Thin Film Composite (TFC) membranes are a type of reverse osmosis membrane that are composed of multiple layers. These layers are bonded together to form a composite structure.

The TFC membrane typically consists of a thin polyamide active layer resting on a porous support layer. The active layer is responsible for the high rejection of undesired materials, like salts, and is chosen primarily for its permeability to water and relative impermeability to various dissolved impurities including salt ions and other small, unfilterable molecules.

All RO Membranes are rated for a specific Stabilized Salt Rejection. Many retail membranes are rated to Stabilize around 94-96% Rejection. SpectraPure stands by our Standard 98% Rejection, and our SpectraPlus 99% Rejection.

What does that mean for my water and TDS?

The higher the rejection, the more impurities are removed by the membrane. This is especially important when working with Aquariums. The higher the TDS coming out of the membrane, the more contaminants your DI will have to remove; causing them to exhaust faster and requiring more frequent filter changes.

While Membranes remove the majority of contaminants from your water, picking the right pre-filters (Sediment and Carbon) is imperative to assist the membrane in removing TDS from your water, as well as maintaining the health and lifespan of your membrane and DI.

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.

In Reverse Osmosis (RO) water systems, sediment filters are used to
remove larger particles like sand, silt, and other sediments. The effectiveness
of a sediment filter is often indicated by its Micron Rating.

Sediment Micron Rating refers to the size of the particles that the filter is capable of removing from the water. It’s essentially a measure of the filter’s pore size. The smaller the micron rating, the finer the filtration.

20 Micron: This is a common rating for sediment filters. It removes larger particles like sand and some types of algae.

10 Micron: This rating is often used in a second sediment filter stage, removing smaller particles and some larger microorganisms.

5 Micron: These filters can remove smaller sediments, including clay and silt, that may pass through standard filters.

1 Micron: Filters with this rating are capable of removing very fine particles and some larger microorganisms.

0.5 Micron: Filters with this rating are considered an ultrafine filter. It can remove most bacteria, cysts, protozoa, and other contaminants down to a 0.5 micron size. This includes organisms such as Griadia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium Parvum, which are linked to human gastrointestinal illness. These filters are highly efficient and are often recommended for areas with extremely high sediment levels. They provide excellent filtration quality, ensuring the safety of your Drinking Water.

It’s important to note that while a lower micron rating means finer filtration, it can also reduce the flow rate of the water through the system. Therefore, RO systems often
use multiple stages of filtration, each with different micron ratings, to balance filtration effectiveness with water flow.

Remember, the micron rating is just one aspect of a filter’s performance. The type of sediment filter used, the amount of contact time the water has with the filter, and other factors also play a role in the filter’s effectiveness.

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.

Sediment filters in Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems come in several styles, each with its own method of trapping and removing particulate matter.

Here are the most common types:

1. Pleated Filters: These filters have an accordion-shaped design with a large surface area. They trap sediment in their filter layers, and the trapped debris supports the mechanical filtering process and amplifies its efficiency. Pleated filters can often be washed and reused.

2. String-Wound Filters: These filters are made by winding a string or cord around a core. The tightness of the winding determines the micron rating. They are effective at trapping a range of particle sizes.

3. Spin-Down Filters: These filters use a spinning action to separate sediment from the water. They are often used as pre-filters to protect more delicate downstream filters from large particles.

4. Melt-Blown Filters (also known as Spun Filters): These filters are made from a type of polypropylene that is heated and blown into a cylindrical shape. They use depth filtration, with layers of filter media that gradually decrease in pore size as the water reaches the filter’s center.

5. Bag Filters: These filters are bags made of a filtering material. They are often used in industrial applications to filter out large amounts of sediment.

Each of these filter types has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the specific needs of your water supply. Factors to consider include the type and amount of sediment in your water, the desired flow rate, and whether the filter needs to be reusable.

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.

In Reverse Osmosis (RO) water systems, carbon filters play a crucial role
in removing contaminants and improving the taste and odor of the water. The
effectiveness of a filter is often indicated by its Micron Rating.

A Micron Rating refers to the size of the particles that the
filter is capable of removing from the water. It’s essentially a measure of the
filter’s pore size. The smaller the micron rating, the finer the filtration.

50 Micron: This is a pre-filter stage that removes larger particles like sand and sediment.

5 Micron: This is a common rating for carbon filters. It removes smaller particles, including many types of algae and bacteria.

