Reverse osmosis and osmosis are two processes that deal with the movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane. The major difference between these two processes lies in the direction of water flow and the mechanism that drives it.
Osmosis is a natural process that occurs in living cells and the environment, where water molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a semipermeable membrane.
Reverse osmosis, on the other hand, is a mechanical process that uses pressure to force water molecules to move from a high concentration to a low concentration through a semipermeable membrane.
In osmosis, the goal is to equalize the concentration of the solution on both sides of the membrane, while in reverse osmosis, the aim is to remove impurities and create freshwater by filtering out the concentrated solution.
Reverse osmosis is commonly used in water filtration systems to remove undesirable substances from drinking water, such as salt, bacteria, and pollutants.
However, reverse osmosis also generates wastewater that requires proper disposal and can consume a lot of energy, making it an expensive process for industrial applications.
Overall, while osmosis and reverse osmosis may seem similar, these two processes have different goals and mechanisms that make them unique. Understanding the differences between these processes is crucial in determining which method is appropriate for a specific application.