|
Q: What is PPW 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 PPW* 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 PPW series drinking water taste like
?
Q: How will the PPW series water affect mixed beverages
?
Q: Don't people need minerals removed from the water
?
Q: Where is the PPW series drinking water system installed
?
Q: Can the PPW system be connected to an extra faucet
?
Q: What factors affect the quantity and the quality
of the water produced ?
Q: How much water does the PPW system produce ?
Q: Can the amount of water produced be increased ?
Q: What is the guarantee on the PPW System ?
Q: What is the maintenance schedule for the PPW System
?
Q: When should the membrane be changed ?
Q: What contaminants does Reverse Osmosis Remove ?
Q: Tips for selling
PPW units more effectively
Q: Where can I download PurePro posters?
Q: What is PPW* Home Reverse Osmosis System ?
PPW RO Series 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. PPW* 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 empl semipermeable
membrane that removes not only particles but also an extremely
high percentage of dissolved contaminants-molecule by molecule-
from raw tap water.
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 PPW* 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.
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.
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.
Q: What is the actual process of the PPW* 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 PPW* 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 3.2g water storage tank[6]. Inside
the tank is a balloon-like rubber diaphragm, pre-charged with
10 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 PPW* Series system is a POLISHED CHROME FAUCET [7]. It
is installed on the kitchen counter or the sink. It is a dual
action faucet offering intermittent flow (to fill a glass, hold
the handle down) or continuous flow (to fill a coffee pot, lift
the handle up).
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.
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.
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 .
Q: What does the PPW* series drinking water taste like ?
The taste of the ppw* 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).
Q: How will the PPW* series water affect mixed beverages
?
Because reverse osmosis removes invisible contaminants that mask flavor, 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, PPW* 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.
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 PPW* series drinking water system installed
?
The PPW* 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 faucets in the home.
Q: Can the PPW* system be connected to an extra faucet ?
It only takes a 1/4* tee and tubing to run the water to a refrigerator or
a extra faucet. Some families run PPW* system to all of their bathrooms.
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. PPW* 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.
Q: How much water does the PPW* 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
Q: Can the amount of water produced be increased ?
Yes. There are several ways: 1.At night, fill a pitcher with water from
the tank. The emptier the tank the faster the water production. By morning the
tank will be filled with fresh water. 2. A second membrane can be added. An
additional membrane is required to double the capacity of the PPW* System.
Q: What is the guarantee on the PPW* System ?
The PPW* 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.
Q: What is the maintenance schedule for the PPW* 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 1mciron sediment or 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.
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 to know
when you should change the R.O. membrane). Back
to top
Q: What contaminants does Reverse Osmosis Remove ?
The PPW* 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.
Typical Thin Film Composite (TFC) membrane rejection rate*
| Material/Element |
Removed |
Material/Element |
Removed |
| Barium |
97%
|
Potassium |
92% |
| Bicarbonate |
94% |
Radium |
97% |
| Cadmium |
97% |
Selenium |
97% |
| Calcium |
97% |
Silicate |
96% |
| Chromate |
92% |
Silver |
85% |
| Copper |
97% |
Sodium |
92% |
| Detergents |
97% |
Strontium |
97% |
| Fluoride |
90% |
Sulfate |
97% |
| Lead |
97% |
PCBs |
97% |
| Magnesium |
97% |
Insecticides |
97% |
| Nickel |
97% |
Herbicides |
97% |
| Nirtrates |
80% |
|
|
| Total Dissol Solids |
95% |
|
|
|