Which process is NOT typically involved in reverse osmosis treatment?

In reverse osmosis treatment, the main focus is on the separation of contaminants from water using a semi-permeable membrane. This process relies heavily on the principles of membrane separation, where water is forced through the membrane, leaving impurities behind.

Sedimentation typically refers to a physical process where heavier particles settle out of the water due to gravity. It is primarily used for larger particulate matter removal before filtration or other treatment processes, but it is not a component of the reverse osmosis mechanism itself. Instead, reverse osmosis deals directly with the solute removal through a membrane without the need for sedimentation, making it the process that is not typically involved in reverse osmosis treatment.

Filtration is relevant as it can be used in conjunction with reverse osmosis to remove larger particulates prior to the water reaching the membrane. Concentration polarization describes a phenomenon that occurs during the reverse osmosis process, where solutes accumulate near the membrane surface, potentially affecting efficiency. Membrane separation is the core operation of reverse osmosis, allowing for effective separation of water and contaminants.

Understanding this delineation helps clarify the essential elements of reverse osmosis and the roles other processes play in water treatment systems.