When two solutions of unequal concentrations are separated by a semi permeable membrane and if a hydrostatic pressure in excess of osmotic pressure is applied on the concentrate side, the solvent is forced to move from the concentrated side to dilute side across the membrane. This is known as reverse osmosis. The effectiveness of the process depends on the density of the membrane. It is also important that the membrane be cleaned regularly for proper functioning. Membranes are made of cellulose acetate, polymethacrylate, polysulphone, polyamide polymers etc. Reverse osmosis is employed for desalination process
Composite Membrane:
Thin-film composite membranes (TFC or TFM) are semipermeable membranes manufactured principally for use in water purification or water desalination systems. They also have use in chemical applications such as batteries and fuel cells. Thin film composite (T.F.C) membranes consist of a dense ultrathin barrier layer typically 0.2 mm thick on top of a microporous polsulfone support. The advantages of these membrane are that they operate at higher flux and lower pressure, have greater chemical stability, have higher salt rejection, they are not biodegradable, they have higher rejection of other materials (silica, nitrate, organics). Operating ranges of these membranes are pH of 2 to 12 and temperatures of 0°C to 40°C.