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Apparatus and method for purifying a solvent such as water, using a reverse osmosis process. The apparatus includes a reverse osmosis (R.O.) unit, a storage tank for storing permeate produced by the reverse osmosis unit, and a flushing arrangement for cleansing the concentrate side of a reverse osmo

Apparatus and method for purifying a solvent such as water, using a reverse osmosis process. The apparatus includes a reverse osmosis (R.O.) unit, a storage tank for storing permeate produced by the reverse osmosis unit, and a flushing arrangement for cleansing the concentrate side of a reverse osmosis membrane at the conclusion of a purifying cycle. A flow regulating arrangement 34, 40, 42 maintains one of two pressures at the concentrate output. A system controller controls the communication of feed water to the R.O. unit and the concentrate pressure. A flushing accumulator receives permeate during a purifying cycle. When the cycle is terminated, the permeate stored in the accumulator is transferred to the input side of the R.O. unit and flushes the membrane. The permeate is driven from the accumulator by a feed water generated force exerted on the permeate by an isolated pressurization chamber forming part of the accumulator. According to a feature of this embodiment, the R.O. unit, the flushing accumulator and the system controller are integrated in a unitary package which is relatively maintenance free.

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Apparatus for purifying a solvent such as water by reverse osmosis, comprising: (a) a substantially cylindrical housing having an end cover defining an inlet for water to be treated, and outlet for permeate, and an outlet for waste; (b) a reverse osmosis module disposed axially within said housing,

Apparatus for purifying a solvent such as water by reverse osmosis, comprising: (a) a substantially cylindrical housing having an end cover defining an inlet for water to be treated, and outlet for permeate, and an outlet for waste; (b) a reverse osmosis module disposed axially within said housing, said module comprising: (i) an input tube disposed axially with respect to said housing; (ii) a perforate collector tube surrounding said input tube and defining a permeate collection region between the inside of said collector tube and the outside of said input tube; (iii) a reverse osmosis membrane disposed around the collector tube and extending into abutting engagement with an inside wall of said module; (c) an intermediate housing member disposed intermediate said end cover and said reverse osmosis module, said intermediate housing member defining a plurality of fluid passages; (d) a system controller disposed in said housing for controlling the communication of feed water at said inlet with said input tube; (e) a flushing accumulator defined by a tubular elastomeric member clamped around said reverse osmosis module, a region on one side of said member defining a permeate receiving chamber and another region defined on another side of said member forming a pressurization chamber; (f) a pressure control valve for controlling the pressurization of said other region defined by said elastomeric member, said control valve responsive to a decrease in pressure in said reverse osmosis compartment, and operative to communicate feed water pressure to said pressurization chamber to generate a force on said elastomeric member causing it to contract said permeate receiving chamber to cause said permeate to be discharged from said permeate receiving chamber into the input tube of said reverse osmosis compartment.