Reverse Osmosis Installation: Connection Diagram and Assembly

The deterioration of plumbing communications has affected the quality of water flowing into apartments and private homes. Its use for cooking and drinking is impossible without the use of filters. The best degree of purification is provided by the installation of reverse osmosis - the most advanced filtration system to date. To install it with your own hands, you will not need any special skills or special tools.

How the reverse osmosis filter works and how it works

Initially, plants of this type were used for desalination of sea water. But as soon as the technology allowed to produce such devices in a smaller and more expensive version, they firmly occupied their niche in the market of household filters.

The principle of operation of the device is based on reverse osmosis - forcing water through a membrane with microscopic holes in size matching the size of the H2O molecules. Larger particles are retained, so practically desalted water is obtained at the outlet. Impurities that have not passed through the membrane filter in the form of a concentrated salt composition are discharged into the sewer.

Distilled water is harmless to the body, but devoid of useful salts, which are vital for it. Therefore, after final purification, it is recommended that the water be subjected to additional mineralization, increasing its usefulness and improving taste.

For long-term operation of the membrane, water is preliminarily passed through filters that remove mechanical suspensions and other impurities from it. Thus, the reverse osmosis water purification system consists of 4–5 steps, to which additional elements are optionally connected.

Water purification steps

Water treatment is carried out in the pre-treatment unit. These are three filters of various types:

• Coarse cleaning - traps particles of sand, rust and other mechanical suspensions.
• Coal - removes compounds of chlorine, phenol and other dissolved substances.
• Fine cleaning - captures particles up to one micron in size.

Prepared water seeps through the membrane into the storage tank. Concentrated brine, containing all impurities, goes through the pipes into the sewer.

Before use, one more final stage of cleaning is provided for a carbon post-filter or mineralizer.

Subtleties of choosing an osmotic filter and additional elements

Before going to the store, several measurements are made. They will help you make the right choice.

• Measured pipe pressure. For forcing fluid through the membrane and for normal operation of the reverse osmosis system, at least 2.8 bar is required. If it is less, you can not do without a booster pump - a pressure boosting pump with a transformer.

• The estimated water consumption in the family is calculated. Focusing on this indicator, determine the desired performance of the cleaning system. This primarily depends on the membrane used. For domestic use, a membrane of 50G (8 l / h) or 75G (12 l / h) is sufficient. A gallon (G) per day is a unit for measuring membrane performance accepted by global manufacturers. 1 G = 3.785 liters.
• Focusing on the throughput of the membrane, they acquire a water flow restrictor. This is a calibrated tube through which liquid is discharged into the sewer. For a 50G membrane, a flow limiter with a value of 300 is suitable, for a 75G - 450, for a 100G - 550. With a low pressure in the water supply, a restrictor with a lower value can be taken.

• It is also recommended to measure the place under the sink to be sure that the selected model will fit there.
• For proper sealing of the joints, an FUM tape is purchased.

Read more about Atoll pump UP-7000 / 24V on the manufacturer's website

DIY reverse osmosis installation and connection

The preparatory work is simple:

1. We block the access of water to the apartment.
2.  Relieve pressure in the pipes by opening one of the taps for 1 minute.

The installation procedure is specified in the instructions included in the delivery. In most cases, the device is placed under the sink: this arrangement provides easy access for preventative maintenance and hides it from sunlight.

The connection diagram can be seen in the following image.

Installation of a drinking tap

At a sink or countertop nearby a separate tap for clean drinking water is installed.

• We drill a hole in the mount. We choose it so as to avoid kinks or twisting of the eyeliner.

Some craftsmen glue the surface of the countertop around the future hole with a band-aid: this avoids chips. They drill in two steps: first with a 6 mm drill, and then expand to 12. Torn edges are trimmed with a file.

• Equipping the faucet with a decorative trim and a rubber washer, insert it into the hole. From below we put on a rubber washer of a smaller size, a plastic ring and other elements indicated in the diagram, and tighten the threaded connections.

Carefully remove chips and other contaminants from under the rubber gasket for tightness.

In the future, it remains only to connect the drinking tap to the outlet pipe from reverse osmosis filter.

Water connection

Connection to the water supply system is carried out by means of a coupling (adapter, tee), into which the water supply tap from the kit is inserted. Typically, the tee is mounted at the junction of the water supply with a flexible eyeliner going to the mixer.

Procedure:

• We disconnect the inlet of the cold water mixer from the water supply.
• We connect the eyeliner to the adapter, checking the presence of a rubber gasket.
• We screw the water supply tap into the adapter sleeve.
• Unscrew the nut from the water supply fitting and put it on the plastic tube from the filter kit (see a photo).
• Pull the tube itself onto the fitting and tighten the nut by hand without using a wrench, with little effort.
• The water tap can be equipped with a quick-release collet connection, in this case you just need to insert the tube until it stops.

• Close the water tap and check the joints for leaks.

The tightness of the joints ensures the use of the FUM tape.

The booster pump, if necessary, is placed between the pre-filters and the osmotic membrane. This will extend the life of the pump: it will not wear out due to the ingress of sand and rust. The pump control relay should be located between the diaphragm and the storage tank.

For the installation of measuring instruments, such as a manometer, three-way valves are used.

On the same site is a four-way bypass valve. He will block the water when filling the storage tank.

Installation is simplified if all devices are placed by the manufacturer in a single enclosure. It is these models that are easiest to install on their own.

