Mankind has polluted the water resources in many ways and now, when there is a real danger of drinking water scarcity in the near future, efforts are being made to ensure that there is enough water to live on. Purification of water to make it fit for human consumption is done on commercial scale by the public utilities and at a smaller scale, in homes and offices, by the individuals and organizations. Reverse Osmosis systems, or RO systems, as these are popularly known, are the most widely used purification systems at micro-level.

The Mechanism

Reverse Osmosis method makes use of a permeable membrane which separates the large solute molecules (of impurities) from the rest of the solution. It involves a diffusive mechanism wherein the efficiency of separation is dependent on the concentration of solute, pressure of water and the flow rate. The RO method is mostly used in making drinking water from the salty water of the sea. The same can also be used at homes. For the apparatus to be used effectively, the water must flow at some pressure. The portable RO systems also employ ultraviolet sterilizers.

RO And Ionizers

The current RO systems remove the contaminants and, on the downside, also remove all the natural minerals from the water. The ionized water is alkaline and is specially recommended in some medical conditions like AIDS or diabetes. The ionized water is a good anti-oxidant and can help remove the acid waste from the body. To work, the ionizer requires the presence of minerals in the purified water. So, the companies providing the two systems also provide re-mineralization cartridges. The purified water from the reverse osmosis passes through these cartridges and is then ionized.

RO And Soda Water Makers

The companies making the RO systems also diversify into those products which use the RO purified water for other applications. One such utility product is the soda water carbonators. These allow the users to add the desired amount of aeration in water and make it into a soda of desired concentration of carbon dioxide. So, you can make and enjoy the drinks as per your requirement and liking. The companies selling these products aim to capture the need-based niche market segments.

RO And Air Humidifiers

Some of the companies focusing on 'purification' systems tend to focus on a number of products related not only to water purification but also to air purification. These are air vacuum cleaners, air humidifiers and purifiers. The air humidifiers and purifiers make use of the purified RO water stored in the machine for inner and outer circulation. These are mainly used as air fresheners and in aromatherapy.

So, the companies dealing in reverse osmosis water purifiers might also be offering a number of other related innovative and useful products.