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 FAQ |
Q.What
is a Home R.O. System ?
Q.How
does Reverse Osmosis differ from a Water Filter ?
Q:What
is the membrane and how does it work ?
Q:Can
you explain Osmosis ?
Q:What
is Reverse Osmosis ?
Q:What
is the actual process of the Home R.O. System ?
Q:How
did Reverse Osmosis get its start ?
Q:Will
R.O. remove Sodium from the water ?
Q:Does
R.O. remove Bacteria ? Cryptosporidium ?
Q:What
does the RO series drinking water taste like ?
Q:How
will the RO water affect mixed beverages ?
Q:Don't
people need minerals removed from the water ?
Q:Where
is the RO drinking water system installed ?
Q:Can
the RO system be connected to an extra tap?
Q:How
much water does the RO system use ?
Q:Can
I reduce the amount of water wasted in R.O. system ?
Q:What
factors affect the quantity and the quality of the water produced ?
Q:How
much water does the RO system produce ?
Q:What
is the guarantee on the RO System ?
Q:What
is the maintenance schedule for the RO System ?
Q:When
should the membrane be changed ?
Q:What
contaminants does Reverse Osmosis Remove ?
Q:What
is a home reverse osmosis system?
Detox Reverse Osmosis System
is a Home Drinking Water System that uses the principle of reverse
osmosis to remove 95-99% of all the mineral and chemical contaminants from
raw tap water. Detox products gives you the quality of bottled water with
the convenience of a faucet mounted on your kitchen sink.
Q:How
does Reverse Osmosis differ from a Water Filter ?
Ordinary
water filters use a screen to separate only particles of dirt sediment
from water. Reverse osmosis employs
a semipermeable membrane that removes not
only particles but also an extremely high percentage of dissolved contaminants-molecule
by molecule- from raw tap water.
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Q:What
is the membrane and how does it work ?
The membrane
consists of several thin layers or sheets of film that are bonded together
and rolled in a spiral configuration around a plastic tub (This is also
known as a thin film composite or TFC membrane.) The material of the membrane
is semipermeable: it allows water molecules pass through while acting as
a barrier to dissolved solids (i.e.: mineral chemical contaminants). When
the feed water stream passes across the surface of the membrane, the
molecules penetrate the membrane surface, working their way around the
spiral and collecting in the center tube. The remaining contaminants are
concentrated and washed from the surface of the membrane down the drain.
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Q:Can
you explain Osmosis ?
Assume
a membrane is semipermeable, allowing water to pass through while being
closed to dissolved salts. Place a membrane between two compartments in
a container as shown in the figure to the right. Then place a salt solution
in one half of the container and pure water in the other half. Now a fundamental
scientific principle comes into play. That is, two different concentrations
of liquids within the same system will try to reach equilibrium (i.e. the
same concentration of contaminants) on both sides of the membrane. Of course
the only way for this to happen is for pure water to pass through the membrane
to the salt water side in an attempt to reach equilibrium is called OSMOSIS.
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Q:What
is Reverse Osmosis ?
Reverse
Osmosis is the reversal of the natural flow of osmosis. In a water purification
system, the goal is not to dilute the salt solution, but to separate the
pure water from the salt and other contaminants. When the natural osmotic
flow is reversed, water from the salt solution is forced through the membrane
in the opposite direction by application of pressure-thus the term REVERSE
OSMOSIS. Through this process, we are able to produce pure water by screening
out the salts and other contaminants.
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Q:What
is the actual process of the Detox Home R.O. System ?
The raw
tap water first flows through a 5 micron particle FILTER[1] to remove dirt,
rust and other sediment. The water then flows into a carbon briquette cartridge
FILTER[2] which takes out 98% of the chlorine and organic chemicals. The
next stage of the process is FILTER[3] the Block carbon filter to filter
multi-chemical compounds and suspension. [4] The reverse osmosis membrane
(TFC) which will separate 95-99% of the dissolved contaminants from the
water molecules. The contaminants are then washed down the drain. The next
stage of the RO series process is the small CARBON FILTER [5] removes
the remaining traces of chemicals, tastes and odors.
The R.O.
water is stored in a 4
gallon tank. Inside the tank is a balloon-like rubber diaphragm,
pre-charged with 14 psi of air. As the tank fills, the air pressure increases
and pushes the water out when the faucet is opened. The final element of
the RO Series system is a POLISHED CHROME TAP. It is installed
on the kitchen counter or the sink. It is a dual action tap offering
intermittent flow (to fill a glass, hold the handle down) or continuous
flow (to fill a coffee pot, lift the handle up).
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Q:How
did Reverse Osmosis get its start ?
Although
the idea of reversing osmosis has been known for over 10 years, the practical
application is a recent development. In 1962 the U.S Government funded
the first R.O. plant which processed 1000 gallons clean water per day.
Today, there are more than 3000 large R.O. treatment plants, each producing
more than a million gallons of drinking water each day. In 1991, the U.S.
Army bought 8,000 large Desal* membranes to their mobile water purification
units for troops in Desert Storm. In 1993, the U.S. Government bought another
6,300 large Desal* membranes to purify flood water in the Midwest.
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Q:Will
R.O. remove Sodium from the water ?