Connection to the sewerage

To drain dirty water into the sewer, a hole with a diameter of 7–8 mm is made in the drainage pipe of the sink. Further the order will be as follows:

• On the part of the clamp with the hole, glue the gasket.
• We fix the clamp so that its fitting coincides with the drilled hole in the drain pipe.
• Using a wrench, tighten the nuts on the clamp.
• We insert a lead-out tube lubricated with silicone, which is usually black in the clamp fitting. All of these items are included. The tube should be directed downward, and not abut against the wall of the siphon. So the water discharged into the sewer will produce less noise.

Important! Do not place the drain hole at the bottom of the bend of the siphon. It is advisable to do it above the water seal. The area on which the clamp will be fixed should be smooth, without bending: only this way you can achieve a tight joint.

Installation of filter elements and storage tank

The filtration system modules need to be compactly and conveniently arranged under the sink. Select the wall on which the filter block will hang, and screw the screws into it. Then we proceed according to this scheme:

• We install cartridges in the filter flasks, clearly observing the sequence prescribed in the instructions.
• Insert the membrane into the housing.

• Lubricate the tubes for connecting the filter parts with silicone and connect in the correct order.

Handset connection diagram:

• The water supply pipe is the inlet of the first filter.
• Storage tank - inlet of the 5th stage filter.
• The exit of the 5th stage is a drinking tap.
• The output of the membrane filter (4th stage) is a drainage hole (clamp).

How to connect the tubes:

• We cut the size of the tube at a right angle (there should be a small margin, the tube will be buried 1-1.5 cm on each side).
• We press our fingers on the collet - a plastic ring that protrudes from the bulb - and gently pull out the plug. If it cannot be pulled out, you need to press a little harder so that the pressure is uniform.
• Press the collet again and insert the tube so that it is fully inserted.
• We put on the retaining clip-half-ring on the collet.
• Check the quality of the connection by pulling the handset towards you.

To connect the storage tank, to the pipe thread sealed with FUM tape, we twist the tap from the kit, and insert the desired tube into it.

Many manufacturers do not isolate the mineralizer in an additional step. As a rule, a mineralizer combines the functions of a coal post-filter and a mineralizing one.

Assembly and installation of systems of popular brands: video

The principle of installing reverse osmosis systems is the same, but the products of different companies have their own differences. Filters of the following manufacturers are widely known in the Russian market:

• Atoll is the very first reverse osmosis system in Russia. He has vast experience in the development, support and improvement of reverse osmosis technology in Russia for 25 years. A wide range of products will not leave without a choice even the most demanding buyer. It is supplied both as a set of filter cartridges and as a compact ready-made unit. Such a module is easy to connect on your own. There are budget and advanced modifications.

We will consider the installation process as an example reverse osmosis systems Atoll A-575 Box STD (Sailboat)

• Geyser - osmotic cleaning systems of the Prestige series. A storage tank is supplied with them, allowing you to draw water for drinking at any time. Models with the letter "P" in the name are equipped with a pump that increases the pressure in the system and are more expensive. The letter "M" indicates the presence of a mineralization module.

• Aquaphor. One of the leaders in the production of filter systems. Each model in the kit has a 5 liter expansion tank. Aquaphor osmotic membranes work well even at low pressure in the water supply without installing an additional pump: just 1.5 atmospheres is enough. Another distinguishing feature is the economical use of liquid: no more than 20% of the total volume of water is spent on removing impurities from the membrane.

• "Barrier". The best model for reviews - "Osmo 100". It has 5 stages of cleaning, an 8-liter storage tank. It is cheaper than analogues of other companies, while not inferior to them in quality. Of the disadvantages is the lack of a mineralizer.

• Aquapro. Well-proven filter systems with a good price / quality ratio. A popular model is the AQUAPRO AP 600 with a large storage tank of 12 l and 5-stage filtration.

Start and flush

Before starting operation, flush and check the system. This is done like this:

• The filter elements are washed, letting water in with the closed valve of the storage tank. About 10 liters of water merge. Simultaneously with flushing, air is forced out of the system.
• Stop the flow of fluid into the filter. Check for leaks. If necessary, fix flaws when connecting.
• Fill the system with the valve of the storage tank open. This will take several hours. After all the liquid is drained.
• For drinking and cooking use water only after refilling the container.

Cartridge maintenance and replacement

An operating osmotic treatment plant always contains water. If it stagnates, an unpleasant musty smell appears. Avoiding this is simple: every day you need to update the water by draining at least 0.5 liters from the system.

Cartridges or osmotic membranes are replaced based on the time specified by the manufacturer, or on deterioration of the quality of cleaning.

• Pre-filters are used no more than 6 months.
• The carbon post-filter that completes the water treatment is designed for 1 year of operation.
• The osmotic membrane will last up to 2.5 years.

Replacing the cleaning elements is simple:

• We block the water supply to the inlet system.
• We open the drinking tap and drain the liquid from the system to the maximum.

It is impossible to completely remove water from the device, so rags are laid on the floor so as not to flood the neighbors.

• If the location of the cartridges does not allow you to remove the filter elements, disconnect the tubes and remove the equipment from under the sink.

Mr. Build recommends: Label or photograph tubes so as not to confuse them during assembly. Also take a photo of the shot cartridges, which is convenient to navigate when installing new replacement parts.

• We unscrew the flask covers and extract the contents of the filters.
• We wash the filter mesh from mechanical impurities with a stream of water, replace the contents of other cartridges. The flasks themselves are also thoroughly washed inside.
• We twist the flask caps, paying particular attention to the state of the rubber gasket. We assemble the system and test for leaks.

Proper selection, installation and proper care will allow you to operate the reverse osmosis system for a long time without loss of quality of the treated water.