1 Micron: This rating is often used in a second carbon filter stage, removing very fine particles and some larger microorganisms.

0.5 Micron or less: These filters can remove cysts and some viruses. They are often used in specialized applications.

It’s important to note that while a lower micron rating means finer filtration, it can also reduce the flow rate of the water through the system.

Therefore, RO systems often use multiple stages of filtration, each with different micron ratings, to balance filtration effectiveness with water flow.

Remember, the micron rating is just one aspect of a filter’s performance. The type of activated carbon used, the amount of contact time the water has with the filter, and other factors also play a role in the filter’s effectiveness.

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.

Anion Resins:
These are used to remove negatively charged ions, known as anions. Anion resins in the chloride form are used to remove alkalinity and in the hydroxide form will remove all anions including sulfate, nitrate, chloride, alkalinity, and silica. They may also be used for demineralization or dealkalization.

Cation Resins:
These are used to remove positively charged ions, known as cations. Cation resin in the sodium form is used to soften water, and in the hydrogen form to remove all cations including calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron.

It’s important to note that the specific ions a resin can remove depend on its type (strong or weak, base or acid) and its form (hydrogen, sodium, etc.).

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.

Deionization, also known as demineralization, is the process of removing ions from water. Ions are electrically charged atoms or molecules found in water that have either a net negative or positive charge. These ions are considered impurities and can interfere with scientific testing, corrode metals and metal alloys and must be removed from the water for many applications.

The deionization process involves the use of ion exchange resins that remove positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) from the water. The cations are exchanged for hydrogen (H+) ions and the anions are exchanged for hydroxyl (OH-) ions. This is due to the resin’s greater affinity for other ions. Once the resin bed is depleted of exchange capacity, it is regenerated with concentrated acid and caustic, which strips away accumulated ions, leaving hydrogen or hydroxyl ions in their place.

Here are some general types of DI Filters:

1. Single Bed DI: These cartridges contain either cation or anion resin, but not both. They are typically used in systems where the water has already been partially deionized, and only cations or anions need to be removed. Single bed cartridges can be tailored to specific water conditions, allowing for more efficient use of the resin.

SpectraPure Standard Single Bed - Strong Action Cation Cartridge

2. Mixed Bed DI Cartridges: These cartridges contain both cation and anion resins mixed together. They are capable of removing virtually all ionized impurities from the water. The resulting benefits are higher water purity (2 to 18.2 Meg Ohm) and longer DI cartridge runtimes, resulting in dramatically lower consumable costs. All of our Mixed Bed cartridges are tested to 18.2mohm, the absolute highest resistivity you can achieve, ensuring that our resins last well past our competitors.

SpectraPure Standard Mixed Bed Cartridge

3. Layered Bed DI Cartridges: These cartridges contain layers of cation and anion resins, rather than a mixture. This allows for a more controlled ion exchange process, potentially improving the efficiency and lifespan of the cartridge.

SpectraPure Mega Maxcap Cartridge

SpectraPure Standard SilicaBuster Color Indicating Cartridge

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.

Production Rates of RO Systems and Membranes are relative to your water source TDS, pressure, flow restrictor, and type of water coming from the source (Hard/Soft).

When you see a system advertised as 2:1 or 1:1 production, in most instances it is in fact false advertising. They are just trying to sell you more membranes more frequently.

Most houses and apartments have Hard Water, which is why standard RO Systems operate at a 3:1 ratio to help extend the life of the membrane and prevent excessive creep/leaching of TDS through your product water. It also helps prevent the concentration of calcium and magnesium from scaling the membrane, which ends up lowering quality and production, and forces you to purchase a new membrane.

In order for a membrane to produce a 2:1 ratio, you must have a Water Softener on your water source before the system. Without it, you will switch you membrane more frequently than normal.

In order for a membrane to produce a 1:1 ratio, your system needs a few things to continue to operate optimally and prevent damage to the membrane:

1. Pure Water Flush to rinse the membrane
2. A Booster Pump to help maintain higher pressures on the membrane
3. Soft Water

SpectraPure prides ourselves on designing and manufacturing systems that and last. Tested in Tempe, AZ on some of the worst water in the nation, we innovate so our systems can perform in any environment. We choose only the best filters and parts to help you get the pure water you need, without excessive filter changes.

If you have further questions, you can contact SpectraPure Support for more information.