Explain about the application of reverse osmosis in water purification.

Explanation

(i) Reverse osmosis is used in the desalination of sea water and also in the purification of drinking water.
(ii) When a pressure higher than the osmotic pressure is applied on the solution side (sea water) the water molecules moves from solution side to the solvent side through semi permable membrane (opposite to osmotic flow). The pure water can be collected.
(iii) Cellulose acetate (or) polymide membranes are commonly used in commerical system.