What type of contaminants are removed by reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis is a highly effective filtration process that primarily targets soluble deposits, which include a range of dissolved ions, minerals, and small particles in water. This process utilizes a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while rejecting a significant portion of dissolved substances.

The key aspect of reverse osmosis is its ability to remove contaminants at a molecular level, including salts, sugars, and certain heavy metals that are in solution. The high pressures applied during the reverse osmosis process help push the water through the membrane while leaving behind these soluble contaminants, thus purifying the water.

In contrast, gases and large particulate matter are not effectively removed by this method. Gases may require different treatment technologies, while large particles would typically be handled by preliminary filtration systems that are designed to remove coarse debris before processes like reverse osmosis are applied. Insoluble materials also do not interact with the membrane in the same way that dissolved substances do, making them less relevant to the reverse osmosis process.