What is wrong with this idea for saving water via re-use ?

[anewbie]

a good ro system is roughly 1:1 (1 good 1 waste) water producer;
a good distiller is roughly 10:1 (10 good 1 waste) water producer;

With a ro system bacteria and virus would pass through the membrane (I think); but with a distiller they should be backed out (i think);

so what is wrong with the idea of sending waste water from aquariums back through the distiller for reuse

(distiller is also cheap to run if you can run it off solar energy; though the upfront cost from the distiller and solar panels is not small change)

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Yes, a reverse osmosis (RO) system removes bacteria and viruses by physically filtering them out with its semi-permeable membrane, which has pore sizes small enough to block these microorganisms. The "deionized" (DI) part of the system further purifies the water by removing minerals, but the RO membrane is the key component for removing bacteria and viruses.

from Google AI

everse osmosis (RO) works by using pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules through while blocking contaminants—including bacteria, viruses, and dissolved solids. This membrane is capable of removing particles as small as 0.0001 microns, making it one of the most effective filtration technologies available today.

from https://advancedaquasystems.com/does-reverse-osmosis-remove-bacteria/

“It’s also important to note that while RO is proficient at eliminating bacteria and viruses, it may not be 100% foolproof.”

Reverse osmosis is a sophisticated filtration method that relies on a semi-permeable membrane to separate contaminants from water. This membrane possesses microscopically small pores, allowing only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules and particles. However, the efficacy of RO in removing bacteria and viruses hinges on the size of these microorganisms relative to the membrane’s pore size.

Bacteria, being larger in size, generally range from 0.2 to 10 micrometers, while viruses are considerably smaller, typically measuring between 0.02 rom 0.0001 to 0.001 micrometers. Given these dimensions, an RO membrane is indeed capable of blocking bacteria and viruses from passing through.

But here’s the catch: while reverse osmosis membranes are effective at removing a wide array of contaminants including bacteria and viruses, their efficiency can vary based on several factors such as the membrane’s quality, pore size, and the operating conditions of the RO system. Additionally, the presence of any defects or damage to the membrane can compromise its effectiveness in removing these microorganisms.

 

[anewbie]

from Google AI


from https://advancedaquasystems.com/does-reverse-osmosis-remove-bacteria/

While you commented on the ability of the ro membrane to remove some bacteria and virus (some will sneak through esp as the membrane ages); you did not comment on the over all idea of using a distiller which has far less water waste.

 

[Magnum Man]

I like how you think, but let me talk about a common counter top distiller ( I have a couple of these ) made to distill drinking water... tap water fully distilled into drinking water, leaves a heavy film on the bottom of the distiller, this is water that is ( generally ) considered safe to drink... If water change water, were used, there would be much more sediment to clean out ( usually baked on the bottom, and requiring an acid to fully clean... these do one gallon at a time, and take about a quart of vinegar to clean... obviously a bigger distiller, would take more acid, but still require the same type of clean up to remove impurity accumulation...

running your water through a prefilter, could remove solids, but not most of what ends up baked on the bottom

 

[gwand]

The leftover concentrate (in the boiler) contains concentrated ammonia/nitrates/phosphates/heavy metals — you must dispose of it safely.

Volatile compounds like ammonia will carry over to the distillate.

 

[anewbie]

I like how you think, but let me talk about a common counter top distiller ( I have a couple of these ) made to distill drinking water... tap water fully distilled into drinking water, leaves a heavy film on the bottom of the distiller, this is water that is ( generally ) considered safe to drink... If water change water, were used, there would be much more sediment to clean out ( usually baked on the bottom, and requiring an acid to fully clean... these do one gallon at a time, and take about a quart of vinegar to clean... obviously a bigger distiller, would take more acid, but still require the same type of clean up to remove impurity accumulation...

running your water through a prefilter, could remove solids, but not most of what ends up baked on the bottom

Larger distiller work a bit different; they still produce waste that has to be disposed of but there is little to no chance that water that goes through a 'dirty' distiller will be contaminated by the solids from the previous distilling. Also the water going through the distiller a second time will of course be much cleaner than the original water and nearly free of harmful solids making cleaning much easier. There will be no ammonia or similar in the recycled water. So the new water (with new debris) would be approx 1/10th the volume of water you use. So if I expect to use 5000 gallons a month that would be 500 gallons of fresh water a month.

One could argue this water would also put little stress on the ro membrane but the waste factor is quite high - though there are ro unit that recyle the waste water back through to reduce waste but it gets quite messy.

 

[Aquaria Pro Aquatics]

While you commented on the ability of the ro membrane to remove some bacteria and virus (some will sneak through esp as the membrane ages); you did not comment on the over all idea of using a distiller which has far less water waste.

I would rather waste water, which goes back to the ground, than use something that would be worse for the environment, like the use of either gas or electricity to complete the distillation process. It might be okay if you have a single nano, but I have racks upon racks, and it's just not feasible for me.

Dominick
Aquaria Pro Aquatics

 

[anewbie]

I would rather waste water, which goes back to the ground, than use something that would be worse for the environment, like the use of either gas or electricity to complete the distillation process. It might be okay if you have a single nano, but I have racks upon racks, and it's just not feasible for me.

Dominick
Aquaria Pro Aquatics

Yes but if you read what i had written you would realize that the plan would be to run the distiller off of solar panels so the energy usage would not be directly harmful to the environment.

 

[GaryE]

I remember reading that it was done by aquarists back in the industrial mists of time. RO was more convenient, and we had that long period from the sixties to the future when convenience trumped environmental concerns. It fell by the wayside.
Using solar, I can see it working, but only on paper. I've never used one or studied them. I think it's worth exploring.

 

[Aquaria Pro Aquatics]

Yes but if you read what i had written you would realize that the plan would be to run the distiller off of solar panels so the energy usage would not be directly harmful to the environment.

Its still electricity being wasted that could be used or sold back to the grid. The waste water will just become groundwater again.

Dominick
Aquaria Pro Aquatics