"Reverse osmosis (RO) has become an essential technology in commercial and institutional plumbing systems where high-quality water is critical to operations. From healthcare and hospitality to laboratories and manufacturing environments, plumbing professionals are increasingly involved in projects that require a clear understanding of how RO systems function, how they are properly applied, and how they integrate into broader mechanical systems.
This session will provide a practical overview of reverse osmosis technology tailored specifically to plumbing engineers, designers, and contractors. You will gain a foundational understanding of the science behind reverse osmosis, including membrane operation, system components, and performance characteristics. The session will also examine the limitations of RO systems and the water quality conditions that influence performance and membrane longevity.
Beyond the core RO unit, the session will explore the critical role of pretreatment and post-treatment equipment. Topics will include filtration technologies, hardness control strategies (softening vs. antiscalant), dechlorination, storage methods (atmospheric vs. pressurized), repressurization considerations, and corrosion control. Emphasis will be placed on how feedwater chemistry directly impacts system design decisions.
The session will conclude with a step-by-step example demonstrating how to size a complete RO system based on water analysis data and project demand. You will walk through evaluating flow requirements, peak and daily usage, recovery considerations, operating limits, and storage calculations to determine an appropriate system configuration. This session is designed to equip you with the knowledge required to confidently evaluate, specify, and coordinate RO systems within commercial building projects."