Page 17 of 18
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Atmospheric tank:
A storage container requiring additional delivery system to distribute stored water.
Typically constructed of polyurethane or stainless steel. Used in situations where greater storage
capacity is needed than offered by conventional pressure tanks.
Auto By-Pass:
A feature that allows tap water to be delivered to downstream demands in the event the RO
processor is unable to meet demand.
Brine Seal:
A black “O-ring type seal located on one end of membrane that seals the membrane to the vessel
preventing cross contamination of process water and feed-water.
Calcite Feeder:
Calcite is a naturally occurring mineral used to raise the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the
water to promote conductivity in the final product water. Used in situations where conductivity is
needed for proper equipment function i.e. conductivity probes.
Carbon Block:
Acid washed carbon is used to absorb VOC’s (Volatile Organic Chemicals) such as herbicides,
pesticides and chlorine, which will damage RO membranes.
Concentrate needle valve:
A needle valve located on the right side flow meter that controls the concentrate
(drain water) water flow to the drain.
Concentrate:
Water being rinsed to drain after it has been rejected by the membrane.
Concentrate Line:
Tubing or pipe used to transport concentrated waste water to a suitable drain.
Feed pressure:
Referring to the water pressure being supplied to the RO processor before it has entered the
pre-filter. Raw water.
Feed pressure gauge:
The upper most gauge on the control panel that indicates the water pressure the
membrane is receiving.
Flow meter:
A meter that reads water flow in gallons/liters per minute
GPM:
Gallons per minute
GPD:
Gallons per day
Hardness:
Total quantity of CaCO3 (Calcium/magnesium) present in water.
1 gr. = 17.1 TDS in ppm per U.S. gallon
Iron:
A naturally occurring mineral that has detrimental effects on a membranes ability to produce water.
Reduced by ion exchange (water softening) or KDF media.
KDF Media Filter:
A proprietary blend of metals and other substances that help reduce Iron and CaC03
(hardness). Used as pretreatment on some models of high production RO systems.
L Copper pipe:
A high grade of copper pipe that will withstand water temperatures up to 160 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Membrane:
A thin sheet or surface film, either natural or man-made, of microporus structure that performs as
an efficient filter of particles down to the size rang of chemical molecules and ions. Such membranes
are termed “semi-permeable” because some substances will pass through but others will not. Usually
small ions, water, solvents, gases, and other very small molecules can pass through a membrane, but
other ions and macromolecules such as proteins and colloids are barred form passage. Membranes are
used in reverse osmosis.
