the system to function correctly, in some cases it is required to install a reverse osmosis pump with your own hands. This is necessary if the pressure in the water supply does not exceed 2.8 atm. Otherwise reverseosmosis will not last. It is best to select a pump from the same manufacturer as the system. The instructions indicate a detailed connection diagram.
The pump must be installed in tandem with a sensor that controls the pressure in the water supply. He is responsible for turning the pump on and off in the event of a change in water supply indicators. The sensor is installed in front of the drive. To do this, you will need to break the tube. If the water quality in front of the pump is poor, you need to install an additional main-type coarse filter.
If pressure surges up to 3-4 atm are possible in the system, a special valve is installed in front of the pump to prevent leaks. It will reduce the pressure to the required value.
Do not repair the reverse osmosis pump with your own hands. This can lead to failure of the entire system. This work must be entrusted to professionals.
Maintenance
To ensure that the water supplied by reverse osmosis is always clean, you need to change the filters and the membrane in a timely manner. The water meter shows how much water has been treated by the system. Most often, you will need to change filters every 3-6 months (depending on water consumption).
The membrane, depending on the characteristics specified by the manufacturer, is changed every 1-5 years. This procedure is performed if sediment has appeared in the membrane block, the water quality has deteriorated, and the pressure has dropped. If for several weeks the system is notused, the membrane will need to be disinfected.
To replace the elements of the system, you will need to turn off the water and open the tap. After relieving pressure, unscrew the flasks (the key is supplied). Get old cartridges. The flasks need to be washed. Next, the same new cartridges are installed.