YES! Reverse
Osmosis was originally designed to make sea water drinkable for the navy.
It is ideal for anyone on a low sodium diet.
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Q:Does
R.O. remove Bacteria ? Cryptosporidium ?
YES! An
R.O. membrane has a pore size much smaller than bacteria virus, pyrogen
or the cryptosporidium parasite. When functioning properly it will remove
all microorganisms from tap water and produce sterile water .
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Q:What
does the RO series drinking water taste like ?
The taste
of the RO water depends on the amount of contaminants in the tap water
originally. If 95% of dissolved minerals and chemicals are removed, the
R.O. water may taste like distilled water (no minerals), bottled water
(low mineral), or natural spring water (moderate mineral content).
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Q:How
will the RO series water affect mixed beverages ?
Because
reverse osmosis removes invisible contaminants that mask flavour, it allows
the natural taste of your beverages to come through. You will be able to
use less coffee and still get the full flavor. Concentrated beverages like
orange juice will taste tangier. You will probably be drinking a lot more
water as well, since many people drink soda, Kool-Aid, concentrated juices,
and beer as an alternative to bad-tasting tap water. Also, RO eliminates
most of the lime build up on drip coffee makers, preventing the need for
frequent cleaning. No longer will you find the white scum on the inside
of pans after boiling water.
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Q:Don't
people need minerals removed from the water ?
Most of
the minerals that we receive are from the foods we eat. Only a very small
percentage comes from the water we drink.
Q:Where
is the RO series drinking water system installed ?
The RO
System is usually installed underneath the kitchen sink. So installers
prefer to locate the equipment in the basement or in a crawl space since
the water may stay cooler there, and can be easily run up to the kitchen sink, as well as to a refrigerator & additional taps in the home.
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Q:Can
the RO system be connected to an extra tap ?
It only
takes a 1/4* tee and tubing to run the water to a refrigerator or a extra
tap. Some families run RO system to all of their bathrooms.
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Q:How
much water does the RO system use ?
The System
uses approximately 200 litres per day, depending on the water pressure
& membrane capacity. The extra water that runs down the drain is used
to wash the contaminants from the surface of the membrane, prolonging its
life. However the actual water flow is so slow that most water meters cannot
measure the flow and the consumer will not be charged for that water.
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Q:What
factors affect the quantity and the quality of the water produced ?
There
are four major variables to consider:
1. PRESSURE.
The greater the water pressure, the better the quantity and quality of
the water produced. Water pressure of 60 psi ideal. Detox Popducts include one booster
pump can make sure the water pressure.
2.TEMPERATURE.
76*F is the ideal water temperature for R.O. 40*F water will cause the
production of R.O. water to fall to half of that at 76*F. The maximum water
temperature recommended is 85*F.
3.TOTAL
DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS). The higher the amount of dissolved contaminants
in the water, the lower the quantity of water produced. A high level of
*TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS can be overcome with additional water pressure.
4. MEMBRANE.
Different membranes have different characteristics. Some produce more water
than others; some have better contaminant rejection capabilities; some
have greater resistance to chemical abrasion for longer life. The Thin
Film Composite(TFC) membranes made by Desal*, combine the best of these
characteristics and are considered the finest membrane in the world. As
you might expect, they are also the most expensive membranes in the world,
but easily the best value for the TFC they offer.
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Q:How
much water does the RO system produce ?
Under
ideal conditions, the Desal* membrane is rated at 50 gallons/70gallons
of production per day. Under average conditions, the consumer can expect
50/70 gallons of product water per day. But that*s still a lot of water
for the average household*s drinking and cooking requirements.
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Q:What
is the guarantee on the RO System ?
The RO
System (excluding filters) is guaranteed for 1 years for material and workmanship.
All defective parts will be replaced free within the first year. The membrane
has a one year pro-rated guarantee.
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Q:What
is the maintenance schedule for the RO System ?
The three
pre-filter cartridges should be changed every 6 months. The first is a
5 micron sediment cartridge. The second is a Carbon Cartridge. The third
is a Extruded carbon filter. Failure to change the cartridge every 6 months
may allow chlorine to destroy the membrane. Depending upon the water it
is treating, the Thin Film Composite membrane has a life expectancy of
3 to 10 years The post filter should be changed when the membrane needs
changing.
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Q:When
should the membrane be changed ?
One indication
is a gradual reduction in water production caused by a layering of minerals
and salts on the membrane surface. Another is a gradual deterioration in
the quality of water being produced. You my notice a different taste or
more white scum on the inside of a pan of water you are boiling. This might
mean the R.O. membrane is disintegrating and requires replacement. (Note: Water Quality Tester TDSX1
can test the water and tell you when you should change the R.O. membrane).
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Q:What
contaminants does Reverse Osmosis Remove ?
The RO
System contains a quality carbon filter which will remove more than 98%
of organic chemicals from the water. These include THMs(chloroform), DBCP,
lindane, TCEs(trichloroethylene), PCEs(tetrachloroethylene), carbon tetrachloride
chlorine, In addition to these organic chemicals, below is a partial list
of other contaminants removed by the Desal* TFC membrane. The percentage
of removal shown below is a conservative estimate.
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