CIE - Reverse Osmosis Unit

In nature there is an occurring phenomenon where a solvent (water) will move from an area of low solute (salt) concentration to one where there is an higher solute (salt) concentration through a membrane.
This process is referred to an Osmosis.

Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) is a water treatment process to produce purified/potable water by using applied pressure to overcome the osmotic pressure of the solution. By applying a pressure to the solution on one side of a semipermeable membrane you force the water through the membrane into the permeate stream to be used in a process or for drinking.

The high salt concentration stream is referred to as the reject which is either sent to waste or to be used in a second reverse osmosis (R.O.) stage.