Quick Answer: Industrial and residential reverse osmosis systems share the same fundamental membrane technology but differ dramatically in almost every other aspect. Industrial RO systems are engineered for continuous operation at high volume—producing hundreds to millions of gallons per day—using commercial-grad. Advanced water treatment technologies including reverse osmosis provide effective solutions for water quality challenges in this area. AMPAC USA’s commercial and industrial systems are engineered to address these specific water treatment needs with certified, documented performance.
Reverse Osmosis process is the one fundamental process applied across various scales and industries that require water treatment extensively as a part of their own procedures. This procedure has seen various developments over the past few years to suit the needs for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. And though the process is same, it differs with every scale it caters to. Here is how a normal Industrial reverse osmosis is different from the home:
- Water Profile:
The type of water with specific minerals needed in it is different for industrial and for households. Where on one side, a pharmaceutical factory may require the water to have an excess of one mineral for the formulation of its medicine, the common household RO purifies water according to the need of a human body. - Capacity:
The average capacity of a household RO system is about 100 gallons per day including the whole house water treatment system. On the other hand, an industrial RO system can treat up to 100,000 gallons of water based on the factory’s need. - Water Softeners:
The tap water sent to our house is already treated for being good enough to be used for daily chores. This water can be used for drinking after adding a few water softeners to eliminate any chemicals that might pass through the membrane in RO. In factories, the water available for treatment comes directly from the sources and hence has not been treated before. And so, because of this difference in sources, the systems require different types and amounts of Water softeners to make the water suitable for treatment through RO. - Limitations:
The household water RO systems are able to purify the water for certain contaminants and may not be a good idea to use for any source of water. Industrial RO systems, on the other hand, are well equipped to take water from the seas and desalinate it which means they can bear any water profile.
Today almost every industry uses Reverse Osmosis process for cooling, cleaning, and production in different capacities. Household RO purifiers are still used for consumption purposes more than for the daily chores. Ampac USA is a leader in world class water treatment equipment for industrial, commercial and household purposes.
AMPAC USA engineers custom water purification systems for commercial, industrial, and emergency applications — from 500 GPD to multi-million GPD. Trusted by municipalities, military, and industry worldwide.

