The quality of piped water, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. As a result, special cleaning filters are becoming more popular in the Russian market. By subjecting the water to several stages of purification, it can be used not only for domestic purposes, but also for food purposes.
Reverse osmosis storage tank
When resorting to household purification of drinking water with a purifying filter, it is important at any time to have access to clean liquid to take it in the required volume without additional hassle and waiting. However, fine filtration is not a fast process, and only a weak pressure is visible at the exit. As a result, there is a need for regular replenishment of the purified water supply.
To prevent this problem, a storage tank was invented, which is mounted together with the structure of the cleaning filter. The tank is designed for the collection and storage of already purified liquid. The outer casing is made of high-quality metal or environmentally friendly plastic, the inner part is identical for all models - a hydraulic accumulator is installed.
Principle of operation and device
Visually, the reverse osmosis storage tank is a cylindrical barrel made of plastic or enamelled steel with a special opening for connecting to the filtration system, as well as to the tap at the sink. The connection is provided by a special tap that allows at any time to take liquid directly from the filter station or to shut off the supply to the reverse osmosis tank.
In a reverse osmosis system, the entire inner surface of the barrel is covered with a rubber membrane - a diaphragm that divides the entire cavity into two components:
- At the bottom of the keg is compressed air, in an empty tank the pressure is approximately 0.5 atmospheres. It is uploaded by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage.
- The upper part of the storage tank contains purified water from the filter.
As the upper chamber fills with water, the diaphragm flexes, increasing the working pressure at the bottom of the keg.
The compressed air content in one of the parts ensures that the water is pushed out when the tap is open.
After taking a certain amount of liquid, the main task of the system is to replenish the water supply to the maximum possible value. The process of water purification through filters is suspended as soon as the storage tank is 100% full. The purified liquid is not discharged into the sewerage system.
The upper part of the storage tank is additionally equipped with a special plastic container for storing purified water, which prevents direct contact with the metal body. This design feature extends the service life of the equipment, and is also advisable from the side of hygienic safety.
Installation features
There is a wide variety of reverse osmosis systems, each with its own characteristics during installation. Installation example for a five-stage cleaning filter with a storage tank:
- Open the package and check for parts, familiarize yourself with the functionality.
- Choose the most suitable mounting location.As a rule, the tank and filters are installed under the sink.
- Installation of an additional tap for treated water from the storage tank.
- Connecting the device to the pipeline and cutting into the sewer system.
- Installing a valve on a drive.
- Installation of the filtration unit.
- System health check.
Before using purified water for food purposes, the tank must be rinsed several times. This will remove dust and chemical residues.
The main causes of malfunctions and how to fix them
It is worth familiarizing yourself with the most common malfunctions that the owners of the unit have to face.
Decreased filter performance
The problem is accompanied by a weak pressure from the tap. It is difficult to collect the required volume of clean water.
To eliminate the problem, you need to check if the storage tank is full. If the container is full, but water still does not flow, this indicates a low operating pressure in the lower chamber with compressed air - it is not enough to act on the membrane.
To solve the problem, you need to adjust the pressure in the air chamber; for this, there is a special nipple on the front of the keg. With its help, you can pump air up to the nominal value with a pump.
Water comes out of the nipple when trying to pump air into the lower compartment
If water begins to flow from the bottom of the keg, this indicates a violation of the integrity of the separating membrane. To solve the problem, a complete replacement of the reverse osmosis storage tank will be required. It is necessary to buy equipment that is suitable for the filtration system in all technical parameters.
After installing a new cylindrical barrel, you need to carry out the following manipulations:
- Open the tap on the tank so that it starts to fill with clean water.
- Wait until it is completely filled. When cleaning is completed, the discharge of water into the sewer stops.
- Open the tap until the container is completely empty.
This simple procedure removes dirt particles and chemical sprays from the interior of the unit. After washing, the equipment is used as usual.
When building up the operating pressure in the lower part of the barrel, the tap must be open. If all the liquid came out of the tank during the pumping of air, and then air began to come out intensively, this indicates the presence of a hole in the diaphragm.
How to flush a reverse osmosis tank
It is required to rinse the storage tank regularly, not only in the event of a breakdown. It is not possible to mechanically wash the inside of the tank, therefore it is imperative to use special chemical disinfectants.
There are cases when users become alarmed by an unpleasant taste or smell of purified liquid. It is important to correctly establish the cause of this phenomenon. Most often this occurs due to a malfunction of the membrane or breakdown of the membrane holder. Another possible option is a tank filled with water that has not been used for 2-3 weeks or more.
For disinfection of the internal cavity, it is best to use hydrogen peroxide, chlorine or iodine. The most effective are drugs that contain chloride compounds. After such disinfection, it is important to carry out a high-quality rinsing with full filling and emptying of the container, the procedure must be repeated at least two times. To achieve an effective result, flushing should be carried out only with purified water, and not from a water tap.
The storage tank makes it easy to use the treated water, but it needs proper care to work properly. Instructions for use are attached.
